💼 Remote Work, Reimagined: Summer Edition
Forget the Aesthetic Laptop Shot — Here's What It Really Takes to Work While Traveling in Europe
Working remotely while traveling sounds like the dream — beach views, cappuccinos with a side of productivity, and sunsets after a day of inbox-zero glory. But anyone who's actually tried it knows the truth: finding fast Wi-Fi, a non-sweaty workspace, and somewhere to take a Zoom call without a screaming baby nearby is harder than it looks.
So this isn’t your average digital nomad Pinterest board. This is a practical, honest guide to remote work in Europe during summer — where to go, where to plug in, and how to actually get stuff done without overheating or overspending.
🌍 First Things First: The Realities of Summer Remote Work
Working on the road can be incredible — freeing, inspiring, even life-changing. But it also means planning around heatwaves, tourist surges, time zone chaos, and cafés that give you a side-eye after one coffee and four hours of Wi-Fi. Here's what remote work in July actually looks like:
It’s sweaty (unless you pick your location wisely).
It’s noisy (kids are out of school, beach bars are in full swing).
It’s lonely sometimes, especially when your friends are all offline or 7 hours behind.
But it can also be deeply rewarding, if you choose the right places.
So let’s do that — choose well.
✍️ Noah · July 4, 2025
1. Porto, Portugal
Why it works: Smaller, calmer, cheaper than Lisbon — and still absolutely stunning.
You’ll find cobbled streets, affordable flats, great Wi-Fi in most cafés, and a laid-back creative community that doesn’t mind if you wear shorts to a meeting. In July, it’s sunny but not sweltering, and there’s always a breeze from the Douro River.
Where to work:
Outsite Porto – A beautiful coliving & coworking space near the riverside
Mesa325 – Calm café with fast Wi-Fi, solid coffee, and outdoor seating
Selina Porto – Yes, it’s a chain, but it's got reliable internet, a pool, and a plug at every table
Remote life tip: After work, head to Jardim do Morro with a Super Bock and a book. Golden hour here resets your brain.
2. Tbilisi, Georgia
Why it works: The digital nomad world is sleeping on Georgia — but not for long.
Tbilisi has no visa requirement for a year for most nationalities, living costs are low, and cafés welcome laptops without judgment. It’s not Europe-EU, but for remote workers, it's a treasure.
Where to work:
Fabrika – A creative compound with coworking, cafés, and rooftop bars
Prospero’s Books & Caliban’s Coffee – Bookstore vibes, good espresso, peaceful terrace
Impact Hub Tbilisi – Strong community of local and international freelancers
Remote life tip: July gets hot here, so escape to Kazbegi on weekends — mountain views, cool air, and great 4G.
3. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Why it works: Small city. Big chill energy. Surprisingly fast internet.
Ljubljana is safe, green, and perfect for walking. It feels like a well-kept secret, even in summer. You can work riverside, walk through a park on your lunch break, and be at Lake Bled in under an hour.
Where to work:
TOZD – Stylish café right on the river with power outlets and good cold brew
Poligon Creative Centre – Slovenia’s first coworking space, built for creators
Ziferblat – Pay-per-minute café (you only pay for time, not drinks)
Remote life tip: Take your calls in Tivoli Park under a tree. Just… watch out for squirrels.
4. Tallinn, Estonia
Why it works: Tech-forward, English-friendly, and cooler than you think (literally and culturally).
Estonia is a digital nomad’s playground. The e-Residency program is famous for a reason, and Tallinn’s Old Town mixes medieval walls with fiber-optic internet. In July, the days are long, and the temps are comfortably under 25°C.
Where to work:
LIFT99 – Startup-centric coworking space in Telliskivi Creative City
RØST Bakery – Perfect for early-morning deep work sessions (and cinnamon buns)
NOP Café – Healthy food, community tables, dog-friendly
Remote life tip: Buy a local SIM and use it as a hotspot — Estonia’s mobile data is fast and cheap.
5. Thessaloniki, Greece
Why it works: Coastal Greek charm, but way less chaotic than Athens in the summer.
It’s still hot, but being by the water makes a huge difference. Thessaloniki has a youthful energy thanks to its student population, plus cheap rent and strong coffee — both key to surviving summer while working.
Where to work:
Bensousan Han – A hidden cultural space where creatives hang
Mob Office – Central coworking with AC and events
To Pikap – Record store meets espresso bar meets laptop-friendly chill zone
Remote life tip: Siesta culture is real here — expect slower afternoons, but cooler evenings for calls with the US.
🌴 What About the “Laptop on the Beach” Fantasy?
Let’s be real: sand and electronics don’t mix. And glare makes screen visibility a joke. But here are a few beach-adjacent work spots where the fantasy kinda works:
Las Palmas, Gran Canaria (Spain): You can literally walk from a coworking space to the waves in 5 minutes.
Split, Croatia: Old town cafés near the water with real plugs and reliable Wi-Fi.
Ericeira, Portugal: A surf town with more digital nomads than surfboards lately. Bonus: cool ocean breeze.
Barcelona’s Poblenou district: Beach 10 minutes away, tech startups all around.
Tip: Beach = after-work treat. Save the laptop for the shaded terrace and hit the sea after 6 PM.
🔌 What Makes a Space Actually Remote-Work Friendly?
Don’t be fooled by Instagram. Look for:
Multiple power outlets (and not hidden under someone’s chair)
Consistent upload speeds for video calls
A noise floor below screaming-child level
No pressure to “order more” every hour
Locals working there too — always a good sign
🧠 Mental Health While Working on the Road
Remote work isn’t all croissants and castles.
It can get isolating — fast. Especially if you’re crossing time zones and can’t just pop into the office Slack thread when you need a boost.
To stay sane:
Use tools like Timezone.io to keep track of your team.
Join local coworking WhatsApp or Facebook groups — most cities have active ones.
Have a "non-negotiable offline time" where you explore, walk, or just look away from a screen.
Schedule human time. Work remotely, but don’t live remotely.
💡 Summary: Remote Work ≠ Vacation
And that’s okay.
You’re not pretending to be on holiday. You’re building a lifestyle that works — with deadlines, inboxes, and sometimes mosquito bites.
But when done right, working remotely in Europe during summer means you can log off, step outside, and be somewhere breathtaking. Every day.
And that… kind of makes it worth it.
✍️ This blog was written by Noah.
