Las Palmas leads Spain's remote work boom
The Canary Islands city beats better-known European rivals thanks to its climate, coworking scene and easygoing lifestyle
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has been named one of the world’s top destinations for remote work, coming eighth in a new global ranking compiled by Holafly (aLas Palmas de Gran Canaria has been named one of the world’s top destinations for remote work, coming eighth in a new global ranking.) The result puts the Canary Island capital ahead of cities such as Paris, Berlin and Lisbon, and confirms what many digital workers have known for years, that this is one of Spain’s strongest remote work hubs.Spain as a whole also comes out on top. In the Global Digital Nomad Report, the country ranks first worldwide for digital nomads. Valencia is the highest-ranked Spanish city, in third place, while Seville appears in tenth. The list shows that remote work in Spain is no longer limited to Madrid or Barcelona.
Las Palmas has been building this reputation for nearly a decade. Since 2016, Nomad List has included it among the world’s leading remote work destinations, helped by its air links, digital connectivity, year-round climate, public transport, cycling network and multicultural food scene.
The city also combines a strong local feel with the practicalities remote workers need. Markets stay lively, neighbourhoods like La Isleta and Arenales still have a clear identity, and Las Canteras beach is only about a ten-minute walk from many coworking spaces in the centre.
That beach is part of the appeal. So is the wider outdoor lifestyle, with surfing, running and swimming all easy to fit into daily life. Around that has grown a community of programmers, designers, video game developers, travel writers and other professionals who can work from anywhere. As the article puts it, Las Palmas can feel “like a small town, but on a grand scale.”
The city now has almost 20 coworking spaces, with prices around €120 a month, and some have developed into coliving spaces that combine accommodation and work under one roof. On Coliving.com, Las Palmas is listed with 15 coliving options, behind only Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia among Spanish cities.
The remote work scene also has a social side. Events such as Nomad City, the global nomad congress held every autumn, have helped put Las Palmas firmly on the international map. For Spain, the message is clear, the remote work market is spreading well beyond the traditional big-city centres and finding a strong base in places with a very different way of life.
Image: Canary Vista ES/Pexels
Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox
Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)
OR
you can sign up to our FREE weekly roundup!
Read some of our recent bulletins:
Discount Special Offer subscription:
36.95€ for 48 Editor’s Weekly News Roundup bulletins!
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.
(List price 3 months 12 Bulletins)
Read more stories from around Spain:
