Athens has claimed the 12th spot in a global ranking of the best cities for combining remote work with vacation, according to the 2025 “Work from Anywhere Barometer” published by the International Workplace Group (IWG). The ranking, now in its third year, highlights the cities offering the most attractive balance of infrastructure, lifestyle, and flexibility for digital nomads and hybrid professionals.
At the top of this year’s list is Tokyo, followed by Rio de Janeiro and Budapest, with Athens emerging as a strong contender, outperforming many better-known cities thanks to its unique combination of climate, culture, and growing remote work amenities.
Remote Work Meets Mediterranean Living
Athens’ rise reflects a broader shift in how people travel and work, especially as hybrid work models become the norm. According to the IWG study, 60% of remote workers are now more likely to extend their vacations in order to work from a different location—up significantly from last year.
The ranking evaluates 40 cities across 12 key criteria, including broadband speed, availability of co-working spaces, cost and availability of digital nomad visas, access to nature, public safety, and overall liveability. Athens scored well across multiple categories, positioning itself as an ideal Mediterranean base for working travelers.
The World’s Top 10 “Workation” Cities in 2025
- Tokyo
- Rio de Janeiro
- Budapest
- Seoul
- Barcelona
- Beijing
- Lisbon
- Rome
- Paris
- Valletta
Tokyo climbed to the top spot thanks to its fast broadband, efficient transport, high levels of safety, and its new digital nomad visa introduced in 2024, allowing stays up to 12 months. The city also benefits from close proximity to both coastlines and national parks, offering a rare blend of urban energy and natural escapes.
Other notable newcomers to the top 10 include Seoul (4th), praised for its tech infrastructure and visa-friendly policies, and Rome (8th), which combines history and gastronomy with Italy’s own recently launched digital nomad visa.
Why Athens Is Gaining Ground
While not yet in the top 10, Athens’ 12th place marks a clear upward trend for the Greek capital. Long loved for its history, sunshine, and vibrant food scene, the city is now being recognized for its growing appeal among remote professionals. A mix of affordable living (compared to other EU capitals), increasing access to flexible workspaces, and connectivity is boosting its status on the global digital nomad map.
The city also benefits from its proximity to nature—with beaches, islands, and mountain getaways just a short drive or ferry ride away.
The Rise of Flexible Work and “Workations”
As more companies embrace remote and hybrid models, the line between work and leisure is blurring. Mark Dixon, IWG’s CEO, notes: “We’ve never seen so many workers extend their trips to work remotely or live abroad for longer periods as digital nomads.”
He believes this shift is not temporary: “More businesses are adopting policies to support work-from-anywhere—especially during the summer months.”
Still, Uncertainty Tempers Global Mobility
However, despite the boom in digital nomadism, global labor mobility has slowed in recent months. A report by job platform Indeed showed that interest in international work opportunities has dropped to pre-pandemic levels between 2024 and 2025.
According to a separate survey of 5,000 workers by HR firm Randstad, job security now outweighs flexibility for many. Two-thirds of respondents prioritized employability over remote freedom, and more than half preferred control over their work hours rather than their physical location.
Source: tovima.com
