“Workation” became a popular term only a decade or so ago, but an increasing number of people are enjoying getaways that combine work and vacations. As you’re probably well aware by now, it’s the chance to enjoy an escape while still fulfilling job responsibilities without worrying about lost pay.
If you’ve been dreaming of a place where you can work from the beach, or nearby, you might want to consider the 2025 Work from Anywhere Barometer report from IWG and Arup.
The survey scored 40 cities around the world on a dozen criteria, from broadband download speed and the availability of flexible workplaces to costs, the number of sunshine hours annually, happiness index scores, sustainability, and cultural quality. Availability of digital nomad visas and proximity to nature, including beaches, were also considered.
The beach city that came out on top? Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was ranked second behind only Tokyo, where the nearest beach is roughly 90 minutes away.
Why Rio de Janeiro?
Whether you want to enjoy working at the beach for a week or two, or a year, it’s possible in Brazil thanks to the new Digital Nomad Visa that was launched in January 2022. Visitors can keep their current employment in another country while staying as long as 12 months. If you decide you want to stick around longer, you have the option to renew for another year.
Plus, the sprawling coastal city is home to world-famous beaches like Ipanema and Copacabana. Of course, those iconic stretches are often jam-packed with sunbathers, but there are many lesser-known stretches to consider as we recently covered in the Best Rio de Janeiro Beaches (That aren’t Copacabana and Ipanema).
European Alternatives
If Europe is what you had in mind, there are two cities that ranked high on the list to consider. Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city, has nine manmade beaches that were built for the 1992 Summer Olympics, including Platja de la Barceloneta, the most popular. But there are also natural (and more tranquil) beaches within easy reach, like Canet de Mar, a 40-minute drive or under an hour by bus. You’ll find countless others ideal for a day trip, including one of our favorites, Cadaqués in Catalunya, where Salvador Dali once lived and painted.
Lisbon is another outstanding alternative that ranked among the world’s top 10 workcation cities. As we recently featured, there’s a train that can quickly get you from Lisbon’s center to the coastal resort town of Cascais, where you’ll find many beautiful sandy beaches for sunbathing, swimming, and more.
