10 coliving spaces for connecting with the digital nomad community
My top recommendations for remote workers worldwide.
Humans are social creatures. We thrive in communities—but for digital nomads, finding your tribe can be tricky.
Moving around a lot and virtual work can make it difficult to meet people and maintain relationships.
The solution? Coliving!
The concept is simple. These spaces are designed for location independent workers, with shared work spaces, high speed internet, and rooms or beds for rent.
But the best coliving spaces are so much more than just a space to work and sleep. They give you the chance to get inspired, to network, to learn from other digital nomads, and to build lifelong friendships.
My first experience with coliving changed everything about my life as a digital nomad, so I know it will change yours, too. Whether you’re a full-time nomad or looking for your next workation destination, this list will feature the next right place for you.
1. Sun and Co.
Nestled between the sea and the mountains, Sun and Co. is a digital nomad’s dream. Founded in 2015, this coliving and co-working space is all about community. The focus is bringing residents together, with family meetings where guests plan professional and social events for the week ahead. Expect to learn a lot—about digital nomad living, remote work, and yourself. The community managers at Sun and Co. take their work seriously and will ensure you feel welcome.
The town of Javea is also idyllic with incredible history and amazing restaurants. Nearby, you’ll also enjoy the plentiful hiking and gorgeous beaches. It’s easily accessible by car or bus from nearby Valencia or Alicante.
There are a variety of rooms available, from dorm-style rooms with shared bathrooms to private rooms, and you’ll find a mix of people from all ages and places. Co-working is available inside or outside—so you can make the most of the gorgeous Spanish weather! I visited in April and enjoyed many warm days on the beach or working from the courtyard. Bikes are also available for guests, making it easy to explore.
2. Swiss Escape
This coliving and co-working space is located in Grimentz, a small Swiss town in the Valais Canton. It’s easily reached by public bus from nearby Sierre year round. The chalet itself is only 5 minutes from the bus stop—and two gondolas for the ski resort of Grimentz-Zinal.
Besides the obvious benefits of being so close to incredible skiing, you’ll also soak up some pretty amazing views from your desk. You’ll almost certainly find yourself sneaking in a few runs between meetings!
Swiss Escape is also a great destination in the off-season, with plenty of hiking, mountain biking, and even a nearby lake.
There are two chalets with shared bathrooms and single, double, and dorm-style rooms available. In the main area, there are large desks and ergonomic chairs that make it easy to get productive work done.
An on-site and remote community manager work together to introduce new arrivals and organize group activities, like raclette nights or card games, that help you build new friendships.
This space comes highly recommended from experienced digital nomads. Located on the island of Tenerife, this Spanish outpost in the Canary Islands also boasts daily breakfast and a house dog.
The historic building offers shared dorms with 3 beds, single rooms, and double rooms to accommodate different types of travellers. The focus is longer stays so that you have a chance to become part of the community. Expect frequent community events, like daily yoga and Sunday dinners, to help you connect with other guests.
The Workation Village team believe that we are the most productive when we're surrounded by an energizing nature setting—and they’re right. Our week spent here was as productive as it was relaxing. The village is perched in the hills of Piedmont, Italy, with spectacular views and nature at your doorstep.
The setting makes it easy to reconnect—with yourself, nature, and your colleagues. The castle-turned-coliving offers various spaces for productive work and for relaxation. We loved soaking up the views from the Coworking Atelier room and relaxing by the pool before meetings.
The space is aimed at remote teams looking for a workation or corporate retreats and includes everything you need for a seamless experience. With space for 200 people, meals included, and easy access from nearby Turin or Milan, it’s the ideal space for a working holiday.
After seeing so many incredible spaces overseas, my partner and I knew it was something we wanted to bring to Canada. We based our coliving on what we loved most from the places we visited.
We found the most important principal was to create an environment for powerful and mutually beneficial connections, in both work and play. At Canadiana Cottage Coliving, there are personal and professional events throughout the day that you can jump in and out of. Each day begins with a morning meditation, followed by focused work sessions, and different workshops or social activities.
I’m an avid baker and host brunch on Sundays, and my partner is a leadership coach who is at your disposal for accountability partnering, goal setting, or coaching sessions through the week. The end result is the chance to learn from one another as much as from us as your hosts.
Arguably the best part is our Friday night campfires, where we leave our phones behind and enjoy s’mores in the backyard.
The space is about 150km north of Toronto and ideally situated lakeside, with plenty of trails for hiking or forest bathing. It’s the perfect place to relax, rejuvenate, and get focused work done.
This French chateau is everything you expect from a castle—and plenty you don’t. The many expansive rooms are decorated to suit the style of the surroundings. Each room has a private workspace, bathroom, and high speed internet. The space also boasts many glamorous co-working rooms where you can connect with other digital nomads.
The chateau is only accessible by car, though not far from nearby train connections. There are bicycles for use, but a car does also offer you access to the many historical sites of the Normandy region.
Children and pets are also welcome, making this a great option for nomadic families, too. Expect a community feel, with many social activities throughout the week. Saturday brunch and crêpes on Sundays are not to be missed!
Burgas Coliving was founded by Tony and Katya, who bought the property in 2002. It wasn’t until 2020 that they realized what this incredible setting was meant to be. They began building a coliving and coworking space meant to “gather freelancers, remote workers, entrepreneurs or travel lovers” in Bulgaria. The region is ideal for anyone who’s looking for a mix of culture and the great outdoors.
The site boasts incredible workspaces with ergonomic chairs, high speed wifi that lets you work from the garden, and a wine tasting room. After year working at a winery, Tony has plenty of great recommendations!
France’s highest town, Briançon, is home to this coliving space at the hear of the Alps. This mountain town is not only at the foot of a large ski resort, but is also a UNESCO world heritage site.
Visitors will find plenty to do inside and outside. Aside from the nearly endless opportunities for sport—from skiing to hiking to kayaking to mountain biking—the team is focused on building community. Weekly family dinners and “microadventures” will give you the opportunity to connect with the other guests.
When you’re not enjoying the great outdoors or the great company, you’ll be able to work with some incredible views and high speed internet. Check out Cloud Citadel in both winter and summer for a completely unique experience!
9. SunDesk
The vibrant surfing town of Taghazout, Morocco, is home to this cosy coliving space. The focus is on community and relaxation. Each day begins with a family breakfast on the terrace overlooking the city and the coastline. Lunch is optional and there is always coffee, tea, and fresh fruit available between meals.
Keep busy with group activities both at SunDesk and in the nearby cities. Check out a nearby Hammam or join a group excursion to Marrakesh on your days off. It’s all about balancing work and play, relaxation and focus. With warm weather year round, this is an ideal spot for sun seekers.
10. Sende
Founded in 2013, Sende is a rural coliving in Spain nearby the Portuguese border. The relaxed atmosphere makes this a great place to get work done. Inspiring views are the backdrop for artists, educators, and digital nomads.
The space features high speed internet and two coworking spaces that become social event spaces on evenings and weekends. Daily family dinners are taken seriously, here. They’re a chance to connect with one another and discuss important issues affecting your work or our world.
The Sende community extends beyond the walls of the space and has helped to bring life back to a nearly abandoned village. In exchange, visitors get to enjoy fresh bread daily from a local bakery, fresh food from local farmers, and a warmth that can’t be described.
It’s all about community
These coliving and coworking spaces have struck the perfect balance between productivity and relaxation. They give you access to nature and culture and provide opportunities for personal and professional development.
Each one is either a place I have enjoyed or one strongly recommended by the digital nomads I met along the way. What they all have in common is the sense of community.
So why not turn your next remote work trip into so much more? Connect with other digital nomads in one these incredible spaces and build your own international community!
Great list Elspeth! Best of luck with your and Ari's Cottage project :)
Amazing!