The Catalan city of Barcelona is not only a feast for the eyes with its mix of Gothic, modernist, and contemporary buildings, but also offers a wealth of coworking spaces and cool cafes with free Wi-Fi, making it an ideal southern European base for remote workers and location independent entrepreneurs.
Why Barcelona is an ideal European remote work base for Digital Nomads
A cosmopolitan Lifestyle – Barcelona offers a distinct blend of traditional and modern, with historic neighbourhoods like the Gothic Quarter just a short walk away from tech hubs and trendy districts like El Poblenou. Barcelonas’ multicultural vibe makes it easy for digital nomads to feel at home while still experiencing the local Catalan culture.
Rich culture and history – Barcelona is a city where modernity truly meets history. The iconic works of Antoni Gaudí, such as the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, are world-famous landmarks, and walking through the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter feels like stepping back in time. Despite its historical charm, Barcelona is incredibly modern in terms of infrastructure and technology, making it easy for digital nomads to stay connected and comfortable.
Beaches of course – just like Lisbon, Valencia and Malaga, Barcelona is a beach city so after a hard day slogging away on the laptop you can head to the nearest beach and enjoy a beer, glass of wine, mojito or a swim of course.
Great local food! Enjoy pa amb tomàquet – Enjoy pan catalan in Barcelona, pan con tomate in Spanish or pa amb tomàquet in Catalan. This simple and delicious breakfast favourite is toasted bread with tomato, garlic, extra virgin olive oil and salt. You will find this delicious snack served everywhere in Barcelona. It goes great with a cafe con leche (coffee with milk) and a freshly squeezed orange juice or sumo de naranja natural in Spanish and summe de taronja in Catalan
A mild climate – With more than 2500 hours of sunshine a year, Barcelona’s climate is perfect for an outdoor work-life balance. You can take your laptop to a sunny terrace and enjoy the warm Mediterranean breeze as you work for most of the year.
Barcelona is still relatively affordable – While Barcelona isn’t the cheapest city in Spain, it offers a more affordable lifestyle and the added benefit of sunshine when compared to major digital nomad hubs like London, Paris, or Amsterdam. Housing is still pretty expensive but, food and transportation are still reasonably priced
It is reported that AirBnbs are being banned in the city in 2028 which could mean more affordable housing as well. We’re waiting to see if this really happens and how it impacts the local housing market. More affordable housing in Barcelona could be a game changer!
A vibrant digital nomad & expat community – Barcelona’s startup scene is thriving, with numerous coworking spaces, tech meetups, and networking events. The city of Barcelona has attracted a large community of freelancers and entrepreneurs, making it easy for digital nomads to make connections, collaborate, and share ideas. This is ideal for solo travellers looking to connect and mingle with like-minded people also spending time in Barcelona.
Interesting Facts About Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is the 2nd largest city in Spain – Barcelona has a population of 1.6 million in 2024, which is about half the population of the capital Madrid which is 3.2 million.
Barcelona is strangely enough double the size of the 3rd largest city Valencia which has a population of around 792,000.
Gaudí Everywhere – Barcelona is home to Antoni Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces, including the iconic Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló.
Gaudí’s work blends nature and modernist architecture in ways that inspire creativity, perfect for digital nomads looking for culture and artistic flair.
One of Europe’s Most Bike-Friendly Cities – With over 200 kilometres of cycling lanes, Barcelona is perfect for getting around without a car.
It’s easy to rent a bike and commute to different cafes or coworking spaces. It’s an ideal way to stay fit and get around, especially as Barcelona offers wonderful weather.
The 22@ District – Barcelona’s innovation district, 22@, is a hub for technology companies, startups, and coworking spaces.
The 22@ district is also where you’ll find some of the trendiest and most laptop-friendly cafes (details coming soon)
As you can see, Barcelona has to be on every digital nomads list of essential destinations and while you are there you’ll want to discover some of Barcelonas nicest laptop friendly work cafes.
Check out our list of cafes with free wifi in Barcelona. If you have any suggestions please let us know in the comments section or contact us.
L'EIXAMPLE - BARCELONA
LAIE LLIBRERIA CAFÉ, L'EIXAMPLE, BARCELONA
Carrer de Pau Claris, 85, L'Eixample, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
Laie Llibreria Café in Barcelona is a popular spot for remote workers and digital nomads.
Located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, Laie is part bookshop, part café, offering a quiet and comfortable environment perfect for getting work done in the heart of Barcelona.
Laie Llibreria Café is a great cafe to remote work in peace. Unlike many cafes these days you are quite free to sit and work without bother and there are even some tables with power outlets in case you run out of juice!
Many customers highlight the tranquil setting as a major plus, allowing you to work with minimal distractions while surrounded by books.
We would recommend Laie Llibreria Café in particular if you are looking for a solid and quiet place to work for a while.
Have you been to and worked remotely at Laie Llibreria Café? Let us know in the comments what your experiences were like
SANT ANTONI - BARCELONA
FEDERAL CAFÈ, SANT ANTONI, BARCELONA
Carrer de Pau Claris, 85, L'Eixample, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
Federal Café, located on Carrer del Parlament in Barcelona’s Sant Antoni neighbourhood, is a popular spot among digital nomads and remote workers spending time in Barcelona.
Federal Cafe is actually a growing chain of cafes in Spain that are popular with digital nomads looking for a great place to settle down and work for a while.
There are three Federal Cafes in Barcelona with the other two in Gotic and El Poble Nou. In this guide, we have focused on the Federal Cafe in Sant Antoni.
Customers appreciate the relaxed vibe, modern interior, and a good mix of indoor and outdoor seating. This Federal café offers reliable free Wi-Fi, making it an ideal work environment.
Customers highlight the excellent coffee and brunch menu, with options like avocado toast and eggs, as well as vegan choices such as their vegan tacos. It’s nice to know that Federal Cafe tries to use local produce where possible.
Prices at Federal Cafe are pretty reasonable with a cafe latte costing €2.40, a Mumbai chai latte costing €3.50 and a morning burger costing €10.50. If you are up for a glass of wine to finish the day it will set you back on average €4 a glass. There’s a link to Federal Cafe’s full menu here
Have you been to Federal Cafe in Barcelona, feel free to share your experiences in the comments.
COCO COFFICE, L'EIXAMPLE, BARCELONA
Carrer de Manso, 17, L'Eixample, 08015 Barcelona, Spain
Coco Coffice in Barcelona is a unique blend of a café and coworking space, designed specifically for remote workers and digital nomads. Located in the Sant Antoni neighbourhood of Barcelona, this popular co-work spot offers a productive environment with fast, reliable Wi-Fi and plenty of power outlets for long work sessions.
What sets Coco Coffice apart is its pricing model—you pay based on the time spent, and during that time, unlimited coffee, tea, and snacks are included.
In this type of purpose-designed co-work space, there’s no need to feel guilty about hogging a table or getting strange looks while you tap away on your laptop. Work away to your heart’s content!
Visitors to Coco Coffice praise its quiet, relaxed atmosphere, perfect for focused work, along with the friendly staff and community vibe.
The workspace has a clean, modern design with natural light, making it a comfortable place to stay for extended periods. However, it’s not a traditional café, so don’t expect a full menu
SANDWICHEZ, SANT ANTONI, BARCELONA
Ronda. de Sant Antoni, 35, L'Eixample, 08011 Barcelona, Spain
SandwiChez in Sant Antoni is a popular café among digital nomads and locals in Barcelona, offering a laptop-friendly environment with fast, stable Wi-Fi and a welcoming atmosphere.
Part of a local chain, SandwiChez has become a go-to spot for remote workers due to its spacious interior, comfortable seating, and availability of power sockets for those staying longer.
Please bear in mind that you will get 1.5 hours of wifi access with each purchase which we think is quite fair and becoming quite common. With each purchase you will get further wifi access.
The menu includes a variety of sandwiches, salads, and vegan options, such as falafel wraps and plant-based milk for coffee which these days every cafe should be offering.
While SandwiChez does get busy during lunch, it tends to be quieter in the mornings and ideal for productivity.
SandwiChez is not mind-blowing but a solid laptop-friendly cafe option in Barcelona with several locations spread across Barcelona city.
EL POBLENOU - BARCELONA
LITTLE FERN, EL POBLENOU, BARCELONA
Carrer de Pere IV, 168, Sant Martí, 08005 Barcelona, Spain
Little Fern, located in El Poblenou, is a top choice for digital nomads looking for a laptop-friendly café with free Wi-Fi and a decent food menu.
Known for its welcoming atmosphere and relaxed vibe, Little Fern offers a comfortable space to work while enjoying a delicious brunch and quality coffee. The Little Fern café features a fusion of New Zealand-inspired dishes and plant-based options, making it particularly popular among health-conscious visitors.
Price wise, a cafe con leche (milk coffee) costs between €2.80 – €3.30 and an avocado toast will cost €11,90.
Customers praise its excellent coffee, friendly staff, and cosy interior, which adds to its appeal for remote workers.
Wi-Fi is reliable, a key factor for those working remotely, and while digital nomads don’t mention power outlets extensively, the space is still favoured for longer stays.
EL BORN - BARCELONA
ALSUR CAFÉ & BACKDOOR BAR, EL BORN, BARCELONA
Carrer de la Ribera, 18, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Alsur Café & Backdoor Bar in El Born, Barcelona, is a popular work cafe for digital nomads seeking a laptop-friendly environment with free Wi-Fi.
Known for its vibrant décor and friendly atmosphere, Alsur Café & Backdoor Bar is praised for its extensive brunch menu, including Latin-inspired dishes as well as the usual favourites like avo toast, eggs and various bowl options, making it a top brunch spot.
Price-wise – a large flat white coffee (350 ml) will cost €3.80 and an Avo Toast will set you back a very reasonable €6.90. A hummus veggie bowl will cost you €11.
If you’re looking to relax with a drink at the end of a busy working day, a beer will cost you €3.50 and a Hendricks gin and tonic will cost €11.50
Have you been to Alsur Café & Backdoor Bar? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments section
English menu here