Where to next?
The most common question of a slow living nomad. Because the best time to plan your next destination is always yesterday – but today will do just fine.
I've been traveling full-time for the past four years and have maintained a consistent accommodation budget of between 900 and 1300 euros per month throughout this period.
There are countless global factors, including inflation and other external phenomena that affect European accommodation prices. However, knowing how to choose your destination is often the most powerful tool in controlling your budget.
Let's explore how the accommodation market works across Europe. From my experience, some European countries have distinct travel seasons, while others maintain relatively steady accommodation prices throughout the year that’s why I crafted a short guide on destinations based on season.
January - May
This is a tricky period because some warmer destinations, like Madeira or Tenerife, are actually in their peak season. The perfect weather makes them less affordable, but there are workarounds to enjoy warm weather without breaking the bank.
Recommended destinations:
Southern Portugal
Spain (both South and North)
Southern France
Greece
Coastal Turkey
It's worth noting that not all regions within these countries are ideal during this period. For instance, Northern Portugal remains cold and rainy, while the south maintains average temperatures of 19-20 degrees Celsius, providing perfect spring-like weather. Northern Spain follows a similar pattern and offers numerous accommodation options.
The Mediterranean destinations (South of France, Turkey, and Greece) each have their advantages and challenges. Southern France might offer days similar to Portugal and Spain but can also be quite windy and cold. The same applies to Turkey and Greece – you'll experience a mix of pleasant and less favorable days, but overall, you'll enjoy a milder winter.
May - September
From a digital nomad perspective, this is one of the most challenging periods. As tourist season begins, accommodation prices surge while options become limited. Weather preferences play a crucial role in your choices. You can brave the tourist season in places like Greece, Montenegro, or Turkey, but be prepared for temperatures rarely dropping below 40 degrees Celsius. However, if you book well in advance, you might find budget-friendly accommodation on larger islands like Crete or in Turkish cities like Izmir and its surroundings.
In my experience, the best summer deals are found in Denmark, Sweden, or Norway. Outside the major cities, you'll find affordable accommodation and enjoy spring-like weather perfect for exploration. I spent one summer in Denmark, and "serene" best describes the experience. The nature is beautiful, people are outdoors, and temperatures remain manageable.
France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands offer another perspective on summer travel. Germany and France consistently provide the widest variety of affordable accommodations, though advance booking can secure good deals in other countries too. While these countries might not be typical summer destinations, the countryside experience differs dramatically from city life. Rural France and Germany offer a relaxed atmosphere with pristine nature and numerous hiking trails. Having stayed in France several times, I can attest that the contrast between countryside and city life is remarkable. I wholeheartedly recommend experiencing life as a nomad in rural France.
Additional summer-friendly destinations:
Montenegro
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Finland
September - December
As tourist season winds down, popular destinations become more accessible to nomads. Italy is best experienced during this period – September and October see price drops in Sardinia, Tuscany, and other regions. Corsica becomes a viable option, considering that peak season accommodation rarely drops below 3,000 euros.
Montenegro, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, and Albania remain enjoyable until November, after which temperatures drop significantly. After October, southern Portugal and Spain return to being ideal warm-weather destinations. This period also offers opportunities to find affordable options in Tenerife, the Azores, or Madeira.
Recommended autumn destinations:
Italy
Insular France
Spain
Portugal
Montenegro
Croatia
Albania
Greece
Coastal Turkey
Start planning your next holiday with Nomad Trips
If you need help planning your next trip, don't forget that you can check out Nomad Trips, and I will help you schedule your itinerary from scratch, providing support to create a memorable experience in line with your expectations.
Year-Round Destinations
Some countries maintain relatively stable accommodation prices throughout the year. While the Czech Republic has consistently higher-priced options for nomads, countries like Poland, Serbia, Hungary, and Bulgaria offer affordable accommodation regardless of season:
Poland
Serbia
Hungary
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
This being said, I will also leave you here with the graphic of places I visited based on month - maybe it helps you get an idea about what worked out for me.
What's also important are the trends that surround certain countries. For example, in Portugal, when we first came to Algarve, the prices were very manageable with countless options, but over time, because of the internal context of the country, prices started to increase and options started to shrink.
So there is no magic formula for selecting a country - this is just what I observed throughout these four years, but you may as well have a different interpretation of this.
I am curious to find out how this timeline of countries and months looks like for you and what would you recommend to fellow digital nomads?
Nomad Listing's Recommendations
This month I included accommodations available in April and May in Spain, Portugal, France, Turkey and Greece.
⭐Top accommodations⭐
Extra perks
Great value for money
Best price:
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See you next time, fellow nomad!