The Azores are a truly magical place, and coming here as a digital nomad is highly recommended especially between the months of May-September. If you’re looking for a place off the beaten path and genuinely unique, then the Azores are a perfect choice. Everything here is all about nature and the great outdoors. The digital nomad community is small, mainly because the Azores are somewhat of an insider tip and not as popular as destinations like Mexico, Bali or the Philippines when it comes to remote workers.
However, these beautiful islands have a lot to offer and might just be your new favourite place to live and work. Despite their remote location, the Azores are actually not as expensive as you might expect. If escaping the tourist crowds is something you’re trying to do, then definitely give it a try. Don’t come here expecting to find packed clubs and beach parties but also don’t make the mistake of assuming that nothing ever happens here. The Azores have just the right amount of events and nightlife without turning into an overly touristic destination that has lost its authenticity.
I’d recommend the Azores for digital nomads who want a break from busy cities and crowded beaches and get back in touch with nature. Families who love being outdoors or remote workers who want to slow down from the stress should come here and enjoy the incredible beauty of the Azores. Remote working should be about trying new places that some people might not have heard of before. If you find yourself returning to a handful of spots over and over again, it might be time for a change, and the Azores are the perfect choice for that. You might just find yourself falling in love with these unique islands and looking on a place to buy.
You’ll find the majority of coworking spaces on the island of Sao Miguel, which is the most densely populated. Of course, there are cafes and restaurants that can be used as workspaces available on all islands, however, not all offer wifi. Luckily, there are some great affordable coworking space options to choose from, so getting a membership is highly recommended. Here are some of the best ones.
UnOffice
Located in the southwest of São Miguel, the UnOffice coworking is located just a quick 10-minute walk away from the harbour. This coworking space emphasises collaboration, sharing ideas, and creating a strong community. The workspace offers modern furnishings, plenty of light, high-speed internet, a cafe, meeting rooms and private offices on request. Furthermore, workshops and training sessions are provided for members on a regular basis. Prices are available on request, and a coliving combination is also possible.
One Solmar Business centre
Overlooking the harbour in Ponta Delgada, the One Solmar Business Centre offers different types of workspaces perfect for digital nomads. You can choose between a coworking space with reserved tables, private offices and a virtual office option. A lounge and dining area, high-speed internet, meeting rooms, lockable drawers, AC and 24/7 access are available to all members. The monthly fee is around $130 for the open plan area, although there is a surcharge for reserved seating. A day pass from 9:00 am and 10:00 pm costs about $13.
CEmpA Workspace
CEmpA Workspace offers different types of offices that you can rent on a monthly basis. This coworking space costs just $95 per month, making it one of the most affordable. For this price, you will have access to a locker, high-speed internet, and a meeting room for 2 hours, as well as access to the common area. A private office starts from $180 per month, which includes a table and three chairs on about 7 square meters. The possibility to set up a postbox is available for around $20 per month.
Dwell Azores
Probably the most laid-back coworking space to work in on the islands is Dwell Azores. With a view of the sea, swing chairs and a terrace, this coworking space is all about enjoying island life while you work. The team regularly organises meetings and events for members to share and exchange ideas. In addition to the usual amenities such as fast internet, a shared kitchen, there is also water, coffee and even a wine flat rate available to members. There are also showers on-site, so you can come here straight from the beach. Dwell offers daily ($12), weekly ($60) and monthly ($110) rates as well as on-site coliving.
Novovento Cowork & Coliving
On the west coast of São Miguel, you will find Novovento Workplace. This is far more than just a coworking space and feels more like a guesthouse with attached workspaces. The Workplace is equipped with super high-speed internet, desktop monitors, AC and a fantastic sea view from your desk. The terrace overlooking the ocean might have an even better view, though, so grabbing your laptop and working from here is highly recommended. At Novovento’s, you can enjoy a lot of social events, like an after-work barbecue or outdoor activities together with other digital nomads living here. You can book a single, double or shared three-bedroom, and the use of the coworking space is included in the price. The rent for a single room (long term) lies at around $36 per night.
VilaWork
VilaWork is a small coworking space located in the northern part of Sao Miguel, not far from CEmpA Workspace. Inside the building, you will find private offices, meeting rooms, event spaces, a computer room and of course, a coworking space. The monthly membership costs $59, which includes 24/7 access to the building and lots of useful amenities. Of course, VilaWork has high-speed internet, air conditioning and a comfortable lounge area to relax in on your lunch breaks. The space has lots of natural light and provides its members with their own personal locker. Private offices are available upon request and start at $180 per month.
Sao Miguel Island
Sao Miguel is the largest island of the Azores and also the most densely populated, with over 140,000 people living there permanently. Ponta Delgada is the capital city of the Azores and is located on the island. If you’re coming to the Azores for the first time, this is a great place to start as it’s the location of the largest airport on the islands. Sao Miguel has a little bit of everything and is a fantastic place to get an overview of all that the Azores have to offer to both tourists and digital nomads. The internet speed is in most of the cases up to 500mps thought optical fiber.. Considered the greenest island of the Azores, Sao Miguel has a great combination of volcanoes, beaches, hot springs and plenty of wildlife. This is arguably the best place for digital nomads on the Azores because of its co-working spaces and accessibility.
Video with the stunning landscape of Sao Miguel.
The Azores may be small, but they have a large, tightly knit expat community that consists mainly of mainland Europeans but also some Americans. The islands have become an attractive location for retirees or digital nomads who are looking for an place to live. This is one of the few places in Europe where you can live on a budget while still getting to enjoy incredible natural beauty and scenery.
By: Victoria