Adventure Remote Working In Greece

If you've spent any time online, you've likely seen videos of people working on a laptop from a beach in Bali or a cosy cabin in the mountains of France. The digital nomad lifestyle looks like the dream life to many. But how realistic is this depiction?

Three months ago, I decided to find out for myself and booked a flight to Greece. Why Greece? I wanted to learn Greek, and the best way to experience the language and culture is through full immersion. Why now? I wanted to enjoy the great weather without the extreme heat of summer and explore beautiful sites outside of peak tourist season.

Don't be misled into thinking it's a perpetual holiday. Working this way comes with unique challenges, but it also offers fantastic memories. I spent a month in Athens, a month on Chios island, a week island hopping, and a week in Thessaloniki. It is said that remote work requires slow travel, and I couldn't agree more. Balancing a 9-5 job while exploring requires staying in one place for at least a month to authentically experience the area.

My daily work routine wasn't much different from back home in the UK, apart from the two-hour time difference. Fortunately, Greeks eat and socialise later in the day, allowing me to join in the evening activities. The big perk of this flexible way of living is enjoying exciting downtime activities like dining in Athens' old town or taking a sunset sailing tour of Santorini.

Greece is an excellent choice for digital nomads. It's relatively affordable, and while most people speak good English, learning some Greek is appreciated by the locals. A feeling of isolation is quite common for solo travel. Using Facebook to find local groups and events helped me meet locals, expats, and other digital nomads. Some of my best memories were random encounters with fellow young travellers.

My month in Chios coincided with Greek Easter and the Rouketopolemos (rocket war), an unforgettable experience. In hindsight, I would have liked to spend more time in cities as there are more opportunities to meet people. Planning your travels and finding groups to join can be time-consuming, but spontaneous encounters and embracing the local customs and language add immense value to the trip.

While the locations are beautiful, the true value lies in the people you meet and the experiences you gather. Being a digital nomad in Greece allowed me to blend work and travel uniquely, deepening my appreciation for different cultures. It's not just about picturesque work spots but embracing a lifestyle that broadens your horizons.