Words: Lucia Varlotta
Illustration: Sofi Deyneka
Armed with only a laptop and a strong internet connection, hordes of white-collar workers can now do their job from just about anywhere in the world after the pandemic spurred the rise of remote working.
Over the last two years, plenty of tech-savvy employees have fled the major cities they were once tied to by their jobs in favor of smaller cities with a lower cost of living and often higher quality of life. More and more people are choosing Trieste as a remote hub to do just that. In fact, traveler-targeting platforms like AirBnB and NomadList have recently acknowledged our city on the Adriatic as a choice location for both digital nomads and remote workers alike.
So, what exactly is the difference between digital nomads and remote workers? Although both are defined by a flexible job that allows them to work and live away from a physical office, a digital nomad typically does not have a single home base and continues to travel while working, whereas a remote worker establishes more stable roots in a place that’s still separate from their job. But in these flexible working arrangements, no two paths are quite the same.
To hear about the different experiences in Trieste, I gathered intel from a range of different digital nomads and remote workers, including Theodora, a Romanian digital nomad traveling across Europe while working for a Dutch company, Stefano, an Italian tech worker for a North American company who is permanently based out of Trieste, and Sai, a remote worker sharing her time between Trieste and her native India.
What makes Trieste a good place for digital nomads and remote workers?
Stefano: Trieste offers a lower cost of living compared to other major European capitals, but still has many perks of a high quality of life like good infrastructure, walkability in the city center, and also easy outdoor access to both the ocean and the mountains. So by living here but working remotely for companies in capital cities that generally pay a bit more, you can benefit from the lower rent, groceries and other costs and be able to save more.
Sai: The city is full of natural spots that can be easily converted into your workspace for a day. I’ve even had virtual meetings from Molo Audace while I face the sea. The view of the deep blue water has a calming influence on my mind when I have a long work day.
Theodora: Having worked remotely from Trieste on different occasions over the last few years, I’d say that Trieste is at its best for digital nomads during the summer. You’ve got nature, the sea, walkable streets and the nice cafes ready to host you for an aperitivo or a snack after work. Getting some work done from the terrace of Pane Quotidiano in Barcola and then closing the laptop and going for a swim – that’s the best of the remote work lifestyle right there!
Are there any challenges of working remotely from Trieste?
Theodora: Some challenges as a digital nomad are the relatively small number of co-working/work-ready spaces in the city and the fact that public Wi-Fi is often not good enough to work from (so a separate device with internet is a must, in my experience). Another thing learned through experience is that some thick-walled buildings here have poor reception, which makes hotspotting from your phone a challenge. My advice is to be internet-independent, check the location in advance, and have a Plan B.
Stefano: Since Trieste is a smaller city, it means it can also be more challenging to meet new people and make friends if you relocate here. This is especially true when you are working remotely because you don’t have the chance to hang out with coworkers. Joining the Expats in Trieste group has been really helpful for making friends who also have international, unconventional backgrounds as well as accelerating the process of getting to know the city and surrounding area better.
What are your tips and tricks for remote working from Trieste?
Theodora: Dip in and out of locations and don’t necessarily expect to be working from one place all day (although that’s a good rule of thumb when working from cafes as opposed to co-working spaces, I find). Luckily, the staff in most places in Italy won’t be passive aggressive towards you if you stay longer than an hour after you ordered your coffee, as it happens in some Northern European countries I know. But, I still find it nice to split my workday across different locations. And remember, chatting and socializing are still the main activities in cafes, so don’t be surprised if things get a bit loud!
Stefano: When working from home, it can sometimes be easy to fall into the trap of not leaving your house for days. When working in Trieste, my advice is to lean into the lifestyle of the Triestini. Go to Barcola for a swim before signing on for work, grab aperitivo and cicchetti after work and end your day with affordable and delicious dinners at one of the many cozy buffets when you can. It’s the best way to be a part of the community in Trieste and truly enjoy the benefits of being here.
Sai: If you want to work from a cafe, grab your spot early as the best work friendly cafes and restaurants get packed with youngsters and school kids in the afternoon.
What’s your advice for anyone looking to become a digital nomad or remote worker?
Theodora: The strategy that worked for me is to make a shortlist of remote companies that you resonate with, then track them to see when a role that fits your profile shows up. I found this much more effective than looking for random remote jobs, because it ensures you’re screening for a good and trusting company culture. The reality of successful remote work is that you can have all the best tech equipment in the world and the best plan, but if you don’t have a supportive company environment, working remotely will be a pain. Luckily, many companies are becoming remote-friendly and of course, being self-employed and running your own schedule and workload is the other way to go.
If you’re looking for places to work from in Trieste, here’s a guide to a few of my tried and true favorites spots with Wi-Fi and a laptop friendly environment.
Caffè Dei Libri: This cafe’s quiet upstairs annex lined with bookshelves provides the ideal environment to focus. And when your mind starts to wander, it’s also a great spot to people-watch through the large windows gazing out towards Saint Antonio Church.
MUG Bakery: If you fancy snacking on cupcakes and other sweet treats while you power through your work day, MUG is the perfect place to work for a few hours in the Cavana neighborhood.
Knulp: This cozy cafe is tucked away on a side street away from the buzz of Cavana and frequently filled with students and workers.
Eataly: Eataly gives some of the best work views in the city with its glass-cased cafe and restaurant overlooking sailboats in the port. It’s also one of the city’s few cafes with air conditioning so it’s a lifesaver on blistering summer days. But, be ready to switch spots mid-afternoon when the space closes for a daily break before aperitivo.
CoWo, Co-working Space: If you’re sticking around for a while (and we hope that you do!), you can rent a private office space or desk on a month to month basis at the CoWo co-working space open Monday through Friday in Borgo Teresiano.
Hotello, Cafe and Accommodations: Offering both affordable accommodations and a cafe space, Hotello is a prime location to connect with other short term travelers and crank out your work for the day. Plus, you can catch the Expats in Trieste Italian Language Class if you stop by the rooftop on Saturday mornings!
