Nomad Watch

Researched Updated Oct 26, 2026 Last changed Oct 31, 2026 About scores

Scores run from 0 to 10, where 10 is best for a remote worker and 5 is an average city.

Cost & Affordability

7 factors · average 6.9
Cost of Living 6.3 Weight 150

Moderate European costs; furnished housing and frequent dining make a nomad stay dearer than a local household. 1 2

Low confidence
Evidence

Researched local monthly budget totals $2,674 versus Alicante $2,639; Livingcost June 2026 household including rent is $1,508.

Accommodation Cost 5.9 Weight 80

Furnished stays cost more than long leases; current listings suggest the earlier housing allowance may be optimistic. 2 1

Low confidence
Evidence

Local housing budget is $1,320; Spotahome now displays Ripoche one-bedroom from €1,400 and Ciudad Jardín €2,400.

Food & Groceries 6.8 Weight 40

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Supermarket prices are low, and local markets offer fresh produce at good prices.

Low confidence
Transportation Cost 6.9 Weight 20

Prepaid urban buses are inexpensive; taxis add to a frequent traveller’s budget. 9

Evidence

Guaguas contactless trip €0.42, minimum recharge €8.50, card €1.50; local budget models 38 rides at $17.90.

Entertainment Cost 6.5 Weight 15

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Many free activities like beaches and hiking; dining out and nightlife are affordable.

Low confidence
Gym Membership Cost 6.5 Weight 10

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Gyms are reasonably priced, with many options for monthly passes around €30-40.

Low confidence
Currency Stability 9.3 Weight 30

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Euro is one of the most stable currencies globally, with low inflation and strong purchasing power.

Low confidence

Digital Nomad Essentials

6 factors · average 8.0
Internet Speed 8.4 Weight 100

Previous broadband score retained; no representative Las Palmas download measurement was verified.

Low confidence
Coworking Spaces Availability 7.8 Weight 40

An established selection of coworking offices provides options across several districts. 3 4

Evidence

Workin.space lists 14 city spaces plus four within 10 km; Palermo offers desks from €150/month.

Cafes with WiFi 7.8 Weight 30

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Abundant cafes throughout the city, especially in Vegueta and the beachfront, with free and reliable WiFi standard in most.

Low confidence
Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes 7.6 Weight 30

Dedicated coworking cafés accommodate laptop work; ordinary café policies still vary. 4

Low confidence
Evidence

Palermo monthly membership includes coworking café access with no minimum fee, plus WiFi and coworking events.

Digital Nomad Popularity 8.0 Weight 100

A visible international remote-worker community supports an established European base. 6

Evidence

Live it up reports over 10,000 community members; this includes expats and locals, rather than a count of resident nomads.

Local SIM Card Availability 8.5 Weight 25

Prepaid SIM and eSIM options offer accessible starter plans; registration requirements still apply. 18

Evidence

Orange Prepago 10 advertises €10, 60 GB plus 20 GB promotional data and eSIM; Spain prep fixes the 28-day term.

Quality of Life

6 factors · average 7.6
Work-Life Balance 8.4 Weight 30

Beach access and recurring social activities make it practical to combine work with outdoor leisure. 7 5

Evidence

Sky’s community guide lists Sunday beach volleyball and weekday social gatherings; its office is near Las Canteras.

Environmental Quality 7.9 Weight 15

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. The city enjoys a mild, subtropical climate with abundant green spaces and coastal breezes, contributing to a generally high environmental quality. However, urban density and traffic in certain areas slightly reduce the score.

Low confidence
Cleanliness 7.4 Weight 10

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Public areas, especially tourist zones and beaches, are well-maintained and regularly cleaned. Some residential neighborhoods and less-trafficked streets show occasional litter, but overall cleanliness is above average.

Low confidence
Language Barrier 6.1 Weight 30

English helps in tourist-facing restaurants; Spanish remains useful for everyday administration. 12

Low confidence
Evidence

Wikivoyage describes multilingual restaurant menus and staff able to converse with visitors.

Air Quality 8.0 Weight 15

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. The city benefits from clean ocean air and moderate pollution levels due to its island location and prevailing winds. Occasional Saharan dust episodes (calima) can temporarily reduce air quality, but long-term levels are good.

Low confidence
Family Friendly 8.0 Weight 25

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Las Palmas offers numerous family-oriented activities, parks, and safe beaches, making it a popular destination for families. The city has good healthcare and education options, though international schooling may be limited compared to larger hubs.

Low confidence

Healthcare

3 factors · average 8.0
Healthcare Quality 8.1 Weight 20

A local general hospital offers a broad range of specialist services; outcomes and waiting times were not measured. 14

Evidence

San Roque describes general-hospital accreditation, surgical admissions, cardiology, imaging and neurosurgery.

Healthcare Affordability 7.9 Weight 25

Private GP consultations have published moderate fees; public subsidies depend on eligibility. 26 15

Evidence

Doctoralia lists first general-medicine visits from €50 and €65; FCDO says private hospitals do not accept GHIC/EHIC.

Healthcare 8.0 Weight 20

Local specialist care is available, but visitors must arrange cover appropriate to their eligibility. 14 15

Evidence

San Roque is an accredited general hospital; FCDO limits eligible GHIC/EHIC use to necessary state care and recommends insurance.

Climate & Environment

6 factors · average 6.3
Weather 8.6 Weight 80

Mild coastal temperatures favour outdoor life throughout the year; airport normals are a regional proxy. 8

Measured Period: 1981-2010 normals, Station: Gran Canaria Aeropuerto C649I, Ingenio, January mean c: 17.9, August mean c: 24.6, Annual precipitation mm: 151 (aemet, 2010-12)
Evidence

AEMET airport 1981–2010: average highs 20.8–27.5°C, January mean 17.9°C, August 24.6°C, annual rainfall 151 mm.

Natural Disaster Risk 7.8 Weight 10

Previous risk estimate retained; no current city assessment of storms, floods, fires or volcanic hazards was verified.

Low confidence
Green Spaces 6.6 Weight 10

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. The city has several parks like Parque Doramas and the Jardin Botanico, but green coverage is moderate and not as abundant as in top-tier green cities.

Low confidence
Air Conditioning 5.3 Weight 15

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Many accommodations and coworking spaces have AC, but it's not ubiquitous in older buildings; the mild climate reduces the need, so availability is decent but not universal.

Low confidence
Seasonal Variety 3.5 Weight 10

The small annual temperature range gives fewer distinct seasons than mainland European cities. 8

Evidence

AEMET 1981–2010 monthly means range from 17.9°C in January to 24.6°C in August, a 6.7°C span.

Noise Pollution 5.7 Weight 10

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Residential areas are generally quiet, but tourist zones and the city center can be noisy, especially in evenings; overall noise levels are moderate compared to larger cities.

Low confidence

Culture & Entertainment

6 factors · average 7.5
Culture 7.6 Weight 20

Vegueta’s historic streets and museums provide a strong local cultural offer for a city of this size. 12

Evidence

Wikivoyage describes Vegueta, Casa de Colón and the city’s Carnaval tradition.

Nightlife 7.1 Weight 15

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. The city offers a lively nightlife with many bars, clubs, and beachfront venues, especially in areas like Las Canteras and the historic center, but lacks the intensity of major party capitals.

Low confidence
Outdoors & Nature 9.1 Weight 15

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Excellent year-round weather, stunning beaches like Las Canteras, nearby hiking in the Bandama crater and mountains, plus easy access to water sports, though not as extreme as La Palma's landscapes.

Low confidence
Language Learning Opportunities 6.9 Weight 10

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Spanish is widely spoken with a clear Canarian accent, and there are several language schools and conversation exchanges, but immersion is slightly less intense than in mainland Spain.

Low confidence
Local Experiences & Tours 7.8 Weight 10

Previous tour score retained; no current tour inventory or provider availability was verified.

Low confidence
Indoors Fun 6.7 Weight 10

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Moderate indoor options like museums (Casa de Colón), coworking spaces, and a few cinemas, but limited compared to larger cities; the focus remains on outdoor activities.

Low confidence

Food & Fitness

4 factors · average 7.8
Food Scene 8.0 Weight 25

Canarian dishes, seafood and international restaurants provide good variety. 12

Low confidence
Evidence

Wikivoyage lists Canarian tapas, Japanese and Venezuelan restaurants in several districts; many entries date to 2022.

Yoga Studios 7.5 Weight 10

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Strong yoga community with numerous studios offering daily classes, retreats, and workshops, especially popular among digital nomads and expats.

Low confidence
Fitness Facilities 7.7 Weight 15

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Good range of modern gyms, outdoor fitness parks, and water sports options; slightly above average European city but not exceptional.

Low confidence
Healthy Food Options 7.8 Weight 15

Previous healthy-food score retained; current vegetarian, vegan and specialist food provision was not counted.

Low confidence

Work Environment

5 factors · average 6.9
Time Zone Favorability 8.2 Weight 20

Previous score for client-hour overlap retained; European and American working-hour overlap was not rechecked.

Low confidence
Networking Opportunities 6.6 Weight 25

Coworking and technology groups offer regular chances to make professional contacts. 7 4

Evidence

Sky’s community guide lists AWS, WordPress and developer meetups; Palermo membership includes coworking events.

Remote Job Opportunities 5.9 Weight 20

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Moderate availability of remote jobs in tech and creative fields, supported by local startups but not a major global remote work center.

Low confidence
Freelance Ecosystem 6.0 Weight 20

Previous freelance score retained; client demand and local support services were not independently verified.

Low confidence
Coworking Quality 7.6 Weight 30

Local offices advertise meeting rooms and facilities suited to calls and focused work. 5 4

Evidence

Sky lists monitors, adjustable desks, call booth and fibre; Palermo includes 24/7 access and five meeting-room hours weekly.

Business & Economy

3 factors · average 6.6
Startup Scene 6.5 Weight 15

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Las Palmas has a growing startup ecosystem with several co-working spaces and a supportive local government, but it's not as vibrant as major European hubs.

Low confidence
Local Payment Services 8.2 Weight 10

Modern bank-linked mobile payments are available; visitors need a compatible account for Bizum. 13

Evidence

Bizum describes immediate payments through participating banks and its about page lists 38 affiliated banks.

Blockchain & Crypto Adoption 5.2 Weight 15

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Crypto adoption is moderate; a few local businesses accept crypto and there are ATMs, but it's not widespread compared to leading crypto-friendly cities.

Low confidence

Transportation

7 factors · average 7.2
Airport Connectivity 7.8 Weight 30

Previous airport score retained; current direct routes and seasonal frequencies were not counted.

Low confidence
Public Transit 7.7 Weight 20

Previous service score retained; route coverage and frequency were not audited. Fare affordability is checked separately.

Low confidence
Walkability 8.5 Weight 20

Previous walking score retained; no current citywide accessibility assessment was verified.

Low confidence
Ride-sharing Services 6.2 Weight 15

Local taxi apps provide booking, with fewer integrated features than established ride-hailing markets. 24 25

Evidence

16 October report: HablaTaxi launched 1 October with about 150 drivers; no in-app payment or fixed fares. Cabify city list omits Las Palmas.

Cycling 6.1 Weight 10

Previous cycling score retained; protected-lane continuity and road safety were not verified.

Low confidence
Intercity Travel Options 7.0 Weight 15

Previous travel score retained; current island bus, ferry and air frequencies were not verified.

Low confidence
Scooter/Bike Rental Availability 6.9 Weight 10

Sitycleta offers app-based pedal-bike and e-bike rental, alongside a scooter pass. 10

Evidence

Moxsi advertises annual pedal-bike membership €40 with the first 30 minutes of each rental included.

Connectivity

4 factors · average 8.3
Mobile Network Coverage 8.6 Weight 20

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. Excellent 4G/5G coverage across the city and surrounding areas, generally very reliable for remote work.

Low confidence
VPN Reliability 8.8 Weight 20

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. VPNs work consistently with low latency; no significant restrictions or throttling observed.

Low confidence
Power Grid Reliability 8.8 Weight 15

Previous reliability score retained; no island-specific outage duration or frequency was verified.

Low confidence
Public WiFi Availability 7.0 Weight 10

Free WiFi is available in public buildings, with registration requirements. 11

Evidence

Canary government describes free building WiFi and access codes delivered by email or SMS.

Digital Nomad Community

3 factors · average 7.9
Nomad Friendly 8.5 Weight 50

Coworking offices and an established international community make settling into remote work practical. 3 6

Evidence

Directory lists 14 city workspaces; Live it up offers Slack advice on housing, healthcare and coworking.

Nomad Events & Meetups 7.9 Weight 25

Published community gatherings and coworking events offer several ways to meet people. 7 4

Evidence

Sky lists a Tuesday nomad gathering, Thursday bilingual aperitivo and Sunday volleyball; Palermo includes coworking events.

Online Community Presence 7.3 Weight 20

Slack and interest-based groups provide an established starting point for newcomers. 6

Evidence

Live it up reports more than 10,000 members and identifies Slack as its main discussion space.

Safety & Tolerance

3 factors · average 8.2
Safety 8.4 Weight 100

Daily life is generally comfortable, with precautions against theft and greater care around nightlife. 17 16

Evidence

Expatica republishes Numbeo city safety 72/100 from June 2026; FCDO warns about distraction theft and rare assaults.

Female Friendly 8.4 Weight 50

Solo travel is practical, with attention to drinks, companions and night-time surroundings. 16

Low confidence
Evidence

FCDO calls sexual assaults rare but possible and warns about drink spiking; its guidance is national, not a women-specific city survey.

Racial Tolerance 7.8 Weight 50

Unverified estimate retained at light depth. The city is diverse and welcoming, with residents accustomed to tourists and expats from many backgrounds, though minor instances of subtle bias can occur.

Low confidence

About these scores

Method
Researched
Last updated
Oct 26, 2026
Last changed
Oct 31, 2026

Checked against the sources below and compared with similar cities. Numbers in the list point to these sources.

Compared with Alicante, Barcelona, Bilbao, Granada, Madrid, Porto, Lisbon, Hanoi, Berlin, Paris

  1. Livingcost Las Palmas household basket, June 2026Index
  2. Spotahome furnished rentals, Las PalmasListings
  3. Workin.space Las Palmas coworking directoryListings
  4. Talleres Palermo monthly membershipOfficial
  5. Sky Coworking facilitiesOfficial
  6. Live it up Las Palmas communityOfficial
  7. Sky Coworking guide to the local communityOfficial
  8. AEMET Gran Canaria Airport climate normals, 1981–2010Official
  9. Guaguas Municipales contactless fareOfficial
  10. Sitycleta public bike rentalOfficial
  11. Canary government public WiFi serviceOfficial
  12. Wikivoyage Las Palmas travel guideSecondary
  13. Bizum payment service and participating banksOfficial
  14. Hospitales San Roque Las Palmas servicesOfficial
  15. FCDO Spain healthcare eligibilityOfficial
  16. FCDO Spain safety and securityOfficial
  17. Expatica Las Palmas June 2026 Numbeo snapshotSecondary
  18. Orange Prepago 10 SIM and eSIMOfficial
  19. FCDO Spain short-stay entry rulesOfficial
  20. PwC Spain personal income tax, June 2026Secondary
  21. RSF Spain press freedom, 2026Index
  22. Spain international telework visa, inherited country researchOfficial
  23. World Bank Spain political stability, inherited country researchIndex
  24. Gaceta del Taxi reports HablaTaxi launch, 16 October 2026Secondary
  25. Cabify business service citiesOfficial
  26. Doctoralia Las Palmas private general practitionersListings

Change history

    • Method Generated Researched
    • Cost of living 6.5 6.3
    • Freedom of speech 8.7 7.5
    • Political stability 8.1 5.7
    • Ride sharing services 6.7 6.2
    • Safety 8.7 8.4
    2 more changes
    • Tax friendliness 5.9 5.3
    • Visa ease 7.3 7

    Completed light category checks, added source evidence and comparison cities, retained the shared exchange rate, and marked unchecked factors as low confidence (workin.space).

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