The 10 “remotest” remote workplaces
Over the years I’ve stumbled upon beautiful remote spots that let you work in absolute peace. Now it’s time to share my favorites with you!
Where do you spend most of your time? For me, it’s definitely behind the computer. Running an online business means all your work is done on a laptop. We introduced Creative Days to stimulate our team to unplug and explore. But on any other day, it can be challenging to find a good balance between being online and offline.
That’s why I love traveling to places that are remote. Not just a remote office, but an actual remote place in the world. This way I get to reconnect with nature and clear my mind.
Over the years I’ve stumbled upon beautiful remote spots that have breathtaking views and let you work in absolute peace. Now it’s time to share my favorites with you!
I hope my experiences inspire you to pack your bags, change the scenery, stumble upon unique views and get fresh ideas while you embark on a new adventure.
1. Henningsvær, Lofoten Island
If you’re looking for colorful, traditional fishing villages, look no further than Lofoten Islands—they’re full of them. Henningsvær is arguably the most photogenic one. Apart from wandering around in nature while letting your mind run wild, you can also go and explore. Visit an old caviar factory turned contemporary art museum, where artists from all over the world brought their pieces. Eat fresh fish or grab a coffee in one of the cute cafes. Visit the famous football pitch. Take a brewery tour. Go horseback riding. Or shop for designer items at boutique MIN, housed in a beautiful pink wooden house.
TREVAREFABRIKKEN
This place is one-of-a-kind. The backstory of how this coworking space came about is unique. Two brothers climbed up a mountain, saw an old factory that was for sale and bought it (well, not on the spot). They renovated it over time and made it into a beautiful community including a driftwood bar, a panorama sauna and even a festival space. Henningsvær, the name of the village, is the perfect spot to unwind and soak up nature.
2. Swakopmund, Namibia
Namibia is a great place if you’d like to recharge whilst your toes are wiggling in the beach sand and you can hear the sounds of the ocean. Swakopmund is a coastal city that’s located just west of its capital Windhoek. It’s known for its quirky architecture and beautiful desert views.
Two Beards & a Saint
Two beards? Yep, more precisely: the beards of a father and son. From their mutual passion for coffee, the sea and the oldest desert of Namibia, they decided to open this relaxed coffee shop. The saint? That’s Radley: a guy that’s passionate about family, food and life. Once you’re there, you’ll love the scenery, the latte art, the exotic garden and the knowledge of the passionate staff. And, they roast their own coffee to suit every taste!
Desert Breeze
This lodge is beautifully located right by the city center, on the banks of the Swakop River and directly at the opening of the Namib Desert dune belt. When you stay in one of their lodges, you can work while overlooking the ocean and desert. The enormous sand sculptures will definitely catch your eye.
3. El Chaltén, Argentina
When traveling through Argentina, this small mountain village within the Los Glaciares National Park is a must-visit. It’s especially beloved by hikers and impresses with its scenic views. Chaltén translated in Telhuelche means “smoking mountain” and refers to the mountain peak of Mount Fitz Roy being almost always covered with clouds like a volcano. In 2015, El Chaltén was declared the "National Capital of Trekking”.
Patagonia Eco Domes
This campsite takes the word “glamping” to a new level. Patagonia Eco Domes has different tented camps that come fully furnished with an en suite bathroom, a fireplace and seating areas. You’ll wake up to the most beautiful sights of icy mountains and clear-blue skies. If you want to unwind after a long day of work, you can get active with horse riding, fishing, hiking and cycling.
4. Gyeongju, South Korea
Gyeongju is the proud owner of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and an impressive 31 National Treasures. Beauty is in abundance in this ancient capital city of the Silla Dynasty. You can hear monks chant in temples, visit a 1000-year-old Buddha, see tumuli (tombs), go to the oldest astronomical observatory in East Asia, experience traditional villages, run the Cherry Blossom marathon, walk a Buddha-themed hike and much more. This mystique city will capture your heart.
Golgulsa temple
The beautiful temple is located directly at the foot of Hamwol-san Mountain, just outside of Gyeongju. If you ever want to find yourself or get complete peace of mind, go here. The temple itself has rock-carved-out rooms that vary from small to big, suitable for one person to many. With their Templestay program, both domestic and international tourists get a chance to stay in the temple to work, do yoga, meditation, meditative martial arts, chanting, horse riding and more. You can truly experience what it’s like to be a Buddhist monk. The program runs 365 days a year and you can stay for an afternoon, a couple of days, an entire month or even longer. And yes, surprisingly, there’s WiFi.
5. Cabo Polonio, Uruguay
When was the last time you checked your phone? We’re glued to our digital screens and for some, it’s hard to imagine what life looked like before technology invaded our lives. Polonio takes you back in time. This coastal village in Uruguay has no roads, no motor vehicles, no electricity, no running water and no sewage system. Their population is small and most of the permanent residents are fishermen or craftsmen.
This isn’t the place to base yourself permanently, but it’s a great environment to get back to basics. With so little distractions, people actually talk here. You’ll be inspired by the simplicity of life and the hippy vibe that’s all around.
6. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
If you love mountains, this village is one to add to your bucket list. Chamonix is right at the junction of France, Switzerland and Italy. It’s famous for its breathtaking views and ski opportunities. The mountain resort has characteristic houses and a charming city center. Every time you look up, you’ll see nothing but snowy mountain tops. Nature at its best!
Refuge du Montenvers hotel
With services like Uber, subways, e-scooters, cars and whatnot, we’re used to getting everywhere fairly easy. But it wasn’t always like that. In Refuge de Montenvers hotel, you’ll take a trip down memory lane and you’ll feel like you’re the only person in the world. A train ride and a hike will get you to the hotel. Each day, the last train leaves at 4 PM. The 17-room mountain refuge is located at 1913 meter altitude at the foot of the famous Mer de Glace. Here you’ll be isolated from the rest of the world and surrounded by nothing but mountains.
7. Marfa, Texas
The official Visit Marfa website promotes this Texas desert town with the slogan: “Tough to Get Here. Tougher to Explain. But Once You Get Here, You Get It.” The “get it” part refers to the city’s unique, artsy vibe. Celebrities (like Beyoncé) come there to get some peace of mind, its mysterious allure was showcased in movies and the late Anthony Bourdain drove 3 hours through ghost towns to eat bruschetta and salumi in this magical spot.
It’s a place where you come to be amazed and inspired. Somewhere along the desert highway, you’ll find a fake Prada store and the town itself is filled with the most beautifully designed houses. Its community of around 2,000 inhabitants regularly hosts readings, painting classes, live music, yoga—all sorts of creative endeavors!
8. Naoshima, Japan
Known as Japan’s art island, this town is packed with art museums and paintings from iconic artists like Monet. You’ll probably recognize the huge pumpkin that greets visitors—a Yayoi Kusama creation that is located directly at the Miyanoura Port. You can easily get there by ferry when visiting popular cities like Tokyo or Osaka.
Once there, you can rent an electric bike and cruise around the island to explore all the beautiful modern art. There’s the colorful I Love Yu bathhouse, the Art House project and the stunning Chichu Art Museum. You can’t take pictures inside of any of the museums, allowing you’ll get to fully emerge in the art and let your imagination run wild.
Naoshima is one of the 3 art islands that Japan has to offer, the other 2 are Teshima and Inujima.
9. Tasmania, Australia
Into the wilderness! My 2017 Christmas card was shot here—a picture of me and a penguin. Apart from watching the fairy penguins (the little ones), Tasmania is also home to wildlife parks, Mount Wellington, World Heritage-listed penitentiary buildings (that come with ghost tours), the Tasmanian devil and my favorite; MONA. A one-of-a-kind art gallery that’ll blow your mind.
Only 500,000 people reside on the entire island, so you’ll find plenty of space to be in solitude.
10. Ponta Delgada, Azores
In 2019, we took the entire team of The Remote Company to the Azores for our annual workation. We went on hikes, kayaked, ran a personality test experiment and ate the most delicious food. Ponta Delgada is the capital of the Azores, located on São Miguel island. Its landscape is known for the blue-green lakes and volcanic craters. The city itself charms with its cozy narrow streets and interesting buildings. Everything is walkable, giving you the opportunity to explore the island in a matter of days.
