MoveWise

A Detailed Guide to Lifestyle, Workspaces, Communities, and Connectivity

The launch of Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa in 2024 opened doors for non-EU professionals to live and work remotely in the country, not just as visitors, but as residents. But Italy is more than just Rome or Milan. It's a patchwork of cities and regions, each offering distinct advantages for remote professionals.

In this guide, we explore the best cities in Italy for digital nomads in 2025, focusing on cost of living, infrastructure, communities, and overall vibe.

1. Milan for Digital Nomads: Italy’s Capital of Ambition and Access

💡 Overview

Milan in 2025 isn’t just efficient - it’s strategic: fast, connected, and globally-minded.

It’s the only Italian city where business, tech, design, and internationalization converge at scale, making it ideal for Digital Nomads.

In Milan you can meet a venture capitalist over espresso, close a client deal in English, and attend a blockchain meetup all in the same day. Unlike other Italian cities, Milan is deeply integrated into global networks: economically, digitally, and logistically.

Milan is the ideal base for professionals who want to operate at a European or global level without giving up Italian lifestyle benefits. Add to that a polished aesthetic, fashion-forward attitude, and one of Europe’s best train-airport connections, and you’ve got a city where digital

nomads can thrive not just in freedom, but in momentum.

🏙️ Neighborhoods for Nomads

• Isola & Porta Garibaldi: Trendy, modern, full of startups, cafés, and coworking
• Navigli: Canals, nightlife, and creative energy a favorite among designers and freelancers.
• Brera & Porta Venezia: Sophisticated, central, and artistic.

💬 Community: Milan’s international scene is strong, especially in marketing, tech, and design.

🌍 Connectivity:

- Internet: Fast fiber + 5G

- Transport: 3 airports, high-speed trains

💸 Cost of Living: €2,000-€2,800/month

✅ Pros: Infrastructure, career ecosystem, lifestyle

❌ Cons: Expensive, cold culture, gray winters

2. Florence: A Renaissance Retreat for Creative Remote Workers

💡 Overview

Florence is art in slow motion: a city where creativity, elegance, and rhythm blend into your daily routine. It blends beauty and functionality for digital creatives. It’s walkable, artistic, and inspiring.

In 2025, it’s no longer just a destination for artists and honeymooners. It’s a functional base for professionals who want to prioritize quality of life, routine, and aesthetics.

What sets Florence apart is its scale: it’s small enough to walk everywhere, yet big enough to find services, coworking spaces, and professional communities. You wake up to Renaissance views, sip coffee where Dante once wrote, and do focused work without the distractions of bigger cities. For those burned out by hustle culture, Florence offers a radical shift toward meaningful productivity – with just the right balance of structure and inspiration.

🏙️ Neighborhoods:

• San Frediano: Hipster and local
• Sant’Ambrogio: Authentic, close-knit community
• Campo di Marte: Green, residential, quiet

💬 Community: Creative, slow-living, expat-friendly

💸 Cost: €1,700-€2,400/month

✅ Pros: Walkable, inspiring, cultural

❌ Cons: Touristy, limited airport access

3. Rome: Grand, Messy, and Full of Soul

💡 Overview

Rome is alive, flawed, emotional and unforgettable. It’s not a startup hub or a productivity temple, but for the right kind of remote worker, it’s a revelation. Where else can you take a morning video call in view of the Colosseum, walk through centuries of history on your lunch break, and end the day in a buzzing piazza?

Rome is the best choice for those who want a deeply Italian experience without compromise, and who can flow with a bit of disorder. It’s surprisingly international, especially in creative industries, NGOs, and language-based work. If you're driven by inspiration, culture, and human contact more than hyper-efficiency, Rome offers a nomadic life rich in story, spontaneity, and soul.

🏙️ Neighborhoods:

• Pigneto: Hipster, local
• Monti: Central, stylish
• Trastevere: Traditional, touristy
• Testaccio: Authentic, food-centric

💬 Community: Expats, creatives, artists, NGOs

💸 Cost: €1,800-€2,600/month

✅ Pros: Culture, walkability, food

❌ Cons: Bureaucracy, traffic, variable internet

4. Bologna: Intellectual and Balanced

💡 Overview

Bologna is the kind of city you discover slowly and then never want to leave! A university town with depth, It’s ideal for thoughtful Digital Nomads who value balance and community over chaos. 

It doesn’t scream for attention, but it rewards those who stop and stay. As Italy’s intellectual capital, Bologna combines the mental stimulation of a university city with the practical comforts of a mid-sized metropolis.

You’ll find forward-thinking communities, excellent public services, and some of the best food in Italy. Unlike Florence or Venice, it’s not dominated by tourists. Unlike Milan or Rome, it’s not overwhelming.

Bologna is ideal for digital nomads who want a balanced, local, and sustainable lifestyle, with fewer distractions and more intention.

🏙️ Neighborhoods:

• Bolognina: Diverse and affordable
• Santo Stefano: Elegant and quiet
• San Donato: Close to university

💬 Community: Academic, low-key, progressive

💸 Cost: €1,500-€2,000/month

✅ Pros: Affordable, authentic, food culture

❌ Cons: Summer heat, limited airport

5. Bari: Southern Warmth with Urban Rhythm

💡 Overview

Bari is southern Italy with backbone: a rare mix of affordability, seaside living, and southern Italian warmth, without feeling disconnected. It has the

warmth and generosity you’d expect, but also the infrastructure of a functioning port city. It’s one of the few places in the south where you can live by the sea, eat incredibly well, and work remotely, but without feeling isolated.

Bari is grittier than Florence and rougher around the edges than Milan, but that’s part of its charm. It's real, affordable, and increasingly open to change. Thanks to investments in tech and education, Bari is positioning itself as the gateway to the Adriatic for remote professionals. If you’re looking for sunshine, authenticity, and a slower but solid routine, Bari delivers.

🏙️ Neighborhoods:

• Murat: Central
• Poggiofranco: Residential, modern
• Madonnella: Artistic and near the sea

💬 Community: Small, growing, student-driven

💸 Cost: €1,200-€1,700/month

✅ Pros: Cheap, seaside, warm locals

❌ Cons: Limited English, less tech presence

6. Venice: Quiet Magic for Deep Work

💡 Overview

Venice surprises remote workers with its silence, charm, and the unique experience of a car-free city built for reflection and deep focus. In 2025, this city is no longer just a city for tourists: it’s becoming a sanctuary for deep workers, creators, and intentional nomads.

When the cruise ships leave, a peaceful, dreamy city remains: one where time stretches, distractions vanish, and creativity flows.

Venice offers a completely unique living experience. There are no cars. Your commute is a walk through silence and water reflections. You’re surrounded by centuries of beauty, and yet you can work undisturbed in a quiet café or coworking loft. For digital nomads who are burned out on noise and over-stimulation, Venice is a reset button - aesthetic,

spiritual, and strategic.

🏙️ Neighborhoods:

• Cannaregio: Local and quiet
• Dorsoduro: Creative and walkable
• Giudecca: Peaceful, budget-friendly

💬 Community: Artists, creatives, expats

💸 Cost: €1,600-€2,200/month

✅ Pros: Tranquil, unique, visually stunning

❌ Cons: Tourist spikes, cost of basics

7. Turin: Urban Calm, Alpine Edge

💡 Overview

Turin is Milan’s cool, introverted cousin. It’s elegant, organized, and unexpectedly creative. The city’s industrial roots have given way to a new ecosystem of tech, design, and culture, making it one of the most underrated digital nomad destinations in Europe.

You get big-city infrastructure - coworking spaces, events, fast trains - but without the stress or inflated prices. Turin also offers access to nature like few urban centers: the Alps are in view, and weekends can mean skiing, hiking, or wine tasting. For remote workers who value structure, affordability, and a clear work-life boundary, Turin is a quiet powerhouse.

🏙️ Neighborhoods:

• San Salvario: Diverse, fun
• Cit Turin: Classy and residential
• Vanchiglia: Creative and walkable

💬 Community: Tech, coders, quiet creatives

💸 Cost: €1,500-€2,000/month

✅ Pros: Calm, nature nearby, low cost

❌ Cons: Less international, cold winters

8. Lecce: Slow and Sunny

💡 Overview

For digital nomads craving peace, beauty, and low costs, Lecce offers “slowmad” living in a sun-drenched, baroque wonderland.

Lecce is southern Italy’s best-kept secret: a small baroque city with golden light, friendly people, and shockingly low living costs. It’s ideal for “slowmads” - remote workers who want to disconnect from hustle culture, reconnect with themselves, and still do meaningful work in peace.

There’s a small but growing digital community here, drawn by Lecce’s beauty, beaches, and silence. Unlike more chaotic southern cities, Lecce feels clean, artistic, and even meditative. You won’t find huge coworking chains or networking events – but you will find daily routine, fresh food, and emotional clarity. Lecce isn’t a stepping stone; it’s a sanctuary.

🏙️ Neighborhoods:

• Centro storico: Stunning and walkable
• Rudiae: More residential and budget
• San Pio: Quiet with larger apartments

💬 Community: Small, authentic, peaceful

💸 Cost: €1,100-€1,600/month

✅ Pros: Tranquil, low-cost, beautiful

❌ Cons: Isolated, fewer amenities

9. Perugia: The Hilltop Haven

💡 Overview

Perugia sits on a hill in the center of Italy, quietly watching the world go by - and offering a peaceful base for those who want to work intentionally,

affordably, and surrounded by beauty. It’s not loud or fast. It’s introspective, intellectual, and deeply Italian.

In 2025, Perugia is increasingly popular among online educators, therapists, and writers who want routine, nature, and culture in equal measure. With an international university, strong expat student presence, and excellent affordability, it’s one of the most sustainable choices in Italy for nomads who value depth over spectacle.

🏙️ Neighborhoods:

• Centro Storico: Historic, walkable, atmospheric - ideal if you want to live in the heart of things
• Elce: Residential, younger, close to the University, great for those who want affordability and quiet
• Monteluce: Panoramic and peaceful, with views over the Umbrian countryside and quick access to hiking trails.

💬 Community: Educators, writers, translators

💸 Cost: €1,100-€1,600/month

✅ Pros: Peaceful, affordable, international for its size

❌ Cons: Small airport, slower processes

✨Final Thoughts: Why Italy Is the Ultimate Destination for Digital Nomads in 2025

Italy isn’t just a place to live - it’s a country that lives in you.

As a digital nomad in 2025, choosing Italy means more than fast Wi-Fi and great food. It means waking up in a hilltop village one month, and working by the sea the next. It means immersing yourself in ancient streets that pulse with modern life. It means choosing depth over speed, quality over quantity, and community over isolation.

From the alpine views of Turin to the golden calm of Lecce, from the elegance of Florence to the street soul of Palermo, Italy offers nine lives in one country. And thanks to the Digital Nomad Visa, this isn’t a short vacation – it’s your chance to build a real, beautiful life here, with the freedom to explore it from north to south, season after season.

This is the only country in the world where you can:

• Write code in Milan on Monday and hike the Dolomites by Saturday
• Design a brand in Rome and sip wine in Tuscany that same evening
• Build your business from a baroque piazza in Lecce, then fly to Florence for an art fair
• Discover not just new places, but new versions of yourself

How MoveWise Can Assist You

Applying for a DNV can feel overwhelming, but MoveWise is here to simplify the process. Our mission is to make your application journey smooth and stress-free with a range of expert services:

• Tailored Support: We adapt our services to fit your unique situation, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
• Optimized Scheduling: We streamline your application timeline to ensure everything progresses on schedule.
• End-to-End Support: From preparing documents to final submission, we take care of every detail of your application.
• Tax Guidance: Our specialists provide clarity on the tax obligations and options associated with your DNV.
• Thorough Documentation: We ensure every document is correctly prepared and meets all official requirements.
• 100% money back guarantee: If your application is not approved, we offer a full money-back guarantee as a testament to our commitment.

The Digital Nomad Visa for Italy offers a fantastic opportunity to live abroad without the need for employment, granting you the freedom to explore and enjoy the country’s vibrant culture and relaxed lifestyle. 

Ready to embark on your next adventure?

Contact Us

The Italian Digital Nomad Visa is an incredible opportunity to experience the beauty and culture of Italy while working remotely. At MoveWise, we specialize in guiding applicants through the Digital Nomad Visa process with proper preparation and attention to detail. We ensure a stress-free experience, so you can soon find yourself living 'la dolce vita' while maintaining your career. BOOK TODAY a 100% Free Consultation.

Buona fortuna!