Barcelona is establishing itself as one of the top destinations for "workcations"

The Catalan capital ranks behind Bangkok and Tokyo in the fourth edition of IWG?s Work from Anywhere Index, which analyzes connectivity, housing, transportation, and the availability of flexible workspaces. The study also highlights the growth of this work model: 90% of professionals say that working from anywhere improves their work-life balance, and 48% plan to take longer vacations in 2026 thanks to remote work.

 

Barcelona ranks third among the world's best cities for combining remote work and vacations in 2026, according to the fourth edition of the annual Work from Anywhere index by the International Workplace Group (IWG). Bangkok tops the ranking, followed by Tokyo.

The ranking analyzes various factors related to the ability to work remotely while traveling, including the climate, internet connection speed, accommodations, transportation, cuisine, cultural offerings, and the availability of flexible workspaces.

The 2026 ranking places Bangkok, Tokyo, and Barcelona in the top three spots. They are followed by Porto, Vancouver, Budapest, Naples, Medellín, Lisbon, and Seoul.

Barcelona maintains its appeal as a destination for combining work and vacation

Barcelona once again occupies a prominent position in the index due to factors such as its international connectivity, transportation infrastructure, the availability of accommodations and flexible workspaces, as well as its climate and its cultural and gastronomic offerings.

Added to these elements is air connectivity. Barcelona Airport surpassed 57.4 million passengers in 2025, a 4.4% increase over the previous year and a new all-time high, according to data from the Barcelona Tourism Observatory.

The city had already ranked first in a previous edition of the IWG index, as had Budapest and Tokyo. In 2026, Bangkok takes the top spot in the ranking.

Bangkok tops the 2026 ranking

The Thai capital takes first place due to a combination of factors such as cost, connectivity, and its appeal as an international destination, according to IWG. Porto and Vancouver round out the top five.

The ranking also highlights the geographic diversity of the destinations chosen for this type of stay, featuring cities in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. In addition to tourist appeal, the index takes into account aspects directly related to remote work, such as connectivity, transportation, housing, and access to flexible workspaces.

Remote work allows for longer trips

The study commissioned by IWG indicates that 51% of professionals surveyed work for companies that already have policies allowing them to work from different locations.

90% believe this option has improved their work-life balance, while 80% say it has also had a positive impact on their productivity.

Workplace flexibility also influences the choice of a company. Eight out of ten respondents believe that having these types of policies would make a new job opportunity more attractive, and 62% would consider changing jobs to gain access to more favorable conditions in this area.

Nearly half plan to extend their vacations

The ability to work remotely is also changing the length of some trips. According to the survey, 48% of professionals plan to extend their vacations or getaways in 2026 by working remotely, and 46% believe they are more likely to do so than in the previous year.

43% also say they have already worked from a vacation destination without using vacation days.

Among the main reasons for extending trips are improving well-being and avoiding burnout (54%), spending more time with family and friends (53%), and making better use of available vacation days (52%).

The cost of living also influences this behavior. 51% say that the economic situation has led them to turn more frequently to hybrid or remote work to extend their stays.

Internet connection, among the priorities

Connectivity is one of the factors that influence the choice of a destination for working while traveling. 38% of respondents cite having a reliable Wi-Fi connection as a priority.

Access to flexible workspaces is also important for 38% of participants when deciding where to work. Meanwhile, 46% say that more affordable transportation and lodging costs would encourage them to extend their stay.

Companies, faced with the challenge of establishing clear rules

The IWG study also highlights the need for companies to clearly define their remote work policies for working from other locations.

44% of respondents say they would be more willing to work while traveling if they were certain that this decision would not affect how their professional performance is perceived. Another 39% consider it important to have clearer guidelines from the company.

Mark Dixon, founder and CEO of IWG, notes that more and more professionals are choosing to extend their trips by working remotely or spending longer periods of time in other countries. In his view, the development of hybrid work and cloud technologies has expanded the possibilities for choosing where to work.