In just five years, digital nomads have gone from part of the island’s tourism strategy to a visible part of everyday life. Diverse in profile and background, they experience Lanzarote differently from traditional tourists, and their impact on the local economy and way of life is already noticeable.
Digital nomadism grew rapidly after the pandemic, driven by the rise of remote working and new kinds of professional activity. Often linked to the technology world, though not exclusively, it gives people the freedom to live without being tied to one place.
Héctor Fernández, chief executive of SPEL Turismo Lanzarote, explains the thinking behind the initial strategy: ‘The idea was to explore a visitor profile characterised by longer stays, greater integration into the local area and the capacity to generate economic activity.’ Fernández adds that ‘the digital nomad helps diversify demand and strengthens Lanzarote’s image as a contemporary, open and competitive destination, capable of attracting talent, investment and knowledge, while remaining in step with new ways of travelling, living and working’.
Miguel Ángel Martín, data analyst at the Cabildo de Lanzarote’s Data Centre, notes that ‘digital nomadism is still an emerging phenomenon on the island. It comprises an extremely diverse group, not yet fully quantified. Statistically, it is measured in ways similar to tourism figures, but although it represents an important niche, in broader studies it still barely registers above zero.’
Coworking spaces began to emerge in Lanzarote in 2018, among them Coworking Digital Lanzarote, linked to the island’s Chamber of Commerce, and The Square Coworking Lanzarote, created by Grupo Acosta. Both cater to freelancers and professionals, whether passing through or based on the island, providing office space with high-speed internet and meeting facilities. Building on this initial model, though with differing concepts, emerged Coworking Guru Lanzarote in Teguise, Area 0 in Puerto del Carmen, Activas Coworking Boutique in Tías and Pitaya Coliving in Arrecife.
Activas Coworking Boutique opened in 2025 with a concept that combines inspiration, training, coaching and community. Its founders, Vanesa Farraz and Covadonga Bertrand, describe it as ‘an all-round ecosystem’. ‘We mainly cater to freelancers and professionals who do not have an office,’ explains Farraz. ‘But you don’t have to live permanently on the island to use the space. We have also welcomed people spending a few days in Lanzarote while working remotely for multinationals such as Amazon or Netflix.’
‘Coworking Guru Lanzarote,’ explains Paolo Maielli, ‘was established in 2019. It is work-oriented, and many of our users are digital nomads, alongside local freelancers and people from other islands. Some have backgrounds in craft and the creative industries, while others come from the worlds of AI, Web3, programming and digital content creation. They work, then perhaps head off to catch some waves afterwards.’ Maielli adds that ‘they usually stay for more than a month and tend to be very cosmopolitan.’
Miguel Otero, not his real name, is himself a digital nomad. ‘Age has a strong influence on the kind of digital nomad you become,’ he says, ‘and many people drift into this lifestyle as a way of adapting to a changing world of work.’ As for Lanzarote, he adds: ‘My partner and I had both discovered the island independently before we met. We loved it, and it suits this way of life very well.’
Paolo Ressia, an entrepreneur in international trade, describes Area 0 in Puerto del Carmen as ‘a shared space for workers with varied and cosmopolitan profiles. Beyond work, we share experiences through business networking and leisure activities. It’s a Tower of Babel in a very pleasant, high- end setting. Our rate of 30 euros a day is above the average of around 20.’
In 2022, Pitaya Coliving added accommodation to the mix. With a clear social focus, it organises communal breakfasts, shared meals, yoga sessions and excursions, occupying the middle ground between an Erasmus student flat and a professional coliving space for digital nomads.
Bringing all these together is the online community Lanzarote Digital Nomads, also active on Facebook, providing a virtual meeting point where job opportunities, accommodation searches, coworking spaces, social interaction and activities across the island all converge.
