1. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates’ most populous city is famous for its glimmering skyscrapers (including the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa) and modern infrastructure (it’s been nicknamed “The City of Innovation” or “The City of the Future”). It also serves as the Middle East’s financial and cultural hub, making it a popular spot for fintech employees. Its recently launched one-year visa program for remote workers has also helped attract digital nomads — as well as the fact that the city center is just 30 minutes from the beach. In other words, you can easily take a little dip only minutes after your last Zoom call (don’t worry, we won’t tell your boss!).

Despite the bonus of there being no income tax here, rent in Dubai is quite costly, especially compared to other destinations on this list. And, although considered one of the safest cities in the world, there are strict laws regarding drug and alcohol consumption, same-sex relationships, public displays of affection, and dress.