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Tokyo has been named the world’s best workcation city for 2025 in International Workplace Group’s (IWG) third annual Work from Anywhere Barometer. With flexible working enabling professionals to remain productive on the move, Mumbai stands out as India’s top entry among leading Asian cities such as Singapore, Seoul, Beijing, and Jakarta. This year’s list also sees Tokyo surpass global contenders such as Rio de Janeiro and last year’s winner, Budapest.
New research from IWG, the world’s largest platform for work and provider of flexible workspaces, highlights the rising popularity of “workcations” among white-collar professionals. Findings from this year’s Barometer show that six in ten (60 per cent) of hybrid workers are more likely to extend a holiday to work remotely than last year, while 86 per cent cite the availability of flexible workspaces as a major factor in their destination choice.
“Workcations”—where travellers combine work and leisure at their destinations to extend holidays—have surged in popularity since hybrid working became the de facto working model for many. This year’s research shows that 78 per cent of employees surveyed consider a ‘work from anywhere’ policy an important factor when evaluating a new job, while 87 per cent say the freedom to work from anywhere boosts their productivity. Hybrid workers also report reduced burnout (85 per cent) and improved work–life balance (87 per cent). With advances in technology and the widespread adoption of flexible work models, professionals can stay fully productive from virtually any location, whether close to home or halfway across the world.
With more than 4,000 flexible workspace locations in over 120 countries, IWG’s network has a strong presence across all 40 leading ‘workcation’ cities featured in this year’s Work from Anywhere Barometer. Each city was scored on a scale of one to 10 across 12 criteria—including climate, accommodation, transport, broadband speed, and the availability of flexible workspaces—along with new categories such as digital nomad visas and proximity to nature.
2025 Top 10 Workcation Cities
- Tokyo
- Rio de Janeiro
- Budapest
- Seoul
- Barcelona
- Beijing
- Lisbon
- Rome
- Paris
- Valletta
New Entrants in the Global Top 10
- Seoul (#4): recognised for its strong broadband infrastructure, efficient transport system, and newly streamlined digital nomad visa scheme.
- Rome (#8): celebrated for its outstanding cuisine, historic surroundings, and the launch of Italy’s national digital nomad visa in January 2025.
- Paris (#9): scores highly for its rich culture, excellent transport, and diverse co-working options, despite higher general costs.
- Valletta (#10): secures a top-10 position with its Mediterranean climate, historic charm, and compact, accessible size.
2025 Top Asian Workcation Cities
- Tokyo (#1)
- Jakarta (#17)
- Seoul (#4)
- Manila (#18)
- Beijing (#6)
- Mumbai (#36)
- Singapore (#15)
- Hong Kong (#38)
Tokyo takes the crown (91/120)
Tokyo scored highly for its exceptional broadband speeds, transport infrastructure, safety, culture, and the new digital nomad visa launched in April 2024, which grants stays of up to 12 months at a competitive cost. The city also benefits from proximity to mountains, coastal regions, and national parks—ideal for hybrid workers seeking an exciting urban atmosphere alongside natural escapes.
Mumbai: Productivity Meets Culture (73/120)
Mumbai makes a strong impression as an emerging workcation hub in the new Barometer. No matter where hybrid workers are based—whether in the bustling financial district or the quieter corners of the city—they can stay well connected and productive with reliable broadband and a wide range of flexible workspaces.
Beyond work, Mumbai offers a wide mix of experiences as diverse as the city itself. Professionals can discover iconic sights like the sparkling Queen’s Necklace at Marine Drive, lined with celebrated Art Deco buildings. The city is famous for its diverse culinary scene, from beloved street food to fine dining, and a vibrant culture of music, dance, and theatre. As one of Asia’s leading economic centres, Mumbai offers a refined urban experience balance while remaining affordable for day-to-day living.
For those seeking a respite from the urban energy, serene hill stations such as Lonavala and Mahabaleshwar are a short drive away. This unique blend of high-octane city life, rich cultural immersion, and accessible nature makes Mumbai a compelling workcation destination.
Emerging workcation destinations for 2025
This year’s Barometer welcomed 10 new cities: Tokyo, Seoul, Rome, Cairo, Mexico City, Cape Town, Prague, Melbourne, Orlando, and Reykjavik. These cities scored particularly well on newly introduced criteria that assessed the availability and cost of digital nomad visas, as well as their proximity to beaches, mountains, and national parks. This reflects hybrid workers’ growing preference for destinations that offer easy access to nature, with 75 per cent stating that natural surroundings are a major factor in their choice.
Beyond reducing burnout and improving work–life balance, being able to work from anywhere also drives productivity and strengthens talent retention. According to the new IWG Hybrid Working Productivity Report, produced in partnership with global consultancy Arup, adopting flexible workspaces as part of a hybrid strategy could boost productivity by up to 11 per cent over the next five years. Companies worldwide are seeing significant gains—from enhanced productivity to stronger retention and attraction of top talent. Workplace flexibility, in particular, plays a pivotal role, with flexible arrangements lowering voluntary turnover by up to 20 per cent, and employees being three times more likely to stay in roles that offer a variety of working options.