[Latest update 2025, November 12] As a digital nomad, making new friends can be a challenge, but there are various ways to meet like-minded individuals while traveling.
One way is to stay at a coliving space that offers a ready-made community of remote workers who share your passion for travel and work.
Coworking spaces also provide an excellent opportunity to interact with other remote professionals and form meaningful relationships, as they often host networking events and social activities.
But besides making new friends at work-related places, browse through our list of locations, interests, events, and experiences that help you to make new friends along the way.
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🏙️ Locations
Coliving space
Coliving spaces are a great way to make new friends as a digital nomad because they offer a ready-made community of like-minded individuals who share your passion for travel and remote work.
In a coliving space, you can easily strike up a conversation with someone in the shared living areas or during organized activities and events.
Additionally, coliving spaces often feature shared areas and facilities, such as coworking spaces, communal kitchens, and game rooms, which offer ample opportunities to socialize and get to know your fellow digital nomads.
Many coliving spaces also organize group outings and excursions, which is another excellent way to bond with other community members.
Sarah Kuhlemann
Sarah Kuhlemann
Coworking space
Coworking spaces are popular among nomads, as they offer an opportunity to work in a professional environment and interact with other nomads.
Coworking spaces also provide a sense of community, where individuals can share ideas and collaborate on projects. This environment creates a natural setting for building friendships, as individuals spend time together, share experiences, and develop connections based on mutual interests.
Moreover, coworking spaces often host networking events, workshops, and social activities, providing ample opportunities for digital nomads to meet new people and form meaningful relationships.
Sarah Kuhlemann
Sarah Kuhlemann
🎨 Interests
Dancing
A dance class offers an opportunity to meet people with similar interests in a fun and social setting. Dancing can be a great icebreaker and help build connections quickly.
In addition, dance classes often require partnering up, providing an opportunity to interact and bond with classmates.
Finally, participating in a regular dance class can provide a sense of community and belonging, which is especially important for those living a nomadic lifestyle.
Cooking
Cooking classes are a fun way to meet people because everyone is focused on creating something together and sharing a meal in the end. As you chop, stir, and taste, it feels natural to chat with the person next to you about where they’re from, their favorite dishes, or travel stories.
Many classes are small and social by design, making it easier to break the ice than at a big, anonymous event. Plus, sitting down to eat what you’ve cooked together often turns into deeper conversations and can be the perfect moment to suggest staying in touch or planning another meetup.
Creative workshops
Creative workshops, such as pottery, painting, photography, or writing classes, bring together people who enjoy expressing themselves and trying new things. The relaxed, hands-on atmosphere makes it easy to talk without the pressure of “networking,” because you always have the project in front of you as a natural conversation starter.
Joining a series of workshops instead of a one-off event also means you’ll see the same faces again, which helps you slowly build trust and familiarity. Over time, sharing ideas, offering feedback, and laughing about small mistakes can turn into genuine friendships with locals and other travelers.
🎤 Events
Digital Nomad Meetup
Attending digital nomad meetups is an excellent way to connect with other nomads and expats.
Although digital nomad meetups can turn into superficial small talks that make you feel like you are wasting time, give it a try.
Focus on one or two people who interest you, and don't hesitate to ask if they'd like to connect via WhatsApp or Facebook.
Retreat
From writing retreats to yoga retreats, from mindfulness to business, retreats are an intimate way to meet new people.
The group of people you meet might feel more like-minded as nomads in your local coworking space. Retreats focus on specific topics and aim to help the participants solve, improve, realize, or grow in a certain direction.
The group setting can be very intimate depending on the retreat size. This makes it easier to connect with the other participants.
Retreats typically offer a variety of activities and workshops that encourage interaction among participants, making it easy to form connections.
Sarah Kuhlemann
Conference
Attending a remote work conference is an excellent way to meet other digital nomads and build new connections.
These events bring together like-minded professionals from various backgrounds and industries, providing ample opportunities to network and socialize.
With workshops, keynotes, and social events, remote work conferences offer a balance of professional development and social interaction.
Sarah Kuhlemann
Festival
Going to a festival is a great way to meet like-minded individuals who share your interests and hobbies. Whether it's music, art, or culture, festivals attract people from all over the world and offer a fun, relaxed environment for socializing.
Festivals often have designated areas for meeting new people and networking, making it easy for digital nomads to make new friends and potentially even business connections.
🤿 Sports
Gyms
Gyms are a great way to make new friends because they provide a common interest and a sense of community.
Being a part of a gym allows you to meet people with similar fitness goals and lifestyles, and provides a natural opportunity to start conversations and connect with others.
Additionally, participating in group fitness classes or joining a workout group can create a sense of accountability and shared motivation toward achieving fitness goals, leading to stronger connections and friendships.
Gyms often organize social events or activities outside the gym, such as hiking or running groups, which can offer additional opportunities to meet new people and form connections.
Sarah Kuhlemann
Yoga
Yoga studios offer a great opportunity to meet like-minded individuals who share an interest in health and wellness.
Attending regular yoga classes allows for consistent interaction with other practitioners, and the communal nature of the practice can foster a sense of connection.
Additionally, yoga studios often offer workshops and events outside of regular classes, providing further opportunities to meet new people and build relationships.
Running
Joining a local running group can be a fantastic way to meet new people, make friends, and stay healthy and active.
Running with a group provides a sense of community and shared accomplishment, making it easier to connect with like-minded individuals.
Additionally, running groups often organize social events outside of running, such as dinners or happy hours, which provide further opportunities to get to know your fellow runners.
Hiking
Joining a hiking group is another popular way to meet new people and form friendships.
Hiking is a great way to get outside and explore the natural beauty of a new location, while also providing a shared experience that can bring people together.
Hiking groups often attract people with similar interests and values, making it easier to connect with others.
And lastly, hiking is a low-pressure activity that allows for plenty of conversation and interaction, making it an ideal setting for forming new connections.
Tennis
Tennis is a social sport that people of all ages and skill levels can enjoy.
By joining a tennis club, digital nomads can participate in organized matches, events, and tournaments, providing them with the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share their interest.
Playing tennis regularly is also a great way to stay fit and healthy while traveling.
🦁 Experiences
Group tour
Sounds like baseball caps and wristbands? Not quite. Group tours can be a great way to explore local areas and meet new people.
The shared experience of the tour can serve as a natural conversation starter and a bonding opportunity.
Ideas include free walking tours, wine tours, culinary experiences, cooking classes, zip-line adventures, or mountain bike tours. Check local Facebook groups, Meetup.com, or the local blackboard for advertisements.
Cruise
Booking a digital nomad cruise can be a fun and unique way to make new friends while traveling. Being surrounded by a group of like-minded individuals who also work remotely can lead to lasting connections and friendships beyond the cruise.
Plus, with various activities and excursions planned, there are plenty of opportunities to socialize and get to know your fellow travelers.
Have a look at Nomad Cruise!
Sarah Kuhlemann
Safari
Joining a safari in Africa is a great way to connect with like-minded individuals who share a love for adventure and exploration.
The group nature of a safari allows for natural socializing and bonding over shared experiences such as game drives, bush walks, and campfire conversations.
With the added excitement of seeing wildlife in their natural habitat, a safari can be a unique and unforgettable way for a digital nomad to make new friends.
🎀 Conclusion
Yes, making new friends as an adult takes more time. And yes, making new friends as a digital nomad is more difficult.
As adults, forming friendships can be challenging. We tend to be shy. We might have expectations. We are afraid the other has expectations. And many times we just haven't met the right person yet.
If you are looking to make new friendships, be curious and open-minded, and allow deep conversations. Listen with interest. And share with bravery.
Suggest connecting via WhatsApp or Facebook and ask for a second coffee or lunch meetup.
As nomads, we frequently change locations. A new city, a new local community, new Facebook groups, and the opportunity to join new digital nomad events. Once we bonded with our new nomad or local friends, it is just a matter of time until the next goodbye. And the cycle starts all over again.
So, being an adult plus a nomad feels doubly challenging.
I give the question back to you: How to make new friends as a nomad?
Please let me know your thoughts.
Sarah Kuhlemann
Sarah Kuhlemann
