|
Austin ๐บ๐ธ
|
Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
|
Bucharest ๐ท๐ด
|
Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
|
Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
|
Valencia ๐ช๐ธ
|
|
| Population | 926,426 | 5,585,556 | 1,830,000 | 144,900 | 6,578,0179 | 834,000 |
| Official language(s) | English (de facto) | Catalan, Spanish | Romanian | Greek | Spanish | Spanish, Valencian |
| Level of English | Very high | High | High | High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Main airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
| Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | April - June, September - November | April - October | March - May, October - December | March - May, September - November | March - June, September, October |
| Currency | USD - US Dollar ($) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | RON - Romanian Leu (L) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $3484 | $2384 | $1351 | $1959 | $2498 | $1976 |
| Rent | $1650 | $932 | $615 | $678 | $1174 | $869 |
| Groceries | $243 | $121 | $114 | $157 | $175 | $146 |
| Dining out | $396 | $403 | $165 | $261 | $313 | $292 |
| Cafe | $66 | $45 | $38 | $56 | $51 | $42 |
| Coworking space | $331 | $213 | $133 | $209 | $196 | $152 |
| Mobile internet | $40 | $10 | $7 | $35 | $10 | $16 |
| Public transportation | $110 | $127 | $21 | $63 | $78 | $38 |
| Taxis | $73 | $48 | $9 | $42 | $44 | $42 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $96 | $24 | $25 | $45 | $49 | $30 |
| Sport and cultural events | $54 | $81 | $29 | $28 | $54 | $73 |
| Museums and sights | $11 | $33 | $29 | $8 | $20 | $44 |
| Nightlife | $124 | $112 | $45 | $110 | $82 | $66 |
| Gym | $62 | $81 | $30 | $107 | $44 | $34 |
| Yoga | $139 | $93 | $59 | $105 | $142 | $87 |
| Massage | $89 | $59 | $31 | $54 | $64 | $45 |
| SIM card options | AT&T, T-Mobile. | Vodafone, Movistar | Vodafone, Orange | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Vodafone, Orange |
| Tipping | 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
| Taxi apps | Uber, Lyft | Cabify, FreeNow | Star Taxi, Uber | nTaxi | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Cabify, FreeNow |
| Tap water | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable |
| Overall cuisine | Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. | Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. | Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
| Local food specialities | Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Sarmale, mฤmฤligฤ, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbฤ de burtฤ, covrig, papanasi | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros | Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
| Eat like a local | Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 30 options on HappyCow | 98 options on HappyCow | 33 listings on Happy Cow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |