|
Bangkok 🇹ðŸ‡
|
Barcelona 🇪🇸
|
Berlin 🇩🇪
|
Istanbul 🇹🇷
|
Larnaca 🇨🇾
|
Madrid 🇪🇸
|
|
| Population | 5,680,000 | 5,585,556 | 3,400,000 | 15,520,000 | 144,900 | 6,578,0179 |
| Official language(s) | Thai | Catalan, Spanish | German | Turkish | Greek | Spanish |
| Level of English | Low | High | Very high | Low | High | Moderate |
| Main airport | Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Berlin Tegel (TXL) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) |
| Most common months to visit | January - March, November, December | April - June, September - November | May - September | April - June, September and October | March - May, October - December | March - May, September - November |
| Currency | THB - Thai Baht (฿) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in some places but cash often preferred | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $1560 | $2384 | $2200 | $659 | $1959 | $2498 |
| Rent | $616 | $932 | $939 | $354 | $678 | $1174 |
| Groceries | $191 | $121 | $188 | $44 | $157 | $175 |
| Dining out | $168 | $403 | $271 | $81 | $261 | $313 |
| Cafe | $45 | $45 | $57 | $18 | $56 | $51 |
| Coworking space | $127 | $213 | $174 | $49 | $209 | $196 |
| Mobile internet | $23 | $10 | $23 | $3 | $35 | $10 |
| Public transportation | $32 | $127 | $88 | $6 | $63 | $78 |
| Taxis | $19 | $48 | $58 | $6 | $42 | $44 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $17 | $24 | $17 | $2 | $45 | $49 |
| Sport and cultural events | $46 | $81 | $64 | $11 | $28 | $54 |
| Museums and sights | $21 | $33 | $37 | $15 | $8 | $20 |
| Nightlife | $50 | $112 | $63 | $22 | $110 | $82 |
| Gym | $96 | $81 | $66 | $9 | $107 | $44 |
| Yoga | $98 | $93 | $99 | $23 | $105 | $142 |
| Massage | $11 | $59 | $56 | $15 | $54 | $64 |
| SIM card options | AIS | Vodafone, Movistar | Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone |
| Tipping | 10% for restaurants, bars and services | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. |
| Taxi apps | Grab | Cabify, FreeNow | Mytaxi, Uber | BiTaksi | nTaxi | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now |
| Tap water | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable |
| Overall cuisine | Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup | 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. | Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | 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. |
| Local food specialities | Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros |
| Eat like a local | Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | 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! |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 416 listings on Happy Cow | 98 options on HappyCow | 844 listings on Happy Cow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 85 listings on Happy Cow |