Bangkok 🇹ðŸ‡
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population | 5,680,000 | 5,585,556 | 1,830,000 | 4,617,560 | 6,578,0179 | 2,427,000 | 9,963,452 | 1,270,169 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | Thai | Catalan, Spanish | Romanian | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Spanish | Spanish | Korean | Bulgarian | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | Low | High | High | Very high | Moderate | Low | Moderate | High | Moderate |
Main airport | Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | José MarÃa Córdova International Airport (MDE) | Incheon International Airport (ICN) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | January - March, November, December | April - June, September - November | April - October | March - May, September - November | March - May, September - November | January - April, December | March - May, September - November | April-June, September-October | March - June, September, October |
Currency | THB - Thai Baht (฿) | EUR - Euro (€) | RON - Romanian Leu (L) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (€) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | KRW - South Korean won (₩) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) | EUR - Euro (€) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted in some places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $1560 | $2384 | $1351 | $1549 | $2498 | $1293 | $2184 | $1289 | $1976 |
Rent | $616 | $932 | $615 | $618 | $1174 | $732 | $797 | $567 | $869 |
Groceries | $191 | $121 | $114 | $129 | $175 | $87 | $356 | $10 | $146 |
Dining out | $168 | $403 | $165 | $269 | $313 | $131 | $211 | $227 | $292 |
Cafe | $45 | $45 | $38 | $32 | $51 | $18 | $69 | $27 | $42 |
Coworking space | $127 | $213 | $133 | $151 | $196 | $96 | $222 | $140 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $23 | $10 | $7 | $27 | $10 | $16 | $40 | $10 | $16 |
Public transportation | $32 | $127 | $21 | $55 | $78 | $21 | $40 | $30 | $38 |
Taxis | $19 | $48 | $9 | $21 | $44 | $14 | $41 | $12 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $17 | $24 | $25 | $49 | $49 | $0 | $13 | $40 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $46 | $81 | $29 | $19 | $54 | $8 | $39 | $18 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $21 | $33 | $29 | $15 | $20 | $9 | $6 | $12 | $44 |
Nightlife | $50 | $112 | $45 | $43 | $82 | $73 | $93 | $82 | $66 |
Gym | $96 | $81 | $30 | $36 | $44 | $15 | $69 | $23 | $34 |
Yoga | $98 | $93 | $59 | $56 | $142 | $54 | $112 | $62 | $87 |
Massage | $11 | $59 | $31 | $30 | $64 | $20 | $75 | $29 | $45 |
SIM card options | AIS | Vodafone, Movistar | Vodafone, Orange | MTN, Vodacom | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Claro, Tigo | KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus | A1, Telenor, Vivacom | Vodafone, Orange |
Tipping | 10% for restaurants, bars and services | 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 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | Tip 10% in restaurants | Not customary or expected | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | Grab | Cabify, FreeNow | Star Taxi, Uber | Uber, Bolt | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | EasyTaxi | Uber, Kakao | TaxiMe, TaxiStars | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | 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. | Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. | South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats | Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture. | Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital. | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
Local food specialities | Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa | Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator | Paella, fideuà , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
Eat like a local | Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | 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! | Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food | Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 416 listings on Happy Cow | 98 options on HappyCow | 33 listings on Happy Cow | 24 options on HappyCow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 153 listings on Happy Cow | 57 options on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |