Barcelona vs Berlin vs Buenos Aires vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Mexico City

Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Population 5,585,556 3,400,000 2,900,000 15,520,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish German Spanish Turkish Spanish Spanish
Level of English High Very high High Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November May - September September - December April - June, September and October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November
Currency EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX)
Remote worker visa Yes Yes No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $2384 $2200 $1321 $659 $2498 $1867
Rent $932 $939 $844 $354 $1174 $778
Groceries $121 $188 $98 $44 $175 $281
Dining out $403 $271 $121 $81 $313 $182
Cafe $45 $57 $25 $18 $51 $49
Coworking space $213 $174 $95 $49 $196 $159
Mobile internet $10 $23 $11 $3 $10 $25
Public transportation $127 $88 $9 $6 $78 $11
Taxis $48 $58 $9 $6 $44 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $17 $14 $2 $49 $24
Sport and cultural events $81 $64 $24 $11 $54 $81
Museums and sights $33 $37 $4 $15 $20 $20
Nightlife $112 $63 $23 $22 $82 $64
Gym $81 $66 $14 $9 $44 $69
Yoga $93 $99 $19 $23 $142 $65
Massage $59 $56 $10 $15 $64 $51
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Mytaxi, Uber Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine 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 Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese
Local food specialities Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas
Eat like a local Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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! Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus)
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 79 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow