Barcelona vs Berlin vs Cape Town vs Lisbon vs Madrid vs Medellin

Barcelona 🇪🇸
Remove
Berlin 🇩🇪
Remove
Cape Town 🇿🇦
Remove
Lisbon 🇵🇹
Remove
Madrid 🇪🇸
Remove
Medellin 🇨🇴
Remove
Population 5,585,556 3,400,000 4,617,560 517,000 6,578,0179 2,427,000
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish German Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Portuguese Spanish Spanish
Level of English High Very high Very high Very high Moderate Low
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November May - September March - May, September - November March - May, September, October March - May, September - November January - April, December
Currency EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places
Remote worker visa Yes Yes No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $2384 $2200 $1549 $1984 $2498 $1293
Rent $932 $939 $618 $965 $1174 $732
Groceries $121 $188 $129 $136 $175 $87
Dining out $403 $271 $269 $271 $313 $131
Cafe $45 $57 $32 $37 $51 $18
Coworking space $213 $174 $151 $164 $196 $96
Mobile internet $10 $23 $27 $24 $10 $16
Public transportation $127 $88 $55 $63 $78 $21
Taxis $48 $58 $21 $27 $44 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $17 $49 $18 $49 $0
Sport and cultural events $81 $64 $19 $29 $54 $8
Museums and sights $33 $37 $15 $24 $20 $9
Nightlife $112 $63 $43 $47 $82 $73
Gym $81 $66 $36 $65 $44 $15
Yoga $93 $99 $56 $65 $142 $54
Massage $59 $56 $30 $50 $64 $20
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone MTN, Vodacom Vodafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo
Tipping 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Uber, FreeNow Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable 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 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 seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries 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
Local food specialities Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa
Eat like a local Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants 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
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 401 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow