Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population | 5,585,556 | 3,400,000 | 4,617,560 | 517,000 | 8,850,000 | 880,691 | 1,270,169 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | German | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Portuguese | Spanish | Spanish | Bulgarian |
Level of English | High | Very high | Very high | Very high | Moderate | Low | High |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Berlin Tegel (TXL) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Tocumen International Airport (PTY) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | May - September | March - May, September - November | March - May, September, October | March - May, October, November | December - April | April-June, September-October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (€) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) |
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) | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $2200 | $1549 | $1984 | $1867 | $2359 | $1289 |
Rent | $932 | $939 | $618 | $965 | $778 | $1036 | $567 |
Groceries | $121 | $188 | $129 | $136 | $281 | $236 | $10 |
Dining out | $403 | $271 | $269 | $271 | $182 | $371 | $227 |
Cafe | $45 | $57 | $32 | $37 | $49 | $43 | $27 |
Coworking space | $213 | $174 | $151 | $164 | $159 | $157 | $140 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $23 | $27 | $24 | $25 | $21 | $10 |
Public transportation | $127 | $88 | $55 | $63 | $11 | $12 | $30 |
Taxis | $48 | $58 | $21 | $27 | $9 | $48 | $12 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $17 | $49 | $18 | $24 | $0 | $40 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $64 | $19 | $29 | $81 | $35 | $18 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $37 | $15 | $24 | $20 | $9 | $12 |
Nightlife | $112 | $63 | $43 | $47 | $64 | $117 | $82 |
Gym | $81 | $66 | $36 | $65 | $69 | $37 | $23 |
Yoga | $93 | $99 | $56 | $65 | $65 | $163 | $62 |
Massage | $59 | $56 | $30 | $50 | $51 | $75 | $29 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone | MTN, Vodacom | Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar | Claro, Movistar | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
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 | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Mytaxi, Uber | Uber, Bolt | Uber, FreeNow | Uber | Uber, Tu Chofer | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
Tap water | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not 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 | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | Latin American. Emphasis on rice, beans, coconut, and local fruits and vegetables. Pork and beef are regularly used and influence from the islands gives seafood dishes a prominent spot in Panamanian cuisine. | 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. |
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 | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator |
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 | Markets, food stalls, menú del dÃa (cheap set lunch menus) | Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 844 listings on Happy Cow | 24 options on HappyCow | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 7 options on HappyCow | 20 options on HappyCow |