Barcelona vs Berlin vs Cape Town vs Madrid vs Medellin vs Mexico City

Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Population 5,585,556 3,400,000 4,617,560 6,578,0179 2,427,000 8,850,000
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish German Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Spanish Spanish
Level of English High Very high Very high Moderate Low Moderate
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November May - September March - May, September - November March - May, September - November January - April, December March - May, October, November
Currency EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX)
Remote worker visa Yes Yes No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $2384 $2200 $1549 $2498 $1293 $1867
Rent $932 $939 $618 $1174 $732 $778
Groceries $121 $188 $129 $175 $87 $281
Dining out $403 $271 $269 $313 $131 $182
Cafe $45 $57 $32 $51 $18 $49
Coworking space $213 $174 $151 $196 $96 $159
Mobile internet $10 $23 $27 $10 $16 $25
Public transportation $127 $88 $55 $78 $21 $11
Taxis $48 $58 $21 $44 $14 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $17 $49 $49 $0 $24
Sport and cultural events $81 $64 $19 $54 $8 $81
Museums and sights $33 $37 $15 $20 $9 $20
Nightlife $112 $63 $43 $82 $73 $64
Gym $81 $66 $36 $44 $15 $69
Yoga $93 $99 $56 $142 $54 $65
Massage $59 $56 $30 $64 $20 $51
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone MTN, Vodacom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo 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 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi Uber
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable 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, 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 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 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 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 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 Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus)
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow