|
Barcelona 🇪🇸
|
Berlin 🇩🇪
|
Bucharest 🇷🇴
|
Istanbul 🇹🇷
|
Larnaca 🇨🇾
|
Lisbon 🇵🇹
|
|
| Population | 5,585,556 | 3,400,000 | 1,830,000 | 15,520,000 | 144,900 | 517,000 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | German | Romanian | Turkish | Greek | Portuguese |
| Level of English | High | Very high | High | Low | High | Very high |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Berlin Tegel (TXL) | Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | May - September | April - October | April - June, September and October | March - May, October - December | March - May, September, October |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | RON - Romanian Leu (L) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in some places but cash often preferred | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $2200 | $1351 | $659 | $1959 | $1984 |
| Rent | $932 | $939 | $615 | $354 | $678 | $965 |
| Groceries | $121 | $188 | $114 | $44 | $157 | $136 |
| Dining out | $403 | $271 | $165 | $81 | $261 | $271 |
| Cafe | $45 | $57 | $38 | $18 | $56 | $37 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $174 | $133 | $49 | $209 | $164 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $23 | $7 | $3 | $35 | $24 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $88 | $21 | $6 | $63 | $63 |
| Taxis | $48 | $58 | $9 | $6 | $42 | $27 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $17 | $25 | $2 | $45 | $18 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $64 | $29 | $11 | $28 | $29 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $37 | $29 | $15 | $8 | $24 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $63 | $45 | $22 | $110 | $47 |
| Gym | $81 | $66 | $30 | $9 | $107 | $65 |
| Yoga | $93 | $99 | $59 | $23 | $105 | $65 |
| Massage | $59 | $56 | $31 | $15 | $54 | $50 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone | Vodafone, Orange | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone |
| Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services | 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Mytaxi, Uber | Star Taxi, Uber | BiTaksi | nTaxi | Uber, FreeNow |
| Tap water | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | 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 | Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries |
| Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels | Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana |
| Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops | Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 844 listings on Happy Cow | 33 listings on Happy Cow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 401 listings on Happy Cow |