Barcelona vs Berlin vs Istanbul vs Larnaca vs Madrid vs Rio de Janeiro

Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Population 5,585,556 3,400,000 15,520,000 144,900 6,578,0179 6,718,903
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish German Turkish Greek Spanish Portuguese
Level of English High Very high Low High Moderate Low
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Istanbul Airport (IST) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Galeão International Airport
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November May - September April - June, September and October March - May, October - December March - May, September - November January - March, December
Currency EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes Yes No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $2384 $2200 $659 $1959 $2498 $1833
Rent $932 $939 $354 $678 $1174 $1066
Groceries $121 $188 $44 $157 $175 $95
Dining out $403 $271 $81 $261 $313 $210
Cafe $45 $57 $18 $56 $51 $25
Coworking space $213 $174 $49 $209 $196 $130
Mobile internet $10 $23 $3 $35 $10 $7
Public transportation $127 $88 $6 $63 $78 $33
Taxis $48 $58 $6 $42 $44 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $17 $2 $45 $49 $16
Sport and cultural events $81 $64 $11 $28 $54 $55
Museums and sights $33 $37 $15 $8 $20 $26
Nightlife $112 $63 $22 $110 $82 $54
Gym $81 $66 $9 $107 $44 $31
Yoga $93 $99 $23 $105 $142 $40
Massage $59 $56 $15 $54 $64 $32
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Tim, Claro, Vivo
Tipping 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Mytaxi, Uber BiTaksi nTaxi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, 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 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, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common.
Local food specialities Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros.
Eat like a local Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops 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. 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! The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city.
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 85 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow