Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population | 5,585,556 | 3,400,000 | 15,520,000 | 144,900 | 259,453 | 6,718,903 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | German | Turkish | Greek | Spanish | Portuguese | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | High | Very high | Low | High | Moderate | Low | Moderate |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Berlin Tegel (TXL) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Galeão International Airport | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | May - September | April - June, September and October | March - May, October - December | January - May, October - December | January - March, December | March - June, September, October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) | EUR - Euro (€) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in some places but cash often preferred | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $2200 | $659 | $1959 | $2143 | $1833 | $1976 |
Rent | $932 | $939 | $354 | $678 | $923 | $1066 | $869 |
Groceries | $121 | $188 | $44 | $157 | $127 | $95 | $146 |
Dining out | $403 | $271 | $81 | $261 | $207 | $210 | $292 |
Cafe | $45 | $57 | $18 | $56 | $42 | $25 | $42 |
Coworking space | $213 | $174 | $49 | $209 | $160 | $130 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $23 | $3 | $35 | $21 | $7 | $16 |
Public transportation | $127 | $88 | $6 | $63 | $17 | $33 | $38 |
Taxis | $48 | $58 | $6 | $42 | $9 | $14 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $17 | $2 | $45 | $49 | $16 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $64 | $11 | $28 | $97 | $55 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $37 | $15 | $8 | $217 | $26 | $44 |
Nightlife | $112 | $63 | $22 | $110 | $77 | $54 | $66 |
Gym | $81 | $66 | $9 | $107 | $42 | $31 | $34 |
Yoga | $93 | $99 | $23 | $105 | $54 | $40 | $87 |
Massage | $59 | $56 | $15 | $54 | $101 | $32 | $45 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Telcel, Movistar | Tim, Claro, Vivo | Vodafone, Orange |
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 | 10-15% for restaurants | 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Mytaxi, Uber | BiTaksi | nTaxi | N/A | Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not 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 | 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.. | Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices | Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common. | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods 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 | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. | Paella, fideuà , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
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. | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | 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. | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
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 | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 54 options on Happy Cow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |