Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population | 5,585,556 | 3,400,000 | 15,520,000 | 259,453 | 1,270,169 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | German | Turkish | Spanish | Bulgarian |
Level of English | High | Very high | Low | Moderate | High |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Berlin Tegel (TXL) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | May - September | April - June, September and October | January - May, October - December | April-June, September-October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in some places but cash often preferred | Accepted in most places | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $2200 | $659 | $2143 | $1289 |
Rent | $932 | $939 | $354 | $923 | $567 |
Groceries | $121 | $188 | $44 | $127 | $10 |
Dining out | $403 | $271 | $81 | $207 | $227 |
Cafe | $45 | $57 | $18 | $42 | $27 |
Coworking space | $213 | $174 | $49 | $160 | $140 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $23 | $3 | $21 | $10 |
Public transportation | $127 | $88 | $6 | $17 | $30 |
Taxis | $48 | $58 | $6 | $9 | $12 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $17 | $2 | $49 | $40 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $64 | $11 | $97 | $18 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $37 | $15 | $217 | $12 |
Nightlife | $112 | $63 | $22 | $77 | $82 |
Gym | $81 | $66 | $9 | $42 | $23 |
Yoga | $93 | $99 | $23 | $54 | $62 |
Massage | $59 | $56 | $15 | $101 | $29 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Telcel, 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 | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | 10-15% for restaurants | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Mytaxi, Uber | BiTaksi | N/A | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
Tap water | 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 | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices | 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 | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | 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 | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | 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 | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow |