Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Bogota 🇨🇴
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population | 5,585,556 | 10,978,360 | 6,578,0179 | 2,427,000 | 1,270,169 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish | Bulgarian | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | High | Low | Moderate | Low | High | Moderate |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | El Dorado International Airport (BOG) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | José MarÃa Córdova International Airport (MDE) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | January - March, December | March - May, September - November | January - April, December | April-June, September-October | March - June, September, October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (€) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) | EUR - Euro (€) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted in some places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1097 | $2498 | $1293 | $1289 | $1976 |
Rent | $932 | $480 | $1174 | $732 | $567 | $869 |
Groceries | $121 | $82 | $175 | $87 | $10 | $146 |
Dining out | $403 | $174 | $313 | $131 | $227 | $292 |
Cafe | $45 | $22 | $51 | $18 | $27 | $42 |
Coworking space | $213 | $77 | $196 | $96 | $140 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $11 | $10 | $16 | $10 | $16 |
Public transportation | $127 | $23 | $78 | $21 | $30 | $38 |
Taxis | $48 | $28 | $44 | $14 | $12 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $17 | $49 | $0 | $40 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $22 | $54 | $8 | $18 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $7 | $20 | $9 | $12 | $44 |
Nightlife | $112 | $46 | $82 | $73 | $82 | $66 |
Gym | $81 | $15 | $44 | $15 | $23 | $34 |
Yoga | $93 | $57 | $142 | $54 | $62 | $87 |
Massage | $59 | $37 | $64 | $20 | $29 | $45 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Tigo, Movistar, Claro | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Claro, Tigo | A1, Telenor, Vivacom | Vodafone, Orange |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | Tip 10% in restaurants | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Cabify | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | EasyTaxi | TaxiMe, TaxiStars | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | 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. | Latin American. Dishes with beef, pork and chicken are often mixed with flour-based foods and fruity desserts. Heavy influence from the Andes and other Colombian regions. | 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 | 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. | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buñuelos, patacones, té de coca, changua | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator | Paella, fideuà , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menú del dÃa. Community markets and sports bars. | 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 | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 104 options on Happy Cow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 153 listings on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |