Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Population | 5,585,556 | 1,830,000 | 2,900,000 | 4,617,560 | 6,578,0179 | 2,427,000 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Romanian | Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Spanish | Spanish |
Level of English | High | High | High | Very high | Moderate | Low |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) | Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | José MarÃa Córdova International Airport (MDE) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | April - October | September - December | March - May, September - November | March - May, September - November | January - April, December |
Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | RON - Romanian Leu (L) | ARS - Argentine Peso ($) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (€) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted in some places |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1351 | $1321 | $1549 | $2498 | $1293 |
Rent | $932 | $615 | $844 | $618 | $1174 | $732 |
Groceries | $121 | $114 | $98 | $129 | $175 | $87 |
Dining out | $403 | $165 | $121 | $269 | $313 | $131 |
Cafe | $45 | $38 | $25 | $32 | $51 | $18 |
Coworking space | $213 | $133 | $95 | $151 | $196 | $96 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $7 | $11 | $27 | $10 | $16 |
Public transportation | $127 | $21 | $9 | $55 | $78 | $21 |
Taxis | $48 | $9 | $9 | $21 | $44 | $14 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $25 | $14 | $49 | $49 | $0 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $29 | $24 | $19 | $54 | $8 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $29 | $4 | $15 | $20 | $9 |
Nightlife | $112 | $45 | $23 | $43 | $82 | $73 |
Gym | $81 | $30 | $14 | $36 | $44 | $15 |
Yoga | $93 | $59 | $19 | $56 | $142 | $54 |
Massage | $59 | $31 | $10 | $30 | $64 | $20 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Vodafone, Orange | Movistar, Claro, Personal | MTN, Vodacom | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Claro, Tigo |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis | 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | Tip 10% in restaurants |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Star Taxi, Uber | Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) | Uber, Bolt | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | EasyTaxi |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not 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. | Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. | Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options | South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | 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 |
Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi | Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa |
Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias | Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | 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 |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 33 listings on Happy Cow | 79 options on Happy Cow | 24 options on HappyCow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 153 listings on Happy Cow |