Barcelona vs Bucharest vs Chiang Mai vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Medellin vs Seoul

Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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Population 5,585,556 1,830,000 1,166,978 15,520,000 6,578,0179 2,427,000 9,963,452
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Romanian Thai Turkish Spanish Spanish Korean
Level of English High High Low Low Moderate Low Moderate
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November April - October November - April April - June, September and October March - May, September - November January - April, December March - May, September - November
Currency EUR - Euro (€) RON - Romanian Leu (L) THB - Thai Baht (฿) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) KRW - South Korean won (₩)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No No Yes No No
Average monthly costs $2384 $1351 $974 $659 $2498 $1293 $2184
Rent $932 $615 $274 $354 $1174 $732 $797
Groceries $121 $114 $169 $44 $175 $87 $356
Dining out $403 $165 $108 $81 $313 $131 $211
Cafe $45 $38 $45 $18 $51 $18 $69
Coworking space $213 $133 $95 $49 $196 $96 $222
Mobile internet $10 $7 $11 $3 $10 $16 $40
Public transportation $127 $21 $60 $6 $78 $21 $40
Taxis $48 $9 $20 $6 $44 $14 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $25 $10 $2 $49 $0 $13
Sport and cultural events $81 $29 $8 $11 $54 $8 $39
Museums and sights $33 $29 $8 $15 $20 $9 $6
Nightlife $112 $45 $62 $22 $82 $73 $93
Gym $81 $30 $41 $9 $44 $15 $69
Yoga $93 $59 $55 $23 $142 $54 $112
Massage $59 $31 $10 $15 $64 $20 $75
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Vodafone, Orange AIS, DTAC Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
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, not customary or expected elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Star Taxi, Uber Grab BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi Uber, Kakao
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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 Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
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 Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam
Eat like a local Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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 Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 33 listings on Happy Cow 90 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow