Barcelona vs Bucharest vs Istanbul vs Lisbon vs Valencia

Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 5,585,556 1,830,000 15,520,000 517,000 834,000
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Romanian Turkish Portuguese Spanish, Valencian
Level of English High High Low Very high Moderate
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Istanbul Airport (IST) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November April - October April - June, September and October March - May, September, October March - June, September, October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) RON - Romanian Leu (L) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $2384 $1351 $659 $1984 $1976
Rent $932 $615 $354 $965 $869
Groceries $121 $114 $44 $136 $146
Dining out $403 $165 $81 $271 $292
Cafe $45 $38 $18 $37 $42
Coworking space $213 $133 $49 $164 $152
Mobile internet $10 $7 $3 $24 $16
Public transportation $127 $21 $6 $63 $38
Taxis $48 $9 $6 $27 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $25 $2 $18 $30
Sport and cultural events $81 $29 $11 $29 $73
Museums and sights $33 $29 $15 $24 $44
Nightlife $112 $45 $22 $47 $66
Gym $81 $30 $9 $65 $34
Yoga $93 $59 $23 $65 $87
Massage $59 $31 $15 $50 $45
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Vodafone, Orange Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone Vodafone, Orange
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 Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Star Taxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber, FreeNow Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods 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 Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 33 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow