Barcelona vs Bucharest vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Valencia

Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 5,585,556 1,830,000 15,520,000 8,850,000 834,000
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Romanian Turkish Spanish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English High High Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November April - October April - June, September and October March - May, October, November March - June, September, October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) RON - Romanian Leu (L) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $2384 $1351 $659 $1867 $1976
Rent $932 $615 $354 $778 $869
Groceries $121 $114 $44 $281 $146
Dining out $403 $165 $81 $182 $292
Cafe $45 $38 $18 $49 $42
Coworking space $213 $133 $49 $159 $152
Mobile internet $10 $7 $3 $25 $16
Public transportation $127 $21 $6 $11 $38
Taxis $48 $9 $6 $9 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $25 $2 $24 $30
Sport and cultural events $81 $29 $11 $81 $73
Museums and sights $33 $29 $15 $20 $44
Nightlife $112 $45 $22 $64 $66
Gym $81 $30 $9 $69 $34
Yoga $93 $59 $23 $65 $87
Massage $59 $31 $15 $51 $45
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Vodafone, Orange Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar 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 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Star Taxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Not 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. 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 Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese 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 Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas 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 Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) 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 279 listings on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow