Barcelona vs Budapest vs Cape Town vs Mexico City vs Sofia

Barcelona 🇪🇸
Remove
Budapest 🇭🇺
Remove
Cape Town 🇿🇦
Remove
Mexico City 🇲🇽
Remove
Sofia 🇧🇬
Remove
Population 5,585,556 1,768,073 4,617,560 8,850,000 1,270,169
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Hungarian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English High High Very high Moderate High
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November March - June, September - November March - May, September - November March - May, October, November April-June, September-October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) ZAR - South African Rand (R) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $2384 $1230 $1549 $1867 $1289
Rent $932 $499 $618 $778 $567
Groceries $121 $108 $129 $281 $10
Dining out $403 $202 $269 $182 $227
Cafe $45 $29 $32 $49 $27
Coworking space $213 $120 $151 $159 $140
Mobile internet $10 $9 $27 $25 $10
Public transportation $127 $36 $55 $11 $30
Taxis $48 $27 $21 $9 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $13 $49 $24 $40
Sport and cultural events $81 $24 $19 $81 $18
Museums and sights $33 $7 $15 $20 $12
Nightlife $112 $43 $43 $64 $82
Gym $81 $37 $36 $69 $23
Yoga $93 $48 $56 $65 $62
Massage $59 $26 $30 $51 $29
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Vodafone, Telenor MTN, Vodacom Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Bolt, Fotaxi Uber, Bolt Uber TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. Magyar cuisine makes extensive use of creams, cheeses and sauces primarily in beef, chicken and pork dishes, mixed with seasonal vegetables, fruits and rich desserts. 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. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese 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.
Local food specialities Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 47 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 279 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow