Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population | 5,585,556 | 2,900,000 | 4,617,560 | 8,053,663 | 15,520,000 | 237,559 | 1,305,737 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Vietnamese | Turkish | Portuguese | Czech | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | High | High | Very high | Moderate | Low | Very High | High | Moderate |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) | Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | September - December | March - May, September - November | January, February, October - December | April - June, September and October | May - September | June - October | March - June, September, October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | ARS - Argentine Peso ($) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) | EUR - Euro (€) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted most places (some places are cash only) | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1321 | $1549 | $1167 | $659 | $1759 | $1806 | $1976 |
Rent | $932 | $844 | $618 | $503 | $354 | $717 | $780 | $869 |
Groceries | $121 | $98 | $129 | $151 | $44 | $148 | $158 | $146 |
Dining out | $403 | $121 | $269 | $134 | $81 | $280 | $240 | $292 |
Cafe | $45 | $25 | $32 | $39 | $18 | $45 | $53 | $42 |
Coworking space | $213 | $95 | $151 | $72 | $49 | $96 | $175 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $11 | $27 | $4 | $3 | $21 | $24 | $16 |
Public transportation | $127 | $9 | $55 | $20 | $6 | $95 | $61 | $38 |
Taxis | $48 | $9 | $21 | $13 | $6 | $25 | $33 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $14 | $49 | $0 | $2 | $10 | $19 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $24 | $19 | $3 | $11 | $45 | $19 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $4 | $15 | $4 | $15 | $24 | $35 | $44 |
Nightlife | $112 | $23 | $43 | $89 | $22 | $66 | $50 | $66 |
Gym | $81 | $14 | $36 | $57 | $9 | $56 | $56 | $34 |
Yoga | $93 | $19 | $56 | $57 | $23 | $82 | $66 | $87 |
Massage | $59 | $10 | $30 | $21 | $15 | $48 | $37 | $45 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Movistar, Claro, Personal | MTN, Vodacom | Viettel, Mobifone | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Vodafone, MEO, NOS | Vodafone, T-Mobile | Vodafone, Orange |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars | 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) | Uber, Bolt | Grab, GoViet | BiTaksi | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify | Uber, Liftago | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | 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. | 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. | A mix of French, Southeast Asian and Chinese with lots of fresh herbs and spices. Northern Vietnam cuisine includes a lot of fish and noodles. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. | Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer! | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa | Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. | Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | 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 | Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars | Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 79 options on Happy Cow | 24 options on HappyCow | 104 listings on Happy Cow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 46 options on Happy Cow | 112 options on HappyCow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |