Barcelona vs Buenos Aires vs Istanbul vs Lisbon vs Medellin

Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Population 5,585,556 2,900,000 15,520,000 517,000 2,427,000
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Spanish Turkish Portuguese Spanish
Level of English High High Low Very high Low
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November September - December April - June, September and October March - May, September, October January - April, December
Currency EUR - Euro (€) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted in some places
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $2384 $1321 $659 $1984 $1293
Rent $932 $844 $354 $965 $732
Groceries $121 $98 $44 $136 $87
Dining out $403 $121 $81 $271 $131
Cafe $45 $25 $18 $37 $18
Coworking space $213 $95 $49 $164 $96
Mobile internet $10 $11 $3 $24 $16
Public transportation $127 $9 $6 $63 $21
Taxis $48 $9 $6 $27 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $14 $2 $18 $0
Sport and cultural events $81 $24 $11 $29 $8
Museums and sights $33 $4 $15 $24 $9
Nightlife $112 $23 $22 $47 $73
Gym $81 $14 $9 $65 $15
Yoga $93 $19 $23 $65 $54
Massage $59 $10 $15 $50 $20
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone Claro, Tigo
Tipping 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Tip 10% in restaurants
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) BiTaksi Uber, FreeNow EasyTaxi
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, 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 Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa
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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 79 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow