Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population | 5,585,556 | 2,900,000 | 15,520,000 | 237,559 | 1,270,169 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Spanish | Turkish | Portuguese | Bulgarian | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | High | High | Low | Very High | High | Moderate |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | September - December | April - June, September and October | May - September | April-June, September-October | March - June, September, October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | ARS - Argentine Peso ($) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) | EUR - Euro (€) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1321 | $659 | $1759 | $1289 | $1976 |
Rent | $932 | $844 | $354 | $717 | $567 | $869 |
Groceries | $121 | $98 | $44 | $148 | $10 | $146 |
Dining out | $403 | $121 | $81 | $280 | $227 | $292 |
Cafe | $45 | $25 | $18 | $45 | $27 | $42 |
Coworking space | $213 | $95 | $49 | $96 | $140 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $11 | $3 | $21 | $10 | $16 |
Public transportation | $127 | $9 | $6 | $95 | $30 | $38 |
Taxis | $48 | $9 | $6 | $25 | $12 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $14 | $2 | $10 | $40 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $24 | $11 | $45 | $18 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $4 | $15 | $24 | $12 | $44 |
Nightlife | $112 | $23 | $22 | $66 | $82 | $66 |
Gym | $81 | $14 | $9 | $56 | $23 | $34 |
Yoga | $93 | $19 | $23 | $82 | $62 | $87 |
Massage | $59 | $10 | $15 | $48 | $29 | $45 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Movistar, Claro, Personal | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Vodafone, MEO, NOS | A1, Telenor, Vivacom | 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 | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) | BiTaksi | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify | TaxiMe, TaxiStars | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | 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. | 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 | A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. | 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. | 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 | 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 | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator | 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 | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 79 options on Happy Cow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 46 options on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |