Barcelona vs Buenos Aires vs Madrid vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Sofia vs Valencia

Barcelona 🇪🇸
Remove
Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
Remove
Madrid 🇪🇸
Remove
Medellin 🇨🇴
Remove
Mexico City 🇲🇽
Remove
Sofia 🇧🇬
Remove
Valencia 🇪🇸
Remove
Population 5,585,556 2,900,000 6,578,0179 2,427,000 8,850,000 1,270,169 834,000
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Bulgarian Spanish, Valencian
Level of English High High Moderate Low Moderate High Moderate
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November September - December March - May, September - November January - April, December March - May, October, November April-June, September-October March - June, September, October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $2384 $1321 $2498 $1293 $1867 $1289 $1976
Rent $932 $844 $1174 $732 $778 $567 $869
Groceries $121 $98 $175 $87 $281 $10 $146
Dining out $403 $121 $313 $131 $182 $227 $292
Cafe $45 $25 $51 $18 $49 $27 $42
Coworking space $213 $95 $196 $96 $159 $140 $152
Mobile internet $10 $11 $10 $16 $25 $10 $16
Public transportation $127 $9 $78 $21 $11 $30 $38
Taxis $48 $9 $44 $14 $9 $12 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $14 $49 $0 $24 $40 $30
Sport and cultural events $81 $24 $54 $8 $81 $18 $73
Museums and sights $33 $4 $20 $9 $20 $12 $44
Nightlife $112 $23 $82 $73 $64 $82 $66
Gym $81 $14 $44 $15 $69 $23 $34
Yoga $93 $19 $142 $54 $65 $62 $87
Massage $59 $10 $64 $20 $51 $29 $45
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Movistar, Claro, Personal Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar 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 Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 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) Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi Uber TaxiMe, TaxiStars Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable 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. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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. 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 Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas 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 Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) 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 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow