Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Istanbul ๐น๐ท
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Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
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Lisbon ๐ต๐น
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Rio de Janeiro ๐ง๐ท
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Population | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 15,520,000 | 144,900 | 517,000 | 6,718,903 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Turkish | Greek | Portuguese | Portuguese |
Level of English | High | Very high | Low | High | Very high | Low |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Galeรฃo International Airport |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | April - June, September and October | March - May, October - December | March - May, September, October | January - March, December |
Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | TRY - Turkish Lira (โบ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1549 | $659 | $1959 | $1984 | $1833 |
Rent | $932 | $618 | $354 | $678 | $965 | $1066 |
Groceries | $121 | $129 | $44 | $157 | $136 | $95 |
Dining out | $403 | $269 | $81 | $261 | $271 | $210 |
Cafe | $45 | $32 | $18 | $56 | $37 | $25 |
Coworking space | $213 | $151 | $49 | $209 | $164 | $130 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $27 | $3 | $35 | $24 | $7 |
Public transportation | $127 | $55 | $6 | $63 | $63 | $33 |
Taxis | $48 | $21 | $6 | $42 | $27 | $14 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $49 | $2 | $45 | $18 | $16 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $19 | $11 | $28 | $29 | $55 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $15 | $8 | $24 | $26 |
Nightlife | $112 | $43 | $22 | $110 | $47 | $54 |
Gym | $81 | $36 | $9 | $107 | $65 | $31 |
Yoga | $93 | $56 | $23 | $105 | $65 | $40 |
Massage | $59 | $30 | $15 | $54 | $50 | $32 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone | Tim, Claro, Vivo |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | BiTaksi | nTaxi | Uber, FreeNow | Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not 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. | 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 sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries | Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common. |
Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Bacalhau ร bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros. |
Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants | The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city. |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 54 options on Happy Cow |