Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Istanbul ๐น๐ท
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Lisbon ๐ต๐น
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Porto ๐ต๐น
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Population | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 15,520,000 | 517,000 | 237,559 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Turkish | Portuguese | Portuguese |
Level of English | High | Very high | Low | Very high | Very High |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | April - June, September and October | March - May, September, October | May - September |
Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | TRY - Turkish Lira (โบ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted in most places | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1549 | $659 | $1984 | $1759 |
Rent | $932 | $618 | $354 | $965 | $717 |
Groceries | $121 | $129 | $44 | $136 | $148 |
Dining out | $403 | $269 | $81 | $271 | $280 |
Cafe | $45 | $32 | $18 | $37 | $45 |
Coworking space | $213 | $151 | $49 | $164 | $96 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $27 | $3 | $24 | $21 |
Public transportation | $127 | $55 | $6 | $63 | $95 |
Taxis | $48 | $21 | $6 | $27 | $25 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $49 | $2 | $18 | $10 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $19 | $11 | $29 | $45 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $15 | $24 | $24 |
Nightlife | $112 | $43 | $22 | $47 | $66 |
Gym | $81 | $36 | $9 | $65 | $56 |
Yoga | $93 | $56 | $23 | $65 | $82 |
Massage | $59 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $48 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Vodafone | Vodafone, MEO, NOS |
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 | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | BiTaksi | Uber, FreeNow | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not 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. | 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 | Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries | A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. |
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 | Bacalhau ร bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa |
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 | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 46 options on Happy Cow |