Barcelona vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Lisbon vs Prague

Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Population 5,585,556 4,617,560 15,520,000 517,000 1,305,737
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Portuguese Czech
Level of English High Very high Low Very high High
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November March - May, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, September, October June - October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč)
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 most places (some places are cash only)
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $2384 $1549 $659 $1984 $1806
Rent $932 $618 $354 $965 $780
Groceries $121 $129 $44 $136 $158
Dining out $403 $269 $81 $271 $240
Cafe $45 $32 $18 $37 $53
Coworking space $213 $151 $49 $164 $175
Mobile internet $10 $27 $3 $24 $24
Public transportation $127 $55 $6 $63 $61
Taxis $48 $21 $6 $27 $33
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $49 $2 $18 $19
Sport and cultural events $81 $19 $11 $29 $19
Museums and sights $33 $15 $15 $24 $35
Nightlife $112 $43 $22 $47 $50
Gym $81 $36 $9 $65 $56
Yoga $93 $56 $23 $65 $66
Massage $59 $30 $15 $50 $37
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone Vodafone, T-Mobile
Tipping 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber, FreeNow Uber, Liftago
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 sautéed 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 Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer!
Local food specialities Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky.
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 Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow