Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
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Lisbon ๐ต๐น
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Lviv ๐บ๐ฆ
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Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
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Medellin ๐จ๐ด
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Population | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 144,900 | 517,000 | 731,387 | 6,578,0179 | 2,427,000 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Greek | Portuguese | Ukrainian | Spanish | Spanish |
Level of English | High | Very high | High | Very high | Low | Moderate | Low |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | March - May, October - December | March - May, September, October | May - September | March - May, September - November | January - April, December |
Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (โด) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted in some places |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1549 | $1959 | $1984 | $922 | $2498 | $1293 |
Rent | $932 | $618 | $678 | $965 | $400 | $1174 | $732 |
Groceries | $121 | $129 | $157 | $136 | $91 | $175 | $87 |
Dining out | $403 | $269 | $261 | $271 | $151 | $313 | $131 |
Cafe | $45 | $32 | $56 | $37 | $21 | $51 | $18 |
Coworking space | $213 | $151 | $209 | $164 | $79 | $196 | $96 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $27 | $35 | $24 | $4 | $10 | $16 |
Public transportation | $127 | $55 | $63 | $63 | $5 | $78 | $21 |
Taxis | $48 | $21 | $42 | $27 | $12 | $44 | $14 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $49 | $45 | $18 | $16 | $49 | $0 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $19 | $28 | $29 | $13 | $54 | $8 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $8 | $24 | $9 | $20 | $9 |
Nightlife | $112 | $43 | $110 | $47 | $43 | $82 | $73 |
Gym | $81 | $36 | $107 | $65 | $22 | $44 | $15 |
Yoga | $93 | $56 | $105 | $65 | $30 | $142 | $54 |
Massage | $59 | $30 | $54 | $50 | $27 | $64 | $20 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone | Vodafone, Kyivstar | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Claro, Tigo |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | Tip 10% in restaurants |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | nTaxi | Uber, FreeNow | Uber, Uklon | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | EasyTaxi |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | 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. | 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 | Slavic. Emphasis on frilled meats combined with potatoes, carrots, pickles and cabbage. Creamy deserts often elaborated with cottage cheese. Lviv enjoys culinary influences from Kiev (traditional with an emphasis on chicken) and Odessa (various seafood dishes). | 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 |
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 | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Bacalhau ร bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa |
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 | 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 | Local grills, themed taverns, local breweries, small bakeries | 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 |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 9 options on HappyCow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 153 listings on Happy Cow |