Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Tbilisi 🇬🇪
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Population | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 6,578,0179 | 2,427,000 | 259,453 | 237,559 | 1,305,737 | 1,270,169 | 1,108,700 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish | Portuguese | Czech | Bulgarian | Georgian |
Level of English | High | Very high | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Very High | High | High | Low |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) | Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) | Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | March - May, September - November | January - April, December | January - May, October - December | May - September | June - October | April-June, September-October | March - June |
Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (€) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (€) | CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) | GEL - Georgian Lari (₾) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted in some places | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted most places (some places are cash only) | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1549 | $2498 | $1293 | $2143 | $1759 | $1806 | $1289 | $1462 |
Rent | $932 | $618 | $1174 | $732 | $923 | $717 | $780 | $567 | $752 |
Groceries | $121 | $129 | $175 | $87 | $127 | $148 | $158 | $10 | $112 |
Dining out | $403 | $269 | $313 | $131 | $207 | $280 | $240 | $227 | $169 |
Cafe | $45 | $32 | $51 | $18 | $42 | $45 | $53 | $27 | $45 |
Coworking space | $213 | $151 | $196 | $96 | $160 | $96 | $175 | $140 | $125 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $27 | $10 | $16 | $21 | $21 | $24 | $10 | $4 |
Public transportation | $127 | $55 | $78 | $21 | $17 | $95 | $61 | $30 | $8 |
Taxis | $48 | $21 | $44 | $14 | $9 | $25 | $33 | $12 | $14 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $49 | $49 | $0 | $49 | $10 | $19 | $40 | $27 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $19 | $54 | $8 | $97 | $45 | $19 | $18 | $21 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $20 | $9 | $217 | $24 | $35 | $12 | $9 |
Nightlife | $112 | $43 | $82 | $73 | $77 | $66 | $50 | $82 | $53 |
Gym | $81 | $36 | $44 | $15 | $42 | $56 | $56 | $23 | $33 |
Yoga | $93 | $56 | $142 | $54 | $54 | $82 | $66 | $62 | $37 |
Massage | $59 | $30 | $64 | $20 | $101 | $48 | $37 | $29 | $53 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Claro, Tigo | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, MEO, NOS | Vodafone, T-Mobile | A1, Telenor, Vivacom | Magti GSM, Geocell, Beeline |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | Tip 10% in restaurants | 10-15% for restaurants | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars | 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés | 10% usually included in bill, not expected at bars or cafés. |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | EasyTaxi | N/A | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify | Uber, Liftago | TaxiMe, TaxiStars | Yandex, Bolt |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not 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 sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | 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 | Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices | A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. | 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! | 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. | Cuisine of the Caucasus meets regional diversity in Georgia. Emphasis on spices and meats (poultry, beef, pork and mutton) as well as soups and creams. |
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 | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa | Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator | Kachapuri, kuchmachi, khinkali, chikhirtma, kharcho with gomi, jonjoli |
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 | 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 | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars | Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. | Small local restaurants, open bars, terraces and wine bars |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 153 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 46 options on Happy Cow | 112 options on HappyCow | 20 options on HappyCow | 10 options on Happy Cow |