Austin ๐บ๐ธ
|
Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
|
Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
|
Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
|
Valencia ๐ช๐ธ
|
|
Population | 926,426 | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 6,578,0179 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | English (de facto) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Spanish | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | Very high | High | Very high | Moderate | Moderate |
Main airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | March - May, September - November | March - June, September, October |
Currency | USD - US Dollar ($) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $3484 | $2384 | $1549 | $2498 | $1976 |
Rent | $1650 | $932 | $618 | $1174 | $869 |
Groceries | $243 | $121 | $129 | $175 | $146 |
Dining out | $396 | $403 | $269 | $313 | $292 |
Cafe | $66 | $45 | $32 | $51 | $42 |
Coworking space | $331 | $213 | $151 | $196 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $40 | $10 | $27 | $10 | $16 |
Public transportation | $110 | $127 | $55 | $78 | $38 |
Taxis | $73 | $48 | $21 | $44 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $96 | $24 | $49 | $49 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $54 | $81 | $19 | $54 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $11 | $33 | $15 | $20 | $44 |
Nightlife | $124 | $112 | $43 | $82 | $66 |
Gym | $62 | $81 | $36 | $44 | $34 |
Yoga | $139 | $93 | $56 | $142 | $87 |
Massage | $89 | $59 | $30 | $64 | $45 |
SIM card options | AT&T, T-Mobile. | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Vodafone, Orange |
Tipping | 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars | 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. | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | Uber, Lyft | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable |
Overall cuisine | Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. | 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. | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
Local food specialities | Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, 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 madrileรฑa, churros | Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
Eat like a local | Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries | 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! | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 30 options on HappyCow | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |