Barcelona 🇪🇸
|
Cape Town 🇿🇦
|
Da Nang 🇻🇳
|
Istanbul 🇹🇷
|
Lisbon 🇵🇹
|
Medellin 🇨🇴
|
Prague 🇨🇿
|
Valencia 🇪🇸
|
|
Population | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 1,125,316 | 15,520,000 | 517,000 | 2,427,000 | 1,305,737 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Vietnamese | Turkish | Portuguese | Spanish | Czech | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | High | Very high | Low | Low | Very high | Low | High | Moderate |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Da Nang International Airport (DAD) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) | Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | February - May | April - June, September and October | March - May, September, October | January - April, December | June - October | March - June, September, October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) | EUR - Euro (€) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted in some places. Cash also needed. | Accepted in most places | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Accepted in some places | Accepted most places (some places are cash only) | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1549 | $959 | $659 | $1984 | $1293 | $1806 | $1976 |
Rent | $932 | $618 | $316 | $354 | $965 | $732 | $780 | $869 |
Groceries | $121 | $129 | $161 | $44 | $136 | $87 | $158 | $146 |
Dining out | $403 | $269 | $128 | $81 | $271 | $131 | $240 | $292 |
Cafe | $45 | $32 | $35 | $18 | $37 | $18 | $53 | $42 |
Coworking space | $213 | $151 | $88 | $49 | $164 | $96 | $175 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $27 | $4 | $3 | $24 | $16 | $24 | $16 |
Public transportation | $127 | $55 | $15 | $6 | $63 | $21 | $61 | $38 |
Taxis | $48 | $21 | $15 | $6 | $27 | $14 | $33 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $49 | $0 | $2 | $18 | $0 | $19 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $19 | $6 | $11 | $29 | $8 | $19 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $2 | $15 | $24 | $9 | $35 | $44 |
Nightlife | $112 | $43 | $74 | $22 | $47 | $73 | $50 | $66 |
Gym | $81 | $36 | $34 | $9 | $65 | $15 | $56 | $34 |
Yoga | $93 | $56 | $71 | $23 | $65 | $54 | $66 | $87 |
Massage | $59 | $30 | $10 | $15 | $50 | $20 | $37 | $45 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | Viettel, Vinafone | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Vodafone | Claro, Tigo | Vodafone, T-Mobile | Vodafone, Orange |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 5-15% in restaurants, round up at bars and cafes | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | Tip 10% in restaurants | 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | Grab | BiTaksi | Uber, FreeNow | EasyTaxi | Uber, Liftago | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | 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. | Healthy and with robust flavors, Vietnamese cuisine combines noodles and rice with a variety of greens and local herbs to compliment specially seasoned pork, beef or seafood dishes. In Da Nang, you'll find a strong emphasis on barbecued seafood dishes as well as fish-based sauces. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries | A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats | 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! | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
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 | Chao Tom, Bahn Xeo, Goi Cuon, Bun Thit Nuong, Bahn Cuon, Mi Quang, Bun nam, Bun cha ca | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa | Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. | Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
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 | Smaller, local restaurants, roadside eateries, street food stalls and local markets | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants | Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food | Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 107 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 153 listings on Happy Cow | 112 options on HappyCow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |