Barcelona vs Chiang Mai vs Da Nang vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs Sofia

Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Da Nang 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 5,585,556 1,166,978 1,125,316 15,520,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000 1,270,169
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Thai Vietnamese Turkish Spanish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English High Low Low Low Moderate Moderate High
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Da Nang International Airport (DAD) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November November - April February - May April - June, September and October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November April-June, September-October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) THB - Thai Baht (฿) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in some places. Cash also needed. Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $2384 $974 $959 $659 $2498 $1867 $1289
Rent $932 $274 $316 $354 $1174 $778 $567
Groceries $121 $169 $161 $44 $175 $281 $10
Dining out $403 $108 $128 $81 $313 $182 $227
Cafe $45 $45 $35 $18 $51 $49 $27
Coworking space $213 $95 $88 $49 $196 $159 $140
Mobile internet $10 $11 $4 $3 $10 $25 $10
Public transportation $127 $60 $15 $6 $78 $11 $30
Taxis $48 $20 $15 $6 $44 $9 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $10 $0 $2 $49 $24 $40
Sport and cultural events $81 $8 $6 $11 $54 $81 $18
Museums and sights $33 $8 $2 $15 $20 $20 $12
Nightlife $112 $62 $74 $22 $82 $64 $82
Gym $81 $41 $34 $9 $44 $69 $23
Yoga $93 $55 $71 $23 $142 $65 $62
Massage $59 $10 $10 $15 $64 $51 $29
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar AIS, DTAC Viettel, Vinafone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere 5-15% in restaurants, round up at bars and cafes Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Grab Grab BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. 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, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese 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.
Local food specialities Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua 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 Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Smaller, local restaurants, roadside eateries, street food stalls and local markets Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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! Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 107 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow