Barcelona 🇪🇸
|
Bogota 🇨🇴
|
Istanbul 🇹🇷
|
Larnaca 🇨🇾
|
Lisbon 🇵🇹
|
|
Population | 5,585,556 | 10,978,360 | 15,520,000 | 144,900 | 517,000 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Spanish | Turkish | Greek | Portuguese |
Level of English | High | Low | Low | High | Very high |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | El Dorado International Airport (BOG) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | January - March, December | April - June, September and October | March - May, October - December | March - May, September, October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1097 | $659 | $1959 | $1984 |
Rent | $932 | $480 | $354 | $678 | $965 |
Groceries | $121 | $82 | $44 | $157 | $136 |
Dining out | $403 | $174 | $81 | $261 | $271 |
Cafe | $45 | $22 | $18 | $56 | $37 |
Coworking space | $213 | $77 | $49 | $209 | $164 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $11 | $3 | $35 | $24 |
Public transportation | $127 | $23 | $6 | $63 | $63 |
Taxis | $48 | $28 | $6 | $42 | $27 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $17 | $2 | $45 | $18 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $22 | $11 | $28 | $29 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $7 | $15 | $8 | $24 |
Nightlife | $112 | $46 | $22 | $110 | $47 |
Gym | $81 | $15 | $9 | $107 | $65 |
Yoga | $93 | $57 | $23 | $105 | $65 |
Massage | $59 | $37 | $15 | $54 | $50 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Tigo, Movistar, Claro | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10% service included in all bills, not required or expected at bars without table service | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Cabify | BiTaksi | nTaxi | Uber, FreeNow |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not 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. | Latin American. Dishes with beef, pork and chicken are often mixed with flour-based foods and fruity desserts. Heavy influence from the Andes and other Colombian regions. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | 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 |
Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Arepas, ajiaco santaferense, buñuelos, patacones, té de coca, changua | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana |
Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Local family restaurants and those from other regions. Menú del dÃa. Community markets and sports bars. | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | 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 |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 104 options on Happy Cow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 401 listings on Happy Cow |