Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
|
Hanoi ๐ป๐ณ
|
Istanbul ๐น๐ท
|
Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
|
Lisbon ๐ต๐น
|
|
Population | 5,585,556 | 8,053,663 | 15,520,000 | 144,900 | 517,000 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Vietnamese | Turkish | Greek | Portuguese |
Level of English | High | Moderate | Low | High | Very high |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Nแปi Bร i International Airport (HAN) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | January, February, October - December | April - June, September and October | March - May, October - December | March - May, September, October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | VND - Vietnamese Dong (โซ) | TRY - Turkish Lira (โบ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1167 | $659 | $1959 | $1984 |
Rent | $932 | $503 | $354 | $678 | $965 |
Groceries | $121 | $151 | $44 | $157 | $136 |
Dining out | $403 | $134 | $81 | $261 | $271 |
Cafe | $45 | $39 | $18 | $56 | $37 |
Coworking space | $213 | $72 | $49 | $209 | $164 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $4 | $3 | $35 | $24 |
Public transportation | $127 | $20 | $6 | $63 | $63 |
Taxis | $48 | $13 | $6 | $42 | $27 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $0 | $2 | $45 | $18 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $3 | $11 | $28 | $29 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $4 | $15 | $8 | $24 |
Nightlife | $112 | $89 | $22 | $110 | $47 |
Gym | $81 | $57 | $9 | $107 | $65 |
Yoga | $93 | $57 | $23 | $105 | $65 |
Massage | $59 | $21 | $15 | $54 | $50 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Viettel, Mobifone | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs 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 | Grab, GoViet | 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. | A mix of French, Southeast Asian and Chinese with lots of fresh herbs and spices. Northern Vietnam cuisine includes a lot of fish and noodles. | 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 tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads | Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Bacalhau ร bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana |
Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food | 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 listings 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 |