Barcelona vs Bucharest vs Istanbul vs Larnaca vs Lisbon vs Medellin

Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Population 5,585,556 1,830,000 15,520,000 144,900 517,000 2,427,000
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Romanian Turkish Greek Portuguese Spanish
Level of English High High Low High Very high Low
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Istanbul Airport (IST) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November April - October April - June, September and October March - May, October - December March - May, September, October January - April, December
Currency EUR - Euro (€) RON - Romanian Leu (L) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted in some places
Remote worker visa Yes No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $2384 $1351 $659 $1959 $1984 $1293
Rent $932 $615 $354 $678 $965 $732
Groceries $121 $114 $44 $157 $136 $87
Dining out $403 $165 $81 $261 $271 $131
Cafe $45 $38 $18 $56 $37 $18
Coworking space $213 $133 $49 $209 $164 $96
Mobile internet $10 $7 $3 $35 $24 $16
Public transportation $127 $21 $6 $63 $63 $21
Taxis $48 $9 $6 $42 $27 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $25 $2 $45 $18 $0
Sport and cultural events $81 $29 $11 $28 $29 $8
Museums and sights $33 $29 $15 $8 $24 $9
Nightlife $112 $45 $22 $110 $47 $73
Gym $81 $30 $9 $107 $65 $15
Yoga $93 $59 $23 $105 $65 $54
Massage $59 $31 $15 $54 $50 $20
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Vodafone, Orange Turkcell, Turk Telekom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Vodafone Claro, Tigo
Tipping 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 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 Tip 10% in restaurants
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Star Taxi, Uber BiTaksi nTaxi Uber, FreeNow EasyTaxi
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. 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 A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats
Local food specialities Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi 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 Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa
Eat like a local Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias 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 Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 33 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 153 listings on Happy Cow