Barcelona vs Istanbul vs Larnaca vs Lisbon vs Mexico City

Barcelona ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Larnaca ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ
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Lisbon ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 5,585,556 15,520,000 144,900 517,000 8,850,000
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Turkish Greek Portuguese Spanish
Level of English High Low High Very high Moderate
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, October - December March - May, September, October March - May, October, November
Currency EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Widely accepted (less with AMEX)
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $2384 $659 $1959 $1984 $1867
Rent $932 $354 $678 $965 $778
Groceries $121 $44 $157 $136 $281
Dining out $403 $81 $261 $271 $182
Cafe $45 $18 $56 $37 $49
Coworking space $213 $49 $209 $164 $159
Mobile internet $10 $3 $35 $24 $25
Public transportation $127 $6 $63 $63 $11
Taxis $48 $6 $42 $27 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $2 $45 $18 $24
Sport and cultural events $81 $11 $28 $29 $81
Museums and sights $33 $15 $8 $24 $20
Nightlife $112 $22 $110 $47 $64
Gym $81 $9 $107 $65 $69
Yoga $93 $23 $105 $65 $65
Massage $59 $15 $54 $50 $51
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Turkcell, Turk Telekom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Vodafone Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 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 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow BiTaksi nTaxi Uber, FreeNow Uber
Tap water 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. 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 Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese
Local food specialities Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo 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 Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas
Eat like a local Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots 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 Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus)
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 401 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow