|
Barcelona 🇪🇸
|
Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
|
Istanbul 🇹🇷
|
Larnaca 🇨🇾
|
Lisbon 🇵🇹
|
Sofia 🇧🇬
|
|
| Population | 5,585,556 | 2,900,000 | 15,520,000 | 144,900 | 517,000 | 1,270,169 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Spanish | Turkish | Greek | Portuguese | Bulgarian |
| Level of English | High | High | Low | High | Very high | High |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | September - December | April - June, September and October | March - May, October - December | March - May, September, October | April-June, September-October |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | ARS - Argentine Peso ($) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Accepted everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1321 | $659 | $1959 | $1984 | $1289 |
| Rent | $932 | $844 | $354 | $678 | $965 | $567 |
| Groceries | $121 | $98 | $44 | $157 | $136 | $10 |
| Dining out | $403 | $121 | $81 | $261 | $271 | $227 |
| Cafe | $45 | $25 | $18 | $56 | $37 | $27 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $95 | $49 | $209 | $164 | $140 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $11 | $3 | $35 | $24 | $10 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $9 | $6 | $63 | $63 | $30 |
| Taxis | $48 | $9 | $6 | $42 | $27 | $12 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $14 | $2 | $45 | $18 | $40 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $24 | $11 | $28 | $29 | $18 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $4 | $15 | $8 | $24 | $12 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $23 | $22 | $110 | $47 | $82 |
| Gym | $81 | $14 | $9 | $107 | $65 | $23 |
| Yoga | $93 | $19 | $23 | $105 | $65 | $62 |
| Massage | $59 | $10 | $15 | $54 | $50 | $29 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Movistar, Claro, Personal | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
| Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars | 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 | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) | BiTaksi | nTaxi | Uber, FreeNow | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
| 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. | Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options | 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 | 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 | Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores | 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 | 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 | Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas | 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 | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 79 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 | 20 options on HappyCow |