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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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| Population | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 15,520,000 | 517,000 | 8,850,000 | 834,000 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Turkish | Portuguese | Spanish | Spanish, Valencian |
| Level of English | High | Very high | Low | Very high | Moderate | Moderate |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | April - June, September and October | March - May, September, October | March - May, October, November | March - June, September, October |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (€) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted in most places | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1549 | $659 | $1984 | $1867 | $1976 |
| Rent | $932 | $618 | $354 | $965 | $778 | $869 |
| Groceries | $121 | $129 | $44 | $136 | $281 | $146 |
| Dining out | $403 | $269 | $81 | $271 | $182 | $292 |
| Cafe | $45 | $32 | $18 | $37 | $49 | $42 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $151 | $49 | $164 | $159 | $152 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $27 | $3 | $24 | $25 | $16 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $55 | $6 | $63 | $11 | $38 |
| Taxis | $48 | $21 | $6 | $27 | $9 | $42 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $49 | $2 | $18 | $24 | $30 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $19 | $11 | $29 | $81 | $73 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $15 | $24 | $20 | $44 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $43 | $22 | $47 | $64 | $66 |
| Gym | $81 | $36 | $9 | $65 | $69 | $34 |
| Yoga | $93 | $56 | $23 | $65 | $65 | $87 |
| Massage | $59 | $30 | $15 | $50 | $51 | $45 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, Orange |
| Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | BiTaksi | Uber, FreeNow | Uber | Cabify, FreeNow |
| Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | 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. | South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
| Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | Paella, fideuà , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
| Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants | Markets, food stalls, menú del dÃa (cheap set lunch menus) | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |