Barcelona vs Berlin vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Playa del Carmen

Barcelona 🇪🇸
Remove
Berlin 🇩🇪
Remove
Istanbul 🇹🇷
Remove
Madrid 🇪🇸
Remove
Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
Remove
Population 5,585,556 3,400,000 15,520,000 6,578,0179 259,453
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish German Turkish Spanish Spanish
Level of English High Very high Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November May - September April - June, September and October March - May, September - November January - May, October - December
Currency EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $2384 $2200 $659 $2498 $2143
Rent $932 $939 $354 $1174 $923
Groceries $121 $188 $44 $175 $127
Dining out $403 $271 $81 $313 $207
Cafe $45 $57 $18 $51 $42
Coworking space $213 $174 $49 $196 $160
Mobile internet $10 $23 $3 $10 $21
Public transportation $127 $88 $6 $78 $17
Taxis $48 $58 $6 $44 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $17 $2 $49 $49
Sport and cultural events $81 $64 $11 $54 $97
Museums and sights $33 $37 $15 $20 $217
Nightlife $112 $63 $22 $82 $77
Gym $81 $66 $9 $44 $42
Yoga $93 $99 $23 $142 $54
Massage $59 $56 $15 $64 $101
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Mytaxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now N/A
Tap water Drinkable 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. Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices
Local food specialities Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
Eat like a local Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow