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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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| Population | 5,585,556 | 15,520,000 | 517,000 | 6,578,0179 | 834,000 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Turkish | Portuguese | Spanish | Spanish, Valencian |
| Level of English | High | Low | Very high | Moderate | Moderate |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | April - June, September and October | March - May, September, October | March - May, September - November | March - June, September, October |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in most places | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $659 | $1984 | $2498 | $1976 |
| Rent | $932 | $354 | $965 | $1174 | $869 |
| Groceries | $121 | $44 | $136 | $175 | $146 |
| Dining out | $403 | $81 | $271 | $313 | $292 |
| Cafe | $45 | $18 | $37 | $51 | $42 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $49 | $164 | $196 | $152 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $3 | $24 | $10 | $16 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $6 | $63 | $78 | $38 |
| Taxis | $48 | $6 | $27 | $44 | $42 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $2 | $18 | $49 | $30 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $11 | $29 | $54 | $73 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $24 | $20 | $44 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $22 | $47 | $82 | $66 |
| Gym | $81 | $9 | $65 | $44 | $34 |
| Yoga | $93 | $23 | $65 | $142 | $87 |
| Massage | $59 | $15 | $50 | $64 | $45 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Vodafone | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Vodafone, Orange |
| Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | BiTaksi | Uber, FreeNow | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Cabify, FreeNow |
| Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | 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. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
| Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | Paella, fideuà , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
| 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 | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants | 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! | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |