Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Tbilisi 🇬🇪
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Population | 5,585,556 | 15,520,000 | 8,850,000 | 1,270,169 | 1,108,700 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Turkish | Spanish | Bulgarian | Georgian |
Level of English | High | Low | Moderate | High | Low |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) | Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | April - June, September and October | March - May, October, November | April-June, September-October | March - June |
Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) | GEL - Georgian Lari (₾) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in most places | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $659 | $1867 | $1289 | $1462 |
Rent | $932 | $354 | $778 | $567 | $752 |
Groceries | $121 | $44 | $281 | $10 | $112 |
Dining out | $403 | $81 | $182 | $227 | $169 |
Cafe | $45 | $18 | $49 | $27 | $45 |
Coworking space | $213 | $49 | $159 | $140 | $125 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $3 | $25 | $10 | $4 |
Public transportation | $127 | $6 | $11 | $30 | $8 |
Taxis | $48 | $6 | $9 | $12 | $14 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $2 | $24 | $40 | $27 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $11 | $81 | $18 | $21 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $20 | $12 | $9 |
Nightlife | $112 | $22 | $64 | $82 | $53 |
Gym | $81 | $9 | $69 | $23 | $33 |
Yoga | $93 | $23 | $65 | $62 | $37 |
Massage | $59 | $15 | $51 | $29 | $53 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Telcel, Movistar | A1, Telenor, Vivacom | Magti GSM, Geocell, Beeline |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés | 10% usually included in bill, not expected at bars or cafés. |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | BiTaksi | Uber | TaxiMe, TaxiStars | Yandex, Bolt |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not 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 | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | 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. | Cuisine of the Caucasus meets regional diversity in Georgia. Emphasis on spices and meats (poultry, beef, pork and mutton) as well as soups and creams. |
Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator | Kachapuri, kuchmachi, khinkali, chikhirtma, kharcho with gomi, jonjoli |
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 | Markets, food stalls, menú del dÃa (cheap set lunch menus) | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. | Small local restaurants, open bars, terraces and wine bars |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow | 10 options on Happy Cow |