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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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| Population | 5,585,556 | 15,520,000 | 6,578,0179 | 8,850,000 | 834,000 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Turkish | Spanish | Spanish | Spanish, Valencian |
| Level of English | High | Low | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | April - June, September and October | March - May, September - November | March - May, October, November | March - June, September, October |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (€) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $659 | $2498 | $1867 | $1976 |
| Rent | $932 | $354 | $1174 | $778 | $869 |
| Groceries | $121 | $44 | $175 | $281 | $146 |
| Dining out | $403 | $81 | $313 | $182 | $292 |
| Cafe | $45 | $18 | $51 | $49 | $42 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $49 | $196 | $159 | $152 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $3 | $10 | $25 | $16 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $6 | $78 | $11 | $38 |
| Taxis | $48 | $6 | $44 | $9 | $42 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $2 | $49 | $24 | $30 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $11 | $54 | $81 | $73 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $20 | $20 | $44 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $22 | $82 | $64 | $66 |
| Gym | $81 | $9 | $44 | $69 | $34 |
| Yoga | $93 | $23 | $142 | $65 | $87 |
| Massage | $59 | $15 | $64 | $51 | $45 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, Orange |
| Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | BiTaksi | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Uber | Cabify, FreeNow |
| Tap water | 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. | 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. | 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 | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | 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 | 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! | 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 | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |