Barcelona vs Istanbul vs Lisbon vs Sofia vs Tbilisi

Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Tbilisi 🇬🇪
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Population 5,585,556 15,520,000 517,000 1,270,169 1,108,700
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Turkish Portuguese Bulgarian Georgian
Level of English High Low Very high High Low
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Tbilisi International Airport (TBS)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, September, October April-June, September-October March - June
Currency EUR - Euro (€) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) GEL - Georgian Lari (₾)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $2384 $659 $1984 $1289 $1462
Rent $932 $354 $965 $567 $752
Groceries $121 $44 $136 $10 $112
Dining out $403 $81 $271 $227 $169
Cafe $45 $18 $37 $27 $45
Coworking space $213 $49 $164 $140 $125
Mobile internet $10 $3 $24 $10 $4
Public transportation $127 $6 $63 $30 $8
Taxis $48 $6 $27 $12 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $2 $18 $40 $27
Sport and cultural events $81 $11 $29 $18 $21
Museums and sights $33 $15 $24 $12 $9
Nightlife $112 $22 $47 $82 $53
Gym $81 $9 $65 $23 $33
Yoga $93 $23 $65 $62 $37
Massage $59 $15 $50 $29 $53
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone 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 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 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, FreeNow TaxiMe, TaxiStars Yandex, Bolt
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable 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 Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries 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 Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana 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 Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants 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 401 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow 10 options on Happy Cow