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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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| Population | 5,585,556 | 517,000 | 259,453 | 237,559 | 834,000 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Portuguese | Spanish | Portuguese | Spanish, Valencian |
| Level of English | High | Very high | Moderate | Very High | Moderate |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September, October | January - May, October - December | May - September | March - June, September, October |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1984 | $2143 | $1759 | $1976 |
| Rent | $932 | $965 | $923 | $717 | $869 |
| Groceries | $121 | $136 | $127 | $148 | $146 |
| Dining out | $403 | $271 | $207 | $280 | $292 |
| Cafe | $45 | $37 | $42 | $45 | $42 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $164 | $160 | $96 | $152 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $24 | $21 | $21 | $16 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $63 | $17 | $95 | $38 |
| Taxis | $48 | $27 | $9 | $25 | $42 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $18 | $49 | $10 | $30 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $29 | $97 | $45 | $73 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $24 | $217 | $24 | $44 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $47 | $77 | $66 | $66 |
| Gym | $81 | $65 | $42 | $56 | $34 |
| Yoga | $93 | $65 | $54 | $82 | $87 |
| Massage | $59 | $50 | $101 | $48 | $45 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, MEO, NOS | Vodafone, Orange |
| Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | 10-15% for restaurants | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, FreeNow | N/A | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify | Cabify, FreeNow |
| Tap water | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not 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. | Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries | Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices | A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
| Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa | Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
| Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 46 options on Happy Cow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |