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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Porto 🇵🇹
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| Population | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 517,000 | 237,559 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Portuguese | Portuguese |
| Level of English | High | Very high | Very high | Very High |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | March - May, September, October | May - September |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Accepted everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1549 | $1984 | $1759 |
| Rent | $932 | $618 | $965 | $717 |
| Groceries | $121 | $129 | $136 | $148 |
| Dining out | $403 | $269 | $271 | $280 |
| Cafe | $45 | $32 | $37 | $45 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $151 | $164 | $96 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $27 | $24 | $21 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $55 | $63 | $95 |
| Taxis | $48 | $21 | $27 | $25 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $49 | $18 | $10 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $19 | $29 | $45 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $24 | $24 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $43 | $47 | $66 |
| Gym | $81 | $36 | $65 | $56 |
| Yoga | $93 | $56 | $65 | $82 |
| Massage | $59 | $30 | $50 | $48 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | Vodafone | Vodafone, MEO, NOS |
| Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | Uber, FreeNow | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify |
| Tap water | 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. | South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries | A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. |
| Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa |
| Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 46 options on Happy Cow |