Barcelona vs Istanbul vs Lisbon vs Porto vs Seoul

Barcelona ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Lisbon ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Porto ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Seoul ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท
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Population 5,585,556 15,520,000 517,000 237,559 9,963,452
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Turkish Portuguese Portuguese Korean
Level of English High Low Very high Very High Moderate
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, September, October May - September March - May, September - November
Currency EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) KRW - South Korean won (โ‚ฉ)
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 Yes No
Average monthly costs $2384 $659 $1984 $1759 $2184
Rent $932 $354 $965 $717 $797
Groceries $121 $44 $136 $148 $356
Dining out $403 $81 $271 $280 $211
Cafe $45 $18 $37 $45 $69
Coworking space $213 $49 $164 $96 $222
Mobile internet $10 $3 $24 $21 $40
Public transportation $127 $6 $63 $95 $40
Taxis $48 $6 $27 $25 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $2 $18 $10 $13
Sport and cultural events $81 $11 $29 $45 $39
Museums and sights $33 $15 $24 $24 $6
Nightlife $112 $22 $47 $66 $93
Gym $81 $9 $65 $56 $69
Yoga $93 $23 $65 $82 $112
Massage $59 $15 $50 $48 $75
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone Vodafone, MEO, NOS KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
Tipping 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow BiTaksi Uber, FreeNow Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify Uber, Kakao
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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. Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
Local food specialities Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Bacalhau ร  bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร  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 Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam
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 Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow