Barcelona vs Istanbul vs Lviv vs Madrid vs Playa del Carmen

Barcelona ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Lviv ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 5,585,556 15,520,000 731,387 6,578,0179 259,453
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Turkish Ukrainian Spanish Spanish
Level of English High Low Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November April - June, September and October May - September March - May, September - November January - May, October - December
Currency EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (โ‚ด) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $2384 $659 $922 $2498 $2143
Rent $932 $354 $400 $1174 $923
Groceries $121 $44 $91 $175 $127
Dining out $403 $81 $151 $313 $207
Cafe $45 $18 $21 $51 $42
Coworking space $213 $49 $79 $196 $160
Mobile internet $10 $3 $4 $10 $21
Public transportation $127 $6 $5 $78 $17
Taxis $48 $6 $12 $44 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $2 $16 $49 $49
Sport and cultural events $81 $11 $13 $54 $97
Museums and sights $33 $15 $9 $20 $217
Nightlife $112 $22 $43 $82 $77
Gym $81 $9 $22 $44 $42
Yoga $93 $23 $30 $142 $54
Massage $59 $15 $27 $64 $101
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone, Kyivstar Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow BiTaksi Uber, Uklon Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now N/A
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 Slavic. Emphasis on frilled meats combined with potatoes, carrots, pickles and cabbage. Creamy deserts often elaborated with cottage cheese. Lviv enjoys culinary influences from Kiev (traditional with an emphasis on chicken) and Odessa (various seafood dishes). Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices
Local food specialities Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole
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 Local grills, themed taverns, local breweries, small bakeries 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! Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 9 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 72 listings on Happy Cow