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Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
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Playa del Carmen ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Sofia ๐ง๐ฌ
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| Population | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 6,578,0179 | 259,453 | 1,270,169 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Spanish | Spanish | Bulgarian |
| Level of English | High | Very high | Moderate | Moderate | High |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | March - May, September - November | January - May, October - December | April-June, September-October |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1549 | $2498 | $2143 | $1289 |
| Rent | $932 | $618 | $1174 | $923 | $567 |
| Groceries | $121 | $129 | $175 | $127 | $10 |
| Dining out | $403 | $269 | $313 | $207 | $227 |
| Cafe | $45 | $32 | $51 | $42 | $27 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $151 | $196 | $160 | $140 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $27 | $10 | $21 | $10 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $55 | $78 | $17 | $30 |
| Taxis | $48 | $21 | $44 | $9 | $12 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $49 | $49 | $49 | $40 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $19 | $54 | $97 | $18 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $20 | $217 | $12 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $43 | $82 | $77 | $82 |
| Gym | $81 | $36 | $44 | $42 | $23 |
| Yoga | $93 | $56 | $142 | $54 | $62 |
| Massage | $59 | $30 | $64 | $101 | $29 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
| Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 10-15% for restaurants | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | N/A | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
| 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. | 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 sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | 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 | 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. |
| Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator |
| 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 | 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 | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow |