|
Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
|
Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
|
Medellin ๐จ๐ด
|
Sofia ๐ง๐ฌ
|
Valencia ๐ช๐ธ
|
|
| Population | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 2,427,000 | 1,270,169 | 834,000 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Spanish | Bulgarian | Spanish, Valencian |
| Level of English | High | Very high | Low | High | Moderate |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | January - April, December | April-June, September-October | March - June, September, October |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted in some places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1549 | $1293 | $1289 | $1976 |
| Rent | $932 | $618 | $732 | $567 | $869 |
| Groceries | $121 | $129 | $87 | $10 | $146 |
| Dining out | $403 | $269 | $131 | $227 | $292 |
| Cafe | $45 | $32 | $18 | $27 | $42 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $151 | $96 | $140 | $152 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $27 | $16 | $10 | $16 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $55 | $21 | $30 | $38 |
| Taxis | $48 | $21 | $14 | $12 | $42 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $49 | $0 | $40 | $30 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $19 | $8 | $18 | $73 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $9 | $12 | $44 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $43 | $73 | $82 | $66 |
| Gym | $81 | $36 | $15 | $23 | $34 |
| Yoga | $93 | $56 | $54 | $62 | $87 |
| Massage | $59 | $30 | $20 | $29 | $45 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | Claro, Tigo | A1, Telenor, Vivacom | Vodafone, Orange |
| Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Tip 10% in restaurants | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | EasyTaxi | TaxiMe, TaxiStars | Cabify, FreeNow |
| Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not 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 sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats | 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. | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
| 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 | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator | Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
| 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 | Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 153 listings on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |