Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Bucharest ๐ท๐ด
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Lisbon ๐ต๐น
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Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
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Population | 5,585,556 | 1,830,000 | 4,617,560 | 517,000 | 6,578,0179 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Romanian | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Portuguese | Spanish |
Level of English | High | High | Very high | Very high | Moderate |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | April - October | March - May, September - November | March - May, September, October | March - May, September - November |
Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | RON - Romanian Leu (L) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1351 | $1549 | $1984 | $2498 |
Rent | $932 | $615 | $618 | $965 | $1174 |
Groceries | $121 | $114 | $129 | $136 | $175 |
Dining out | $403 | $165 | $269 | $271 | $313 |
Cafe | $45 | $38 | $32 | $37 | $51 |
Coworking space | $213 | $133 | $151 | $164 | $196 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $7 | $27 | $24 | $10 |
Public transportation | $127 | $21 | $55 | $63 | $78 |
Taxis | $48 | $9 | $21 | $27 | $44 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $25 | $49 | $18 | $49 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $29 | $19 | $29 | $54 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $29 | $15 | $24 | $20 |
Nightlife | $112 | $45 | $43 | $47 | $82 |
Gym | $81 | $30 | $36 | $65 | $44 |
Yoga | $93 | $59 | $56 | $65 | $142 |
Massage | $59 | $31 | $30 | $50 | $64 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Vodafone, Orange | MTN, Vodacom | Vodafone | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Star Taxi, Uber | Uber, Bolt | Uber, FreeNow | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not 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. | Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. | 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 seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. |
Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Sarmale, mฤmฤligฤ, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbฤ de burtฤ, covrig, papanasi | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Bacalhau ร bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros |
Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants | 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! |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 33 listings on Happy Cow | 24 options on HappyCow | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 85 listings on Happy Cow |