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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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| Population | 5,585,556 | 1,830,000 | 15,520,000 | 6,578,0179 | 2,427,000 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Romanian | Turkish | Spanish | Spanish |
| Level of English | High | High | Low | Moderate | Low |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | José MarÃa Córdova International Airport (MDE) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | April - October | April - June, September and October | March - May, September - November | January - April, December |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | RON - Romanian Leu (L) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted in some places |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1351 | $659 | $2498 | $1293 |
| Rent | $932 | $615 | $354 | $1174 | $732 |
| Groceries | $121 | $114 | $44 | $175 | $87 |
| Dining out | $403 | $165 | $81 | $313 | $131 |
| Cafe | $45 | $38 | $18 | $51 | $18 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $133 | $49 | $196 | $96 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $7 | $3 | $10 | $16 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $21 | $6 | $78 | $21 |
| Taxis | $48 | $9 | $6 | $44 | $14 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $25 | $2 | $49 | $0 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $29 | $11 | $54 | $8 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $29 | $15 | $20 | $9 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $45 | $22 | $82 | $73 |
| Gym | $81 | $30 | $9 | $44 | $15 |
| Yoga | $93 | $59 | $23 | $142 | $54 |
| Massage | $59 | $31 | $15 | $64 | $20 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Vodafone, Orange | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Claro, Tigo |
| 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 | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | Tip 10% in restaurants |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Star Taxi, Uber | BiTaksi | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | EasyTaxi |
| 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. | Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats |
| Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa |
| Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | 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! | Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 33 listings on Happy Cow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 153 listings on Happy Cow |