Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Buenos Aires ๐ฆ๐ท
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
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Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
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Population | 5,585,556 | 2,900,000 | 4,617,560 | 144,900 | 6,578,0179 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Greek | Spanish |
Level of English | High | High | Very high | High | Moderate |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | September - December | March - May, September - November | March - May, October - December | March - May, September - November |
Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ARS - Argentine Peso ($) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1321 | $1549 | $1959 | $2498 |
Rent | $932 | $844 | $618 | $678 | $1174 |
Groceries | $121 | $98 | $129 | $157 | $175 |
Dining out | $403 | $121 | $269 | $261 | $313 |
Cafe | $45 | $25 | $32 | $56 | $51 |
Coworking space | $213 | $95 | $151 | $209 | $196 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $11 | $27 | $35 | $10 |
Public transportation | $127 | $9 | $55 | $63 | $78 |
Taxis | $48 | $9 | $21 | $42 | $44 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $14 | $49 | $45 | $49 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $24 | $19 | $28 | $54 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $4 | $15 | $8 | $20 |
Nightlife | $112 | $23 | $43 | $110 | $82 |
Gym | $81 | $14 | $36 | $107 | $44 |
Yoga | $93 | $19 | $56 | $105 | $142 |
Massage | $59 | $10 | $30 | $54 | $64 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Movistar, Claro, Personal | MTN, Vodacom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10% at restaurants and cafรฉs is common, not common at bars | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) | Uber, Bolt | nTaxi | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now |
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. | Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options | 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. | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | 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 | Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | 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 | Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafรฉs for matรฉ and facturas | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | 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 | 79 options on Happy Cow | 24 options on HappyCow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 85 listings on Happy Cow |