Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Istanbul ๐น๐ท
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Playa del Carmen ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Porto ๐ต๐น
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Sofia ๐ง๐ฌ
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Population | 5,585,556 | 15,520,000 | 259,453 | 237,559 | 1,270,169 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Turkish | Spanish | Portuguese | Bulgarian |
Level of English | High | Low | Moderate | Very High | High |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | April - June, September and October | January - May, October - December | May - September | April-June, September-October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | TRY - Turkish Lira (โบ) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in most places | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $659 | $2143 | $1759 | $1289 |
Rent | $932 | $354 | $923 | $717 | $567 |
Groceries | $121 | $44 | $127 | $148 | $10 |
Dining out | $403 | $81 | $207 | $280 | $227 |
Cafe | $45 | $18 | $42 | $45 | $27 |
Coworking space | $213 | $49 | $160 | $96 | $140 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $3 | $21 | $21 | $10 |
Public transportation | $127 | $6 | $17 | $95 | $30 |
Taxis | $48 | $6 | $9 | $25 | $12 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $2 | $49 | $10 | $40 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $11 | $97 | $45 | $18 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $217 | $24 | $12 |
Nightlife | $112 | $22 | $77 | $66 | $82 |
Gym | $81 | $9 | $42 | $56 | $23 |
Yoga | $93 | $23 | $54 | $82 | $62 |
Massage | $59 | $15 | $101 | $48 | $29 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, MEO, NOS | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars | 10-15% for restaurants | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | BiTaksi | N/A | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
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. | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices | A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. | 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 | Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa | 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 | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 46 options on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow |