Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
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Lisbon ๐ต๐น
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Mexico City ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Sofia ๐ง๐ฌ
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Population | 5,585,556 | 144,900 | 517,000 | 8,850,000 | 1,270,169 |
Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Greek | Portuguese | Spanish | Bulgarian |
Level of English | High | High | Very high | Moderate | High |
Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, October - December | March - May, September, October | March - May, October, November | April-June, September-October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1959 | $1984 | $1867 | $1289 |
Rent | $932 | $678 | $965 | $778 | $567 |
Groceries | $121 | $157 | $136 | $281 | $10 |
Dining out | $403 | $261 | $271 | $182 | $227 |
Cafe | $45 | $56 | $37 | $49 | $27 |
Coworking space | $213 | $209 | $164 | $159 | $140 |
Mobile internet | $10 | $35 | $24 | $25 | $10 |
Public transportation | $127 | $63 | $63 | $11 | $30 |
Taxis | $48 | $42 | $27 | $9 | $12 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $45 | $18 | $24 | $40 |
Sport and cultural events | $81 | $28 | $29 | $81 | $18 |
Museums and sights | $33 | $8 | $24 | $20 | $12 |
Nightlife | $112 | $110 | $47 | $64 | $82 |
Gym | $81 | $107 | $65 | $69 | $23 |
Yoga | $93 | $105 | $65 | $65 | $62 |
Massage | $59 | $54 | $50 | $51 | $29 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs |
Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | nTaxi | Uber, FreeNow | Uber | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Not 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. | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | 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 | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Bacalhau ร bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | 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 | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants | Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 401 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow |