Barcelona vs Budapest vs Istanbul vs Sofia

Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 5,585,556 1,768,073 15,520,000 1,270,169
Official language(s) Catalan, Spanish Hungarian Turkish Bulgarian
Level of English High High Low High
Main airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Istanbul Airport (IST) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit April - June, September - November March - June, September - November April - June, September and October April-June, September-October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No No
Average monthly costs $2384 $1230 $659 $1289
Rent $932 $499 $354 $567
Groceries $121 $108 $44 $10
Dining out $403 $202 $81 $227
Cafe $45 $29 $18 $27
Coworking space $213 $120 $49 $140
Mobile internet $10 $9 $3 $10
Public transportation $127 $36 $6 $30
Taxis $48 $27 $6 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $24 $13 $2 $40
Sport and cultural events $81 $24 $11 $18
Museums and sights $33 $7 $15 $12
Nightlife $112 $43 $22 $82
Gym $81 $37 $9 $23
Yoga $93 $48 $23 $62
Massage $59 $26 $15 $29
SIM card options Vodafone, Movistar Vodafone, Telenor Turkcell, Turk Telekom A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Cabify, FreeNow Bolt, Fotaxi BiTaksi TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water 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. Magyar cuisine makes extensive use of creams, cheeses and sauces primarily in beef, chicken and pork dishes, mixed with seasonal vegetables, fruits and rich desserts. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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 tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight 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 Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 98 options on HappyCow 47 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow