Berlin vs Bucharest vs Buenos Aires vs Madrid vs Sofia

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 3,400,000 1,830,000 2,900,000 6,578,0179 1,270,169
Official language(s) German Romanian Spanish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Very high High High Moderate High
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit May - September April - October September - December March - May, September - November April-June, September-October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) RON - Romanian Leu (L) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $2200 $1351 $1321 $2498 $1289
Rent $939 $615 $844 $1174 $567
Groceries $188 $114 $98 $175 $10
Dining out $271 $165 $121 $313 $227
Cafe $57 $38 $25 $51 $27
Coworking space $174 $133 $95 $196 $140
Mobile internet $23 $7 $11 $10 $10
Public transportation $88 $21 $9 $78 $30
Taxis $58 $9 $9 $44 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $25 $14 $49 $40
Sport and cultural events $64 $29 $24 $54 $18
Museums and sights $37 $29 $4 $20 $12
Nightlife $63 $45 $23 $82 $82
Gym $66 $30 $14 $44 $23
Yoga $99 $59 $19 $142 $62
Massage $56 $31 $10 $64 $29
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Orange Movistar, Claro, Personal Orange, Movistar, Vodafone A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Star Taxi, Uber Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. 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 Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas 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! Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 79 options on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow