Berlin vs Bucharest vs Istanbul vs Lviv vs Madrid

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lviv 🇺🇦
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Population 3,400,000 1,830,000 15,520,000 731,387 6,578,0179
Official language(s) German Romanian Turkish Ukrainian Spanish
Level of English Very high High Low Low Moderate
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Istanbul Airport (IST) Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
Most common months to visit May - September April - October April - June, September and October May - September March - May, September - November
Currency EUR - Euro (€) RON - Romanian Leu (L) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (₴) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $2200 $1351 $659 $922 $2498
Rent $939 $615 $354 $400 $1174
Groceries $188 $114 $44 $91 $175
Dining out $271 $165 $81 $151 $313
Cafe $57 $38 $18 $21 $51
Coworking space $174 $133 $49 $79 $196
Mobile internet $23 $7 $3 $4 $10
Public transportation $88 $21 $6 $5 $78
Taxis $58 $9 $6 $12 $44
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $25 $2 $16 $49
Sport and cultural events $64 $29 $11 $13 $54
Museums and sights $37 $29 $15 $9 $20
Nightlife $63 $45 $22 $43 $82
Gym $66 $30 $9 $22 $44
Yoga $99 $59 $23 $30 $142
Massage $56 $31 $15 $27 $64
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Orange Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone, Kyivstar Orange, Movistar, Vodafone
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 Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated.
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Star Taxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber, Uklon Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Slavic. Emphasis on frilled meats combined with potatoes, carrots, pickles and cabbage. Creamy deserts often elaborated with cottage cheese. Lviv enjoys culinary influences from Kiev (traditional with an emphasis on chicken) and Odessa (various seafood dishes). 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 Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros
Eat like a local Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Local grills, themed taverns, local breweries, small bakeries 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 844 listings on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 9 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow