Berlin vs Budapest vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Valencia

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 3,400,000 1,768,073 15,520,000 6,578,0179 834,000
Official language(s) German Hungarian Turkish Spanish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high High Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit May - September March - June, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, September - November March - June, September, October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $2200 $1230 $659 $2498 $1976
Rent $939 $499 $354 $1174 $869
Groceries $188 $108 $44 $175 $146
Dining out $271 $202 $81 $313 $292
Cafe $57 $29 $18 $51 $42
Coworking space $174 $120 $49 $196 $152
Mobile internet $23 $9 $3 $10 $16
Public transportation $88 $36 $6 $78 $38
Taxis $58 $27 $6 $44 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $13 $2 $49 $30
Sport and cultural events $64 $24 $11 $54 $73
Museums and sights $37 $7 $15 $20 $44
Nightlife $63 $43 $22 $82 $66
Gym $66 $37 $9 $44 $34
Yoga $99 $48 $23 $142 $87
Massage $56 $26 $15 $64 $45
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Telenor Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Vodafone, Orange
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Bolt, Fotaxi BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread 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 Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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! Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow