Berlin vs Buenos Aires vs Istanbul vs Lisbon vs Madrid vs Rio de Janeiro

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Population 3,400,000 2,900,000 15,520,000 517,000 6,578,0179 6,718,903
Official language(s) German Spanish Turkish Portuguese Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Very high High Low Very high Moderate Low
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Galeão International Airport
Most common months to visit May - September September - December April - June, September and October March - May, September, October March - May, September - November January - March, December
Currency EUR - Euro (€) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $2200 $1321 $659 $1984 $2498 $1833
Rent $939 $844 $354 $965 $1174 $1066
Groceries $188 $98 $44 $136 $175 $95
Dining out $271 $121 $81 $271 $313 $210
Cafe $57 $25 $18 $37 $51 $25
Coworking space $174 $95 $49 $164 $196 $130
Mobile internet $23 $11 $3 $24 $10 $7
Public transportation $88 $9 $6 $63 $78 $33
Taxis $58 $9 $6 $27 $44 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $14 $2 $18 $49 $16
Sport and cultural events $64 $24 $11 $29 $54 $55
Museums and sights $37 $4 $15 $24 $20 $26
Nightlife $63 $23 $22 $47 $82 $54
Gym $66 $14 $9 $65 $44 $31
Yoga $99 $19 $23 $65 $142 $40
Massage $56 $10 $15 $50 $64 $32
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Tim, Claro, Vivo
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10% usually included in restaurants, 10% at bars and cafes with table service is common
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) BiTaksi Uber, FreeNow Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common.
Local food specialities Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Feijoada, bolinho de bacalhau, fried sardines, caldo verde, pao de queijo and brigadeiros.
Eat like a local Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants 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! The "snack capital" of Brazil, Rio is a perfect place to try street food as well as the wide varieties of small, traditional eateries and churrascarias easily found across the city.
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 79 options on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow