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

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lviv 🇺🇦
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Population 3,400,000 2,900,000 15,520,000 731,387 6,578,0179 6,718,903
Official language(s) German Spanish Turkish Ukrainian Spanish Portuguese
Level of English Very high High Low Low Moderate Low
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Istanbul Airport (IST) Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Galeão International Airport
Most common months to visit May - September September - December April - June, September and October May - September March - May, September - November January - March, December
Currency EUR - Euro (€) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (₴) EUR - Euro (€) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $2200 $1321 $659 $922 $2498 $1833
Rent $939 $844 $354 $400 $1174 $1066
Groceries $188 $98 $44 $91 $175 $95
Dining out $271 $121 $81 $151 $313 $210
Cafe $57 $25 $18 $21 $51 $25
Coworking space $174 $95 $49 $79 $196 $130
Mobile internet $23 $11 $3 $4 $10 $7
Public transportation $88 $9 $6 $5 $78 $33
Taxis $58 $9 $6 $12 $44 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $14 $2 $16 $49 $16
Sport and cultural events $64 $24 $11 $13 $54 $55
Museums and sights $37 $4 $15 $9 $20 $26
Nightlife $63 $23 $22 $43 $82 $54
Gym $66 $14 $9 $22 $44 $31
Yoga $99 $19 $23 $30 $142 $40
Massage $56 $10 $15 $27 $64 $32
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Movistar, Claro, Personal Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone, Kyivstar 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 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere 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, Uklon Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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 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. 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 Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky 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 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! 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 9 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow