Berlin vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Rio de Janeiro vs Valencia

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 3,400,000 4,617,560 15,520,000 6,578,0179 6,718,903 834,000
Official language(s) German Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Spanish Portuguese Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high Very high Low Moderate Low Moderate
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Galeão International Airport Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit May - September March - May, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, September - November January - March, December March - June, September, October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) BRL - Brazilian Real (R$) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $2200 $1549 $659 $2498 $1833 $1976
Rent $939 $618 $354 $1174 $1066 $869
Groceries $188 $129 $44 $175 $95 $146
Dining out $271 $269 $81 $313 $210 $292
Cafe $57 $32 $18 $51 $25 $42
Coworking space $174 $151 $49 $196 $130 $152
Mobile internet $23 $27 $3 $10 $7 $16
Public transportation $88 $55 $6 $78 $33 $38
Taxis $58 $21 $6 $44 $14 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $49 $2 $49 $16 $30
Sport and cultural events $64 $19 $11 $54 $55 $73
Museums and sights $37 $15 $15 $20 $26 $44
Nightlife $63 $43 $22 $82 $54 $66
Gym $66 $36 $9 $44 $31 $34
Yoga $99 $56 $23 $142 $40 $87
Massage $56 $30 $15 $64 $32 $45
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Tim, Claro, Vivo Vodafone, Orange
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and 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 Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Easy Taxi, 99 Taxi, Uber Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. 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. Emphasis on rice, beans, pork and beef with a variety of root vegetables and fresh fruits. Fresh seafood is also very common. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight 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. Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets 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! 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. Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 54 options on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow