Berlin vs Budapest vs Larnaca vs Lisbon vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs Sofia

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 3,400,000 1,768,073 144,900 517,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000 1,270,169
Official language(s) German Hungarian Greek Portuguese Spanish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Very high High High Very high Moderate Moderate High
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit May - September March - June, September - November March - May, October - December March - May, September, October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November April-June, September-October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $2200 $1230 $1959 $1984 $2498 $1867 $1289
Rent $939 $499 $678 $965 $1174 $778 $567
Groceries $188 $108 $157 $136 $175 $281 $10
Dining out $271 $202 $261 $271 $313 $182 $227
Cafe $57 $29 $56 $37 $51 $49 $27
Coworking space $174 $120 $209 $164 $196 $159 $140
Mobile internet $23 $9 $35 $24 $10 $25 $10
Public transportation $88 $36 $63 $63 $78 $11 $30
Taxis $58 $27 $42 $27 $44 $9 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $13 $45 $18 $49 $24 $40
Sport and cultural events $64 $24 $28 $29 $54 $81 $18
Museums and sights $37 $7 $8 $24 $20 $20 $12
Nightlife $63 $43 $110 $47 $82 $64 $82
Gym $66 $37 $107 $65 $44 $69 $23
Yoga $99 $48 $105 $65 $142 $65 $62
Massage $56 $26 $54 $50 $64 $51 $29
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Telenor Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Vodafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Bolt, Fotaxi nTaxi Uber, FreeNow Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. 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. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital.
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 Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka 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 Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. 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! Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 401 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow