Berlin vs Istanbul vs Larnaca vs Lviv vs Madrid vs Sofia

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Lviv 🇺🇦
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 3,400,000 15,520,000 144,900 731,387 6,578,0179 1,270,169
Official language(s) German Turkish Greek Ukrainian Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Very high Low High Low Moderate High
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Istanbul Airport (IST) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit May - September April - June, September and October March - May, October - December May - September March - May, September - November April-June, September-October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (₴) EUR - Euro (€) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $2200 $659 $1959 $922 $2498 $1289
Rent $939 $354 $678 $400 $1174 $567
Groceries $188 $44 $157 $91 $175 $10
Dining out $271 $81 $261 $151 $313 $227
Cafe $57 $18 $56 $21 $51 $27
Coworking space $174 $49 $209 $79 $196 $140
Mobile internet $23 $3 $35 $4 $10 $10
Public transportation $88 $6 $63 $5 $78 $30
Taxis $58 $6 $42 $12 $44 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $2 $45 $16 $49 $40
Sport and cultural events $64 $11 $28 $13 $54 $18
Museums and sights $37 $15 $8 $9 $20 $12
Nightlife $63 $22 $110 $43 $82 $82
Gym $66 $9 $107 $22 $44 $23
Yoga $99 $23 $105 $30 $142 $62
Massage $56 $15 $54 $27 $64 $29
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Vodafone, Kyivstar Orange, Movistar, Vodafone A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber BiTaksi nTaxi Uber, Uklon Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now TaxiMe, TaxiStars
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 A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. 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. 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 Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. 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! Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 9 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow