Berlin ๐ฉ๐ช
|
Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
|
Sofia ๐ง๐ฌ
|
|
Population | 3,400,000 | 144,900 | 1,270,169 |
Official language(s) | German | Greek | Bulgarian |
Level of English | Very high | High | High |
Main airport | Berlin Tegel (TXL) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
Most common months to visit | May - September | March - May, October - December | April-June, September-October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) |
Credit cards | Accepted in some places but cash often preferred | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No |
Average monthly costs | $2200 | $1959 | $1289 |
Rent | $939 | $678 | $567 |
Groceries | $188 | $157 | $10 |
Dining out | $271 | $261 | $227 |
Cafe | $57 | $56 | $27 |
Coworking space | $174 | $209 | $140 |
Mobile internet | $23 | $35 | $10 |
Public transportation | $88 | $63 | $30 |
Taxis | $58 | $42 | $12 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $17 | $45 | $40 |
Sport and cultural events | $64 | $28 | $18 |
Museums and sights | $37 | $8 | $12 |
Nightlife | $63 | $110 | $82 |
Gym | $66 | $107 | $23 |
Yoga | $99 | $105 | $62 |
Massage | $56 | $54 | $29 |
SIM card options | Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
Tipping | Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs |
Taxi apps | Mytaxi, Uber | nTaxi | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable |
Overall cuisine | Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | 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, spรคtzle, kรถnigsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator |
Eat like a local | Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 844 listings on Happy Cow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 20 options on HappyCow |