Berlin vs Istanbul vs Lisbon vs Madrid

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Population 3,400,000 15,520,000 517,000 6,578,0179
Official language(s) German Turkish Portuguese Spanish
Level of English Very high Low Very high Moderate
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Istanbul Airport (IST) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
Most common months to visit May - September April - June, September and October March - May, September, October March - May, September - November
Currency EUR - Euro (€) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $2200 $659 $1984 $2498
Rent $939 $354 $965 $1174
Groceries $188 $44 $136 $175
Dining out $271 $81 $271 $313
Cafe $57 $18 $37 $51
Coworking space $174 $49 $164 $196
Mobile internet $23 $3 $24 $10
Public transportation $88 $6 $63 $78
Taxis $58 $6 $27 $44
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $2 $18 $49
Sport and cultural events $64 $11 $29 $54
Museums and sights $37 $15 $24 $20
Nightlife $63 $22 $47 $82
Gym $66 $9 $65 $44
Yoga $99 $23 $65 $142
Massage $56 $15 $50 $64
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated.
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber, FreeNow Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable 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 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.
Local food specialities Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight 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
Eat like a local Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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!
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow