Bucharest 🇷🇴
|
Cape Town 🇿🇦
|
Prague 🇨🇿
|
Sofia 🇧🇬
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population | 1,830,000 | 4,617,560 | 1,305,737 | 1,270,169 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | Romanian | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Czech | Bulgarian | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | High | Very high | High | High | Moderate |
Main airport | Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | April - October | March - May, September - November | June - October | April-June, September-October | March - June, September, October |
Currency | RON - Romanian Leu (L) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) | EUR - Euro (€) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted most places (some places are cash only) | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $1351 | $1549 | $1806 | $1289 | $1976 |
Rent | $615 | $618 | $780 | $567 | $869 |
Groceries | $114 | $129 | $158 | $10 | $146 |
Dining out | $165 | $269 | $240 | $227 | $292 |
Cafe | $38 | $32 | $53 | $27 | $42 |
Coworking space | $133 | $151 | $175 | $140 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $7 | $27 | $24 | $10 | $16 |
Public transportation | $21 | $55 | $61 | $30 | $38 |
Taxis | $9 | $21 | $33 | $12 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $25 | $49 | $19 | $40 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $29 | $19 | $19 | $18 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $29 | $15 | $35 | $12 | $44 |
Nightlife | $45 | $43 | $50 | $82 | $66 |
Gym | $30 | $36 | $56 | $23 | $34 |
Yoga | $59 | $56 | $66 | $62 | $87 |
Massage | $31 | $30 | $37 | $29 | $45 |
SIM card options | Vodafone, Orange | MTN, Vodacom | Vodafone, T-Mobile | A1, Telenor, Vivacom | Vodafone, Orange |
Tipping | 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | Star Taxi, Uber | Uber, Bolt | Uber, Liftago | TaxiMe, TaxiStars | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable |
Overall cuisine | Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. | 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. | Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer! | 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. | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
Local food specialities | Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator | Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
Eat like a local | Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 33 listings on Happy Cow | 24 options on HappyCow | 112 options on HappyCow | 20 options on HappyCow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |