Bucharest vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Medellin vs Valencia

Bucharest 🇷🇴
Remove
Istanbul 🇹🇷
Remove
Madrid 🇪🇸
Remove
Medellin 🇨🇴
Remove
Valencia 🇪🇸
Remove
Population 1,830,000 15,520,000 6,578,0179 2,427,000 834,000
Official language(s) Romanian Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English High Low Moderate Low Moderate
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit April - October April - June, September and October March - May, September - November January - April, December March - June, September, October
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $1351 $659 $2498 $1293 $1976
Rent $615 $354 $1174 $732 $869
Groceries $114 $44 $175 $87 $146
Dining out $165 $81 $313 $131 $292
Cafe $38 $18 $51 $18 $42
Coworking space $133 $49 $196 $96 $152
Mobile internet $7 $3 $10 $16 $16
Public transportation $21 $6 $78 $21 $38
Taxis $9 $6 $44 $14 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $2 $49 $0 $30
Sport and cultural events $29 $11 $54 $8 $73
Museums and sights $29 $15 $20 $9 $44
Nightlife $45 $22 $82 $73 $66
Gym $30 $9 $44 $15 $34
Yoga $59 $23 $142 $54 $87
Massage $31 $15 $64 $20 $45
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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! Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 33 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow