Bucharest vs Cape Town vs Lisbon vs Madrid vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Sofia

Bucharest 🇷🇴
Remove
Cape Town 🇿🇦
Remove
Lisbon 🇵🇹
Remove
Madrid 🇪🇸
Remove
Medellin 🇨🇴
Remove
Mexico City 🇲🇽
Remove
Sofia 🇧🇬
Remove
Population 1,830,000 4,617,560 517,000 6,578,0179 2,427,000 8,850,000 1,270,169
Official language(s) Romanian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Portuguese Spanish Spanish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English High Very high Very high Moderate Low Moderate High
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit April - October March - May, September - November March - May, September, October March - May, September - November January - April, December March - May, October, November April-June, September-October
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes No Yes No
Average monthly costs $1351 $1549 $1984 $2498 $1293 $1867 $1289
Rent $615 $618 $965 $1174 $732 $778 $567
Groceries $114 $129 $136 $175 $87 $281 $10
Dining out $165 $269 $271 $313 $131 $182 $227
Cafe $38 $32 $37 $51 $18 $49 $27
Coworking space $133 $151 $164 $196 $96 $159 $140
Mobile internet $7 $27 $24 $10 $16 $25 $10
Public transportation $21 $55 $63 $78 $21 $11 $30
Taxis $9 $21 $27 $44 $14 $9 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $49 $18 $49 $0 $24 $40
Sport and cultural events $29 $19 $29 $54 $8 $81 $18
Museums and sights $29 $15 $24 $20 $9 $20 $12
Nightlife $45 $43 $47 $82 $73 $64 $82
Gym $30 $36 $65 $44 $15 $69 $23
Yoga $59 $56 $65 $142 $54 $65 $62
Massage $31 $30 $50 $64 $20 $51 $29
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange MTN, Vodacom Vodafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
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 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Uber, FreeNow Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi Uber TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. 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. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese 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 Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow 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 Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
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 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! Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 33 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 401 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow