Bucharest vs Cape Town vs Lisbon vs Porto vs Sofia vs Valencia

Bucharest ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ด
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Lisbon ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Porto ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Sofia ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ
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Valencia ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 1,830,000 4,617,560 517,000 237,559 1,270,169 834,000
Official language(s) Romanian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Portuguese Portuguese Bulgarian Spanish, Valencian
Level of English High Very high Very high Very High High Moderate
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit April - October March - May, September - November March - May, September, October May - September April-June, September-October March - June, September, October
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $1351 $1549 $1984 $1759 $1289 $1976
Rent $615 $618 $965 $717 $567 $869
Groceries $114 $129 $136 $148 $10 $146
Dining out $165 $269 $271 $280 $227 $292
Cafe $38 $32 $37 $45 $27 $42
Coworking space $133 $151 $164 $96 $140 $152
Mobile internet $7 $27 $24 $21 $10 $16
Public transportation $21 $55 $63 $95 $30 $38
Taxis $9 $21 $27 $25 $12 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $49 $18 $10 $40 $30
Sport and cultural events $29 $19 $29 $45 $18 $73
Museums and sights $29 $15 $24 $24 $12 $44
Nightlife $45 $43 $47 $66 $82 $66
Gym $30 $36 $65 $56 $23 $34
Yoga $59 $56 $65 $82 $62 $87
Massage $31 $30 $50 $48 $29 $45
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange MTN, Vodacom Vodafone Vodafone, MEO, NOS 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 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Uber, FreeNow Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify TaxiMe, TaxiStars Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. 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, mฤƒmฤƒligฤƒ, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbฤƒ de burtฤƒ, covrig, papanasi Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Bacalhau ร  bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร  lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator Paella, fideuร , 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 Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars 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 401 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow