Budapest vs Lisbon vs Madrid vs Medellin vs Sofia

Budapest 🇭🇺
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 1,768,073 517,000 6,578,0179 2,427,000 1,270,169
Official language(s) Hungarian Portuguese Spanish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English High Very high Moderate Low High
Main airport Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - June, September - November March - May, September, October March - May, September - November January - April, December April-June, September-October
Currency HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes No No
Average monthly costs $1230 $1984 $2498 $1293 $1289
Rent $499 $965 $1174 $732 $567
Groceries $108 $136 $175 $87 $10
Dining out $202 $271 $313 $131 $227
Cafe $29 $37 $51 $18 $27
Coworking space $120 $164 $196 $96 $140
Mobile internet $9 $24 $10 $16 $10
Public transportation $36 $63 $78 $21 $30
Taxis $27 $27 $44 $14 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $13 $18 $49 $0 $40
Sport and cultural events $24 $29 $54 $8 $18
Museums and sights $7 $24 $20 $9 $12
Nightlife $43 $47 $82 $73 $82
Gym $37 $65 $44 $15 $23
Yoga $48 $65 $142 $54 $62
Massage $26 $50 $64 $20 $29
SIM card options Vodafone, Telenor Vodafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Bolt, Fotaxi Uber, FreeNow Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Magyar cuisine makes extensive use of creams, cheeses and sauces primarily in beef, chicken and pork dishes, mixed with seasonal vegetables, fruits and rich desserts. 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 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 Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos 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 Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants 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 Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 47 options on HappyCow 401 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow