Berlin vs Cape Town vs Da Nang vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs Sofia

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Da Nang 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 3,400,000 4,617,560 1,125,316 15,520,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000 1,270,169
Official language(s) German Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Vietnamese Turkish Spanish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Very high Very high Low Low Moderate Moderate High
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Da Nang International Airport (DAD) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit May - September March - May, September - November February - May April - June, September and October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November April-June, September-October
Currency EUR - Euro (€) ZAR - South African Rand (R) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in some places. Cash also needed. Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $2200 $1549 $959 $659 $2498 $1867 $1289
Rent $939 $618 $316 $354 $1174 $778 $567
Groceries $188 $129 $161 $44 $175 $281 $10
Dining out $271 $269 $128 $81 $313 $182 $227
Cafe $57 $32 $35 $18 $51 $49 $27
Coworking space $174 $151 $88 $49 $196 $159 $140
Mobile internet $23 $27 $4 $3 $10 $25 $10
Public transportation $88 $55 $15 $6 $78 $11 $30
Taxis $58 $21 $15 $6 $44 $9 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $49 $0 $2 $49 $24 $40
Sport and cultural events $64 $19 $6 $11 $54 $81 $18
Museums and sights $37 $15 $2 $15 $20 $20 $12
Nightlife $63 $43 $74 $22 $82 $64 $82
Gym $66 $36 $34 $9 $44 $69 $23
Yoga $99 $56 $71 $23 $142 $65 $62
Massage $56 $30 $10 $15 $64 $51 $29
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone MTN, Vodacom Viettel, Vinafone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 5-15% in restaurants, round up at bars and cafes Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Grab BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread 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. Healthy and with robust flavors, Vietnamese cuisine combines noodles and rice with a variety of greens and local herbs to compliment specially seasoned pork, beef or seafood dishes. In Da Nang, you'll find a strong emphasis on barbecued seafood dishes as well as fish-based sauces. 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. 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 Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Chao Tom, Bahn Xeo, Goi Cuon, Bun Thit Nuong, Bahn Cuon, Mi Quang, Bun nam, Bun cha ca Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Smaller, local restaurants, roadside eateries, street food stalls and local markets 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! 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 844 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 107 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow