|
Cape Town 🇿🇦
|
Larnaca 🇨🇾
|
Lviv 🇺🇦
|
Madrid 🇪🇸
|
Porto 🇵🇹
|
|
| Population | 4,617,560 | 144,900 | 731,387 | 6,578,0179 | 237,559 |
| Official language(s) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Greek | Ukrainian | Spanish | Portuguese |
| Level of English | Very high | High | Low | Moderate | Very High |
| Main airport | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) |
| Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | March - May, October - December | May - September | March - May, September - November | May - September |
| Currency | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (€) | UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (₴) | EUR - Euro (€) | EUR - Euro (€) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $1549 | $1959 | $922 | $2498 | $1759 |
| Rent | $618 | $678 | $400 | $1174 | $717 |
| Groceries | $129 | $157 | $91 | $175 | $148 |
| Dining out | $269 | $261 | $151 | $313 | $280 |
| Cafe | $32 | $56 | $21 | $51 | $45 |
| Coworking space | $151 | $209 | $79 | $196 | $96 |
| Mobile internet | $27 | $35 | $4 | $10 | $21 |
| Public transportation | $55 | $63 | $5 | $78 | $95 |
| Taxis | $21 | $42 | $12 | $44 | $25 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $49 | $45 | $16 | $49 | $10 |
| Sport and cultural events | $19 | $28 | $13 | $54 | $45 |
| Museums and sights | $15 | $8 | $9 | $20 | $24 |
| Nightlife | $43 | $110 | $43 | $82 | $66 |
| Gym | $36 | $107 | $22 | $44 | $56 |
| Yoga | $56 | $105 | $30 | $142 | $82 |
| Massage | $30 | $54 | $27 | $64 | $48 |
| SIM card options | MTN, Vodacom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Vodafone, Kyivstar | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Vodafone, MEO, NOS |
| Tipping | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars |
| Taxi apps | Uber, Bolt | nTaxi | Uber, Uklon | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify |
| Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable |
| Overall 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. | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | Slavic. Emphasis on frilled meats combined with potatoes, carrots, pickles and cabbage. Creamy deserts often elaborated with cottage cheese. Lviv enjoys culinary influences from Kiev (traditional with an emphasis on chicken) and Odessa (various seafood dishes). | 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 variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. |
| Local food specialities | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa |
| Eat like a local | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | Local grills, themed taverns, local breweries, small bakeries | 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! | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 24 options on HappyCow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 9 options on HappyCow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 46 options on Happy Cow |