Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Medellin vs Tbilisi

Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Tbilisi 🇬🇪
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Population 4,617,560 15,520,000 6,578,0179 2,427,000 1,108,700
Official language(s) Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Spanish Spanish Georgian
Level of English Very high Low Moderate Low Low
Main airport Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Tbilisi International Airport (TBS)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, September - November January - April, December March - June
Currency ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) GEL - Georgian Lari (₾)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $1549 $659 $2498 $1293 $1462
Rent $618 $354 $1174 $732 $752
Groceries $129 $44 $175 $87 $112
Dining out $269 $81 $313 $131 $169
Cafe $32 $18 $51 $18 $45
Coworking space $151 $49 $196 $96 $125
Mobile internet $27 $3 $10 $16 $4
Public transportation $55 $6 $78 $21 $8
Taxis $21 $6 $44 $14 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $49 $2 $49 $0 $27
Sport and cultural events $19 $11 $54 $8 $21
Museums and sights $15 $15 $20 $9 $9
Nightlife $43 $22 $82 $73 $53
Gym $36 $9 $44 $15 $33
Yoga $56 $23 $142 $54 $37
Massage $30 $15 $64 $20 $53
SIM card options MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo Magti GSM, Geocell, Beeline
Tipping 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants 10% usually included in bill, not expected at bars or cafés.
Taxi apps Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi Yandex, Bolt
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. 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. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats Cuisine of the Caucasus meets regional diversity in Georgia. Emphasis on spices and meats (poultry, beef, pork and mutton) as well as soups and creams.
Local food specialities Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Kachapuri, kuchmachi, khinkali, chikhirtma, kharcho with gomi, jonjoli
Eat like a local Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food 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! Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Small local restaurants, open bars, terraces and wine bars
Vegetarian / vegan options 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 10 options on Happy Cow