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Istanbul ๐น๐ท
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Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
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Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
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Playa del Carmen ๐ฒ๐ฝ
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Porto ๐ต๐น
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| Population | 15,520,000 | 144,900 | 6,578,0179 | 259,453 | 237,559 |
| Official language(s) | Turkish | Greek | Spanish | Spanish | Portuguese |
| Level of English | Low | High | Moderate | Moderate | Very High |
| Main airport | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September and October | March - May, October - December | March - May, September - November | January - May, October - December | May - September |
| Currency | TRY - Turkish Lira (โบ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
| Credit cards | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $659 | $1959 | $2498 | $2143 | $1759 |
| Rent | $354 | $678 | $1174 | $923 | $717 |
| Groceries | $44 | $157 | $175 | $127 | $148 |
| Dining out | $81 | $261 | $313 | $207 | $280 |
| Cafe | $18 | $56 | $51 | $42 | $45 |
| Coworking space | $49 | $209 | $196 | $160 | $96 |
| Mobile internet | $3 | $35 | $10 | $21 | $21 |
| Public transportation | $6 | $63 | $78 | $17 | $95 |
| Taxis | $6 | $42 | $44 | $9 | $25 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $2 | $45 | $49 | $49 | $10 |
| Sport and cultural events | $11 | $28 | $54 | $97 | $45 |
| Museums and sights | $15 | $8 | $20 | $217 | $24 |
| Nightlife | $22 | $110 | $82 | $77 | $66 |
| Gym | $9 | $107 | $44 | $42 | $56 |
| Yoga | $23 | $105 | $142 | $54 | $82 |
| Massage | $15 | $54 | $64 | $101 | $48 |
| SIM card options | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, MEO, NOS |
| Tipping | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 10-15% for restaurants | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars |
| Taxi apps | BiTaksi | nTaxi | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | N/A | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify |
| Tap water | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable |
| Overall cuisine | A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices | A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. |
| Local food specialities | Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | 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 | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | 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! | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 46 options on Happy Cow |