Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population | 15,520,000 | 144,900 | 2,427,000 | 1,305,737 | 1,270,169 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | Turkish | Greek | Spanish | Czech | Bulgarian | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | Low | High | Low | High | High | Moderate |
Main airport | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) | Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | April - June, September and October | March - May, October - December | January - April, December | June - October | April-June, September-October | March - June, September, October |
Currency | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | COP - Colombian Peso ($) | CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) | EUR - Euro (€) |
Credit cards | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted in some places | Accepted most places (some places are cash only) | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $659 | $1959 | $1293 | $1806 | $1289 | $1976 |
Rent | $354 | $678 | $732 | $780 | $567 | $869 |
Groceries | $44 | $157 | $87 | $158 | $10 | $146 |
Dining out | $81 | $261 | $131 | $240 | $227 | $292 |
Cafe | $18 | $56 | $18 | $53 | $27 | $42 |
Coworking space | $49 | $209 | $96 | $175 | $140 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $3 | $35 | $16 | $24 | $10 | $16 |
Public transportation | $6 | $63 | $21 | $61 | $30 | $38 |
Taxis | $6 | $42 | $14 | $33 | $12 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $2 | $45 | $0 | $19 | $40 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $11 | $28 | $8 | $19 | $18 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $15 | $8 | $9 | $35 | $12 | $44 |
Nightlife | $22 | $110 | $73 | $50 | $82 | $66 |
Gym | $9 | $107 | $15 | $56 | $23 | $34 |
Yoga | $23 | $105 | $54 | $66 | $62 | $87 |
Massage | $15 | $54 | $20 | $37 | $29 | $45 |
SIM card options | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Claro, Tigo | Vodafone, T-Mobile | A1, Telenor, Vivacom | Vodafone, Orange |
Tipping | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | Tip 10% in restaurants | 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | BiTaksi | nTaxi | EasyTaxi | Uber, Liftago | TaxiMe, TaxiStars | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Not drinkable | 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.. | A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats | Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer! | 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. | Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats |
Local food specialities | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa | Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. | Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator | Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols |
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. | Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food | Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. | Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches) |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 153 listings on Happy Cow | 112 options on HappyCow | 20 options on HappyCow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |