Istanbul vs Larnaca vs Sofia vs Valencia

Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Larnaca ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ
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Sofia ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ
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Valencia ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 15,520,000 144,900 1,270,169 834,000
Official language(s) Turkish Greek Bulgarian Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Low High High Moderate
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October March - May, October - December April-June, September-October March - June, September, October
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $659 $1959 $1289 $1976
Rent $354 $678 $567 $869
Groceries $44 $157 $10 $146
Dining out $81 $261 $227 $292
Cafe $18 $56 $27 $42
Coworking space $49 $209 $140 $152
Mobile internet $3 $35 $10 $16
Public transportation $6 $63 $30 $38
Taxis $6 $42 $12 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $45 $40 $30
Sport and cultural events $11 $28 $18 $73
Museums and sights $15 $8 $12 $44
Nightlife $22 $110 $82 $66
Gym $9 $107 $23 $34
Yoga $23 $105 $62 $87
Massage $15 $54 $29 $45
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN A1, Telenor, Vivacom Vodafone, Orange
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps BiTaksi nTaxi TaxiMe, TaxiStars Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Not 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.. 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 Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator Paella, fideuร , 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. 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 20 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow