Istanbul vs Lisbon vs Madrid vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Porto vs Sofia

Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 15,520,000 517,000 6,578,0179 2,427,000 8,850,000 237,559 1,270,169
Official language(s) Turkish Portuguese Spanish Spanish Spanish Portuguese Bulgarian
Level of English Low Very high Moderate Low Moderate Very High High
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October March - May, September, October March - May, September - November January - April, December March - May, October, November May - September April-June, September-October
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $659 $1984 $2498 $1293 $1867 $1759 $1289
Rent $354 $965 $1174 $732 $778 $717 $567
Groceries $44 $136 $175 $87 $281 $148 $10
Dining out $81 $271 $313 $131 $182 $280 $227
Cafe $18 $37 $51 $18 $49 $45 $27
Coworking space $49 $164 $196 $96 $159 $96 $140
Mobile internet $3 $24 $10 $16 $25 $21 $10
Public transportation $6 $63 $78 $21 $11 $95 $30
Taxis $6 $27 $44 $14 $9 $25 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $18 $49 $0 $24 $10 $40
Sport and cultural events $11 $29 $54 $8 $81 $45 $18
Museums and sights $15 $24 $20 $9 $20 $24 $12
Nightlife $22 $47 $82 $73 $64 $66 $82
Gym $9 $65 $44 $15 $69 $56 $23
Yoga $23 $65 $142 $54 $65 $82 $62
Massage $15 $50 $64 $20 $51 $48 $29
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, MEO, NOS A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps BiTaksi Uber, FreeNow Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi Uber Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries 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 Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. 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.
Local food specialities Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants 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 Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 59 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow