Istanbul vs Lviv vs Playa del Carmen vs Prague vs Sofia

Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lviv 🇺🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 15,520,000 731,387 259,453 1,305,737 1,270,169
Official language(s) Turkish Ukrainian Spanish Czech Bulgarian
Level of English Low Low Moderate High High
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October May - September January - May, October - December June - October April-June, September-October
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (₴) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $659 $922 $2143 $1806 $1289
Rent $354 $400 $923 $780 $567
Groceries $44 $91 $127 $158 $10
Dining out $81 $151 $207 $240 $227
Cafe $18 $21 $42 $53 $27
Coworking space $49 $79 $160 $175 $140
Mobile internet $3 $4 $21 $24 $10
Public transportation $6 $5 $17 $61 $30
Taxis $6 $12 $9 $33 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $16 $49 $19 $40
Sport and cultural events $11 $13 $97 $19 $18
Museums and sights $15 $9 $217 $35 $12
Nightlife $22 $43 $77 $50 $82
Gym $9 $22 $42 $56 $23
Yoga $23 $30 $54 $66 $62
Massage $15 $27 $101 $37 $29
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone, Kyivstar Telcel, Movistar Vodafone, T-Mobile A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps BiTaksi Uber, Uklon N/A Uber, Liftago TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Slavic. Emphasis on frilled meats combined with potatoes, carrots, pickles and cabbage. Creamy deserts often elaborated with cottage cheese. Lviv enjoys culinary influences from Kiev (traditional with an emphasis on chicken) and Odessa (various seafood dishes). Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices 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.
Local food specialities Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. 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 Local grills, themed taverns, local breweries, small bakeries Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 59 listings on Happy Cow 9 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow