Istanbul vs Lisbon vs Medellin vs Porto vs Valencia

Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 15,520,000 517,000 2,427,000 237,559 834,000
Official language(s) Turkish Portuguese Spanish Portuguese Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Low Very high Low Very High Moderate
Main airport Istanbul Airport (IST) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit April - June, September and October March - May, September, October January - April, December May - September March - June, September, October
Currency TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted in some places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $659 $1984 $1293 $1759 $1976
Rent $354 $965 $732 $717 $869
Groceries $44 $136 $87 $148 $146
Dining out $81 $271 $131 $280 $292
Cafe $18 $37 $18 $45 $42
Coworking space $49 $164 $96 $96 $152
Mobile internet $3 $24 $16 $21 $16
Public transportation $6 $63 $21 $95 $38
Taxis $6 $27 $14 $25 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $2 $18 $0 $10 $30
Sport and cultural events $11 $29 $8 $45 $73
Museums and sights $15 $24 $9 $24 $44
Nightlife $22 $47 $73 $66 $66
Gym $9 $65 $15 $56 $34
Yoga $23 $65 $54 $82 $87
Massage $15 $50 $20 $48 $45
SIM card options Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone Claro, Tigo Vodafone, MEO, NOS Vodafone, Orange
Tipping Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Tip 10% in restaurants 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps BiTaksi Uber, FreeNow EasyTaxi Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable 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 A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 59 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 46 options on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow