Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
|
Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
|
Porto ๐ต๐น
|
Sofia ๐ง๐ฌ
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Population | 144,900 | 6,578,0179 | 237,559 | 1,270,169 |
Official language(s) | Greek | Spanish | Portuguese | Bulgarian |
Level of English | High | Moderate | Very High | High |
Main airport | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, October - December | March - May, September - November | May - September | April-June, September-October |
Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) |
Credit cards | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Average monthly costs | $1959 | $2498 | $1759 | $1289 |
Rent | $678 | $1174 | $717 | $567 |
Groceries | $157 | $175 | $148 | $10 |
Dining out | $261 | $313 | $280 | $227 |
Cafe | $56 | $51 | $45 | $27 |
Coworking space | $209 | $196 | $96 | $140 |
Mobile internet | $35 | $10 | $21 | $10 |
Public transportation | $63 | $78 | $95 | $30 |
Taxis | $42 | $44 | $25 | $12 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $45 | $49 | $10 | $40 |
Sport and cultural events | $28 | $54 | $45 | $18 |
Museums and sights | $8 | $20 | $24 | $12 |
Nightlife | $110 | $82 | $66 | $82 |
Gym | $107 | $44 | $56 | $23 |
Yoga | $105 | $142 | $82 | $62 |
Massage | $54 | $64 | $48 | $29 |
SIM card options | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Vodafone, MEO, NOS | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
Tipping | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs |
Taxi apps | nTaxi | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
Tap water | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable |
Overall cuisine | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | 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 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 | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros | 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 | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | 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! | 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 | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 46 options on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow |