Domingo's Experience in Alicante, Spain

What attracts you to living in Alicante? Do you recommend it? What's it like?

It is a great place to live. It is an average size (300, 000 inhabitants) and combines leisure and culture but also maintains the tranquility that is difficult to find in a big city. The weather is exceptional, it is very light which tempts you to take morning walks through the central market. It has beautiful squares, you can go to Canalejas Park, and you can also take a walk around the port and end up on a clean beach of golden sand... all in the same city. It has a really nice old town at the bottom of one of its two castles. The university is 5km from the city centre but they are connected via tram and bus, and there is also a bike lane. The nearby towns are also really beautiful and have a good mix of beaches and mountains. Alicante is very well connected with the rest of Spain (it takes two hours to get to Madrid on the high-speed train and 4 hours to Barcelona). The people from Alicante call the city "the millor terreta del mon" (the best place on earth). Lots of people move to live and retire in Alicante, both Spaniards and foreigners alike, which means that at the same time as having a youthful and festive atmosphere because of the universities, there is a good mix of people.

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What's the student lifestyle like in Alicante?

There are two universities, one in Alicante and the other in Elche (20km away). There is also another private one too.

How much does it cost to live in Alicante?

The prices in Alicante are about average. The rooms to rent in the centre of the city usually cost around 200 euros a month excluding bills (electricity, water, gas, internet etc. ) There is a good bus and tram network and you can get a travel card that you can top up whenever you run out of money on it. Each journey costs 85 cents and it is free in the first working hour of the day. The city isn't very big (about 6km across), so you can get everywhere by walking.

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Alicante? Do you have any advice?

There are lots of offers on the internet, in estate agents, in newspapers etc. The Erasmusu web page worked well for me.

What’s the country’s food like? What are your favourite dishes?

It's great, both for the variety and the quality (although compared to other places the portion sizes aren't as big). There's great fish, meat, vegetables, homemade dishes (stew, lentils, olleta, gazpacho and rice dishes... which are the best in the world).

What places do you recommend visiting in Alicante?

In the city: the Old Town of Santa Cruz, Gabriel Miro Square, Canalejas Square, the central market, the explanada, the port, Postiguet beach, and the towns surrounding Alicante like San Juan, La Albufereta, El Campello, Urbanova etc.

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What about eating out in Alicante? What are your favourite places?

Damasol (central market), Piripi (inside El Corte Ingles), Barra de Cesar Anca and the area of Plaza Nueva and Calle Castaños has a lot to offer.

Where do you recommend for nightlife in Alicante?

The old town, the port, Calle Castaños and La Zona bar.

Do you have any advice for future students in Alicante?

It is an ideal city to live in, with lots of natural and cultural things to see and enjoy. Don't forget about the concept of studying, that is what matters. If you choose Alicante, you won't be disappointed. With all the love, thank you.

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