Esther's Experience in Alicante, Spain

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

I like Alicante a lot, it has everything you need, but I'm not sure if I would recommend living there. When I studied there, I lived in San Vicente del Raspeig, the town next to Alicante where the university is. Alicante is a big city so there is lots of chaos. There are lots of cars and traffic, lots of people and a lot of oppression. For those who wouldn't be bothered by this, it is fine. But for those who would be, I recommend living in San Vicente instead, and this is also where most of the students live.

What's the student lifestyle like in Alicante?

Both Alicante and San Vicente are full of students, as many Spaniards as foreigners. There is a lot of atmosphere in all senses of the word and you can get to know lots of people.

How much does it cost to live in Alicante?

It depends on which neighbourhood you live in and the conditions of the flat. In San Vicente, you can find really good, cheap flats, it's all about looking properly. I spent 5 years in the same apartment block because I loved it and the price was great.

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

Truthfully, no. There are lots of notices for flats to rent and people who want to share a flat. There are also lots of advertisements on various different web pages (Segunda Mano, Mil Anuncios, Mundo Anuncio etc. ). There is also information on the bulletin board on the university website, as well as all around the university itself too, and on the streets of San Vicente and Alicante centre.

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

For me, as the good Spaniard I am, Spanish food makes me excited: the tapas, the Spanish omelette... and above all, paella. When you're in the Valencian Community, the food definitely won't fail you.

What places do you recommend visiting in Alicante?

When in Alicante, the first thing to visit is the Castle of Santa Barbara. There are also lots of other things to see such as El MARQ (archaeological museum of Alicante), other museums, parks, the beach, various shopping centres, historic buildings like the town hall and several chapels, the island of Tabarca, etc.

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

Both in Alicante and San Vicente, there are thousands of bars with different types of food, from typical Spanish dishes to other types of food such as pizza, kebabs, buffets, Chinese restaurants, hamburgers etc. I 100% recommend "100 Montaditos", it's really cheap and you can eat a lot, and it is also quite varied too. There is one in San Vicente and in the centre of Alicante.

Where do you recommend for nightlife in Alicante?

In Alicante, there is an area called El Barrio, which is the old town. This is the main party area as it is where most of the pubs and bars are. There are also other good places for nightlife on more quiet streets such as El Swing, Quinta Avenue and Mulligans etc.

In San Vicente, there are also several pubs you can go to and they are busy on different days of the week. There's El Amara and El Ikebana. To get there, there are buses and trams that go to and from San Vicente and Alicante and they run on different timetables.

Do you have any advice for future students in Alicante?

Enjoy Alicante! It is my turf and I wouldn't change it for anything :) It has everything: sun, beaches, mountains, rivers, good atmosphere, great people... all the tourists must come here for a reason!;)

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