Experience in Alicante, Spain by Inma

What is it like to live in Alicante? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Alicante

Living in Alicante is something you definitely want to experience. It is a a city full of life, youth and joy. Days last for 24h, there is always something to do, you can go for a morning walks at the beach, places are open at any hour and Spanish people love foreigners, specially Erasmus students.

I really recommend Alicante for any Erasmus student. One of the best things about the city is the weather, if you are from a North European country you will love it. It is always sunny and warm (despite of having a few days of rain and cold). You can be wearing t-shirts and shorts til November and start wearing them again during mid April.

What is the student lifestyle like in Alicante?

Alicante is one of the top nº1 places for students. Students from all over the world choose Alicante to experience their year abroad. The University of Alicante is one of the most beautiful universities in Spain. It is located in San Vicente del Raspeig, a town close to Alicante. Students usually don't go out a lot in such town, because the main place is Alicante. When you go out in Alicante is crazy, either with "tardeo" (which is typical from this part of Spain, you go out during the afternoon from 2 pm and you can last it till the next morning or go home at 9 pm when the "tardeo" pubs close) or during night, party usually lasts till 7 am.

University of Alicante

How much does it cost to live in Alicante?

Alicante is well-known for being a very very cheap city. Sharing an apartment in the center of the city (which I truly recommend) can cost around 250-300 € per person with everything included.

Food is not expensive at all, the supermarket Mercadona has the best prices and quality. Going out for food is not a problem either because restaurants aren't either very expensive. You can always choose the 100 montaditos option which is a tapas restaurant where 1 tapa can cost from 1€ to 2€.

About the transport, you can move around the city with the local buses, I don't know for sure how much does it cost per month but I know it is not very expensive if you get a card.

If you choose living in Alicante, in order to get to the University you will have to take either the bus or the tram (you can also get a card which you can recharge).

Getting into clubs is free, and beverages costs 5€ half a liter.

So you can basically be living in Alicante with 500€ per month and be living good.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Alicante? Is there any advice you can give?

I recommend you to share apartment in the center of Alicante if you would like to go out a lot, that is what everyone does. Residences close to the University are not a good option. They are old, expensive, not clean... basically, they are close to the university but I would rather be living in an apartment in Alicante.

You can also choose to be living in San Vicente del Raspeig, you can go by walk or by bike to the University because the apartments are 5 minutes to it. They cost around 250€ per month with everything included (sharing of course). But, if you want to experience the real Alicante's life style you should share an apartment in the center of the city.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Very healthy, Spanish people love healthy food. But you can find any kind of food there, from typical food to Italian, Mexican, American... I really recommend trying typical plates like: lentejas, paella de arroz con conejo y caracoles, paella de Marisco, patatas a lo pobre, huevos rotos, jamón, bocadillos, tortilla de patatas española...

Paella de Marisco

What places would you recommend visiting in Alicante?

Alicante has a great transport connection with different places in Spain such as Madrid, Almería, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Barcelona.. I travelled last year from Alicante to Ibiza by plane for 50 (way in and way back) with Ryanair.

In Alicante you can go to the Santa Barbara's castle, which is very beautiful. But if something is well-known in the Mediterranean coasts are the beaches. Alicante's beach (el Postiguet) is not a good example of it but 15 minutes away you have Arenales del Sol, or you can go to Altea which is a very beautiful town, or Calpe, Jávea... They are all towns with great, great beaches.

The Santa Barbara's castle

Is it good to eat out in Alicante? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

100 montaditos, Lizarrán, la Sureña, Velvet... They are all in the center of the city.

Lizarrán

Is the nightlife good in Alicante? Where is good to go?

Mainly the zone "el barrio". Everyone goes out there first to have some drinks. There are a lot of little pubs where you can go during the night and see the people that goes around, usually the public relations will invite you to shots or will give you discounts. El barrio opens till 4 am, then everyone goes to Mulligans, 5a Avenida, Concerto or Kraken, where a lot of parties from different degrees (law, medicine... ) are organized. In those places, they usually make you pay, but it can be like 5€ with a drink for girls or 8€ with a drink for boys, but you will always have the option to find a public relation and ask them a bracelet that will let you get in to those clubs for free if you go before 4 am (they open at 3 am).

What advice would you give future students heading to Alicante?

Ask for help to your classmates if you have any problems, they will be glad to help you. Teachers are always available through "tutorias" either by email or by person. Everyone wants foreign students to have their best experience, so enjoy!