Experience in Cartagena, Spain, by Elena Rocío

What is it like to live in Cartagena? Would you recommend it? How is it?

Cartagena is both a big and a small city. It's big in terms of its history that dates back more than 3000 years for its role as part of Spain, for its geographic location, for the great variety of activities it offers. And small in terms of how much land it occupies, as you can go to any part of the city on foot, walking.

Cartagena is a pretty city with modern buildings as well as archaeological remains of its past as a Roman city. This is why living in this city is a complete luxury, and you will feel very proud to live there.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Cartagena?

In Cartagena you can find four different universities. On one side there are the public universities which are UPCT (the Polytechnic University of Cartagena) where you can study a lot of engineering and ADE (administration and business) and the nursing school of UMU (the University of Murcia). Also, you have the option to go to ISEN and the private university, UCAM.

There are plenty of university parties, from the welcoming paellas from UPCT in September, and paellas are also made to celebrate the different parties in honour of the patron saints of each department or branch of study.

How much does it cost to live in Cartagena?

It's quite a bit cheaper than Murcia.

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

You can find flats in real estate agents or on websites such as https://www.idealista.com/ . There are also a handful of flats in the UMU. This is a university neighbourhood and also, the Alberto Colau residence.

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What is the food like?

What are your favourite dishes?

Apart from the traditional Spanish paella, it's tough to say.

Cartagena has infinite traditional dishes and desserts that will bring joy to your palate. A stew, which is made from rice with peppers and fish, some "michirones" (a type of bean), which is a very filling dish, and these are accompanied by alioli or garlic mayonnaise, oil and bread to make it even tastier. "Crespillos" (thin wafer-like bread you can find in bakeries or the dish as a dessert) are a great snack. Also, fried fish and "bienmesabe" (a type of fresh salad) or dogfish. These dishes are eaten a lot in and around this region. Fried flowers as sweets and the meringues which inspired the creation of Spanish meringues. Don't forget to try the Asian Cafe in Cartagena along with Licor 43, which is also in the city.

What places would you recommend visiting in Cartagena?

In Cartagena you can choose between mountains, culture and beaches.

Climb two of its 5 hills, the Moliente and the Catillo de la Concepción or the Castle, from the feet of which you can see a panorama of the city. Pass through its pedestrianised streets in the centre which contains the commercial axis and is crammed with modern buildings. Visit its museums, such as the Municipal Museum of Archaeology, the ARQUA, the Museum of Roman Theatre or the MURAM.

Go and see the fortress nearby, from where the city was protected. Also climb Atalaya or Roldan, and go to visit Fajardo.

The closest beaches to the city are so close that you can walk to them are Cala Cortina and Algameca Chica, in which there is a picturesque village at the end of the ravine.

Is it good to eat out in Cartagena? What are some of your favourite places to go?

Depending on what you fancy, a sandwich in the Galeon de Tapas at the Uva Jumillana, dishes based on Jamaican food, and the fried fish in the low roofed houses or in the chalet (especially for the Christmas lighthouse).

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Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Cartagena?

If you like to dance or if you like clubs; Trips and Buda. For pubs; Goa or Aruba. If you want to go for a few beers, then on Calle de Aire in the centre there is Carpinteria, or the Calle de los Pijos, or go to Guaridad and Salamandra. Also there is an atmospheric bar which is called the Albanico.

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Cartagena in the future?

Go out every day, even just to the street, as there is always something going on: an exhibition, a concert, a race, a show or simply shops.