Experience in Cartagena, Spain by Eva

Source

How do you find living in Cartagena? Do you recommend it? How is it?

It's a very quiet city. It has sea and mountains so you can participate in many activities such as sailing, diving, hiking and climbing... The sea softens the temperatures enough. It's a coastal city with a hot climate.

How is student life in Cartagena?

Cartagena is a university city. The faculties which form a part of this city are numerous but in spite of this, there aren't too many parties. During the week, there isn't too much of an atmosphere. However, the streets fill up during the faculty parties.

The good thing is that Cartagena is close to Murcia and in Murcia there is a party for every day of the week. Therefore you can enjoy both the quiet life in Cartagena, and the parties in Murcia.

How much does it cost to live in Cartagena?

A flat can cost from 150 euros to an approximate maximum of 250 euros and the food costs around 150 euros more, so with around 400 or 450 euros, you can live really well and still have money left!

Was it hard to find accommodation in Cartagena? Can you give any advice?

I had no trouble finding accommodation. There are lots of flats for rent, friends of friends who are looking for house-mates, many entire flats for rent - studios and apartments. The university area is full of flats. They also have two university residences but I sincerely advise a student flat. It is more comfortable, cheaper and gives you much more freedom.

How is the country's food? What are your favourite dishes?

The food, the typical Mediterranean diet. Furthermore, they have tapas and beer a lot. :) I would choose the paella.

Which places do you recommend to visit in Cartagena?

I would recommend visiting the beaches Cala Cortina, el Portús and Calblanque; which is a natural beach and greatly unspoiled. There are also many hiking trails and Tentegorra, a very cool area to go running or walking in, situated just behind where the Roldán hill is found. There are castles like San Julián and Galeras...

San Julián

Source

And to go out to eat in Cartagena? Can you site your favourite places?

El espacio Mediterráneo is a shopping centre where there are places and bars to have dinner and eat. On the other hand, there are establishments and bars all over the calle mayor of Cartagena where you can dine and eat. However, be careful because they are more expensive.

Which places do you recommend to go out and party in Cartagena?

The street "los Pijos". It's a street full of pubs and it's where all the students go. In the harbour, there are also some pubs which are filled with students during the university parties.