Experience in Girona, Spain by Ari

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

Life in Girona is better than life in Barcelona. That's because it's a city, which means it has lots of services, main shops... but at the same time it's one of the littlest cities around the country: life there is soooo calm and you can visit the city in only one day. It's easy to go from one part to another. People there is fantastic!

What is the student lifestyle like in Girona?

It depends on the fac you are in. Some are located in the Old Neighbourhood, the historic one. When you go to your fac and while you are studying you are surrounded by very beautiful views and meaningful buildings, with lots of history that you can discover. Other facs are located in the suburbs, in calm places, but life there is more impersonal. There are lots of big buildings and great green spaces, it's more like a USA campus, the one of the movies. Nightlife is celebrated on Thursdays and all students from all grades and campus go to the city center and party together and get to know each other. This kind of life starts more or less at 12 o'clock at night and finishes at 5 or even at 6! Fridays and saturdays you can also go out.

How much does it cost to live in Girona?

More or less 200€ per month in the city center (new city). In the old neighbourhood it's impossible to live, because it's very expensive (due to turistic demands). By bus, wherever you live, you can arrive to all facs.

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

No, it's not difficult. There are lots of empty appartments. Maybe you should check the location first, and then relate it to the rest of important factors: nightlife, location of the university, library, main services and shops/supermarkets. It's recommended not to let any appartment which is very old, because for this reason, you may have some problems with humidity, animals...

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

The food we eat here is the best of the world. As we follow the mediterranean diet, what we eat is super balanced. We have some of the best dishes in the world, and we also have 'embutit': fuet, jamón serrano, queso of all types, and all kinds of nourishment. You will enjoy a lot!

What places would you recommend visiting in Girona?

You cannot miss the old neighbourhood as I have said and as you already imagine. Girona is worth visiting during all the seasons of the year. What you cannot miss apart from the city is the Costa Brava (beaches and little villages) and lots of cities located inland. Barcelona (1 hour by train/car).

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

Fantastic. We have our famous 'Konig'. A restaurant founded in our city and which has become so popular. There are many 'Konig' restaurants around GIRONA. They serve our normal food. What we eat almost every day. Almost everybody when they go out they have dinner there, or when we want to celebrate something (birthdays, end of the univ year) we go there to have lunch. There are also other restaurants which are similar. They are located near each other, lots of people go to have their meal in 'Plaça Independència'. We own the most named restaurant in the world, with Michellin Stars: El Celler de Can Roca. It's 10 minutes from GIRONA. Konig is the average price, but for example we have very cheap restaurants like McDonalds and some that are a little bit more expensive which are found in very calm and beautiful places, like in the old neighbourhood, with amazing views. We also go to have dinner or go out in some hotels' restaurants like AC Bellavista.

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

Very good (it could be better but it's okay). Lots of people go out every thursday. Mondo, Lux, Platea... different music in each place (Platea is for people who love our music, and then the others play music which is known internationally).

What advice would you give future students heading to Girona?

Come to Girona. There is no advice. It's fantastic if you have friends and you like to go out with them. It's a very little city where you can discover lots of things and enjoy. You will not regret it.

Don't be worried about independence. Us, independentists, are very pacific people and it could be good that you participate and learn a little bit about our fight for independence!!!