Elena's Experience in Granada, Spain

How have you found living in Granada? Do you recommend it? What is it like?

I didn't know anything about Granada before arriving here two years ago. I think that it's a great city to live in for the 'university chapter' of your life. I personally love it. Therefore, I would, without a doubt, recommend it to everyone.

As a city, it's beautiful, there are lots of things to do, so being bored here is actually quite difficult.

What is student life like in Granada?

Student life here is crazy; there are universities everywhere you look.

There are lots of parties in Granada, for those who like going out at night.

But, there are also an infinite number of things to do during the day. Every time that you go out for a walk, you discover new places: it's a magical city. The Albaicín and Sacromonte neighbourhoods, with views of La Alhambra, are beautiful. Go for a spot of afternoon tea at the tea-rooms in Calle Elvira. Also, walk through the city centre, and visit the cathedral, Plaza Nueva, and the Paseo de los Tristes.

How much does it cost to live in Granada?

Granada, in comparison to my home city, is very cheap.

• In any bar, you can order a pint with a tapa for just 2€ (and if you know where to go, they can be quite generous with the portion size). So, for between 4€-5€, you could eat and drink until you explode!
• At the cinema, they will provide you with discounts upon presentation of a university student ID card.
• And, just on the basis that you live here, you can enter La Alhambra for free (but you must go very early on a Monday morning to collect the tickets, which can only be requested the Sunday before).
• The student flats are, in general, very cheap. The residences are quite a bit more expensive.
• Bus tickets cost 1. 20€. If you buy a bus pass (which costs 2€ and can be topped up as many times as you want, and can even be completely refunded), a journey would cost you 79 cents. And with the university bus pass, which you can apply for through your faculty secretary, a journey only costs 57 cents.



Was it difficult for you to find accommodation in Granada? Can you give any advice about this?

No. I arrived here for the first time on October 5th, having heard on the 1st of that month that I would be coming. That same day, I went crazy trying to find somewhere to live for the rest of the year - until June. But, the truth is that it wasn't that difficult to find something.

I stayed in the Fernando de los Ríos Residence. It's very cheap, but it's situated very far from the city centre and the university faculties (but not so far for those who study in Cartuja).

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

It's all delicious! The dishes I like the most are migas and jamón asado.

Which places do you recommend visiting in Granada?

Everywhere! Everything in this city is beautiful:

• El Albaicín (Mirador de San Nicolás, Mirador de San Miguel... )
• Sacromonte
• La Alhambra
• The cathedral
• 'Paseo de los tristes'
• The city centre
• Alpujara granaína
• Sierra Nevada (for both the village, Pradollano, and going up to ski)

In reality, I came here without knowing absolutely anything, and little by little I went about discovering everything, completely losing myself in the city. During the academic year, there is plenty of time to thoroughly get to know the city, and even the areas that surround it, with the possibility of also seeing other cities situated close by.



And eating out in Granada? Can you name your favourite places?

The places where I have had the best meals, have enjoyed the most and go to most often here are:

• 1. Bar La Maestranza (in the Plaza de Toros)
• 2. Bar Grifos y Tapas (located on Calle Gonzalo Gallas)
• 3. Bar Parada 23 (also located on Calle Gonzalo Gallas)
• 4. Bar Charlotte (located on Calle Pedro Antonio)

And in Barrio El Realejo, there are loads of bars, where you can also eat good food in pretty much any of them.

Which places do you recommend for nightlife in Granada?

There is a multitude of bars, pubs, and nightclubs for all kinds of musical tastes.

Without a doubt, the places that I like the most are the nightclubs Mae West (on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays), and Boom Boom Room (also on Fridays and Saturdays). Both of these are places that you have to dress-up nicely to go to.

Campus - for both guys and girls, frequented mainly by first years.

The nightclub, El Camborio, in the Albaicín neighbourhood has a terrace with views of La Alhambra.

Granero, Vogue, and Booga are more the kind of places that you can go to without dressing up - it has a different kind of vibe.

In terms of going to bars/pubs, Calle Pedro Antonio is without a doubt the best place to go on any given night - it has a great atmosphere.



Any advice that you want to give to future students in Granada?

Come here with a lot of anticipation and excitement to have a good time and meet lots of new people. It's the best place to detach yourself from your normal life if you are looking for a change of scenery and to breathe some different air. At least, in my case, Granada is completely different to my home city and that's great. I would never have imagined myself ending up here, I really don't want to leave!

Soak up the culture of this city because it's pretty special.

And enjoy your time here to the maximum because it truly flies by... I have already spent two years here, and next year I am leaving for my Erasmus exchange, and in fourth year I'll be back here, but the time I have left here is already getting shorter and shorter.

Good luck!



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