Erasmus Experience in Granada, Spain by Josephine

Why did you choose to go to Granada, Spain?

I wanted to go to a city which had a rich cultural history and beautiful architecture but that wasn't too big. It's quite a small city so everything is easy to get to.

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How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

I was in Granada for a semester (5 months) and my Erasmus funding was about £1, 000.

What is the student lifestyle like in Granada?

Granada is a student city with plenty of cafés, restaurants and bars which offer great food for decent prices. The nightlife is also really fun, especially at the weekends.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Granada to other students?

I would definitely recommend Granada to other students. The structure and organisation of the university is different to England which was confusing to begin with.

What is the food like?

The food is classic Spanish cuisine but because of the Arab influence, there are also many places that serve Moroccan food.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Granada?

It was stressful to find accommodation because there are lots of options but it's all based on a first come first serve basis. However, there are Facebook groups for accommodation as well as websites like "Easypiso" and adverts in university faculties.

How much does it cost to live in Granada?

Accommodation is about €200-300 a month. A food shop for a week is between €30-40 and if you know the right places, going for drinks is never expensive.

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Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

Immersion in the language helps a lot to become more comfortable with the language and I have found that locals are willing to help you with Spanish rather than just speak in English. There are good courses available to help with Spanish as well.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Granada from your city?

The most economical way to travel is by plane from London to Malaga and then a coach to Granada from Malaga airport.

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

I would recommend going down Calle Pedro Antonio for bars etc. If you like cheap shots Chupiteria 69 is definitely worth checking out. The most popular clubs are El Camborio (which has a view of the Alhambra), Mae West (which has an event every night), Boom Boom Room and Booga Club.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Granada?

Too many to choose from.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The Alhambra and the Cathedral are obvious places to visit. Walking through Sacromonte and Albayzin is also really lovely and there's a viewing point in Albayzin where you can see the Alhambra.

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

Many shops/cafes/bars etc close between 2pm-5pm.