Experience in Granada, Spain by Irene

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

Granada is one of the Spanish cities with the highest number of students. Despite being a small city (you can walk from one side to the other side of the city), it's very cosmopolitan. You can find almost everything you want:

• Realejo: Bohemian. I love it.
• Albaizyn: the lower part of the district is a bit dilapidated... full of hippies. The higher part of the neighbourhood is a curious mixture of bohemian (and rich people) with hippies.
• City centre: Good.
• Chana: a bit far from the centre, but a lot of bars with huge tapas.
• Plaza de Toros: Ok (not my favourite district to live in... most of apartments need a renovation).
• Camino de Ronda: Ok.
• Zaidin: Far from the city center... only recommended it if you find an apartment close to the river (Genil river).

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What is the student lifestyle like in Granada?

Lots of Erasmus students! High variety of activities (not only party). Cinemas, theatres, conferences of writers, musicians and other artists, film clubs, flamenco classes, belly dance classes, Spanish guitar classes. Languages exchanges in tapas bars, hanging out from Monday to Sunday.

A lot of festivals through the year (jazz, tango, music-and-classic dancing... in Teatro Isabel la Católica).

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How much does it cost to live in Granada?

Granada is quite cheap (compared with other Spanish cities). It depends on how often you go out.

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

It is very easy to find accommodation! Lots of ads everywhere! From January to December! Be careful when you choose your roommates!

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

Granada is the city of tapas bars. It probably has more than 1500 tapas bars.

Typical dishes: habas con jamón (sort of beans, fried with serrano ham), migas (a dish made with bread), morcilla (boiled pork blood), chorizo, jamón serrano and queso en aceite.

But you can find all types of food (and drinks) as well: vegetarian restaurants, good japanese, mexican, hindu and italian restaurants, specialized wine stores, Irish taverns, etc.

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What places would you recommend visiting in Granada?

First of all:

• Alhambra and Generalife (you cannot leave Granada without visiting them)!
• Catedral and Capilla Real.
• Albaizyn (the route of "aljibes").
• Sacromonte.
• Parque de las Ciencias.
• Monasterio de La Cartuja.
• A lot of impressive catholic churches (San Juan de Dios, Santa Ana, Virgen de las Angustias, Santo Domingo... ).
• Muslim buildings from s. XII-XIII (La Madraza) and Arab baths.

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Near the city:

• Sierra Nevada National Park.
• Los Cahorros (hiking).
• Salobreña, Almuñécar (perfect for scuba-diving).
• Parque natural Sierra de Huetor (to pick mushrooms).
• Alpujarras.
• Guadix (caves).

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

Sure! I know people who eat out in Granada every day! Drinks include tapas (in most Spanish cities you have to pay to get a tapa).

My favourite tapas bar is "Los Diamantes": (Navas street). Fried fish. Good ingredients (fresh fish). Always overcrowded (Tuesdays and Wednesdays can be the best days to go).

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

Granada is the perfect city to enjoy the nightlife! I am not afraid to come back home alone at late night because there are always people everywhere! I found the city very safe.

Depends on the music you like, you can go to:

• Flamenco (small clubs in Albaizyn and Sacromonte, surroundings of Plaza Nueva).
• Jazz (Classic Jazz).
• Hipster (Vogue, Polaroid, Planta Baja, Booga Club).
• Mainstream (Mae West, Bellagio, Granada 10).
• Electronic music (2nd floor of Vogue, Sala Quilombo, Afrodisia, Booga Club some nights a week).
• Jam sessions (Booga Club on Sundays).
• Concerts: Sala El Tren.

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What advice would you give future students heading to Granada?

Enjoy!