Experience in Granada, Spain by Jesus

What's it like to live in Granada? Do you recommend it? How is it?

Living in Granada is a privilege, as it's a city in which you have everything you can imagine right within your reach. I recommend it without a doubt. It's famous for its student life, its young atmosphere in the streets, parties, tapas and friendly people. Also, let's not forget its gorgeous views, natural landscapes, the Alhambra, the Albaycin, Birrambla square and endless number of wonderful places which you will fall in love with. For those who like sports, whether among nature or in the city, Granada is your city.

It's a privilege to study in Granada

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How is student life in Granada?

Granada is full of students who come from all over. Many people come from other countries choose to study in Granada for their Erasmus, as students here can lead and adapt to the life they they want (parties every day, big festivals and weekly concerts with singers, more affordable prices for tapas, in pubs, etc. ). Students not only study, they go out, they get to know many people and they live a great life.

Granada is full of students

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How much does it cost to live in Granada?

Not much. In most cases, renting a flat with other students costs between 120 and 350 euros a month. But this is the least important thing, because it is very likely that you will be with really sociable and good people which, after all, is what matters. 100 euros for the rest of the month is more than enough for personal expenses, eating, going out, getting around Granada, going to the movies, festivals, etc.

Was it hard to find accommodation in Granada? Do you have any advice?

No. The city is completely saturated with advertisements from students looking for people to share a flat with with. I worked in a rentals agency in Granada and I am very familiar with the flats in different areas, such as how they are inside, their prices... I don't advise looking in the north area (Beiro, Maracena... ) neither in surrounding towns, as the university atmosphere is concentrated within the centre. There are shops and hundreds of shopping areas wherever you go, so this is not a problem. Always take into account your preferences and the people with whom you are going to live.

Really good places to live are Plaza de Toros, San Juan de Dios, Pedro Antonio de Alarcón, Gran Vía and on the outskirts of the cathedral area. If you're after a good atmosphere and spectacular views and aren't fussy about the flat itself, the Albaycin and Haza Grande neighbourhoods are the best. If you're just looking to party, then go for the Hipercor area.

A street next to the Hipercor shopping centre

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Gran Vía

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

The food is really cheap and good. Granada different from other cities in this way, in that if you order something like a beer or a drink, they give you a really generously-sized, nice tapa (in some places you can choose which one whereas in others you can't). For foreigners ham is always a delicacy, but for me, a good rice dish is (paella or other variation), or alpujarreño (a Spanish version of an English Breakfast) or some meat accompanied with either salad or really well-made vegetables.

Tapas in Granada

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What places do you recommend visiting in Granada?

The Alhambra and Generalife, Albaycin, Paseo de los tristes (a park you can walk through), Carrera del Darro (a medieval street in Granada), Plaza Nueva, the cathedral, walk through Puerta Real, Los Cahorros de Monachil, the Genil river, the Chapel of the three Juanes, Nevada mountain, the Sacromonte neighbourhood, the municipality of Montefrío and the city as a whole.

You can go hiking in the Nevada mountains

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Sacromonte

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What about eating out in Granada? Can you tell us your favourite places?

For going out:

• La Bella y la Bestia II (1 Cárcel Vieja)
• Aliatar (Plaza Aliatar)
• El Rinconcillo (Pedro Antonio de Alarcón street)
• Bar Diamantes (one of my favourites) (23 Navas street)
• Cisco y Tierra (3 Lepanto street)

If you want to make yourself really full and eat good food whilst not spending too much:

• El Reventaero
• El rey de la tapa (In the town of Peligros)

For eating out in a restaurant:

• El Gondoliere

What places do you recommend for a night out in Granda?

Boom Boom Boom nightclub, D'Cuadros (Plaza de Toros), the Gabias area (outside in summer).

Boom Boom Boom nightclub

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There are music venues such as El Tren, La Industrial Copera, Planta Baja or Sugar Pop, with seasonal concerts which are quite interesting.

Do you have any advice for students coming to Granada?

I advise that when you arrive here you ask around and follow advice about places to go out to and visit, and listen to people's opinions because this is the best way of learning about this beautiful city's hidden gems. And you know, if you don't have a good time, it's because you weren't in Granada!

If you don't have a good time, it's because you weren't in Granada!

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