My Experience in Granada, Spain - by Mara

What's it like living in Granada? Would you recommend it?

I've been living in Granada my whole life... and it's true what they say: all cities have their charm. Granada certainly does.

There are viewpoints and forgotten corners of the Albaicín and the Realejo which are really beautiful...in addition to a growing wealth of modern places, some with a really cool hipster vibe.

The most typical Granada festival is the Day of the Cross (May 3rd). Crosses are put up throughout the city, and everyone eats salaillas (a kind of pastry) and beans with ham, dances sevillanas, etc.... There are other festival days too such as Granada's Patron Saint Day (San Cecilio). This day is celebrated by a pilgrimage to the Sacromonte. You can make the most of this day to visit the Sacromonte Abbey (another district, near to the Albaicín).

Another advantage of Granada is that it's not very big, and you can get around easily on foot. They've recently changed the bus lines around. The LAC is the best one (it connects all the others).

The beach and the Sierra are both very near, and are accessibly by bus or car.

The city centre and lower Albaicín are great places... the Plaza de Toros, too.

What's the student life like in Granada?

Great! Everything's super cheap. You can breakfast really cheaply, with tasty food.

The University of Granada has over 60, 000 students, so Granada really is a student city. Prices aren't high, there's loads going on, and printing shops every few metres in the streets, hahah.

There are also lots of Erasmus students and foreigners in general, which is good for practising languages. There's an Erasmus student welcome organisation which organises loads of stuff.

How expensive is living in Granada?

Cheaper than in other cities... there are rooms from 120 euros (depending on the area: Cartuja, Chana Zaidín and Plaza de Toros are the cheapest). In the city centre, a recently refurbished flat with three rooms could cost 400 to 700 euros a month.

If you're going out for tapas or to eat, look for bars which serve large portions. They're usually 2 to 2. 40 euros each. There are places which serve small beers with tapas for 1. 50, 1. 80 and 1. 90 euros.

In terms of transport, if you like to walk, you won't end up spending a lot on this. If you're going to use the urban buses a lot, get yourself a bus card. One journey without this card costs 1. 20, and depending on the kind of card you buy (a normal or university one), a journey with the card will cost 0. 57 to 0. 78 cents.

Did you find it hard to find somewhere to live in Granada? Do you have any tips for flat-hunting?

I've always lived here with my family, so I've never had to look for a flat.

In any case, there are always loads of posters up around the city advertising flats, above all at the end of the academic year and in September. In June/July is the best time for getting a flat here.

You can also look online on sites such as idealista, fotocasa... etc.

What's Spanish food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is delicious!

I love the paella, the ham, the bread, fried fish... and the meat is also wonderful.

I'd recommend you try a bar before you go to Burger King or McDonalds, or any other chain... they're the cheapest places and the food there is much better.

What are the best places to visit in Granada?

• La Alhambra
• The historic centre, that is to say Albaicín, Realejo, Sacromonte... there are viewpoints and beautiful places there with a lot of charm.
• The Science Park
• Walks through city centre, if you want to go shopping or have a drink.
• The Arabic baths
• The cathedral and royal chapel
• The Carrera del Darro and Plaza Nueva
• Carmen de los Mártires (very beautiful! )
• Sierra Nevada
• Beaches (Motril, Salobreña, Almuñecar)
• Teterías

What about eating out in Granada? What are your favourite places?

Any bar on Gonzalo Gallas street or on Plaza de Toros.

Cacho & Pepe (authentic Italian place which is verrrrrry small, but serves very tasty and cheap food, also to take away).

Il Gondoliere and Casa Torcuato. These last two are more expensive. The second one is in the Albaicín.

Go to a tetería for lunch.

What are the best places for partying in Granada?

Mae West (it's expensive there, and they can decide whether to let you in or not. It's a good idea to go looking presentable then, and be careful not to arrive too drunk, hahah).

Pubs on Pedro Antonio: these are for all kinds of people, hipsters, rockers, goths...

Campus is a club with chart music in the city centre.

Vogue (more alternative: people don't dress up to come here, and they play alternative music, such as india, rock, house, electronica...nothing from the charts).

There are other clubs on the outskirts of the city (like Wow, Sala Tren, Copera... ). They usually play electro music there and host concerts, etc.

In the city centre there's also a pub which plays alternative music (jazz, rap, reggae, rock... ) called Boogaclub.

The cool pubs are in the city centre (La Loca de Gandoca, Six Colours, Tic Tac, La Gayedra... ).

Do you have any advice for future students coming to Granada?

Enjoy it to the maximum, it's worth it. When you think you know Granda well, keep looking, as it always has something more to offer. You'll definitely be surprised.