Experience in Malaga, Spain by Dani

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What do you think about living in Malaga? Would you recommend it? What is it like?

Malaga is the perfect city to do your Erasmus exchange in and enjoy one of the country's best climates! The city has it all: good universities, beaches, cultural sights, food, good transport links with another Andalusian cities...

What is student life like in Malaga?

Student life in Malaga is perfect. The best thing to do is search for accommodation in Teatinos, which is where the university faculties are found. Also in this area, there are grassy areas where you can relax, study before your exams, and, of course, there are lots of bars and restaurants where you can go for tapas. The students in Malaga have a lot of options for entertaining themselves: some days spent in Teatinos, others spent in the city centre, be it for shopping, having tapas, visiting monuments or other cultural hotspots, or partying. You also have several beaches close to the city at your disposition, or you can take the train and go to places located a little bit further away, like Torremolinos, Benalmádena, and Fuengirola (taking the same train you would take to go to the airport).

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How much it cost to live in Malaga?

Living in Malaga, on average, per week costs around 300€ for a flat shared with other students; 100€ for food, 10€ for mobile phone contracts, and other expenses like trips, partying and meals out will be different from one individual to another...

In general, people usually save a bit of money some weeks so that they can go to cities like Granada, Córdoba, Sevilla or Cádiz.

Was it difficult for you to find accommodation in Malaga? Can you give any advice?

When it comes to searching for accommodation in Malaga, the best thing that you can do is search online before coming to the city (one month or a couple of weeks beforehand). You can stay in a cheap hostel while you go looking at the flats that you have liked online. It's important to make an appointment with the owner or with someone who can show you the flat before you 100% decide to live there, because you will never know if it is clean, what the atmosphere is like, if there are things that are broken, etc.

It's important to outline if there is anything that is broken or damaged, and, if so, that a record has been made of it for the owner in the contract (take photos with the dates if necessary). This is really important when it comes to getting back your deposit for the flat at the end of your letting period.

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

The Mediterranean diet is one of the best in the world. Here in Malaga, you must try "espetos" at the beach, as well as the really good seafood like shrimps, boquerones, hake...; salmorejo and gazpacho are other traditional dishes that are really good; in the mountain villages, you can enjoy great meat like spare ribs, rabbit, and lamb; and, of course, you should try paella - the star dish at many of the restaurants in the "chiringuitos".

Which places do you recommend visiting in Malaga?

In Malaga, you have a wide range of possibilities to enjoy the city; cultural hotspots, beautiful landscapes, important monuments...

Culturally, the city of Malaga is home to several renowned architectural constructions, like the Roman Theatre, La Alcazaba, and you have to climb up to Gibralfaro Castle (here you will be able to take the perfect picture of Malaga seen on every postcard). The views shows you the port, La Malagueta bullring and the entirety of Malaga's huge park.

There are also some nationally and internationally renowned museums in Malaga: the Picasso Museum (as well as the Picasso Birthplace Museum in Plaza de la Merced); the Carmen Thyssen Museum and the Art and Popular Customs Museum.

Football lovers can go to La Rosaleda Stadium to enjoy the best football in the First Division of La Liga. You can go as a spectator or take a tour of the trophy room, the players' bench and walk out onto the pitch.

Go to Malaga's beaches: the most touristy ones are the ones in the south in places like Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Marbella... To the north, you will find beaches in places like Nerja, el Rincón de la Victoria, la Cala del Moral (you can also visit the caves of Nerja).

There are lots of things on offer designed for you to enjoy yourself in Malaga: there are also zoos, theme parks, golf driving ranges, karting, paintball...

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And eating out in Malaga? Can you mention your favourite places?

The best places to eat at are those that are in streets that don't smell like a grease factory. Of all the best places to have tapas at in Malaga, I personally prefer Chinitas, Pepa y Pepe, Aserradero, Don Paco, and many other tapas bars in the city centre (close to Plaza Uncibay). The chiringuitos are also a good choice, but you must insist that the fish is not frozen - it's very important!

Which places do you recommend for nightlife in Malaga?

In Malaga, you have a lot of choices when it comes to having fun and the nightlife scene. Usually, you drink beers or some other kind of alcohol with your roommates and friends before leaving your place and then follow the route that I am about to propose to you: go to Frente al Pintor in Plaza de la Merced and drink some rum or vodka... later, have some shots in Urbano (maybe you can try 70% proof absinthe) or go to Lado Oscuro. Then, you can go to a club, the one you will choose depends on what you are wearing, and the music and atmosphere that you like: the coolest ones are Sala Gold and Liceo; the most popular are Anden, London Barsovia, Sala Touch...; and there are smaller clubs in Plaza Uncibay and Plaza de la Merced. If, one day, you get bored of nightlife in Malaga and you are feeling adventurous, you can escape to Granada and have tapas and drink in the city centre before going to the famous Mae West, an amazing nightclub.

Is there any advice that you want to give to future students in Malaga?

Enjoy the city of Malaga, as well as its beaches, food, and cultural offerings, study, travel to other Andalusian cities and those in the rest of Spain, meet people from other countries, and practise your English! I am sure that you will return to this city in just a few short years and you will meet up with people that you will never forget!