My Erasmus Exchange in Malaga, Spain

What attracts you to living in Malaga? Do you recommend it? What is it like?

Malaga is a fantastic city to live in for many different reasons. The climate is perfect (albeit a little bit humid... but this is because it's by the sea). I remember that, by April, I was already able to take my notes to the beach to study there, as it was always sunny and it seems like this is reflected in the attitudes of the people, because the people from Malaga are very happy and kind. It's quite a small city (well, at least for me, as I am from Rome), but it has everything: shops, bars, restaurants, museums, monuments, activities, food of every type, beaches, and the paseo marítimo, where you can go for a walk and play sports... and the fact that it is quite small is good because you can walk to pretty much any place, or go by bike. What I liked most about the city was the atmosphere that you could feel when out and about in the streets, which are always full of people and a feeling of happiness.

During my stay, I also had experiences that were a little bit negative, but, in the end, they sorted themselves out ok, thanks to the help of the people there, who have always been very willing to help. An example? One night, my bag was stolen in a bar, and thanks to the help of the owner and the police, they found the man who robbed me and they returned my bag to me!

I recommend Malaga 100%, above all I recommend it to those who love the sea, the sun, walking and enjoying the pretty things in life!

A photo that I took from Muelle Uno in December - you can see the Malaga Ferris wheel. Pretty, right?

A photo that I took of Malaga Cathedral at night

What is student life like in Malaga?

I quite liked the University of Malaga because the student atmosphere is really relaxed, although the professors demand a lot from you and the students are quite competitive. They always make you do group work and this helps a lot, especially Erasmus students, as they can better integrate into student life. The professors (at least the ones I had) are very good and have always been very willing to help me.

As I study languages, I was in the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities, which is in Teatinos. I lived in the city centre, but I caught the 11 bus to get to university (it took around 20 mins), and sometimes I travelled there by one of the bikes from the council rental scheme too. During nine months at the university, I took nine exams, so I can give you all some advice about how to pass: go to class and participate; get involved; do the work that your professors ask you to do; and, take advantage of the dedicated study spaces at university. It's also important to meet (and get to know) Spanish students, who can always give you advice (they were always very friendly with me); as I have already said, the activities that the university organises help you to integrate.

My experience was wonderful because I could study but, simultaneously, also really enjoy the experience, going out every day.

How much does it cost to live in Malaga?

Living in Malaga is very cheap.

With regards to:

• Flats: the prices depend on the area that you choose to live in. I lived in the city centre, around 30 seconds away from the Plaza de la Merced, and I paid 260€ a month with bills and Internet included. There are also cheaper flats available, but, at best, they are in less-central areas and don't have bills included.
• Food and day-to-day living: these are also very cheap. In many bars, you can get a drink and a tapa for 1. 50€, and, in general, the prices are very reasonable.
• Public transport: the price per journey for the bus is 1. 30€, but students receive discount with the EMT card, which costs 27€ a month. The council also offers the possibility of activating a card to use with the rental bicycles parked in several places around the city, and costs only 10€ for a whole year. I ended up getting one and it turned out to be really useful because I could get a bike whenever I required one and then later leave it in one of the parking bays (the only problem is that some bikes are a little bit broken, therefore you have to be careful when choosing one).

  

  A photo that I took from the No 11 bus stop on Alameda Principal whilst I was going to university.

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

  At best, I was lucky; it wasn't difficult for me to find accommodation at all. Before I came, I began looking at flats online to give me an idea of what was on offer (some useful websites: idealista and pisocompartido), and when I arrived, I continued my search in person. The only thing that I did before coming was reserve a room in a hostel in the city centre, which meant that I had somewhere to stay while I was looking for my own place, which I did eventually find a few days later. I think that this is the best option, because it's not really advisable to rent a flat before seeing it in person (this is my first piece of advice).

  Other advice I have for you:

  • Look for flats that have people of different nationalities living there: I looked for flats that had Spanish tenants because I wanted to learn the language better, and I think that I achieved that.
  • Look for a flat that is quite centrally-located, and one that has a well-lit room (I personally don't like rooms that are dark and have no natural light).
  • And, finally, make sure that you get everything clarified with the landlord or landlady with regards to the deposit, rent price, bills, etc. (I didn't personally have any problems, but you never know! )

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

  The food in Malaga is very good, there are bars and restaurants of every type: Italian, Chinese, Japanese, vegetarian and vegan, Mexican, tapas, and typical Spanish cuisine. The most 'typical' dishes are: paella, gazpacho, tortilla, any fish (there is a port in Malaga, so a lot of fish is eaten), as well as various tapas, like the 'ensaladilla rusa' or the 'ensaladilla malagueña', and pipirrana, amongst others.

  You will also find both fresh and tropical fruit in the markets (I personally love the Atarazanas Market), and the prices are very cheap.

  

  Atarazanas Market... I love it!

  Which places do you recommend visiting in Malaga?

  There are so many beautiful places that you can visit in the city of Malaga and its namesake province:

  • The Alcazaba (Malaga's old Muslim palace) and the Gibralfaro Castle
  • One of the several museums in the city (Pompidou, Contemporary Arts Centre (CAC), Carmen Thyssen, and the Picasso Birthplace Museum, etc. )
  • Peñón del Cuervo beach
  • El Palo
  • Pedregalejo
  • Caminito del Rey
  • Nerja and Frigiliana
  • Fuengirola
  • Botanical Gardens
  • Paseo Marítimo
  • The beaches
  • Muelle Uno shopping centre
  • The Cathedral and its garden
  • Soho neighbourhood
  • Atarazanas Market
  • Calle Larios

  Do you also recommend travelling from Malaga to other parts of Andalusia?

  If you look at the cities in Andalusia on a map, you can see that Malaga is right in the middle of them all. Therefore, in my personal opinion, you should take advantage of this prime geographical position to visit all of the other cities in the region during your stay in Malaga because this is an opportunity that you don't have when you don't live so close. Apart from going to Huelva and Almería, which are a little further away (in fact, these are the only two cities that I have still not visited), the journey to all the cities is short, making it possible to visit them during the weekends: Cádiz, Sevilla, Córdoba, Jaén, and Granada. I visited all of these cities spending very little on the journey itself, because I used a mobile application for journey-sharing called Amovens (it's like BlaBlaCar, but for Spain). Every city in Andalusia has its own charm and uniqueness, which makes it worth visiting them.

  

  Malaga from the Gibralfaro viewpoint

  

  Malaga beach, close to la Malagueta, with its palm trees

  And eating out in Malaga? Can you name your favourites places to go to?

  My favourite places for going out to eat and drink in Malaga are:

  • Pubs with craft beers:
  • Central Beers
  • Arte y Sana
  • La Pinta
  • La Botica de la Cerveza
  • La Madriguera
  • El Rincón del Cervecero
  • La Casa Invisible: it's a social centre where lots of different arts and social events are organised (as well as dance and sports classes), where they also serve very cheap food (with vegan options).
  • La Tranca: it's a typical bar when they serve really good vermouth with olives and tapas.

  For something sweet, like dessert with a tea or coffee, I recommend:

  • La Tetería de San Augustín: they serve a huge variety of teas, shakes and coffees, as well as lots of really good homemade cakes. In addition to just simply having something to eat or drink there, you can also buy teas and infusions, which you take home to enjoy there (they are very good), and accessories like mugs and teapots. They also sell beers and sandwiches.
  • El Último Mono: it's a really cosy place where there are sofas and benches. I went there with my laptop (there are plug sockets so you can charge them) to do my university work, and I stayed for a few hours drinking really good fruit smoothies. They also sell several types of coffee, sweet treats and wraps.
  • Julia Bakery: it's a bakery that is perfect to go to for breakfast. They sell very good pastries (with vegan options), toasted items, coffees, teas, juices, and they also make their own rye bread.
  • Marcodulces la Espiral: all the sweet goods that are sold here are vegan, sugar-free, and organic... they are fantastic.

  If you are looking for Italian pizza:

  • Brunchit España: the owner is Italian, and the pizza is really good - you can tell that the dough has a special touch. But, in reality, they sell everything, from desserts to lasagne.

  Which places do you recommend for nightlife in Malaga?

  One place in Malaga where you will find lots of Erasmus students on a night out is Plaza de la Merced, where there are lots of bars, as well as being where several activities and parties are organised: it's the starting point to meeting a lot of people. Another place where you will find students is El Pimpi, a very famous bar in Malaga, where they also organise language tandems.

  Any advice that you want to give to future students in Malaga?

  If you go to Malaga for your Erasmus exchange, try to get to know the culture and traditions, enjoy the sun and the beaches, take advantage of your time to learn the language, as well as the Andalusian dialect... Don't miss out on any opportunity, and appreciate every moment and experience that you have there!

  It's an experience that changes your life.

  

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