Experience in Oviedo, Spain by Irene

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

I've grown up in Oviedo and I can say that it's a wonderful and safe city. It's small but not enought to get bored, and you'll be close both to the shore and the mountains.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Oviedo?

Depending of your degree, you might or not have many hours of class. The campus (both, one in each side of the city) are 20 minutes away from the main street, the bus might take you all around the city, but we don't have long distances in Oviedo.

Concerning the university, well each faculty is different. One thing for all the Erasmus: be patient with the administration department, they are unique...

How much does it cost to live in Oviedo?

As I live with my parents, I am not very aware of renting prices, but they are not very expensive. At least, they are lower than the average in Central Europe. Grocery shopping is not expensive either. And the most important part, partying is not expensive.

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

Food in the North of Spain is just awesome. In Asturias, you should go for: cachopos, pastel de cabracho, calamares, chipirones, fish in general since it's quite good, escalopines, different types of cheese, frixuelos, homemade pies... Ask the waiter what does he recommends for the day.

What places would you recommend visiting in Oviedo?

The cathedral, the new museum of arts, the Pre-Romanesque style churches Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo (you can go by bus in 10 minutes), the old town, the Fontan market (on saturdays better)...

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

It's absolutly good! In Oviedo, the typical bar is called "sidreria" as you can drink there sidra, which is the typical drink of Asturias (yes, it has alcohol, you can get quite drunk with it). My favourite places are "El gato negro", "La cabana", "La internacional" for beers and burgers, "El Fartuquín"...

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

Oviedo is a small city. Now it is forbidden to drink in the streets at night but at the end you may do it. There are two main streets to go out. El Rosal street, where you can find bars where we drink calimocho (wine with coke or similars) and play games around a table, and then Mon Street with all the pubs and the discos. La Radio is the main pub for Erasmus. There are a lot of small pubs all around the old town, you'll find them by walking around.

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What advice would you give future students heading to Oviedo?

Don't stay in Oviedo the whole time. There are many places near like Gijón, Avilés, Villaviciosa... Use the public transport and discover the region. Also if you like nature, there are many hiking routes to make that are marvelous.