My Experience in Palma de Mallorca, Spain by Hugo

What's Palma de Mallorca like? What's it like to live there? Do you recommend it?

Palma de Mallorca is a holiday destination and a really nice place to live with lots of things to do from April to October. There's a lot of availability regarding your apartment location at reasonable prices. I recommend choosing the city centre of Palma; you have the metro and the buses generally have good transport links which takes you directly to the university in 20 minutes, which is situated on the outskirts of Palma centre, Plaza de Espanya.

What's the student vibe like in Palma de Mallorca?

The student atmosphere is really good, I suggest the Santa Catalina area where there are a few nice bars like Bar Cuba which is the one in front, and then you also have the bohemian Lonja quarter, next to Jaima III. At the weekend you have the night clubs like Titos, Pacha and Divino, and the crazy areas like Arenal, the German quarter, and Magaluf which is the English quarter.

What are living costs like in Palma de Mallorca?

I think it's expensive for a student, especially as you don't receive any financial help with accommodation, and entry for clubs varies between 10 and 20 euros. You'll spend around 400 to 500 euros a month I reckon.

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Is it difficult to find accommodation in Palma de Mallorca? Any advice?

It's not difficult, there's lots on offer and not much of a demand. Some don't even require contracts or guarantors.

What's the city's food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is like everywhere you go; you can opt for traditional dishes like 'Pa am Oli' and all the cooked meats, or the normal food like Italian, fast food, etc...

Where do you recommend going to see in Palma de Mallorca?

• The Corniche and Serra de Tramuntana trail, from Andratx to Deia, which was really affected by last summer's fire.
• The cathedral.
• The Calanques in Mallorca, which all start from Calas de Mallorca, are really fun. However, you may need to hike up some of the cliffs in order to get to the paradise location.
• La Dragonera (Dragonera Island).

And to eat in Palma de Mallorca? Where are your favourite places?

• La Opera in Portals Nous is the best pizzeria on the island.
• Na Burguesa in the upland of Genova where there's a panoramic view of the Palma and at reasonable prices.
• La Ruta Martiana. So every week there's Tapas Tuesday which involves doing a Tapas bar crawl in the Palma centre!
• Restaurante Tigy'S in Sant Elm for the best pa am oli.

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Where do you recommend going out in Palma de Mallorca?

• Night clubs: Titos, Pacha, BCM, Riu Palace.
• El Abaco which is the classiest bar on the island.
• The Santa Catalina or La Lonja quarters.

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Any advice for future Erasmus students going to Palma de Mallorca?

When it's open, the island is packed with plenty of wonders to discover, so don't hesitate to rent a car and look around! Enjoy the other islands like Ibiza, Formentera and Menorca. Follow Chopin and Sand's footsteps to Valldemossa and discover their romantic and loathing for the island's inhabitants at the time.

Enjoy the water activities from time to time but don't accept to be in the water all the time- it's freezing in winter and the weather will likely give you a cold and a sore throat!