Experience in Ponferrada, Spain

What is Ponferrada like to live in? Would you recommend it? What's it like?

For me it's perfect to live in. It's small, clean, quiet and with lots of little villages surrounding it which give it a unique enchantment. It's a pleasure to go out for a walk in it's parks, to visit museums or to go to it's small theatre. It's biggest attractions are the Castle of the Templars and the Energy Museum, which both give testimony to what this city has been like throughout it's remote and recent history.

What is the student life like in Ponferrada?

It has a relaxed and very welcoming atmosphere. Unlike the big capital cities, here the student mix together perfectly with the rest of the population. There is a special night for students on Thursday where the bars have promotions on drinks and have parties with special prices for students.

How much does it cost to live in Ponferrada?

It's quite cheap to live in Ponferrada. Shared accommodation costs between 150 and 225 euros per month. The bills would be between 40 and 50 euros. In terms of grocery shopping, it depends where you shop and what type of things you want to buy, but 75 euros would be enough.

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Was it difficult for you to find accommodation in Ponferrada? Do you have any advice on the matter?

It's easy to find accommodation, simply search online and you'll find an abundance of offers of flats to share. They also have information on this in the university.

What's the food like in Spain? Which dishes are your favourites?

Food is an important part of the local culture in El Bierzo. The king of this local food is 'el botillo', cold meats served with chorizo, cabbage and chickpeas. The vegetable garden and all it's products are sensational: peppers, apples, pears, chestnuts, cherries, almonds... and it's beef is also really good.

What places would you recommend visiting in Ponferrada?

Above all I would recommend the castle, the energy museum and a small village about 6km from Ponferrada that's called Lombillo where you can see a panoramic view of El Bierzo whilst having a drink on the terrace of the bar 'El Peñón' and eating some 'pipas' (sunflower seeds) whilst enjoying the sun or the stupendous breeze of the mountains.

And eating in Ponferrada? Can you tell us your favourite places?

I liked: el Peñón in Lombillo for trying typical local food of the area, el Bodegón is a traditional restaurant in the town famous for it's delicious patatas bravas, and in another village, Canedo, to have a coffee beside the chimney of an old restored palace. To have some wine, you can go to the upper part of the town (the old town), la plaza Fernando Miranda or to the most modern part: La Rosaleda.

What places would you recommend for going out in Ponferrada?

If you take a walk around the centre of the city, you will find many bars and cafes. After the bars close, there is a place where all the young people go called la Gran Manzana which has a number of night clubs.

Any other advice you want to give to future students in Ponferrada?

Enjoy Ponferrada, especially it's surroundings.

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