Experience in Salamanca, Spain, by Elena

What is it like to live in Salamanca? Would you recommend it?

Salamanca is totally a university city and I would definitely recommend it. It is a precious and accessible city. It is also not very expensive to live in so it's easy to live there pretty easily.

What's the student life like in Salamanca?

It couldn't be better! There are lots of libraries and when you walk down the streets you see more students than any other type of person. The people tend to be very nice and there are is no real competition.

How much does it cost to live in Salamanca?

It isn't very expensive as I said. I didn't spend much. There are many supermarkets and even when you want to go out the prices are very low.

Was it difficult to find housing in Salamanca? What advice would yo give?

It isn't very difficult; there are many flats for rent. If you aren't a very active person then I would recommend going to see a real-estate agent because they already have contracts with some apartments. Furthermore these real-estate agents are already used to dealing with students and know how to do it. If you prefer looking on your own, join some Internet websites or Facebook pages and you'll see flats for rent pretty much everywhere. You can find many pamphlets in universities, coffee shops and even on streetlights.

How is the local food like? What are your favorite dishes?

The local food... for me I'd say the best! Spain boasts very good cuisine. Especially in Salamanca the food is delicious. My personal favorites are the "huevos rotos" with ham and hornazo, which is typical from Salamanca.

What would you recommend visiting in Salamanca?

Everything. It is really worth it to visit it all. The Old Town, with the cathedral, Anaya, the Plaza Mayor, the Pontificia University and it's facade, the Casa de las Conchas, the Parque de las Jesuitas, the garden of Calixto and Melibea and the nearby town of Alamedilla. Visit everything.

What are your favorite restaurants in Salamanca?

I've always really enjoyed Mandala, it is located in the center; the prices are affordable and you eat very well. Cervantes also has some really good food and drinks and it's a good place to just go and have a drink with friends. And even though it's not a typical Salamanca restaurant, I really like Tagliatella.

Where are the best places to go party in Salamanca?

All of them as well! The good thing about Salamanca is that it contains many clubs. If you want to go and have a relaxing drink with friends, I personally like Puerto de Chus, El Molly or La Sureña y el Moderno. If you want to go out and party, I would start at Parabarap to warm up, and then go to bars like Peters or Barvel, and at the end of the night you must go to Bisu or Kandavia, all in this order. Personally this is the way I like to do it. In Salamanca you find great music, though most of it is commercial, and all these places have a really good ambiance. If you choose to go to other places, there is El Charro and many other good bars in that area.

Would you have any advice for future students going to Salamanca?

That you enjoy as much as possible because in Salamanca if you want to have a good time, you will. Good luck!