Living in Segovia

What do you think of Segovia as a place to live? Would you recommend it? What's it like?

Segovia is one of those Spanish cities which everyone has an opinion about. Many love it, others think it's nothinh more than another town. Personally, I like it a lot and I wouldn't mind living there in the future. I've spent long periods of time the city and I think it's small (compared to other province capitals its once of the smallest), but very welcoming. It's also a city with many hidden gems, there is something to be discovered with each step taken through the historic streets, making it a truly unique place.

I would of course recommend it as a place to live, especially for students. Segovia is popular in the academic world, everyday there are more and more students, nonnatives in particular, arriving to spend a year here. The University of Segovia campus actually belongs to the University of Valladolid, so your chosen degree depends on what is offered by Valladolid (UVA).

Segovia is full of history, a medieval atmosphere has been expertly preserved while at the same time allowing it to be a modern city. Romantics would appreciate all that the city has to offer. During the winter months it's very cold, but scarily hot in summer, but that's normal throughout Castilla y León. The population is around 50, 000, so one of the smallest provincial capitals in Spain but for tourists there's a hundred and one things to see. The locals are known for being harsh and tough, but truthfully we are big softies and if you not from around here people will point you in the right direction or help you get where you're going. Tourists are especially well looked after since they bring in a lot of money to the city.

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It's also very easy to get to Segovia from Madrid and vice versa (I imagine the majority of people would fly to Madrid). Segovia is less than an hour from Madrid by car and has good public transport links with the capital (both train and bus). In fact, a lot of people who live in Segovia take the high-speed train to Madrid every day for work. To get to Valladolid and areas further north there's also a lot of transport links. Asides from the Segovia-Valladolid train there are buses every day and of course the 'pinares' motorway connecting the two cities and takes you further to Palencia or Burgos.

How is the student life in Segovia?

As I mentioned before there are more and more students in Segovia these days, not as many as in Valladolid or Salamanca for example but percentage-wise this number is increasing. It's become popular in the academic sphere despite the fact that some years ago it was known for being a boring city. Nowadays this reputation has been left behind and many students from other cities come to Segovia for a night out.

There isn't a very wide choice in terms of academic studies, but you can study degrees from all disciplines from law to admin, business management, marketing, international relations and tourism. The young people normally hang around the city centre, the “old town” where you'll find most of the bars and where you'll find people out in the streets when the weather's nice.

Since the new campus in Segovia was built and a wider range of degree courses was offered, many prefer now to go to Segovia over Valladolid, or they simply prefer one of the degrees offered in Segovia instead. The total number of university students in the city is over 2, 500 and this is increasing every year.

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What is the cost of living in Segovia?

The cost of living in Segovia isn’t expensive when compared to other nearby cities or Spain as a whole. Renting a shared three-bed flat can cost around €160-180 per month and you can always find flats that are cheaper. In terms of expenses like food, it's no higher than in Valladolid, Salamanca or Avila. However, bear in mind that in winter you'll have heating to pay for but that’s the same for most people in Spain.

A night out in Segovia doesn't cost a lot, €20 is plenty. If were talking about Madrid on the other hand, you could hardly leave home with just €20. With a monthly budget of €300-350 and provided you don't have any big expenditures, you can live comfortably.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Segovia? Do you have any advice?

It's not too difficult but there’s less availability than in other cities. Being a smaller city there are fewer flats to rent and so its more difficult to find the ideal flat in the ideal area of the city. Even so, there’s always adverts online and its not too hard for students to find a shared flat.

One piece of advice that I've given before is try to find a flat before the semester begins. Search like crazy during June/July since the best flats will be empty around this time and you can choose the one you like best.

How is the food? What are your favourite dishes?

Spanish cuisine is the best in the world, which says it all. If Segovia is famous for anything it's that they eat well. I'm not going to tell Erasmus students to eat suckling pig every day, but at least once during your stay you should allow yourself the luxury of going to eat at one of the many restaurants the city has to offer. You can also go out for tapas and stop by some of the good quality bars in the centre.

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I have a lot of favourite dish and I could write a never-ending list but if you want to try something that is 100% authentic Spanish, try tortilla (Spanish omelette). But don't be fooled if they serve you one of those pre-cooked ones which don’t taste of anything. The foreign students must of course try the Segovian suckling pig, traditional foods like Iberian ham and chorizo, cured cheese, paella…endless options.

Where would you recommend visiting in Segovia?

There are many places but I think there are two which are essential for anyone living here for a while and that need to be visited at least a couple of times. The first is the aqueduct, one of the symbols of the city, and being in the middle of the city is free to visit. It is a well preserved piece of Roman architecture which you can't miss if you go by the centre.

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Second is the Alcázar, the Royal residence which is nowadays one of the most visited castles/museums in the country. The entry fee isn't expensive and when you have a guest you need to take them there, no questions. It costs €7. 50 for the tour which includes the Tower of Juan II and access to the museum and palace, but if you want you can pay for these separately; €5. 50 for the museum and palace and just €2 for the tower. The last time I was there it was under construction but I think it's now finished. There’s free entrance for those born in Segovia, but I doubt that applies to any Erasmus student.

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Then there's also the Cathedral, but in comparison with the Alcazar isn't as impressive, or la Casa de la Moneda (Royal Mint), the Jewish quarter, the many churches around the city, Calle Juan Bravo, the Plaza Mayor, Casa de los Picos... there's many things to see and visit in Segovia so it's just as well that you're there for a long time since it means you'll have time to see everything.

What about eating out in Segovia? Can you tell us some of your favourite places?

For traditional Segovian food everyone recommends one of the famous restaurants in the city like Mesón Cándido or Restaurante Duque amongst others. Personally, the one I really like is called Narizotas which can be found in the Plaza Medina del Campo, to get there you walk up from the Plaza del Azoguejo where the aqueduct is most visible, towards the Plaza Mayor and then along Calle Juan Bravo.

Another restaurant with good food is El Bernardino, it's quite expensive and not the normal restaurant to go for a meal with friends. Rather, for a celebration like when your parents come to visit and you want to surprise them (as long as they’re paying! ). For a meal with friends perhaps the best place is Bon Appétit, just beside the aqueduct. The food is less "Segovian", with more French, vegetarian and Mediterranean food... the food is good I don’t think it costs more than €15 per person. You always have other tacky options like Foster's Hollywood or other chains but it's seen as a bit of a crime in Segovia.

Where would you recommend for a night out in Segovia?

I think the best area for a night out in Segovia is Calle Infanta Isabel, where you'll find loads of bars and clubs. Nearby in the Jewish quarter there are two or three bars with interesting drinks. But if in Segovia for a visit, you must go on one of the important fiesta days like the Titirimundi (puppet theatre) week or the university 'nochevieja' (New Year's Eve) which has been celebrated for a few years now.

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Any advice for students going to Segovia in the future?

Put simply, enjoy the city! Even though its not very big, it has a lot to offer. Above all, try to make friends with a group of Spaniards, preferably Segovians, they will be your best guide to the city.

I would also say make the most of your time here and visit a nearby city like Ávila, Valladolid or Salamanca and of course spend a day in Madrid. You can also visit one of the many historic towns in the province and of course the Royal Palace of la Granja de San Ildefonso which is just over 10 minutes by car from the city, where you can see the Palace and the surrounding gardens and fountains.

Adiós!

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