Granada is, first and foremost, a university city. It has a population of 240,000 people, over 65,000 of whom are students, lecturers, researchers and administrative staff at the University of Granada. This means that a wide range of accommodation options are available to international students.
Accommodation Office
The Accommodation Office (Oficina de Gestión de Alojamientos) offers guidance to the university community on accommodation options in Granada, which include flats and apartments, private rooms, university residences, hostels and hotels, and a specific accommodation programme with elderly people.
Approximate costs
Granada is one of Europe's most affordable student cities. Spanish and international students normally share accommodation — usually in flats of between 2 to 4 people — as this is the cheapest option (approximately €200-€300 per month for a room).
Districts
City centre
Although rental prices are slightly more expensive in this area than in other parts of the city, it has comprehensive services and good transport connections. The faculties of Law; Translation and Interpreting; Political Science and Sociology; Social Work; Labour Relations and Human Resources; Architecture; as well as the Fuentenueva Campus, are all located in this area.
Ronda
Popular among university students, the Ronda district is close to the city centre and the cost of living is slightly lower than in the historic centre or Albaicín. This area has a wide range of shopping centres, cinemas, green areas, supermarkets and gyms.
Albaicín/Albayzín
The Albaicín (or Albayzín), which is a historic district and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most charming neighbourhoods in Granada, with wonderful views of the city. As it is both a residential and tourist area, it is also one of the most expensive districts in the city. Very few bus lines connect the Albaicín to the rest of the city so residents usually move around on foot.
Beiro, Chana and Norte
These districts are the farthest from the city centre, but rental prices are among the lowest in Granada. Moreover, the Beiro and Norte districts are close to the Cartuja Campus, while the Chana district is close to the Aynadamar Campus.
Zaidín and Genil
These are the southern districts of Granada. Increasing numbers of students are searching for accommodation in the Zaidín due to the presence of the new Health Sciences Technology Park (PTS) University Campus in this district.
Useful tips
- Start looking at accommodation options and contact the owners/tenants before your arrival.
- Visit and view the properties in person before signing a contract or giving a deposit.
- University residences and student residences are more expensive than shared flats, but generally include other services such as room cleaning, laundry and full or half board.
- Some residences, particularly colegios mayores (private student residences), have strict cohabitation rules. Make sure you read these rules before making any decisions.
- Find out if the flat is being advertised by the owner or a real estate agent. Real estate agents will charge a fee for their service, which is usually equivalent to the cost of one month's rent.
- Request receipts for all transactions and payments, including the deposit, and store them in a safe place.
Renting a flat or room
If you are planning to stay for a full term or academic year, sharing a flat with other students may be the best option. Private owners and real estate agencies publish their offers on multiple websites and social networks. You will also come across rental ads around the city and on faculty noticeboards.
Before renting a flat:
- Ask if the rent covers community fees (gastos de comunidad) — which are monthly charges that all flat owners pay for the general maintenance of a building in Spain —or if you have to pay for them separately. Centrally-heated homes usually have higher community fees.
- Ask approximately how much you will have to pay for electricity, gas and water.
- Ask how the hot water works. If it requires butane gas, bear in mind that butane cylinders will have to be purchased on a regular basis from distributors. Ask the owner how to purchase a new cylinder in your neighbourhood and always try to have a spare one at home.
- Ask how much the deposit is (normally a month's rent). If everything is in order at the end of the rental period, the landlord must return the deposit to you.
- In Granada, summers are very hot and winters quite cold. Keep this in mind and try to find out if the flat is well insulated and has central heating or air conditioning, etc.
- Read the rental contract very carefully and make sure you understand all of the terms and conditions.
- Most apartments and houses do not have fire alarms or smoke detectors, so be careful when using cookers, stoves, radiators and any other heating devices. Never leave your house or go to bed without turning them off. For additional safety, you could also buy and install a smoke detector.