🇪🇸
Granada
Spain
Free tapas, Alhambra views and a true student town.
🇪🇸
Malaga
Spain
Costa del Sol sunshine with a growing creative scene.
Estimated monthly student budget
🇪🇸 Granada
€700–950 / month
Estimated monthly student budget
🇪🇸 Malaga
€850–1,150 / month
Best for
🇪🇸 Granada
- Students with a tight budget
- Those looking for a very social Erasmus experience
- People who want to meet international students easily
Best for
🇪🇸 Malaga
- Students who prioritise climate and beach
- Those who want excellent quality of life
- People who want to travel frequently around Europe
Category profile
How each city tends to feel across the things students care about — different, not better or worse.
Very Affordable
Cost of Living
Moderate
Very High
Nightlife
Moderate
Very Good
Weather
Excellent
Moderate
Travel Opportunities
High
Outstanding
Student Life
Very Active
Comfortable
Housing
Tight
Strong
University Reputation
Well-Regarded
Student insights
🇪🇸 Granada
- One of the lowest costs of living in Spain
- Exceptional Erasmus atmosphere
- Very easy to make international friends
Student insights
🇪🇸 Malaga
- Exceptional climate all year round
- Direct access to urban beaches
- Very good international flight connections
Student voice — 🇪🇸 Granada
“I did Erasmus in Granada and it was the best experience of my life.”
Student voice — 🇪🇸 Malaga
“I did my Erasmus in Málaga and went to Madrid. Málaga was much better.”
🇪🇸 Granada
Pros
- One of the lowest costs of living in Spain
- Exceptional Erasmus atmosphere
- Very easy to make international friends
- Excellent value for money in accommodation
- Strong university identity
Cons
- Fewer international connections than other major cities
- More limited job market for students
- No beach within the city
- Winters can be colder than expected
- Less cultural and professional offer than Madrid or Barcelona
🇪🇸 Malaga
Pros
- Exceptional climate all year round
- Direct access to urban beaches
- Very good international flight connections
- Modern and increasingly international city
- Excellent quality of life
Cons
- Expensive and competitive housing
- Strong tourist pressure
- Less university atmosphere than other Erasmus destinations
- Higher cost of living than Granada or Seville
- Less feeling of a unified student community
Have you studied in one of these cities?
Share your experience and help future students make better Erasmus decisions.