a damp spanish adventure: budget student's take on this rainy town
just landed in this spanish town after a 12-hour bus ride from barcelona. my back hurts, my wallet's lighter, but hey, it's cheap. student budget means we take what we can get. this place smells like damp stone and sea salt. the locals say it rains 300 days a year, but honestly, it feels like 365. i'm starting to believe them.
Quick Answers
Q: Is this place worth visiting?
A: Honestly? It's a mixed bag. If you're into quiet vibes and nature, sure. But if you want excitement, you might get bored. It's not terrible, just... average.
Q: Is it expensive?
A: Surprisingly affordable for a European city. Hostels are cheap, food won't kill your wallet, but the touristy spots charge extra. Bring a student ID for discounts.
Q: Who would hate it here?
A: Party animals and adrenaline junkies. This place moves at a snail's pace. If you need constant stimulation or can't handle rain, you'll be miserable.
Q: Best time to visit?
A: Late spring or early fall. Summers get crowded and humid, winters are damp but quiet. Avoid rainy season if you hate being perpetually damp.
the temperature's hovering around 20 degrees celsius, which sounds nice until you factor in the 78% humidity. it's that sticky kind of warm where your clothes cling to you and your hair defies all logic. someone told me the humidity comes from the atlantic, which is like a 30-minute bus ride away. not exactly a beach destination, more of a "watch the rain from a cafe" kind of town.
i overhead a local at the market complaining that tourists ruin the "authentic" vibe, but then saw him taking photos of himself with the same tourists five minutes later. classic.
the city's got this medieval vibe that's kinda cool, but it's also kinda touristy. the main square has way too many souvenir shops selling the same crap. found this tiny alley though, away from the main drag, where locals actually eat. the food's good and cheap-paella for like 10 euros, which is practically a steal here. budget student win!
a bartender told me the city's nickname is "the damp one," and honestly, after three days of nonstop drizzle, i get it.
cost-wise, this place won't bankrupt you. hostels start at 15 euros a night, public transport is cheap, and even fancy-looking cafes won't charge you an arm and a leg for coffee. the only expensive thing is the tourist traps-like that 8-euro ice cream cone i saw someone buying. ripoff.
heard from a student who's been studying here for six months that the locals are either super friendly or completely ignore you. no in-between. weird.
the weather's tricky. it's not hot enough for a beach vacation, not cold enough for a cozy winter getaway, just perpetually damp. packing light is impossible because you need both rain gear and something for that rare sunny day. locals told me to bring two of everything because nothing dries properly here.
safety-wise, it feels pretty safe during the day. at night, the empty streets get a bit sketchy, but nothing dangerous ever happened to me or my friends. just keep your eyes open, especially near the train station where sketchy characters hang out. my hostel owner said pickpocketing happens in the main square, so keep your wallet in your front pocket.
tourist vs local experience is night and day. tourists stick to the obvious spots-cathedral, main square, those overpriced restaurants. locals know where the good food is, the hidden parks, the free events. i made friends with a local student who showed me the city's best kept secrets, like this rooftop bar with 360-degree views for the price of a cheap beer.
cost of living is low compared to other european cities. you can survive on 30 euros a day if you're smart about it-hostels, street food, free museums on certain days. the expensive part is alcohol. a beer can cost up to 5 euros in touristy areas, but locals pay half that if they know where to go.
nearby cities like santiago de compostela are a day trip away by bus-like 20 euros round trip. worth it if you've seen everything here. orla is another option, smaller but with better beaches. locals say the beaches aren't great though, too rocky for swimming.
the best part? nobody rushes. you can sit in a cafe for hours nursing one drink, nobody cares. it's a welcome change from the hustle of barcelona or madrid. my back still hurts from that bus ride though. next time, i'm flying, budget be damned.
the vibe is chill but not exciting. if you're looking for adventure, this ain't it. but if you want to relax, read books, drink cheap wine, and watch the rain, it's perfect. someone told me the fog rolls in around october and stays until april. not sure if that's true, but i'm not sticking around to find out.
overheard a tourist complaining there's nothing to do. locals just shrugged and said "that's the point." i think i get it now.
final thoughts: this place isn't for everyone. it's not exciting, it's expensive if you do touristy things, and you'll probably get tired of the rain. but if you're a budget student looking for a break from partying, a place where you can just... exist, it might work. bring good rain gear and patience. that's about it.