0 Student halls of residence in Santiago de Compostela

The student residences in Santiago de Compostela are one of the most popular accommodation options for those who come to study in this historic Galician city. If you're looking for information about them, you've come to the right place! We give you all the details you need to know, from their advantages and disadvantages to the differences between private and university residences. We'll also give you tips on finding affordable options and answer the most common questions about this type of accommodation.

An important feature to highlight is the difference between residences and “Colegios Mayores”. While university residences primarily provide accommodation and basic services, “colegios mayores” offer a bigger approach that includes cultural and academic training, in addition to activities that promote students' personal and social development —the “colegios” tend to have more specific internal regulations and promote a greater sense of community and participation among students—.

Pros and cons of living in residences in Santiago de Compostela

In this section we mention the most relevant advantages and disadvantages of this type of accommodation in the Galician city:

Pros of living in student residences in Santiago de Compostela

• They’re usually close to the main academic centres, making mobility easy and saving time on travel.
• Santiago de Compostela is a city that welcomes a large number of students from Spain and other parts of the world, so you’ll be able to share a multicultural environment.
• Many residences include full board or half board, convenient in Santiago, where the Galician climate invites you to enjoy home-cooked and cozy meals without having to go out every day.
• Some organise cultural activities, excursions, and events because of their proximity to historical monuments and the rich cultural life of Santiago.
• Many offer support and advice in studies, useful for new students.
• Usually the rooms are furnished and ready to move in.
• Most of these residences include common use spaces like gyms, study rooms, and entertainment and leisure rooms.

Cons of living in student residences in Santiago de Compostela

• Some have schedule restrictions that can limit enjoying the nightlife and cultural events that often run late.
• They usually have strict rules about visits and behaviour, as well as daily life.
• They usually have small rooms, which can be uncomfortable as the rainy weather in Santiago encourages people to spend more time indoors.
• The rooms usually are quite generic and they don’t allow much personal decoration.
• Living with other students can generate noise and distractions, which can be a disadvantage when concentration is needed, especially during exam periods.
• During peak hours, it’s common to have more waiting time to access shared bathrooms and kitchens.
• Although they include basic services, some residences charge for additional services.

Private student residences in Santiago de Compostela

In this city, there’s a varied offer of student residences and Colegios Mayores in key areas of the city, especially in neighbourhoods like Ensanche, Campus Sur, and Conxo, which stand out for their proximity to the main university campuses and their good connection to the historic centre.

You can usually choose between single rooms and shared rooms in this type of residences. The former usually offer more privacy, but the latter are more affordable. The rooms are generally fully equipped with basic furniture and study areas with desks. However, pay close attention to the room specifications, as they often differ greatly in price depending on their size. In fact, the cheapest ones can be very small and uncomfortable.

Some of these private residences have common facilities such as gyms, libraries, recreation rooms, and outdoor spaces, which encourage spending time with other residents.

As for the services, the residences include amenities such as room cleaning, laundry, and Wi-Fi. In addition, some offer food service, which can be full board (including breakfast and two meals) or half board (breakfast and one meal). Additional options are also available in some residences, such as cultural activities and excursions, that help students integrate into the university community and city life.

Another fact to keep in mind is that in Santiago de Compostela there are religious student residences that offer accommodation and additional services in an environment based on specific values and principles. These residences are usually managed by religious congregations and may be exclusively oriented to female or male students, according to each institution.

University residences in Santiago de Compostela

In this city in Galicia, universities offer various accommodation options for students, normally located in neighbourhoods close to the historic centre and university areas, providing easy access to campuses.

The accommodation options they offer usually vary between single rooms and shared rooms. Normally, all of them are furnished, at least with the basics. However, keep in mind that the decor can be quite basic compared to private residences.

They usually also have a series of common facilities to share among residents. These often include study rooms, gyms, leisure areas, and outdoor spaces.

As far as the services offered, many of them are included in the rental cost, contemplating the cleaning of common areas, Internet, water, gas, etc. In addition, most of them offer the possibility of choosing a meal plan. The two most common plans are full board (breakfast and two meals) or half board (breakfast and one meal).

Many of the university residences in Santiago de Compostela also offer the option of additional services, like room cleaning or laundry. Sometimes these involve an extra charge.

Residences of the University of Santiago de Compostela

This institution has three residences (two in Santiago and one in Lugo) and three Colegios Mayores to which you can apply. The number of places offered for international students is usually limited, so they can’t guarantee that everyone who requests one will receive it.

In this article we share important information about accommodation near the University of Santiago de Compostela.

Rent cheap student residences in Santiago de Compostela

In the Erasmus Play search engine, you’ll find a wide selection of private student residences and other verified accommodations available for your stay in Santiago de Compostela. The options are spread across different areas of the city, allowing you to easily choose the ideal location based on your preferences.

FAQ's about student residences in Santiago de Compostela