Student Accommodation Florence

Florence is one of the most popular student destinations in Italy, welcoming over 30,000 learners from around the globe. This is largely due to the presence of a prestigious institution, the University of Florence, a highly regarded public research university in the heart of Tuscany. A major concern for students is securing the right housing in Florence, with weekly rents typically ranging between €150 and €250.

Several excellent neighbourhoods offer student rooms, including San Lorenzo, Santa Croce, Santo Spirito, and Novoli. These areas provide various room types, such as shared apartments, en-suite and non en-suite rooms, and private studio apartments. Well-known student residences in Florence include IL Santo, S4 Stays, and Torregalli.

However, finding the best out of so many properties might be a hassle for students. This is where University Living comes to the rescue of students. With over 10+ years of experience in the accommodation abroad industry, we’ve helped at least 2,000,000 students find their home away from home. Therefore, if you are an international student looking for a home in Florence, you are at the right place.

In order to boost convenience and provide students with better options in terms of type of properties, the student accommodation in Italy is divided into 2 basic types, namely: Student Housing and Private Apartments. Both of these have their own pros and cons and therefore are suited for different sets of people with different budgets. Student housing is further divided into 4 types, which have been detailed in brief below:

Student Housing

Also popularly called as PBSAs (Purpose-Built Student Accommodations), these are special properties that are made specifically for student accommodation in Florence. The best part about these properties is that their rent includes major utility bills like electricity, water, gas, and Wi-Fi bills, along with several facilities that students might require while pursuing their education in the city. To cater to the needs of students with all sorts of economic background, PBSAs are further divided into 4 types which also have been explained briefly below:

• Shared Apartments: These are the most affordable type of student rooms in Florence. Students get to share a room with 2/3 other occupants along with a shared washroom, living room, and a kitchen. Since everything is shared, the per-person costs turn out to be incredibly low.
• En-Suite Accommodations: These are the most preferred type of student apartments in Florence. In these properties, students get to have an entire room to themselves that is attached to a washroom and comes with a shared living room and kitchen.
• Non En-Suite Accommodations: These properties are very similar to En-Suite Accommodations. The only difference between the two is that, unlike its counterpart, a Non-En-Suite Accommodation does not come with an attached washroom. Students get a personal room, but the washroom, living room, and kitchen are shared among all occupants of the property.
• Studio Apartments: These are the most comfortable and private student apartments in Florence. In these properties, students get to have an entire unit to themselves that comes with a bed, bathroom, and a kitchen.

Private Apartments

Private Apartments are the most comfortable type of student properties in Florence. These are not a part of PBSAs and are leased out on an individual basis as independent units. Students who book these properties get the entire apartment with 2/3 rooms with attached washrooms, a living room, and a kitchen to themselves. Students must note that the rent for these properties does not include any utility bills like electricity, water, or gas. Every expense is on top of the rent you already pay. These properties are suited for both university students and working professionals.

Florence, Italy, is the birthplace of the Renaissance and an open-air museum filled with breathtaking art, architecture, and history. Located in the heart of Tuscany, this compact, walkable city is famous for its stunning red-tiled Duomo (the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore), the iconic Ponte Vecchio bridge lined with jewelry shops, and world-class art galleries like the Uffizi (home to Botticelli's "Birth of Venus") and the Accademia (home to Michelangelo's "David"). Unlike the chaotic, sprawling energy of Rome or the fast-paced business of Milan, Florence feels elegant, romantic, and deeply cultural, with every corner revealing centuries of artistic genius. The cost of living is moderate to high, especially in the historic center, which is always crowded with tourists.

Florence is also famous for its delicious Tuscan cuisine, including hearty ribollita soup, bistecca alla fiorentina (huge T-bone steak), and simple, perfect pasta dishes. Beyond the art and food, the city offers stunning sunset views from Piazzale Michelangelo, relaxing walks along the Arno River, and easy day trips to the rolling hills of Chianti wine country or the leaning tower of Pisa. Florence's motto could be: Renaissance masterpieces, Tuscan sun, and art on every corner.

Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, and has calm and serene neighbourhoods that feel like home. Although there are several great neighbourhoods in the city and students can stay anywhere they feel good, it is recommended that they stay in the neighbourhoods that already have an established student population. This is because in case of any concerns or emergencies, students can reach out to their peers immediately.

San Lorenzo

One of the best neighbourhoods for student accommodations in Florence is San Lorenzo, and it is located just a short 5-minute walk from the University of Florence! This neighbourhood is the heart of student life in Florence. It is the best suited for students who wish to live near the hustle-bustle of city life and prefer convenience over rental costs! Although San Lorenzo can be noisy and tourist-packed, the energy is unmatched, and the convenience is unbeatable. This neighbourhood has a very raw and authentic Italian vibe. One of the best places to be in the neighbourhood is Mercato Centrale, or the Central Market, which is considered the holy grail for student dining in Florence. The ground floor is a traditional covered market selling fresh pasta, cheese, meat, and produce at fair prices, while the first floor boasts modern food halls with dozens of stalls serving everything from €5 pizza to fresh pasta and truffle dishes. The neighbourhood is also home to one of the most legendary American-style bars in the city, the Red Garter, which is famous for its karaoke nights on Tuesdays, cheap drinks, and a lively crowd of international and Erasmus students. The walls have been covered in dollar bills and memorabilia for decades. One of the best hangout spots in the neighbourhood, which is frequented by students, is the Piazza del Mercato Centrale, where students sit on the steps, eat their market purchases, drink cheap beer from nearby shops, and watch the world go by. Especially lively in the evenings and on weekends! The average rent for student properties in the neighbourhood ranges between €2000 and €2500 per month!

Santa Croce

Located towards the east of the city center, another one of the top neighbourhoods for student housing in Florence is Santa Croce and is the second-best choice for the students of the University of Florence. The university is located just a short 10-minute walk from the neighbourhood, and is one of the most vibrant and student-populated areas in Florence! Several affordable trattorias, aperitivo bars, and small shops adorn the streets of Santa Croce, and hence, it is one of the top choices for students in the city! One of the best hangout spots in the neighbourhood is the Piazza Sant'Ambrogio, which is considered to be the epicentre of student nightlife in Santa Croce. This square and its surrounding streets are packed with bars and restaurants where students gather for aperitivo (€8-10 for a drink plus unlimited buffet snacks). The famous Sant'Ambrogio market operates here during the day, which is famous for selling good, sumptuous meals! Another one of the top places to visit in Santa Croce is the Basilica di Santa Croce, which is the burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. While a major tourist site, the piazza outside is a popular student meeting point, and the church often hosts classical concerts with student discounts for entry! If you are a steak lover, Acqua Al Due shall be your go-to place, as this is a beloved and famous restaurant in Florence, which specializes in aged balsamic vinegar steak and blueberry steak. It's moderately priced and incredibly popular with students. Reservations are recommended, and the "salad sampler" starter is quite famous. Santa Croce also houses one of Florence’s most famous nightclubs, YAB (You Are Beautiful). The club features multiple floors playing everything from commercial hits to house music. The average rent for student properties in Santa Croce ranges between €1800 and €2200 per month!

Santo Spirito

One of the coolest neighbourhoods for student apartments in Florence is Santa Spirito, which is located a short 15-minute walk from the University of Florence. This is Florence's bohemian, artisan heart, and it's widely considered the city's most authentic neighbourhood. Santo Spirito is famous for its artisan workshops, family-run trattorias, and a slower, more local pace of life! The neighbourhood also houses some of the top PBSAs in the city and has everything a student might need while pursuing their education in the city! The best hangout spots in Santo Spirito is Piazza Santo Spirito, which is the social heart of the neighbourhood. This lively square is filled with students every evening, sitting on the church steps, drinking wine from nearby shops, and chatting. The square hosts a morning market and, on weekends, antiques and vintage markets. Numerous bars and casual restaurants can be spotted near the square! Who doesn’t love library cafes, and one of the best of these in Florence is the Libreria Cafe La Cite, which is a beloved, bohemian cafe-library that is filled floor-to-ceiling with books, vintage furniture, and local art. Students come here to study during the day and for drinks and live music at night. The cafe also sells excellent coffee, pastries, and a very relaxed vibe. The neighbourhood is also home to one of the top bars in the city, Golden View Open Bar. This magnificent restaurant and bar is located right on the Arno River with spectacular views of the Ponte Vecchio. This bar is a popular spot for a slightly upscale dinner or an aperitivo with an unforgettable view and is famous for its cheesecake! The average rent for student properties in the neighbourhood ranges between €1500 and €2000 per month!

Novoli

One of the most affordable neighbourhoods for student rooms in Florence is Novoli, and it houses the Novoli campus of the University of Florence! Located northwest of the city centre, this neighbourhood is far from the tourist crowds and offers a completely different living experience. Novoli is indeed one of the quietest, greenest, and most suburban neighbourhoods in Florence! The vibe of the neighbourhood is calm and functional, and ideal for students who prioritise study over nightlife. The neighbourhood also houses Parco delle Cascine, one of Florence's largest public park, located along the Arno River. Students visit the park for jogging, cycling, picnics, and studying on the grass. On Sundays, a massive flea market fills the park and is attended by students and locals alike! If you wish to go on a shopping spree, the Novoli Shopping Centre is the best place to be at, and is a large, modern shopping mall with a supermarket (Esselunga), clothing stores, electronics shops, a cinema, and a food court. A lifesaver for grocery shopping and errands without navigating the historic centre's crowds. The average rent for student properties in the Novoli ranges between €1400 and €1800 per month!

Florence is one of the most affordable cities to live in Italy in terms of cost of living. The city has everything in every budget for everyone. Although the cost of living is a personal concept that is determined by the lifestyle a student lives and the sort of expenses they incur, if students plan their budget accordingly and manage their expenses properly, they can expect to spend a month in Florence in well under €1700. The table below highlights some of the major expenses that students might undertake while studying in the city.

Note: These figures are tentative and may change based on the actual expenses that students make. For a better idea on the exact numbers for the cost of living in Florence, students can use University Living’s exclusive cost of living calculator.

When it comes to top student accommodations in Florence, there are a plethora of options to choose from. These properties are located close to the city centre and some of the top universities in the city, and everything from a needle to a bed can be found near these properties. There are several properties for students in Florence under €350/wk, and have been mentioned briefly below:

• IL Santo

• S4 Stays

• Torregalli

• Yugo Florentia Living

• Barbano

• Guasti

• Manifattura

Book the top student properties in Florence at unbelievable prices, only at University Living!

Florence is home to over 200,000 people, out of whom more than 15% are students. Therefore, in order to make daily commute easier for these people, the city boasts an extensive network of public transit systems that act as a lifeline for the residents of the city. The city boasts a vast network of bus and train services that provide last-mile connectivity throughout the city. Let’s discuss these in brief.

ATAF Buses

One of the primary modes of public transit in the city is the ATAF Bus services! As the name suggests, these are managed by the Azienda Trasporti Area Fiorentina. These services reach every corner of Florence, including remote neighbourhoods, and services run from early morning until midnight, with limited night service on select routes. A single one-way ticket costs €1.50, while the monthly pass costs €35.00! The best part is that the Studente della Toscana student pass costs just €252 per month!

Tramvia (Florence Tram)

One of the fastest and most reliable modes of public transit in the city is Tramvia. These modern trams began operations in 2010 and serve 2 lines that cater to almost the entire city, namely the T1 and T2 Lines! These services are quite frequent, and trams run every 4 minutes during peak hours, from approximately 5:00 am to midnight. The Tram services connect major destinations like Santa Maria Novella train station, the city center, important suburbs, along with the airport.

Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and is known for its spectacular views. It has some great attractions for tourists and residents in the city. Every year, millions of tourists visit the city to explore some of the best museums and galleries in Italy. These places act as a source of recreation for students, and most of these places do not charge any entry fees from students if they carry a valid student ID Card. Here are some of the top tourist attractions in the city:

The Duomo Complex & Brunelleschi's Dome

One of the most iconic spots in the city, and was once the largest cathedral in Europe, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Duomo, is one of the most visited places in the city! The best part about this cathedral is that its red-tiled dome, engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi, remains the largest masonry vault in the world. If you are able to climb 463 steps to the top of the cathedral, you get to adore a 360° panoramic view of Florence. Although no lifts are available, the view is unmatched.

Piazzale Michelangelo & San Miniato al Monte

Designed by Giuseppe Poggi in 1869, Piazzale Michelangelo is Florence's most famous panoramic viewpoint and features bronze replicas of Michelangelo's works, including the iconic David. Just above this, sits the Romanesque Basilica of San Miniato al Monte, one of Florence's oldest churches. The viewpoint provides a great breathtaking, postcard-perfect view of Florence's skyline with the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Arno River below. Not just this, the famous Giardino delle Rose Garden sits pretty close to the point, and is a must visit!

The Oltrarno District & Piazza Santo Spirito

One of the best places to be in the city is the Oltrarno District & Piazza Santo Spirito. This is considered to be the artisan heart of Florence, and is home to craftsmen's workshops, nightlife, and a more authentic, local atmosphere. This is a lively square filled with student clubs, cafes, and bars, and even hosts a morning market. On the third Sunday of each month, the Fierucola di Santo Spirito (organic and artisanal market) is set up at this area and is frequented by students and locals alike!