Student Accommodation in Coimbra

Also known as Portugal’s historic “student city”, Coimbra has seen a strong increase in the demand for student housing. With a steady increase in the number of international students, the occupancy levels in the city are around 79.54%. Because of this, finding reliable student accommodation in Coimbra has become a difficult task. To make things easier, University Living helps students who are studying at universities such as the University of Coimbra and Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, find a place near the campus. We are known for offering a simple booking process along with clear pricing for different types of student rooms such as ensuites, non-ensuites, studios and shared apartments.

Some of the popular student apartments in Coimbra include Livensa Living Coimbra Rio, Estrada da Beira, Avenida Doutor Bissaya Barreto, and many others. Prices of these usually range from €360- €1,356/month. Furthermore, we keep the safety of international students our top priority by offering 24/7 security along with modern amenities such as rooftop terraces, gyms, cinema rooms, and swimming pools. Along with housing, UL Infinity also offers pre- and post-admission services. This includes things like airport transfers, guarantor support, luggage storage, and student discount cards, making the move to university life smoother and more convenient.

Famously known as the “City of Students”, Coimbra offers a unique mixture of history and student life. Its architecture stands out because of limestone Romanesque cathedrals and narrow, winding Moorish-style streets, all of them leading to the University of Coimbra. So, when it comes to student housing in Coimbra, they combine traditional designs with modern interiors. Because of this, the city feels both academic and lively at the same time. When exploring your options, Student accommodation Portugal is mainly divided into two categories, making it easier for students to choose based on their needs and budget:

Student Housing (PBSAs): These are all purposefully built to cater the academic lifestyle of students. Most of them follow an all-inclusive rental system covering water, electricity and high-speed Wi-Fi in one monthly payment. Within this, you can choose from:

• Ensuite Rooms: Perfect for those who prefer both solo and community living. In here, you will get a private bedroom with an attached bathroom while sharing fully equipped kitchen and living area with other flatmates. These typically range from €70 to €130 per week.

• Studios: Serving as a premier unit, here you will get total privacy. Having a bed, kitchen, and bathroom are ideal for independent living. They are usually priced between €110 and €220 per week.

• Non-Ensuites: Acting as a budget friendly choice, here you will get a private bedroom but will be sharing bathroom and kitchen facilities with other students. Their prices typically range from €45 to €80 per week.

• Shared Apartments: Especially designed for those who are moving in with friends, these are units that allow you to share every living space including bedroom with your friends. Their starting price is around €40 per week.

Private Apartments: These are traditional residential flats or houses that consist of a kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom. While here you have to manage your own utility bills, these do offer a high level of independence, which makes it a worth it option. They are often preferred by working professionals, students, as well as couples who want to live together.

Ready to find your perfect home away from home? Find My Kinda Room with University Living and secure your dream student accommodation Coimbra today!

As an ancient academic city located right next to the beautiful Mondego River, Coimbra has served as Portugal’s medivial capital. At the heart of the city, you will find the University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was founded in 1290, attracting over 37,000 students every year. Out of which, 5,400 international students are from 118 nationalities. The city’s landscape is defined by its steep hills and its location near the Lousa Mountains, giving it a unique and scenic environment. At the same time, Coimbra’s economy is supported by a strong healthcare sector and a growing tech industry, mainly centered around the Instituto Pedro Nunes, which is known for supporting innovation and startups.

Coimbra is also considered a safe place to live, with a safety index of around 74.45. It is known for offering steady job opportunities. Thus, making it a popular choice for students studying courses like Law, Medicine, and Engineering. Additionally, the city is full of iconic landmarks such as the Joanina Library and the Se Velha, which add to its historic charm. Over the times, several visitors have found themselves getting attracted to areas like the Alta and the lively Baixa.

For those who are looking for a great Student accommodation Coimbra, modern areas like Solum and Santa Clara offer a good mix of traditional and modern living, while keeping students close to institutions like the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra. At the same time, students benefit from a more affordable lifestyle, as utility costs and dining are generally cheaper compared to major European cities.

Offering several types of student housing in Coimbra, when students start living in these spaces, they become part of a global community, as international students make up over 18% of the university population. With several people coming from more than 100 countries, these accommodations are designed to support students in their studies. That is why they offer several useful features such as high-speed internet, soundproof study pods, and multimedia social lounges. For students who prefer a more premium lifestyle, many modern buildings also offer extras such as rooftop swimming pools, 24-hour gyms, cinema rooms, and games zones with billiards and gaming consoles. Living in these student rooms in Coimbra also makes life easier because every utility cost here is included in one monthly payment. At the same time, the city offers options for different budgets ranging from €360- €1365/month. Below are some of the top student accommodation Coimbra:

1. Livensa Living Coimbra Rio

2. Estrada da Beira - 1517220

3. Avenida Doutor Bissaya Barreto - 1087742

4. Rua António Bentes - 1280704

5. Rua Diogo Castilho - 1106537

Coimbra is shaped by its dramatic landscape, making it both scenic and historic place to be at. The streets here are often filled with students wearing the traditional black capes of the traje, reflecting its deep-rooted academic culture. At the same time, the city is easy to explore on foot. Its layout encourages a social lifestyle, where squares and riverside parks naturally become popular meeting spots. With students making up more than 25% of the total population, it is known for creating a highly energetic student atmosphere. In addition, the city plays a key role in healthcare, with 13.9 resident doctors per 1,000 inhabitants, making it a strong centre for medical studies. Following are some of the best areas to live in Coimbra:

1. Praça da República: It is the main social hub of Coimbra, known for its lively atmosphere. Located right in the city centre, it is just a 5 to 10-minute uphill walk (around 600m) from the University of Coimbra, which makes it very popular among students. Especially famous for hosting the Queima das Fitas festival, it is close to the beautiful Jardim da Sereia, where students often relax. Because of its central location, the area is also a food hotspot, with popular student places like Cafe Tropical, known for its affordable outdoor seating. Other than that, there is a place called Kroisant, which is popular for brunch, along with many traditional Portuguese “tascas.” At the same time, this area works as a key transport point, offering easy connectivity to different parts of the city, while still keeping its cultural identity through its traditional Fado music performances and academic celebrations. Because of its prime location and the high demand for Student housing Coimbra, accommodation here is slightly more expensive, with prices usually ranging from €300 to €550 per month.

2. Baixa (Downtown): With a lively and pedestrian-friendly atmosphere, Baxia acts as the main commercial centre of the city. It is located in the city centre and is about a 10 to 15-minute walk from the University of Coimbra. One of the biggest highlights of the area is its riverside charm, especially the Parque Verde do Mondego, a large green space where students spend time playing volleyball, having picnics, or going for sunset runs. The food scene here is also very popular, with places like Cafe Santa Cruz, known for its beautiful interiors and live Fado music. Along with that, it has busy Mercado Municipal D. Pedro V, where students can buy fresh local produce. Because many buildings in this area are quite old and vary in condition, Student housing Coimbra here is relatively affordable, with rent usually between €250 to €370 per month (€58 to €85 per week). This makes it a great choice for students who want to stay close to the train station and central shops.

3. Solum (Santo António dos Olivais): Offering a more modern and peaceful residential environment, it is often preferred by senior students or those who want a quieter and more organised lifestyle. Located about 2 to 3 km from the historic centre, which means a 15 to 20-minute walk or a short 5-minute bus ride to the university, and it is also ideal for students studying at places like the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra or Polo III (Medicine). This area is known for its mix of modern lifestyle and calm surroundings, with places like Alma Shopping for shopping and the peaceful Penedo da Saudade, where students can relax and enjoy views along with engraved poems left by past graduates. The cafe culture here is also trendy, with spots like Salatina and Nata Lisboa offering stylish spaces for studying or group work. For student accommodation Coimbra, Solum is known for high-quality shared apartments and modern residences, with stable prices usually ranging between €280 to €380 per month (€65 to €88 per week).

Living in Coimbra is quite affordable with total cost of living usually between €1,450 to €2,200 per month including private rent. However, students who choose shared housing can live more comfortably on a lower budget of around €650 to €950 per month. In fact, the city is considered one of the most budget-friendly student cities in Portugal, as overall consumer prices are about 45% lower than in Lisbon, and grocery costs are also much cheaper than the average across the EU. To save money, students can make good use of their Cartão de Estudante, which offers big discounts on public transport and museum entry. Another easy way to cut costs is by choosing the “Prato do Dia” at local tascas, where you can get a full meal for under €8. At the same time, your actual monthly expenses will depend on your lifestyle, especially whether you choose premium Student rooms Coimbra or more affordable ones outside the city centre. Below is the estimated breakdown of cost of living in Coimbra:

To plan your budget better, you can use the University Living Cost of Living Calculator to get a personalised estimate based on your needs. This will help you manage your expenses more effectively while studying abroad.

The transportation system in Coimbra, Portugal is designed to connect the steep medieval “Alta” area with several modern parts near the river. Because of the hills around, the city mainly depends on an eco-friendly network of trolleybuses and buses run by SMTUC, which helps students move easily across areas with slopes of around 13% in the historic centre. In fact, Coimbra is one of the few cities in Portugal that still uses electric trolleybuses, which helps in reducing local transport emissions by about 20%. This system is especially useful for those living in Student housing Coimbra, as it connects major residential areas with the three main university campuses, Polo I, II, and III. Below are the various mediums of transportation in Coimbra, Portugal:

1. SMTUC Bus and Trolleybus Network: It is the main transport system in the city, running regularly from 6:00 AM to midnight. The “Linha Azul” (Blue Line) continues thier service in the historic centre and Baixa late at night. Important routes like 34 and 103 help students reach the University of Coimbra (Polo I) and Polo III (Medicine), while Route 38 connects directly to Polo II (Engineering). A single ticket costs about €1.60, but students under 23 can get a Sub23 discount card, which reduces the monthly pass from €30 to just €12.

2. Comboios de Portugal (CP Trains): This is a short but important connection between Coimbra-A and Coimbra-B stations. The trains here run after every 15 to 20 minutes, and the journey takes just 4 minutes, making it the fastest way to reach the main railway hub for travel to Lisbon or Porto. A single ticket costs around €1.35, and students with a valid ID can get a 25% discount on national train journeys, which is helpful for weekend travel across Portugal.

3. Walking and cycling: These are the most common options, especially in the UNESCO-listed “Alta” district, where narrow, car-free streets lead directly to faculties like Law and Letters. Walking is free and often the easiest way to get to class from nearby Student housing Coimbra. While cycling here is popular along the flat 4 km riverside path at Parque Verde do Mondego, it is directly connected to the Santa Clara area. Bike rentals are affordable at around €2 per hour, and the city is also adding more “eco-hubs” to support sustainable travel between different university campuses.

Also called the “City of Knowledge”, Coimbra acts as the travel destination where more than 700 years of academic history shapes a culture that is extremely hard to find these days. The city’s overall identity is built around Praxe, a set of student traditions that influences the lives of thousands of students. Because of this, the whole city feels like a live space, especially during the emotional performances of Coimbra Fado, while tourism continues to grow with over 600,000 visitors every year. Students are attracted to Coimbra because it offers a “big city” experience but at a much lower cost, which is one of the best among student cities in Europe. This mix of architecture and a nightlife scene, generates over €30 million during the Queima das Fitas festival, making Coimbra a major attraction for international visitors. Following are some of the best tourist attractions in Coimbra for students:

1. Portugal dos Pequenitos: This park opened in 1940 and is one of the most visited cultural places in Portugal, with over 200,000 visitors each year. It shows small-scale versions of Portuguese houses, monuments, and colonial landmarks. The student ticket costs €10.50 (standard €14.95), and it’s easy to reach by Bus 14 or 38 to Santa Clara. Students enjoy it for both history and photography.

2. Igreja de Santa Cruz: Founded in 1131, this National Pantheon is an important historical church with Romanesque and Manueline architecture. It contains the tombs of Portugal’s first two kings. Entry to the church is free, and the cloisters cost about €3. It is located in Baixa, and students often visit Cafe Santa Cruz nearby for studying and listening to Fado music.

3. Jardim Botânico: Created in 1772, this 13-hectare garden is one of the oldest in the world. It has over 1,200 plant species, bamboo forests, and historic greenhouses. Entry is free, and it is just 5 minutes from Polo I, making it a peaceful study spot for those living in Student accommodation Coimbra.

4. Mosteiro de Santa Clara-a-Velha: This 13th-century Gothic monastery was abandoned due to flooding from the Mondego River and later restored through a €15 million project. Students can visit the ruins and museum for €2.50 (standard €5). It is especially popular among history and architecture students.

5. Forum Coimbra: This is the largest shopping and leisure centre in the region, attracting around 9 million visitors every year. Students visit for shopping and for the free rooftop terrace, which offers a great view of the city. It is located about a 10-minute bus ride (Routes 14T, 22) from the city centre, with fares starting at around €0.80.