Student Accommodation Lisbon

Lisbon is a major student city and the capitol of Portugal. The city is vibrant and is home to more than 80,000 students from more than 100 countries all across the globe. Every year, thousands of students apply to some of the top universities in the region, but only a few are able to make the cut. One of the main problems that these new international students face even before landing in Portugal is finding the right student accommodation in Lisbon.

There are several neighbourhoods in Lisbon for student accommodation, like Cidade Universitária, Arroios, Bairro Alto, and Campo de Ourique, with rent starting from just €557 per month. There are several room types like shared apartments, En-Suite/Non-En-Suite accommodations, and studio apartments to choose from. However, finding a good property among all these options might be a hassle.

This is when University Living comes into the picture. With over 10+ years of experience in the accommodation abroad industry and presence in more than 640 cities across the globe, we’ve helped more than 2,000,000 students till date find a perfect home in a totally new country! Therefore, if you are looking for student accommodation in Lisbon, you are at the right place!

In order to boost convenience and provide students with better options in terms of the type of properties, the student accommodation in Portugal is divided into 2 basic types, namely: Student Housing and Private Apartments. These types are common for student properties in Lisbon as well! 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 PBSAs (Purpose-Built Student Accommodations), these are special properties that are made specifically for student accommodation in Lisbon. 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 student capital. To cater to the needs of students with all sorts of economic backgrounds, PBSAs are further divided into 4 types, which are also explained briefly below:

• Shared Apartments: These are the most affordable type of student rooms in Lisbon. Students get to share a room with 2/3 other occupants along with a shared bathroom, living room, and 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 Lisbon. In these properties, students get to have an entire room to themselves along with a personal bathroom 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 a personal bathroom. Students get a personal room, but the bathroom, living room, and kitchen are shared among all occupants of the property.

• Studio Apartments: These are the most comfortable and private student apartments in Lisbon. 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 Lisbon. 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 bathrooms, 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.

Lisbon, Portugal, is a sunny, hilly, and colorful capital city built along the banks of the Tagus River. It is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, famous for its charming cobblestone streets, vintage yellow trams (especially Tram 28), and stunning views from miradouros (lookout points). Unlike big, fast-paced cities, Lisbon has a slow, relaxed rhythm where people enjoy long lunches, fresh seafood, and espresso at neighborhood cafes. The cost of living is lower than most other Western European capitals, making it very popular with students, remote workers, and expats.

Lisbon is known for its sad and beautiful music called Fado, its pastel-colored buildings, and the historic neighborhood of Belém, where you can try the famous custard tarts called pasties de nata. The city has a rich history of explorers, earthquakes, and rebuilds, but today it feels modern, creative, and welcoming. With mild winters, hot summers, and a beach just 20 minutes away by train, Lisbon offers a lifestyle full of sunshine, good food, and laid-back charm. Its motto could be: sunny hills, trams, and tarts.

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and is home to more than 80,000 students who live in some of the most aesthetic neighbourhoods in the region. The city is also home to several thousand students who are pursuing higher education in some of the top educational institutions in the city. Although students can live in any neighbourhood they deem fit, but it is recommended that they live in areas that already have an established student community so that they can reach out to their peers in case of any emergency or problems in the new city.

Cidade Universitária (University City)

Located in the Alvalade-Campo Grande area, one of the top neighbourhoods for student accommodation in Lisbon, is the Cidade Universitária! The University of Lisbon is a short 2-minute walk from the neighbourhood, and it even houses some of the main buildings of the university including the central library, numerous academic departments, research labs, and student services. This is a safe, elegant residential area where you can literally roll out of bed and walk to class. Cidade Universitaria is also home to the famous Jardim do Campo Grande,which is a large, beautiful park with a lake where students go for boat rides, jogging, picnics, and outdoor study sessions. Another major landmark in the city is the Campo Pequeno Bullring, which is an iconic red brick Moorish-revival building that now hosts concerts, exhibitions, and a cinema. One of the best spots that is frequented by students for breakfast and lunch is the Padaria Portuguesa, a popular budget-friendly bakery chain serving affordable breakfasts, fresh bread, and delicious Portuguese pastries and Custard tart! Cidade Universitaria also houses the biggest traditoinal markets in the city, the Alvalade Market which has everything from fresh produce, local delicacies, and small eateries. The perfect place for weekly grocery shopping! The average rent for student properties in Cidade Universitaria ranges between €1000 and €1200 per month!

Arroios

Another one of the top neighbourhoods for student rooms in Lisbon is Arroios, which is located at a short distance of just 2 miles from the NOVA University of Lisbon. Arroios is one of Lisbon's most vibrant and multicultural neighbourhoods, and was named the "coolest neighbourhood in the world" by Time Out in 2019. Arroios also has the highest concentration of students in the city, and therefore, is one of the most loved neighnourhoods in the city! Intendente, which is a sub-area within Arroios, has undergone significant regeneration and now offers restored buildings and modern PBSAs for students! One of the best places in the neighbourhood is the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, which is one of Lisbon's highest and most stunning viewpoints. Students prefer coming to this spot due to the spectacular sunset views that it has to offer. One of the best study spots in the city includes the Copenhagen Coffee Lab, a laptop-friendly cafe chain that offers good coffee, free Wi-Fi, and a productive work environment! Another one of the best places to visit in the city is Intendente Square, which is a revitalised public square surrounded by cafes and gardens. This place often hosts several events, markets, and is a popular meeting point for students living in the area. The average rent for student properties in Arroios ranges between €900 and €1200 per month!

Bairro Alto

Best suited for the students of IADE University, as the university is located a short 10-minute walk from the neighbourhood! Bairro Alto is considered to be one of the top neighbourhoods for student apartments in Lisbon as this is a legendary nightlife hub, which is quiet and charming during the day, but transforms in a maze of bars sprawling onto cobblestone streets during the night! It is best suited for students who want culture and social life at their doorstep. Opened in 1905, A Brasileira Café is the most famous historic cafe in Lisbon, and is known for its bronze statue of poet Fernando Pessoa outside. The neighbourhood is also home to the Pink Street, which is a famous street in the city and is lined with bars and clubs like Music Box and Jamaica. Open until early morning, this street is mostly popular for its Erasmus parties! If you’re every craving a pizza, you simple cannot afford to miss Madpizza, a student-favorite pizza spot known for cheap, delicious pizzas by the slice or whole. Perfect for late-night food after bars. The average rent for student properties in Bairro Alto ranges between €700 and €1000 per month.

Campo de Ourique

One of the best neighbourhoods for affordable student housing in Lisbon is Campo de Ourique, and it is best suited for the students of Universidade Católica Portuguesa and the University of Lisbon, which is a short 15-minute metro ride from the neighbourhood! This neighbourhood is particularly famous for its "village-like" feel, safety, calm streets, and strong sense of community. This is one of the most affordable neighbourhoods in the city and students absolutely love staying in this area! Campo de Ourique is home to the Campo de Ourique Market, a traditional market with fresh produce, butchers, fishmongers, and small restaurants. This market was recently renovated and is the best place for some weekly grocery shopping! The neighbourhood is also home to the Jardim da Parada, which is a small square and a cute garden in Campo de Ourique. Students come here mostly for recreation and for a simple day out! Lisbon's largest green space, the Parque Florestal de Monsanto is also located in the neighbourhood and therefore, is the perfect area for jogging, cycling, hiking, or escaping the city for study breaks. The average rent for student properties in Campo de Ourique ranges between €600 and €800 per month!

Lisbon is quite an expensive city to live in Portugal, but everything from food to student accommodation is affordable when compared to other major capital cities in the EU like France, Rome, and Berlin. However, it is recommended that students make a budget and track their expenses to avoid overspending. If you plan accordingly, you can expect to spend a month in Lisbon for well under €1050. The table below highlights the major expenses that students might undertake as students in the city:

Note: Students must note that these figures are tentative and might change with regard to the actual expenses that they incur. To get a better estimate of the cost of living in Lisbon, students can use University Living’s exclusive Cost of Living Calculator.

There are a plethora of options for students to choose from when it comes to top student accommodation in Lisbon. However, not every property is worth it. There are certain criteria that a good property should fulfil. The property should be located close to the university and the city center, and should be in a neighbourhood that has great transport links to the rest of the city. Therefore, here are some of the top student apartments in Lisbon starting at just €557 per month.

• Lisbon Olaias

• Santa Apolonia

• Livensa Living Lisboa Marques De Pombal

• Ajuda

• Micampus Upper Lisbon

• Carcavelos

• Estoril

• Micampus Lumiar

• Livensa Living Lisboa Cidade Universitaria

Book the top student properties in Lisbon at the best prices only at University Living!

Commuting in Lisbon will never be a concern for students because, in order to make the daily commute easier for students and residents of the city, Lisbon has developed an extensive network of public transit systems that provide last-mile connectivity throughout the city. These modes of transport include tram, bus, and metro rail services and are considered to be a lifeline for the people of the city. These modes of transport have been explained briefly below:

Metro (Metropolitano de Lisboa)

The primary mode of transport for students in the city is the Metro service! This is the fastest, safest and most efficient way of travelling long distances across the city. These services are divided into 4 lines in order to enhance connectivity, namely: Blue, Yellow, Green, and Red! Some of the main stations for students include Cidade Universitária, Campo Grande, Baixa-Chiado, and São Sebastião! These services operate from 6:30 AM till 1:00 AM every day.

Buses (Carris)

One of the most affordable and extensive modes of public transport in the city is the bus services, which mostly cover all the important neighbourhoods in the city, and also the areas that are left untouched by the metro services! These services are managed by Carris and provide last mile connectivity throughout the city. The best part about these services is that special night services are operated from 12:30 AM to 5:30 AM on weekends and public holidays. Some of the most important stations for students in the city include Marquês de Pombal, Cais do Sodré, and Campo Grande!

Trams (Elétricos)

The Tram services in Lisbon are the most fun way of transportation. These iconic yellow buses are both a tourist attraction and a functional mode of public transit, which is mostly used for navigating through steep and narrow hills. Although there were a lot of Tram lines in the city before, now, functional tram lines for commuters have been reduced and the currently active lines include Tram 12, 15, 18, and 24. A special Tourist Tram 28 runs specially for tourists and residents of the city!

Lisbon is one of the most beautiful cities in the country and has a lot of things for visitors to see. Every year, thousands of tourists come to visit some of the top tourist destinations in the city. The city has several museums and clean beaches that you’ll never find in the rest of Portugal. These attractions are free to visit for students and, therefore, are a major spot for rejuvenation and recreation in the city. These have been explained briefly below:

Belém Tower (Torre de Belém)

One of the most visited places in the city is the Belém Tower, which is an iconic 16th-century fortress built during the Age of Discoveries. It served as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon and a defensive outpost. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also a symbol of Portugal’s maritime power! The tower is built in Manueline architecture and offers great panoramic views of the Tagus River. This is undoubtedly one of the most majestic places to be in the city!

Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos)

Located just a short walk from the Belem tower, the Jerónimos Monastery is one of the finest examples of Manueline architecture in Portugal. It was built in the early 1500s, and houses Vasco Da Gama’s tomb and celebrates his voyage to India! The Jeronimos Monastery features Intricately sculpted cloisters, the beautiful Church of Santa Maria (free to enter on Sundays), and the National Archaeology Museum. Students are informed that the line for entry can be very long, and they must arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon to get easy access!

Alfama District

One of Lisbon’s oldest and most historical neighbourhood, the Alfama District is built in a maze of narrow streets, colorful tiled buildings, and steep hills that survived the great 1755 earthquake. It is the historic home of Fado music, Portugal's soulful national song. Students are recommended to go on a ride on Tram 28 through its winding lanes, and visit the São Jorge Castle for stunning city views, relax at the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, and hear live Fado in a tiny, intimate restaurant.