Student Accommodation Porto

Porto is one of the most charming student cities in Portugal and attracts thousands of students from across the world every year. This is largely due to the presence of top universities like the Universidade Católica Portuguesa and University of Porto, known for their academic excellence and vibrant student life.

There are several popular neighbourhoods in Porto for student living, such as Paranhos, Cedofeita, and Bonfim, which offer a variety of options, including shared apartments, En-Suite / Non-En-Suite rooms, and studio apartments. Some top student accommodation in Porto includes Foz Cool Living, Asprela, and Micampus Porto Asprela, and the starting rent for these properties is just €449 per month!

However, with so many options available, choosing the best student accommodation in Porto can feel overwhelming for students. This is where University Living comes in. With over 10+ years of experience in the accommodation abroad industry, we have helped more than 2,000,000 students find their home away from home. So, if you are an international student looking for accommodation in Porto, you are at the right place.

Porto is home to several thousand students, with many more coming in every year. Now, one of the main problems these students face is finding the ideal Porto student accommodation. Finding the right property is very important because your comfort and privacy in student life depend on the type of accommodation you choose. Student accommodation in Portugal is divided into two basic types, namely: Student Housing and Private Apartments. Both of them have their own pros and cons, and therefore, have been explained briefly below:

Student Housing

Also popularly known as PBSAs (Purpose-Built Student Accommodations), these properties are built specifically for students and therefore have everything you need in them. The best part about these properties is that they are generally located near the university or in areas that have great transport connectivity to the university. The rent for these accommodations includes utility bills like electricity, water, gas, and Wi-Fi bills, along with other facilities like gym, lounge, breakfast bar, etc. PBSAs are further divided into 4 types to provide more budgetary options to students. These include:

• Shared Accommodation: These are some of the most affordable types of student properties in the city. In shared accommodation, students get to share a room along with 2/3 occupants along with a shared bathroom, kitchen, and living room. Since everything is shared among all occupants, the per person costs come out to be really low!

• En-Suite Accommodation: This is the most preferred type of student apartment in Porto, as in these properties, students get to have an entire room to themselves along with a bathroom, a shared living room, and a kitchen!

• Non En-Suite Accommodation: These types of rooms are very similar to an En-Suite accommodation. However, the only major difference between the two is that, unlike its counterpart, En-Suite accommodation does not come with a personal bathroom. The rest is the same, a personal room along with a shared bathroom, living room, and kitchen.

• Studio Apartments: These are the most comfortable and private type of student apartments in Porto, because in this property, students get to have an entire unit to themselves, which comes with a bed, a kitchen, and a bathroom. All of this is for just one person!

Private Apartments

These properties are different from a PBSA and are often leased out as individual independent units with 2/3 rooms with bathrooms, a living room, and a kitchen. The tenant of the property can literally invite their friends over for a week without any concerns. However, the rent for these properties does not include any utility bills or extra facilities. Every other expense, be it electricity, water, or gas, is on top of the rent! Also, these properties are the best suited for students and working professionals!

Located in Northern Portugal, Porto is one of the most famous student cities in the country and is based on the banks of the River Douro. Portugal was named after this city, and this is the second-largest city in the country! It is also called the city of bridges and has at least 6 of those built across the river! It is also the birthplace of Port Wine. The city is more affordable than Lisbon and has an authentic, gritty vibe! Thus, making the city a top choice for students, artists, and budget-conscious travellers.

Porto is famous for its stunning azulejo tiles (blue-and-white ceramic panels), its bustling market Mercado do Bolhao, and the magnificent Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, which inspired J.K. Rowling while she lived in the city. The locals, known as Tripeiros, are warm, proud, and deeply connected to their traditions. The weather is rainier and cooler than Lisbon, but the food is hearty and delicious, especially the famous sandwich called Francesinha. Porto's motto could be: rustic charm, river views, and a glass of port.

Porto is home to some of the most aesthetically pleasing cities in the country and has some of the most gorgeous neighbourhoods! Although students can live in any neighbourhood they feel good with, students are recommended to stay at locations that already have an established student population. This ensures that they can reach out to their peers in case of any issues or concerns. Also, these neighbourhoods have everything that you might need as a student in the city!

Paranhos

One of the best neighbourhood for student accommodations in Porto is Paranhos, and it is the best suited for the students at the University of Porto, which is just a short 5-minute walk from anywhere in the neighbourhood! Paranhos is the undisputed academic heart of the city. The neighbourhood is purpose-built for student life, and you can find student residences, shared apartments, supermarkets, gyms, and libraries all within walking distance. The neighbourhood also houses the main transport hub, which provides great connectivity throughout the city! This neighbourhood is home to some of the top cafes and restaurants in the city, including Café Santiago F and 7g Roaster. Both of these cafes are the best in the city and are always filled with students! The neighbourhood is also home to the Quinta do Covelo, one of the loveliest parks in the city, which is a great spot for morning walks, relaxed afternoon picnics, or study breaks outdoors. Another one of the best spots in the city, which is frequented by both students and residents, is Igreja Do Sagrado Coraçao de Jesus, which is a notable 18th-century church adorned with beautiful traditional Portuguese tiles and reflects the rich cultural heritage and history of the city! The average rent for student properties in the city ranges between €800 and €1200 per month!

Cedofeita

Cedofeita is Porto's trendiest neighbourhood and the city's official artistic district, and is the best suited for students of the Universidade Fernando Pessoa, which is a short 5-minute walk from the neighbourhood. The University of Porto is also a 10-minute walk away! Cedofeita is known for its bohemian, creative atmosphere, and is extremely popular among students, young professionals, and artists. The neighbourhood is well-served by multiple metro lines and buses, making it easy to reach any university campus. One of the most aesthetic places to visit in the neighbourhood is the Palácio de Cristal Gardens, which is a stunning garden with peacocks, walking paths, and breathtaking views over the Douro River. This is the perfect spot for romantic walks or peaceful study breaks. Cedofeita is also home to the Porto Belo Market, a peaceful and calm Saturday market featuring local produce, crafts, and food stalls. It is the best choice for affordable groceries and experiencing local culture. Another one of the famous Saturday market in the neighbourhood is Bombarda Shopping Centre Market and is most famous for its organic produce and artisan goods! Mesa 325 and Negra Cafe are two of the most famous cafes in the area, which are ideal for studying or meeting friends between classes! The average rent for student properties in Cedofeita ranges between €750 and €1000 per month.

Aliados & Bolhão (Downtown)

Located right in the center of the city, Aliados & Bolhão, are the best twin neighbourhoods for student housing in Porto. The University of Porto and Universidade Católica Portuguesa both are located at a 10-minute walk from the university and hence, the neighbourhood is a great choice for the students of both universities! This area is perfect for students who wish to live in a bustling, energetic environment with everything at their doorstep. Bolhao is home to Mercado do Bolhão, Porto's most iconic traditional market. It was recently renovated and boasts of a two-story food hall with fresh produce, local delicacies, and small eateries. This is the perfect spot for affordable lunches and grocery shopping. Alidos is home to the grand central boulevard of Porto, Avenida dos Aliados. This boulevard is lined with impressive architecture, cafes, and banks, and is the main gathering point for celebrations and events in the city! These neighbourhoods also house the best cafe in the city, the Cafe Majestic, which is a historic art nouveau cafe on Rua de Santa Catarina. It is famous for its ornate interior and traditional Portuguese coffee culture! Also not to forget, this cafe is located on Porto’s main shopping street, Rua de Santa Catarina, which features a mix of international brands, local shops, and also the famous Via Catarina shopping centre. The average rent for student properties in these neighbourhoods range between €600 and €900

Bonfim

Located a short 15-minute bus ride to the University of Porto, Bonfim is one of the most affordable neighbourhoods for student apartments in Porto! It has emerged as a youthful, neighbourhood with a strong influx of students from all across the world! The neighbourhood offers a perfect blend of central location, authentic local vibe, and more affordable rent compared to other neighbourhoods in the city! Bonfim has a multicultural atmosphere with a wide range of affordable leisure activities, and its proximity to several universities in the city centre makes it a convenient location for most of the students in the city! If you need a caffeine hit in the morning, Combi Coffee Roasters shall be your best place to be as this is a student-favourite cafe in Bonfim, which is known for its excellent coffee, reliable WiFi, and laptop-friendly atmosphere. One of the most famous places to visit in the neighbourhood is Igreja de Santo Ildefonso, which is a beautiful Baroque church near the border of Bonfim. It is covered in blue and white azulejo tiles and is a stunning local landmark. The average rent for student properties in Bonfim ranges between €500 and €800 per month.

Porto is one of the most affordable cities to live in Portugal in terms of cost of living. The city has everything for every budget. 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 Porto in well under €1100.

The table below highlights some of the major expenses that students might undertake while studying in the city.

PS: Students must note that these figures are tentative and might change based on their actual consumption and expenditure! If you want to have a better understanding of the cost of living in Porto, you can use University Living’s exclusive cost of living calculator!

There is a plethora of options for students to choose from when it comes to top student accommodation in Porto. 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 located in a neighbourhood that has great transport links to the rest of the city. Therefore, here are some of the top properties for student accommodation in Porto ranges between €449 and €679 per month!

• Foz Cool Living

• Asprela

• Micampus Porto Asprela

• Amro Porto

• Kodora Campus Street

• Livensa Living Porto Boavista

• Kadora Polo Universitario

• Porto Tower

• Livensa Living Porto Campus

• Studyou Porto Asprela

Looking for top student accommodations in Porto? Speak to our accommodation experts now and get the perfect deals!

Porto is home to more than 230,000 residents and over 20,000 students. Now, to make the daily commute easier for these residents, Porto has developed an extensive network of public transit systems that help residents travel through intercity and intracity! The modes of transport for students in the city include the bus services and the metro services! These have been explained briefly below:

Metro do Porto (Porto Metro)

One of the best modes of public transit in Porto is Metro do Porto, which is also considered to be the lifeline of students in the city. This is a light rail network that revolutionized mobility in the Porto Metropolitan Area. These services are divided into 6 major lines to ensure better connectivity and are named as lines A, B, C, D, E, and F! The metro services typically run from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM and connect all major neighbourhoods in the city with the city center! Metro do Porto is currently undergoing several developments, which will further increase the efficiency of the services!

Metrobus (Porto's New Hydrogen Bus)

This is the newest and the most efficient bus service of Porto and has begun commercial services very recently! These buses are powered by Hydrogen, and it takes just 12.5 minutes to complete the entire full route! The best part about these services is that these are fully separated from traffic on Avenida da Boavista, but shares road space with cars on Avenida Marechal Gomes da Costa.

Porto Tourist Attractions for Students

Porto is one of the most aesthetically pleasing cities in Portugal and therefore attracts several thousand tourists every year. The tourist spots are free for students, and some provide discounted tickets. Students enjoy spending their weekends at these spots, and these have been explained briefly below:

Ribeira District & Dom Luís I Bridge

Considered as one of the most picturesque and historic waterfront neighbourhoods of Porto, Ribeira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is built with colourful houses, narrow cobblestone streets, and lively riverside cafes. The Dom Luís I Bridge, is a double-deck iron arch bridge that towers over the neighbourhood, and was built by a student of Gustave Eiffel (designer of the Eiffel Tower). Walking across the upper deck offers breathtaking panoramic views of Porto, Gaia, and the Douro River. This place is a must visit in the city!

Port Wine Cellars (Vila Nova de Gaia)

Located in Vila Nova de Gaia, right across the river Douro, Port Wine Cellars features dozens of world-famous port wine lodges that offer tours and tastings of some of the best wines in the world! These cellars have aged port wine for centuries, with many owned by English companies like Sandeman, Taylor's, and Cockburn's. Most tours include a historical overview of port production, a walk through the cool, barrel-filled underground cellars, and a tasting of several port varieties. If you’ve tasted alcohol or even haven’t done it once, this place is a must visit for you!

Livraria Lello & Clérigos Tower

Constantly ranked as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, the Livraria Lello is a masterpiece of Neo-Gothic architecture and boasts of a stunning red staircase and stained-glass ceilings that are a delight to the eyes! This place if famous because legend says that JK Rowling’s depiction of Hogwarts was shaped during her time in Porto, and was mostly inspired by Livraria Lello! Near the bookstore is Porto’s iconic 75-meter-high bell tower, which offers a splendid 360-degree view of the city after climbing 225 steps!