If you’re dreaming of spending your university years surrounded by medieval towers, mouth-watering pasta, and a social scene that buzzes until midnight, Bologna should be top of your list.
With its welcoming vibe, deep-rooted academic spirit, and irresistible food, studying abroad in Bologna pairs the best of “la dolce vita” with a wallet-friendly lifestyle—if you know a few local tricks. You may be a first-time Erasmus student, a bright-eyed American teen, or an international grad jumping into Italian culture - Bologna's student community is as diverse as it is rooted.
Is Bologna a good city for students?
Bologna isn’t just Italy’s oldest university town, it's also home to the oldest university in all of Western Europe—and it’s got the student energy and quirky flair to prove it. There’s a big international student crowd, and locals are used to new faces from all over the globe.
The city just “gets” what student life should be: affordable living, late-night study nooks, buzzing piazzas, and student bars around every corner. Plus, almost everything is in walking or cycling distance, which adds a laid-back rhythm to daily life.
Pros and cons of living in Bologna as a student
Every city has its quirks, and Bologna is no different—alongside all its perks, there are a few realities you’ll want on your radar.
The good stuff:
- The city’s never too big—getting lost usually means stumbling on a new favourite spot.
- International students are genuinely welcomed, and there’s a strong sense of community.
- Many university buildings are centuries old—you could be attending class in a literal piece of history.
- Train connections are brilliant, so weekend trips to Florence, Milan, or even the seaside are easy and cheap.
Some downsides:
- Securing affordable housing can feel like a competitive sport, especially right before term starts.
- Housing standards in older flats aren’t always the highest—think tiny kitchens or dodgy plumbing.
- Italian bureaucracy can be a head-scratcher, from visa appointments to getting your codice fiscale sorted.
Living costs in Bologna for students
One of Bologna’s secret weapons is its balance between authentic Italian life and affordability. The cost of living in Bologna for students is considerably lower than what you’d need to live comfortably in Italy overall. This is thanks to the city’s student-centric identity, where you’ll find plenty of discounts and deals designed for those studying. You can expect to need at least €1,000 per month to live in Bologna as a student, however, this number may be a lot higher if you choose to live in more expensive housing and have a more spenny lifestyle.
Student fees
If you’re worried about international student fees, Bologna remains competitive compared to other Italian and European student cities. Fees depend on your course and nationality, so they can vary a lot. However, there are also scholarships available, giving you the chance to study in Bologna pretty much for free.
Every expenses
Daily expenses for groceries, transport, and the odd evening spritz won’t break the bank. A cheap meal in a restaurant can cost around €20, and a beer with friends should set you back €5. Being Italy, buying a coffee remains very affordable, at no more than €2.50. One perk is the city’s compact layout, meaning you can get around on foot or by bike, dodging hefty transport costs entirely.
Student housing
Rent is likely to be your biggest expense. The University of Bologna offers student halls of residence, with single and double rooms available, however, many students opt for flat shares for more freedom and flexibility.
As of April 2025, you can check out the latest rent prices in Bologna—these average around €18 per m² monthly. This means a 50m2 one-bedroom apartment could cost you €900, however, there are cheap studio apartments in Bologna for much less than that. A room in a shared apartment goes for €400–€600, depending on the neighbourhood, with prices starting at around €300.
Where to live as a student in Bologna
Picking the perfect neighbourhood is half the fun and half the challenge. The city centre, known as the Quadrilatero, is ideal if you want everything on your doorstep—but expect to pay a bit more for the privilege. Students on a tighter budget often go for San Donato, Bolognina, or Massarenti, all of which have easy access to uni and plenty of affordable shops and trattorias. For the heartbeat of student life, the University District (Zona Universitaria) ticks all the boxes for nightlife and cheap eats.
While there are no specific places to avoid in Bologna, some outer suburbs can feel a bit too quiet and far from the action for your average student. You may want to stick to Bologna's student neighbourhoods, abuzz with student activity and strong transport links.
Living in Bologna on a budget
It’s no secret that students in Bologna get creative when it comes to saving money. The city’s cycling culture means you can skip monthly bus passes, and most universities have student discounts on meals, museums, and events. Supermarket staples are affordable, especially at local markets. And for the ultimate student hack, buy your train tickets in advance for weekend trips around northern Italy. Don’t forget to check online forums and noticeboards for sublets and deals; the student grapevine is alive and well in Bologna.
Student life in Bologna: things to do
Student life in Bologna is all about soaking up the city’s lively piazza culture and finding your rhythm among its sun-soaked streets. There’s a certain magic to grabbing a coffee and settling on the edge of Piazza Maggiore, watching the world go by. When the weather’s good, students spill out into the leafy Giardini Margherita, turning the lawns into a patchwork of picnic blankets and impromptu football games. The evenings are just as vibrant—DJ sets and student events at Piazza Scaravilli bring a festival atmosphere right to the heart of the university district, while spontaneous open-air concerts and film screenings pop up all over town.
Laptop-Friendly cafés in Bologna
Student life isn’t all lectures and library sessions—sometimes you want to sip a cappuccino and smash out an essay somewhere atmospheric. Try Le Stanze, a local favourite with grand old chapel vibes and strong Wi-Fi, or Zoo, a quirky café/bookshop where art students and bloggers settle in with their laptops. Le Serre is a quirky cultural centre right pretty much inside the Magherita park, where you can sit outside with your laptop or course book.
Eating out on a student budget
Living in Bologna means eating well. For a budget-friendly pizza or a quick plate of tagliatelle al ragù, Scalinatella and Trattoria di Via Serra are scrumptious and easy on the wallet. Caffè Zamboni is good if you want lots of food for cheap, as it offers a buffet service of salads and pasta. Then there's To Steki, which serves up authentic Greek fast food. University canteens offer discounted meals for students, and the YoungERcard is good to get for deals and money off in certain places.
Don't miss out on crescentine (Bologna’s answer to fried dough) from street vendors after a night out—you haven’t truly “lived like a local” until you’ve sampled them at 2 a.m.
Nightlife: going out in Bologna
When the sun goes down, students flock to Piazza Verdi, to cheap bars like Scuderie, and the University District. You’ll find student-friendly bars like Lab 16 for cheap cocktails, vintage bars with live music, and legendary clubs like Kindergarten if you feel like stretching your night until sunrise.
Soda Pops is a fun, slightly gritty bar with a great alternative vibe that hosts weekly Erasmus nights. Locomotiv offers live music and, for just €8 a year, members can access events there and at other venues across the city.
Living like a local
Saturday mornings are for browsing Mercato delle Erbe for fresh produce, while the Giardini Margherita park is where Bolognese students go to unwind. Get chatting at one of the city’s many student associations or join a tandem language exchange—the best way to feel at home and pick up a little Italian slang.
If you’ve got an eye for unique finds, Bologna’s vintage markets are a must-see. These markets pop up across the city and draw both locals and students on weekends. Keep an eye out for Mercato Antiquario in Piazza Santo Stefano and Montagnola vintage market.