Student accommodation in Bologna

Bologna has a long university history, and students remain a big part of everyday life here. Italian students who move from other cities, known as fuori sede, live alongside international students from around the world. Much of the city's student activity centres on Piazza Verdi, a busy square on Via Zamboni surrounded by university departments and the main theatre. It’s a popular meeting spot throughout the day and into the evening.

The historic center, or Centro Storico, is also home to many university faculties, the Academy of Fine Arts and the Conservatory of Music. This facilitates getting around on foot, especially if you live near the University Quarter. For a different vibe try Via del Pratello, known for its informal bars, independent venues and traditional osterie.

There are also plenty of things to do outside of your studies. The city’s largest public park, Giardini Margherita, is a popular place for walks, exercise and meeting friends. The Mercato delle Erbe has a good mix of fresh produce stalls and places to eat, and is lively in the evenings. These places, as a whole, give students a lot of options to enjoy Bologna outside of campus.

The right neighbourhood depends on where you study, what you can afford for rent and what kind of place you want to live in. The historic center is close to university buildings and social spots, but in the further-out areas you can find cheaper rents and good bus connections. Looking for student accommodation in Bologna? Here are some neighbourhoods to look into.

University District (Centro Storico)

If you want to be close to the campus, the historic center, particularly the University Quarter (Zona Universitaria), is a good option. Many University of Bologna faculties, the Academy of Fine Arts, and the Conservatory of Music are within walking distance. Via Zamboni and Piazza Verdi are at the heart of this area, with libraries, cafés, and bars popular with students.

Most accommodation consists of rooms in older shared flats. The location is hard to beat for convenience, but it can get noisy, and rents tend to be higher than in other neighbourhoods.

Bolognina

Bolognina sits just north of the central railway station and has a multicultural feel, with a mix of traditional apartment buildings and newer student residences. Rent is generally lower than in the city centre, and you can reach the centre in around 20 minutes on foot or by taking a short cycle ride.

Piazza dell'Unità is one of the neighbourhood's main gathering spots, while Mercato Albani is a useful place to find local produce and everyday essentials. Bolognina is worth considering if you want to keep your housing costs down without living too far from university.

Saragozza

Saragozza stretches south-west from the city centre towards the hills. It is particularly convenient for students at Bologna Business School (BBS), based at Villa Guastavillani in this part of the city. The inner neighbourhood is within walking distance of the centre, while buses connect areas farther out.

The area has green spaces such as Villa Spada and is known for the Portico di San Luca. Shared flats are common, with many offering spacious rooms. Saragozza can suit students who want a residential setting and easy access to their campus.

San Donato

Located just outside the city walls to the north-east, San Donato offers a practical option for students looking for more affordable rent. Buses connect the neighbourhood to the University Quarter, which is around 10–15 minutes away by bus.

Housing mainly consists of post-war apartment blocks, along with purpose-built student residences. The nearby Fiera di Bologna exhibition centre and Parco San Donnino also give residents places to visit beyond campus.

San Vitale

San Vitale lies east of the historic centre and is especially convenient for students based at Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, a major teaching site for the University of Bologna. It has a quieter residential feel, with local shops and services close by.

You will find many shared flats in apartment buildings dating from the 1960s and 1970s, alongside some newer student residences. Bus connections, including Line 14, make it easier to reach the centre.

Pratello

The area around Via del Pratello is known for its alternative atmosphere, independent bars, vintage shops, and live music venues. Although it is not an official administrative district, it has a distinct identity and is popular with students who want to live somewhere lively.

The centre is around a 15-minute walk away. Accommodation is mainly found in older shared buildings, often with plenty of character. Keep in mind that the social scene can also mean more noise, especially in the evenings.

Murri

Murri is a quieter residential neighbourhood south-east of the centre. Its well-maintained buildings and proximity to Giardini Margherita make it appealing to students who prefer a more relaxed setting.

Rents can be slightly higher, but spacious rooms in shared flats are available. Bus lines 11 and 13 connect the area to the centre, with journeys taking around 20–25 minutes.

Mazzini

East of the city centre, Mazzini offers a balance of residential surroundings, transport links, and comparatively affordable accommodation. It is a useful option for students who need to travel to the Sant'Orsola Hospital campus.

Many properties are shared flats in mid-century apartment buildings. Frequent buses along Via Mazzini provide connections to both the hospital and the historic centre.

Neighbourhood	Best for (university)	Typical rent per room / month	Getting to campus
Centro Storico	University of Bologna, ABABO, Conservatory	€550–€800	1–15 min walk
Bolognina	University of Bologna	€450–€650	20–30 min walk; 10–15 min cycle
Saragozza	Bologna Business School	€500–€700	5–20 min walk to BBS; bus to centre
San Donato	University of Bologna	€450–€600	10–15 min bus ride
San Vitale	University of Bologna (Sant'Orsola)	€480–€650	5–15 min walk
Pratello	University of Bologna	€500–€700	15–20 min walk
Murri	University of Bologna	€550–€750	20–25 min bus ride (lines 11, 13)
Mazzini	University of Bologna (Sant'Orsola)	€480–€650	15–20 min bus ride

Student housing in Bologna comes in several forms, so you can choose based on your budget, privacy needs, and preferred way of living. House of Student lists options ranging from shared rooms to self-contained studios and entire flats.

Private Rooms

A common option for students in Bologna is to choose a private room in a shared flat. You have your own furnished bedroom, but you share the kitchen, bathroom and living room with other residents. It can be a good way to meet people and help with the rent.

Student rooms in Bologna from €600 a month on House of Student. Some rental contracts are for a full academic year, so check the length of the agreement before you book.

Entire Place (Whole Flat)

An entire flat may suit you if you are moving with friends or prefer to live on your own. Options range from one-bedroom apartments to larger properties with several bedrooms. You get more privacy, but you will also need to check how bills are handled and take responsibility for the rental agreement.

Entire student apartments in Bologna are available from €1,570 per month.

Studios

A studio combines your sleeping area, kitchenette, and private bathroom in one self-contained space. It can be a practical option for postgraduate students or anyone who prefers to have their own space for studying and relaxing.

Studios are often furnished and offer more privacy than shared accommodation. Prices on House of Student start from €999 per month.

Shared Rooms

If keeping rent low is your main priority, a shared room is another option to consider. You share the bedroom, as well as facilities such as the kitchen and bathroom, with at least one other person. Shared rooms are found in some student residences, also known as residenze universitarie, and in larger shared flats.

They can offer a more social living arrangement, although you will have less personal space. Shared rooms on House of Student start from €1,016 per month.

Type	What you get	Typical monthly rent
Private Room	Your own bedroom; shared kitchen and bathroom	From €600
Entire Place	A whole flat with one or more bedrooms, kitchen, and bathroom	From €1,570
Studio	A self-contained unit with a private kitchenette and bathroom	From €999
Shared Room	A bed in a bedroom shared with one or more people	From €1,016

Before choosing a place, work out how much you can spend on rent and everyday expenses. Bologna is generally more affordable than Milan or Rome, but demand for student accommodation in Bologna can make housing one of your biggest costs.

Alongside rent, allow around €500–€800 per month for living expenses, or approximately €115–€185 per week. Your actual spending will depend on your habits, accommodation arrangements, and course requirements.

Here is an estimated breakdown of monthly costs, excluding rent:

Category	Average monthly cost	Notes
Groceries	€200–€280	Shopping at discount supermarkets can help reduce costs.
Public Transport	€14–€20	Based on the annual student pass.
Utilities	€140–€220	For a room in a shared flat, if bills are not included in rent.
Phone & Internet	€20–€32	Mobile plan and shared home internet.
Eating out & Social	€120–€240	Covers occasional meals out, aperitivo, and social activities.
Books & Supplies	€20–€40	Depends on your course.

Students typically do their grocery shopping at Coop and Conad, or at the discount supermarkets Lidl in Bolognina and Eurospin in San Donato. If you prefer fresh produce, try Mercato delle Erbe in the historic center or Mercato Ritrovato, a weekly farmers’ market.

Students at the University of Bologna under 27 can get a subsidised annual urban bus pass, which costs about €161 and can help reduce transport costs.

International students should also consider one-off or annual costs. Non-EU students may be required to register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN) at a cost of around €700 per year or purchase private health insurance. Other costs may include a regional university tax of approx. €157 per year and residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) fees.

When renting a property, you will usually need to pay a security deposit (deposito cauzionale) of two to three months' rent. Student contracts commonly last between 6 and 36 months. You will also need an Italian tax code (codice fiscale), which is free to obtain.

Bologna is relatively easy to get around, particularly if you live near the historic centre. Public transport is operated by Trasporto Passeggeri Emilia-Romagna (TPER), and walking or cycling works well for many everyday journeys. A car is usually unnecessary for students, especially given the traffic restrictions in the centre.

Bus tickets are available from newsstands, tobacconists (tabaccherie), and the Roger app. You can also pay on board with a contactless card; a journey costs €2.30 and is valid for 75 minutes. If you expect to use buses regularly, the subsidised annual student pass may be the more economical choice.

Buses connect the main student neighbourhoods with the university campuses and the city centre. Some useful routes include:

• To the University Quarter:

  • From San Donato, lines 20, 28, 36, and 37 stop at Porta San Donato, near the university area.

  • From Bolognina, lines 25 and 27 connect to Via Indipendenza, from where you can walk to the centre.

  • From Mazzini and San Vitale, lines 14, 19, 25, and 27 travel towards the centre.

  • From Murri, lines 13 and 16 connect with the city centre.

• To Bologna Business School:

  • Line 59 runs from Piazza Cavour in the city centre to the Villa Guastavillani stop.

• Around the historic centre:

  • Lines 32 and 33 run around the centre along the ring road (Viali), making it easier to travel between the city gates.

Cycling is another popular way to get around. Bologna has a growing network of cycle paths, and the RideMovi bike-sharing service is widely used.

For journeys beyond the city, Bologna Centrale has high-speed rail connections to destinations such as Florence, Milan, Rome, and Venice. The Marconi Express monorail connects the station with Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) in around seven minutes, with tickets listed at €12.80.

Bologna attracts students from across Italy and abroad, with several academic institutions based in or near the historic centre. Where your campus is located can help you decide which neighbourhood to focus on during your accommodation search.

University of Bologna (UNIBO)

(Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna)

The University of Bologna is a public research university with around 97,000 students. Many faculties are based in the University Quarter (Zona Universitaria), particularly along Via Zamboni. Other major locations include the Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital campus for medical sciences.

Students can consider several neighbourhoods depending on their campus and budget. Centro Storico is convenient for the main university area, while San Donato, Bolognina, and San Vitale offer alternatives with different rent levels and transport connections.

Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna (ABABO)

(Accademia di Belle Arti di Bologna)

This public art academy has around 1,500 students and is located on Via Belle Arti in the University Quarter. Its historic building sits next to the National Art Gallery, placing students close to Bologna's cultural and student life.

Centro Storico is a convenient choice if you want to walk to classes and nearby libraries. The Pratello area may also appeal to students who prefer independent venues and a more alternative social scene.

Bologna Business School (BBS)

(Bologna Business School)

Bologna Business School, part of the University of Bologna, is based at Villa Guastavillani, a 16th-century villa in the hills of the Saragozza area. With around 3,500 students, it offers a campus setting away from the busiest parts of the city centre.

Saragozza is a practical neighbourhood to consider if you want to live closer to campus. If you would rather stay near the centre, bus line 59 connects Piazza Cavour with the Villa Guastavillani stop.

Johns Hopkins University, SAIS Europe

(Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies Europe)

SAIS Europe is the European campus of the American graduate school specialising in international relations. It is located in the Centro Storico, near Via Zamboni, and has a relatively small student body of around 240.

Living in the historic centre can make it easier to reach classes, libraries, and the main student meeting spots on foot. The University Quarter is a natural starting point when looking for nearby accommodation.

Conservatory of Music "Giovan Battista Martini"

(Conservatorio di Musica "Giovan Battista Martini")

This state music conservatory is located in Piazza Rossini, just off Via Zamboni in the main student district. Its approximately 710 students study in an area surrounded by university buildings and cultural venues.

For conservatory students, Centro Storico is a convenient place to look for housing. Living nearby can reduce daily travel time and keep libraries, cafés, and other student facilities within easy reach.

Finding accommodation is important when you are preparing to study in a new city. House of Student is the one place to compare student houses in Bologna.

Browse student accommodation, private rooms, studios and whole apartments. You can also use the filters to select your price range, pick a neighbourhood close to your campus or select the type of accommodation you prefer. That makes it easier to narrow down listings instead of having to search several websites.

Each listing includes info to help you compare your options before you make a decision. If you are an international student and need help with the booking process, House of Student support team is available to help.

Use this page to explore student accommodation in Bologna that suits your budget and study plans.