If you are lucky enough to have been accepted to one of Lisbon’s fine universities or are only just considering studying in the Portuguese capital, chances are that you are on the hunt for the perfect student accommodation in Lisbon.

Find your home-away-from-home by booking student housing with Student.com. Choose from three different types of student rooms in almost 2,000 different student residences in Lisbon. Our student apartments are modern and are located close to the heart of the capital.

Whether you are going to do your whole degree in Lisbon, or do a year abroad there, such as with Erasmus, but need more information on renting in Lisbon or about what we offer, simply give us a call, or text us on our website’s live chat on the bottom right-hand corner of this page. Our booking consultants are always happy to help!

Get to know Lisbon

Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal where the sun shines nearly 300 days a year and the temperature rarely drops below 15 degrees. It’s a place where you can feel safe to wander around day or night, and where you’ll find cuisine that suits every taste and budget.

Located on Portugal’s west coast, it is pretty much everything international students could want from a European city. Lisbon has one of the best weathers in Europe and is filled with leisure activities, awesome food, wine, music, and a vibrant nightlife.

Despite being one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, Lisbon is the perfect mix between old and new. It is a city full of authenticity that is rich in character, culture, history, and heritage. Discover the legacy left behind by centuries of past civilisations that inhabited the city and the homage paid by its artists.

Art

Speaking of artists, the city expresses its appreciation of art in a unique way.

The fusing of urban art by world-famous artists, such as Vhils, with Manueline-style ornamental art can only be seen in Lisbon.

Gaze at the art of stone paving below your feet. When you raise your eyes from the ground, set your eyes to the walls of buildings and streets around you and behold the amazing geometric or figurative art of tile making (azulejaria) that found its zenith in Portugal.

Heritage and history

The city’s rich heritage and history, which dates back to well before the medieval times, provides more to feast your eyes on. Historic monuments and sites define Lisbon’s character from historic places to the most recent museums and architecture projects.

The 16th-century monastery at Bélem is considered one of the greatest examples of Manueline architecture in the country and houses the tomb of revered Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. Its filigree stonework is worthy of UNESCO’s World Heritage moniker.

Domes, spires, and belltowers punctuate the city’s skyline. The 45-metre tall Neo-Gothic Elevador de Santa Justa (Santa Justa Lift) looms over the Baixa (downtown) district.

Lisbon is full of culture

Lisbon’s culture profile is bolstered by some truly world-class museums such as the Museum of Fado, one of Lisbon pearls, and the treasure trove that is the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum.

Part of UNESCO’s World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, Museu do Fado represents one of the region’s most important cultural legacies. Discover fascinating performers, sublime guitarists, and inspired composers who celebrate Portugal’s traditional music at the museum. And with permanent and temporary exhibitions, a document centre, an auditorium with regular events and a very interesting programme, alongside a restaurant, and themed shop, it is no surprise it is one of the must-visit places in Lisbon.

Explore the contemporary canvas of striking modern architecture, which is the former Expo 98 site Parque das Nações northeast of the city. Here you can visit the Oceanário (The Lisbon Oceanarium), the largest indoor aquarium in Europe, and Lisbon’s most popular tourist attraction. While you are in the area, make sure you check out the mesmerizing Oriente railway station as well.

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is one of the world’s great museums, where you can find some of the world’s most important private treasures and magnificent collection of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Islamic, Asian, and European art.

Nature and landscapes

With a ‘photo opp’ around every corner, your Instagram grid could be the envy of your friends back home.

There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the benefits of the sun and sea in Lisbon from the urban beaches along the Linha de Cascais, the multicultural ones in Costa da Caparica, to the remote and crystal-clear beaches of Arrábida, and mysterious sands of Sintra.

If seaside beauty is not enough, there are splendid viewpoints all around Lisbon.

Known as ‘Da cidade das sete Colinas,’ or the city of seven hills, Lisbon is full of hills and mounds that provide some truly breathtaking panoramas. The Miradouro de Santa Luzi terrace, which takes in sweeping views of Alfama and the shimmering River Tagus is one of the most rewarding.

Food

Lisbon is a dream come through for foodies and wine lovers. As expected for a Southern European country with thousands of miles of coastline, the city serves a rich menu of tantalising cuisine.

In Lisbon, there is always a table set and waiting and food options are among the cheapest in Europe.

It’s perfect for seafood lovers or anyone interested in Tapas style menus with a Portuguese twist.

Fresh fish and seafood choices figure prominently in many restaurants in the seafaring city. Most of the eateries will bring the Atlantic Ocean onto your plate in a sophisticated way.

For large portions of hearty traditional local food piled onto large aluminium platters, find the tascas. Portugal’s own version of a Spanish bodega, or an Italian osteria, these places are hidden between avenues and alleys all over the capital.

For more fancy palates that offer a truly international flavour and well-represented Mediterranean gastronomy, check out Lisbon’s gourmet hotspots.

The famous bacalhau (salted cod) in its various forms, pastel de nata, and grilled sardines are just some of the many delicious staples that can be found in the city. Exotic Brazilian, Mozambican, and other ex-colonies’ cuisines spice up an already colourful and tasty ethnic menu.

Student life in Lisbon

Student life in Portugal is an attractive prospect to many students because of the wholesome experience it provides.

A cosmopolitan city that is affordable, blessed with a melting pot of cultures, stunning views, endless hours of enchanting sun, and delightful food, Lisbon is a fantastic destination to study in, whether you’re from Portugal yourself, or looking for a place to study abroad.

With 290 days of sunshine per year, the options for outdoor activities, including kayaking, surfing, jogging, biking, hiking, or football, are endless.

Also, in Lisbon, there are always interactive exhibitions, classic or contemporary concerts, ballet, conferences, or unique shows to see, and unforgettable monuments to visit.

Nightlife

Lisbon also offers plenty of fun when the sun goes down.

The city’s nightlife usually starts in the bars after dinner and kicks into high gear at around midnight with many clubs opening their doors at around 2am.

The best nightlife in Lisbon centres on great bars and nightclubs with live music, bands, DJs, and karaoke in popular nightclub districts.

The Erasmus Corner, a trendy destination in Bairro Alto, famous for its crowds, is a cool place to get to know other students from the expat community.

Exclusive, special, and original, the unique Silk Club is a different way to enjoy the atmosphere of Lisbon’s nightlife. The premium and contemporary Japanese restaurant & bar turns into a nightclub after midnight, with a breath-taking view of the city.

A few other lively spots are waiting to be explored off the beaten track such as Casa Independente. One of Lisbon’s hippest nightclubs is located in the city’s Intendente neighbourhood and is well worth checking out for its local boho vibe.

To hang with the locals, gather near Cais do Sodré and Titanic Sur Mer, a funky live music venue perched on the waterfront.

To sample some of the best selection of local brews head west to a tunnel in the city’s Alcântara district for the unique Quimera Brewpub.

If you prefer to sample Portuguese wine, try By the Wine, a cozy wine bar that features 3,000 empty bottles fixed to the ceiling.

For inexpensive drinks, grab a terrace table outside Sol e Pesca, one of the city’s quirkiest bars. On the same street is arguably the most eclectic of Lisbon’s after-hours venues, Pensão Amor, which hosts naughty burlesque shows and poetry recitals, and offers good beer too.

Transportation in Lisbon

The city centre is small so getting around is easy, especially if you live in the centre where you can go everywhere on foot. It is also very affordable and well-served by subway, train, and bus networks.

A Lisboa Viva Card, a monthly top-up card, will give you access to unlimited trips with public transportation.

Speaking Portuguese in Lisbon

Portugal’s official language is Portuguese, but if you’re not fluent, no need to panic. Lisbon has large communities of foreigners and expats, and the locals speak excellent English. In the 2021 EF English Proficiency Index by EF Education First, Portugal was ranked as the 7th best country in the world in terms of English skills, earning it the distinction of ‘very high proficiency’ in English.

Where to study in Lisbon?

One of the benefits of being a student in Portugal is the selection of universities to choose from.

Two of Lisbon’s public universities (University of Lisbon, 356th and NOVA University Lisbon, 431st) and one private institution (Catholic University of Portugal, 801st-1000th) were featured in the QS 2022 World University Rankings as being among the 1,000 best universities in the world.

University of Lisbon

A major European university, the University of Lisbon (Universidade de Lisboa or ULisboa) is the largest and most prestigious university in Portugal.

It offers 400 degree courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels (some taught in English) through 18 schools and 4,000 lecturers to around 50,000 students.

ULisboa is a major centre for teaching, research, innovation, sports, culture, and art. The quality of its research, innovation, and culture attracts a growing number of international students from 100 different countries. It welcomes more than 1,000 foreign students every year.

The university has received international recognition over the years and is deeply involved with the Lisbon metropolitan area and Portuguese society as a whole.

Founded in 1290 as the Lisbon General study and in 1911 as the University of Lisbon, ULisboa became the largest university in Portugal after joining forces with the Technical University of Lisbon in 2013.

NOVA University Lisbon (Universidade NOVA de Lisboa)

NOVA University Lisbon is a higher education institution with internationally recognised research and quality teaching.

Founded in 1973, it’s the youngest public university in the Lisbon metropolitan area.

With teaching units in Lisbon, Almada, Oeiras, and Cascais and nine academic units, it offers a wide variety of degrees in many areas of study. Universidade NOVA de Lisboa is a Portuguese higher education institution with high-quality teaching and internationally recognised research.

Catholic University of Portugal (Universidade Catolica Portuguesa)

The Catholic University of Portugal, also known as UCP or “Católica”, was the first modern university in Portugal to be founded without the direct involvement of the state.

Opened in 1967, the fulfilment of a 40-year dream of the Portuguese Church, UCP has grown to include two further bases in Porto and Viseu.

The university’s 15 faculties and over 1,000 teaching staff are spread out across its four locations. It offers 13 undergraduate courses and 18 master’s degrees to its 11,000 students.

Half of UCP’s student body and faculty comes from outside of Portugal, so you’re guaranteed and international atmosphere.

Frequently asked questions about student apartments in Lisbon

How do I apply for a student residence in Lisbon on Student.com?

Applying for a student residence in Lisbon is very easy on Student.com. Once you’ve selected a property you want to rent, go to the property page by clicking ‘View rooms’.

On the property page, you’ll need to choose your preferred room type and the dates you need it for. Then click ‘Book Now’ or ‘Enquire’. One of our booking consultants will then be in touch with you to take you through the next steps.

What are the different types of student rooms you offer?

Student.com offers three different types of student rooms: 

A Shared Room offers a shared bedroom with a roommate. The bathroom and kitchen are also shared.

A Private Room offers a private bedroom just for you. Depending on the property, the bathroom might be either shared or private. Other facilities are shared with other students.

An Entire Place offers a fully self-contained studio property with private living facilities. You’ll have your own bedroom, bathroom and a kitchenette without having to share anything.

Are bills included in the rent?

In most apartments we list in Lisbon, all bills are included. Check on the property page if this is the case with the property you’re interested in though.

Are the apartments fully furnished?

Most of the apartments are not furnished, but we do also list a few properties that are rented fully furnished.

Do you offer accommodation for Erasmus students in Lisbon?

Yes, absolutely! As long as you are a full-time student, you can rent any property listed on Student.com.

Can I rent in Lisbon over the summer months as well?

Yes. In most of the properties we list in Lisbon, you can choose to stay over the summer or just rent your room during the semester.