It’s easy to see why Lisbon is home to a vibrant student community! From its cobbled alleyways and tiled streets, to the white domed cathedrals and red rooftops, life in Lisbon is always picture perfect and a fantastic choice for university life in Portugal.
There is so much to do in Lisbon, from finding the most student-friendly things to do (we love the Botanical Gardens for an affordable and enchanting day out), the best bars, best restaurants (Hygge Kaffe is our fave brunch spot and Time Out Market is a must visit for students), and the most breath-taking viewpoints (check out the views from São Jorge Castle if you want to see the city at its best).
Nido’s got plenty of student accommodation in Lisbon from cosy on-campus ensuite rooms in Estoril, to private studios and apartments in the city. Whatever room type you choose, each Nido residence has great social and study spaces so you can get to know your neighbours and make new friends along the way.
We are proud to offer multiple student accommodation options in Lisbon and have no doubt you’ll find the perfect neighbourhood and building for your needs. Our residences on offer are:
Nido Carcavelos is only a stone’s throw from Carcavelos beach, in a more tranquil location outside the city, just a few minutes from NOVA SBE. The nearby beach offers surf lessons, kayak tours and views of the impressive Forte.
Nido Estoril offers double rooms, studios and is well connected to Lisbon city centre. Being along the coast, Nido Estoril offers views of the Estoril Golf Course, is close to the beach and Museum.
Nido Santa Apolonia is our most central location in Lisbon. You’ll find this residence in the heart of the city, offering a gym, rooftop terrace, outdoor pool, and co-working spaces. It’s also super close to many of the incredible bars and nightclubs that bring Lisbon nights to life.
Nido Ajuda, this Nido is in a creative and bustling part of the city. Made up of 4 different buildings, the studios and apartments here are charming and unique.
Book a tour of our student accommodation in Lisbon today!
You’ve told us what’s important to you in your accommodation and we’ve made sure to include it in our Nidos.
You’ve told us what’s important to you in your accommodation and we’ve made sure to include it in our Nidos.
You’ve told us what’s important to you in your accommodation and we’ve made sure to include it in our Nidos.
You’ve told us what’s important to you in your accommodation and we’ve made sure to include it in our Nidos.
We understand that budgeting and finances can feel like a student’s worst nightmare but, at Nido we’re committed to helping you live your best life while staying within budget. So, let’s talk about living costs…
You’ll be thrilled to know that Lisbon is moving towards a more sustainable way of living which means you can get a return bus journey for just €1.40! Food is very cheap in Lisbon without compromising on quality which means you could get your hands on a famous Pastel De Nata for just €1.00.
You’ll never be bored either as there are so many affordable attractions in Lisbon. Museums in particular offer student discounts and even free entry on the first Sunday of every month, including:
Chiado National Museum of Modern Art
Don’t forget, Lisbon is home to plenty of green spaces. You can enter any park in Lisbon for free and enjoy a relaxing day in the fresh air with your friends. In the summer, you can even join in free yoga classes or picnic with friends.
Lisbon is a safe city for students! Like any major city, most areas have good reputations, and if you pick a good student accommodation, you can rest assured you’ll be safe.
The locals are very friendly, and so is our residence team, so you can count on them to answer your questions and ensure your student experience is a great one.
Remember to keep your belongings safe in busy touristy areas and transport hubs to avoid pickpocketing and never leave your things unattended. Aside from that, there isn’t really anything to be wary of.
Lisbon has a reputation for being very hilly – if you’re fit and willing to climb up steep hills while exploring, you may consider it very walkable, but if not we recommend getting a Navegante card (which you can obtain for free if you’re under 23).
Not only does this provide you with free access to the metro, buses and trams, but it comes with a lot of other incredible perks like free admission to many of the monuments and museums throughout the city. So even though Lisbon is a little difficult to walk around, there are strong public transport options for you.
The cost of living is fairly low across Portugal, making it one of the more affordable student cities, but it is definitely more expensive to live in Lisbon than in Porto. We recommend that every student ensures they will have 600-700 euros a month (after rent), depending on their needs, to live comfortably.
This should amply cover:
Of course, we recommend that you budget carefully to understand what you can afford.
Yes, it is okay to speak English in Lisbon – there’s a high proficiency in English in Portugal, especially in the major cities. With many university courses available in English, it’s easy to get by with English in academic spaces and it can serve you fairly well in public too.
Of course, some knowledge of Portuguese is beneficial for daily life – knowing how to order food or ask for directions in Portuguese will get you a long way, and being able to converse with your neighbours in their own language will help you become part of the community.
Portugal has a fairly relaxed culture, so there are only a couple of things to keep in mind to make sure you’re being polite and respectful. Know that Portuguese people do not like bluntness, tending to speak in a more elaborate way, so it may help you to mimic this.
It is also worth being careful not to discuss politics and similar divisive topics in public spaces, especially with people you do not know well – Portugal has a fraught political history, so these kinds of conversations aren’t always well received. Otherwise, just do your best to be friendly!
Lisbon is the perfect city for students! With thirty-one universities across the city, there’s an exciting option for you no matter what you want to study, and there are brilliant student accommodation options in all the best neighbourhoods.
Lisbon is a vibrant city that is both very safe and full of life – students will never get bored with the landscape of restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs, parks, monuments and activities. The more you explore, the more it unfolds. We think Lisbon is one of the best places you could study abroad.
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