Erasmus in Bologna

Cost of living in Bologna, Italy

A large part of your budget, as in most cases, will be your rent. If you opt for a university hall of residence, room prices are usually between €350-€500 per month. You also have the option of sharing private flats, where the alternatives of shared rooms usually range from €270 and upwards. We recommend that you start looking for accommodation as soon as possible in order to have more options.

One advantage of Bologna is that, as it’s not an overly large city, you can easily get around by bike, which is why many students choose to buy a second-hand bike when they arrive in the city to use during their stay. If you plan to use public transport, it’s cheap and efficient. A monthly pass costs €36 and a single ticket costs €1.50.

Student life, Erasmus parties and leisure in Bologna, Italy

If what you expect from Erasmus is to party and meet new people, Bologna is the ideal city! There are many clubs and discos where you can go every day and which have special offers for students. Some of the most frequented ones are Celtic Druid Irish Pub, Numa Club Bologna and BoMa Club. Another option is to meet up in the squares of the historic centre to drink with friends. If one day you prefer not to go out, it’s also very common to have parties in flats or residences.

Another activity you can do is to visit the city and its most emblematic places. It's also easy to get to other parts of Italy or even Europe. Flights are often available at very cheap prices, but you can also rent a car with your group of friends.

Culture and gastronomy in Bologna

The city has a very interesting and varied cultural offer. Although it’s a relatively small city, there are monuments, buildings and squares on every corner. Bologna has a lot of history, and there are plenty of legends to discover during your stay.

Some must-see sites include what are known as the seven secrets of Bologna: the Finestrella or Canale di Reno, the three arrows, the attributes of Neptune, the arc of whispers, medieval cannabis, the sun through a hole and the face of the devil.

Italian cuisine is well known all over the world and in Bologna you can find typical dishes in a large number of restaurants. Some of them are:

• 'Tagliatelle al ragù': fresh pasta with the authentic Bolognese sauce.
• 'Tortellini in brodo': small stuffed ravioli served in hot broth.
• 'Lasagna alla bolognese': the classic lasagne with meat and bechamel sauce.
• 'Mortadella': typical cold meat, main ingredient of the famous Italian sandwich 'panino con mortadella'.

Students tend to frequent places with the best value for money - don't worry, you'll know them soon after arriving in the city! We recommend, for example, Delizioso Food, I Matti Della Polenta, Pizzeria Due Torri or La Tua Piadina.

Advantages and Disadvantages of doing Erasmus in Bologna, Italy

Advantages

• Amazing student atmosphere: Bologna is one of the cities with the most Erasmus students in Italy.
• Good location for travelling: it’s in the centre of the country, with fast train connections to cities such as Florence, Milan and Venice.
• Excellent food: if you like Italian food, Bologna is heaven.
• Affordable city: compared to Milan or Rome, Bologna has lower prices for rent and food.

Disadvantages

• Wet weather in winter: winters can be cold and rainy.
• Finding accommodation can be difficult: demand for flats is high, so look asap.
• Noisy parties in some areas: in neighbourhoods such as the historic centre, there can be noise at night due to student life.

Cheap student accommodation in Bologna

Do you need accommodation in Bologna and don't know how to find it? At Erasmus Play we’ll help you compare and find the best student flats, rooms and residences in Bologna.

FAQ about doing Erasmus in Bologna