The best neighbourhoods for students in Bologna

The first thing you have to know about this Italian city is that there are two very different areas: one is the walled area, the one within the walls, and the other is the one that is on the outside. Students typically prefer to live within the walled area, but there are several neighbourhoods on the outskirts that have become popular with young people because of their cheaper rental costs.

Centro Storico (Old town)

The historical centre of Bologna is located inside the walled area. Generally, it’s one of the best neighbourhoods for students in Bologna because it’s where the main campus of the University of Bologna is. However, keep in mind that it’s also one of the areas with the highest rents.

The old town is actually divided into several neighborhoods, being the most student-friendly Città Universitaria, Ghetto Ebraico, and Irnerio. In fact, these are areas full of students that have a very lively vibe.

The Centro Storico is the area most chosen for nightlife. It has a large number of bars and restaurants, as well as nightclubs. In addition, students usually gather in their squares to drink beers or wine, as in the Piazza Giuseppe Verdi or Piazza Santo Stefano.

This neighbourhood has a unique mediaeval environment, with its cobblestone streets and historical buildings everywhere. Among the cultural sites that stand out are the two towers (Le due Torri), the different buildings and monuments of Piazza Maggiore, like the Fountain of Neptune (Fontana del Nettuno), and the area of ​​little Venice (La Piccola Venezia). In addition to the historical sites, you can also enjoy modern sites, like the MAMbo museum (Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna).

The largest park in this area is the Parco della Montagnola, although the reality is the neighbourhood itself doesn’t have large green spaces to enjoy.

Inside the historic center you can walk everywhere, and there are also several buses that run through its main streets.

Bolognina (area of Bologna Centrale)

This is another area that attracts lots of students. It’s found outside the walled area of ​​the city, to the north of it. There are three main reasons that make students choose this neighbourhood: it’s a few minutes walk from the university district, it has cheaper rents than the historical centre, and it has a very lively atmosphere. In fact, in Bolognina there’s a large number of student residences, which indicates that it’s a neighbourhood highly chosen by them to live.

This neighbourhood is full of different spots for students. In its streets you’ll find a variety of pizzerias, cafes, restaurants with Italian and international cuisine, shops, bars, and nightclubs.

Bolognina also reflects the city's history, with a large number of historical sites and monuments to visit, and a characteristic atmosphere of local culture. For example, you can visit the Museo per la Memoria di Ustica.

Regarding transportation, the most notable thing is that it’s next to the fifth largest train station in Italy: Bologna Centrale. From here you can travel to visit nearby cities such as Florence, Modena, Venice, and Milan. As for transportation within the city, it has several bus stops, and it can also be reached by bicycle or on foot to the historic centre in a short time.

San Donato - Bologna Fiere

This neighbourhood extends northeast of the historical centre of Bologna. It’s also known as “Bologna Fiere” for being close to the train station with that name. It’s a very lively neighbourhood, despite being a business area, and it has cheaper rents than central areas.

Furthermore, the University of Bologna campus can be reached within a few minutes by bicycle, on foot or by public transport. For this reason, it’s another one of the best neighbourhoods for students in Bologna.

San Donato welcomes a large number of students every year, and it has a wide range of eateries for them. There are bars, restaurants, street food stalls, cafes, and pubs. In addition, it has a very lively nightlife, with several nightclubs and live music venues frequented by young people.

There are also affordable shops, outdoor sports venues, concert halls, art galleries, theaters, and cinemas. It’s also home to community arts centres, such as CUBO, and to sites that organize conventions and exhibitions every year, such as Fiera di Bologna.

To enjoy the outdoors and days with good weather, residents of San Donato take advantage of parks like Parco Don Giovanni Bosco and the Giardino Parker-Lennon. Likewise, the large Primo Levi park is very close.

Cirenaica - Porta San Vitale

The neighbourhood of Cirenaica, which is connected to the historical centre through the Porta San Vitale, extends to the east of it. It’s the quieter and more residential area of the ones we mention in this article, but it’s still widely chosen by students because of its location. Besides, the cost of rent is also cheaper than in the city centre, and the faculties of the University of Bologna can be reached in less than twenty minutes on foot.

Despite being a quieter neighbourhood, in Cirenaica there are several bars and pubs, as well as trattorias, Italian restaurants and some others with food from other parts of the world.

Among the few cultural sites that stand out in this neighborhood are the House of Francesco Guccini, a well-known Italian musician, the Archaeological Area Corte 9 of the via Bentivogli and the Dehon theatre.

Public transportation in this area consists mainly of several bus lines, and students also take advantage of its proximity to the downtown area to use the bicycle or walk.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bologna