The best neighbourhoods for students in Porto

Cedofeita

This is one of the best student neighbourhoods in Porto, popular both among Portuguese and international students. It has an artistic and bohemian atmosphere, in fact, it’s known for being the artistic district of the city due to the number of art galleries it has.

Cedofeita is home to several restaurants and bars, as well as craft breweries. It's very lively due to its proximity to the city's historic city centre, which attracts locals, students, and tourists alike.

It’s true that this district doesn't have a great variety of cultural or historical sites to see, but the Soares dos Reis National Museum is a highlight. It’s also very close to sites of cultural interest such as the House of Music (Casa da Musica), and the Clérigos Tower (Torre dos Clérigos).

Cedofeita is home to the Crystal Palace Gardens (Jardins do Palácio de Cristal), one of the most beautiful green areas in Porto to enjoy the outdoors and have views of the Douro River.

Thanks to its proximity to the historic centre of Porto, many places in the city can be reached by foot in a short time. It’s also connected by several bus lines and is very close to several metro and tram stations.

Massarelos

Massarelos is located to the west of Cedofeita. It’s a quieter, more residential area, but it’s ideal for students who’ll study at Polo 3, Campo Alegre of the University of Porto.

In this neighbourhood you can find some restaurants and cafés, one of the prominent sites being the Mercado Bom Sucesso (although its prices can be a little expensive due to its popularity). There are also several cheap bars and pubs, as well as a few nightclubs where you can party. In this neighbourhood, it's also very common for students to organise parties in their apartments or residences.

Massarelos lacks any historical or interesting sites to visit in terms of culture, but it’s home to museums such as the Tramway Museum (Museu do Carro Eléctrico) and the Romantic Museum (Museu Romântico).

From Massarelos you can also easily reach the Crystal Palace Gardens, where there are several hiking trails and viewpoints to take advantage of for beautiful views.

This neighbourhood is very well connected to the centre of Porto and the other neighbourhoods by public transport. It doesn't have metro stations, but it does have several bus and tram stations which are usually close to the river.

Bonfim

This neighbourhood has become increasingly popular in recent years for its affordable accommodation and calm, student-friendly atmosphere. It’s located very close to the historic area of ​​the city. It’s also an artistic and hipster area because the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto is located here, which is why it has become one of the best student neighbourhoods in Porto.

The gastronomic offer in Bonfim is in constant development, with a variety of restaurants, cafeés, and craft breweries. It also has a variety of traditional and some more modern shops, combining the modern with the traditional to perfection.

Bonfim is home to one of the most beautiful spots for views of the city: Fontainhas. There are also several monuments and historical and cultural sites to visit, such as the Bonfim Parish Church (Igreja Matriz do Bonfim) or the cemetery (Cemitério Prado do Repouso).

Among the green areas to highlight is the Parque das Águas, also called Parque da Nova Sintra.

Bonfim is connected to the rest of the city mainly by metro, and also has several bus lines. Also, it’s very close to the Campanhã train station.

Paranhos

This neighbourhood is the furthest away from the historic centre of Porto of the ones mentioned in this article. However, it’s very popular with students of the Polo 2, Asprela of the University of Porto. Moreover, since it's not a tourist area, rent prices here tend to be much lower than in more central neighbourhoods.

Paranhos has a lively student atmosphere, as it’s home to a range of university and student residences, but it’s a more residential area than the previous ones. For this reason, it may not be ideal for those who prefer to live in a party atmosphere.

The Parque Central da Asprela is a park that provides a respite from the buildings, offering a space for exercise and enjoying the outdoors. However, Paranhos doesn’t have a varied cultural offer.

Despite being far from the centre, Paranhos is very well connected: in about 20 minutes by metro you can be in the most central area of ​​Porto. There are also bus lines.

FAQ about neighbourhoods in Porto