Lisbon, Portugal
Photo: Lisbon, Portugal — Wikimedia Commons (CC BY)
🇵🇹 Portugal

Lisbon

Hills, ocean views and a buzzing creative capital.

Ratings

Cost of Living
3/5
Nightlife
5/5
Weather
5/5
Travel Opportunities
5/5
Student Life
5/5
Housing
2/5
University Reputation
4/5
Overall score
4.1/5
Estimated Monthly Student Budget
€950–1,250 / month

Typical all-in cost for an Erasmus student in Lisbon, including rent, food, transport and going out.

Overview

Lisbon offers one of the most complete and sought-after Erasmus experiences in Europe. It combines an exceptional climate, a vibrant social life, a huge international community and excellent travel opportunities, making it a destination hard to beat for many students.

Lisbon rooftops viewed from a miradouro — Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon rooftops viewed from a miradouro
Jerónimos Monastery in Belém — Lisbon, Portugal
Jerónimos Monastery in Belém

Perfect For

  • Students looking for a very active social life
  • Those who value good weather all year round
  • People who want to travel frequently around Europe
  • Students who enjoy international, multicultural cities
  • Those looking for balance between leisure, studies and quality of life

Not Ideal For

  • Students with very tight budgets
  • Those looking for cheap rent
  • People who prefer small, quiet cities
  • Students who want a very concentrated university experience
  • Those who want to minimise accommodation costs
Pros
  • One of the best nightlife scenes in Europe
  • Exceptional climate most of the year
  • Excellent international connectivity
  • Large Erasmus and international community
  • Great balance between studies, leisure and quality of life
Cons
  • Difficult and expensive rental market
  • Cost of living higher than many southern European destinations
  • Strong tourist pressure in some areas
  • City with many hills and demanding commutes
  • Less feeling of a traditional university city than Granada or Bologna

Student Vibe

Lisbon has a huge, well-established Erasmus community. Student associations constantly organise parties, trips, language exchanges and cultural activities that make integration easy from day one. The city combines the atmosphere of a major international capital with a strong university presence, creating a very intense and diverse social experience. For many students, Lisbon represents one of the most complete Erasmus destinations in Europe thanks to its mix of climate, social life, travel and quality of life.

What Students Say

"There are activities every day and it's incredibly easy to make friends."
"Lisbon is a city that never sleeps."
"Lisbon is just an amazing city."
"The city is gorgeous, the weather is amazing and there are Erasmus students from all over the world."
"I will always say Lisbon."

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