Lisbon Housing Guide for Exchange Students
Lisbon is one of those places that looks like a dream on Instagram: trams, viewpoints, pastel de nata, sunsets over the Tagus.
The reality for exchange students is a bit more nuanced:
social life and travel are amazing, but housing is expensive, competitive, and sometimes sketchy.
From the feedback you shared, Lisbon looks roughly like this:
- Overall experience: ~7.3/10
- Housing: 3.5/5 (painful but doable)
- Social life: 4.4/5 (very solid)
- Travel: 4.7/5 (Porto, Algarve, Madeira, Morocco… you’re spoiled)
This guide is here to help you not get scammed, not live in the middle of nowhere, and actually enjoy Lisbon instead of only fighting with your landlord.
1. Big picture: how housing in Lisbon actually feels
Most exchange students in Lisbon end up in:
- Colivings / Shared flats with 4–12 people
- Student residences (especially for Nova SBE, ISEG, ISCTE)
- Classic apartments (Airbnb, Idealista, etc.), often shared
- Occasionally studios with locals (living in someone’s house)
A few recurring themes from students:
- Rents are high for Portugal, especially in central neighborhoods.
- Many flats are old, noisy, humid, or a bit badly maintained.
- Scams and shady agencies exist – several students got burned.
- But: central neighborhoods are super lively, the city feels safe, and Uber/Bolt + metro make life easier.
If you accept that housing will take effort (and money), Lisbon is an incredible base for:
- Erasmus nightlife (Bairro Alto, K Urban, Lust in Rio, Urban Beach…)
- Beach life (Carcavelos, Cascais, Costa da Caparica)
- Cheap trips (Porto, Algarve, Madeira, Açores, Morocco, Spain)
2. Neighborhoods: where students actually live (and why)
Lisbon is hilly, spread out, and each neighborhood has a very different vibe. Here’s a breakdown using real student feedback.
2.1 Central party & nightlife zones
Bairro Alto / Chiado / Baixa / Cais do Sodré / Praça do Comércio
These are the iconic, central areas where:
- Most Erasmus go out at night
- Bars are packed, streets are loud, and drinks are cheap
- You’re close to almost everything
Students say:
- Bairro Alto – “the Erasmus area”: tons of bars, backpackers, massive cocktails for cheap. Great until ~2 a.m., then people go to clubs (Lux, K Urban, Urban Beach, Lust in Rio, etc.).
- Cais do Sodré – riverside, nightlife, Pink Street (touristy and more expensive, some students say it’s overrated).
- Baixa / Chiado / Praça do Comércio – super central, pretty, more expensive, very well connected.
If you want to be in the middle of the action, these are prime areas – just know they will be:
- Noisy
- More expensive, especially for nice rooms
- Packed with tourists, not just locals
2.2 “Chic & central-but-quieter” areas
Marquês de Pombal / Príncipe Real / Rato / Avenida / São Bento
Several students rave about these neighborhoods:
- One lived in a 12-person Erasmus flatshare near Marquês de Pombal (700€/month) and loved the location – chic area, super central, safe, well connected.
- Another moved from Anjos to Marquês de Pombal and preferred it a lot: better transport, nicer vibe.
- Others recommend Príncipe Real, Rato, Avenida as safe, beautiful, and lively but not as chaotic as Bairro Alto.
Pros:
- Very well connected (metro, buses)
- Safe and pretty
- Walking distance or short metro to nightlife and university buildings (for ISCTE, ISEG, Católica etc.)
Cons:
- More expensive than fringe neighborhoods
- Still central = still some noise & tourists depending on the street
2.3 More local / residential yet central-ish
Anjos / Arroios / Areeiro / Alameda / Saldanha / Graça / Martim Moniz
These areas are often where students find “more affordable but still central” accommodation.
Examples from students:
- Anjos (green line): cheap, easy for ISCTE, but one student found it “not very lively”.
- Areeiro / Alameda / Saldanha:
- One ISCTE student in Areeiro was 20 minutes on foot from the uni, close to metro and buses, felt very safe and residential.
- Alameda is mentioned as a great base: well connected, near ISEL/IST, close to everything.
- Graça: one student in coliving in Graça paid ~850€/month – loved the area but admitted it’s expensive.
- Martim Moniz:
- Central, with 2 metro lines and lots of shops.
- One student loved the location but found it very noisy and warned girls to be careful at night.
These areas are solid choices if you want:
- Short commutes
- Lower rent than Príncipe Real/Chiado
- A more local vibe but still good access to nightlife
2.4 Beach & coast: Carcavelos, Cascais, Caparica
If you’re going to Nova SBE, this part matters a lot.
- Nova SBE campus is not in Lisbon, it’s in Carcavelos, right by the sea.
- Many Nova students live either in:
- Carcavelos / Lombos (near campus, especially in Milestone residences), or
- Lisbon center (Marquês de Pombal / Bairro Alto area) and commute.
Real experiences:
- Multiple students in Milestone Carcavelos:
- Pay ~739–850€/month
- 10–15 minutes’ walk to campus, ~15 mins to the beach
- Great rooms, new building, gym, social life, mostly international students
- But: 40–45 minutes by train to Lisbon center.
- One student lived in Cascais (after Carcavelos on the train line):
- Described it as a “luxury seaside village”, calm, beautiful but more isolated.
- 25 mins to Nova, 30 mins+ to Lisbon, 1200€/month flat alone.
Caparica (south of the bridge) is more about beach & surf than living, but many students go there for day trips and sunsets.
If you’re not at Nova, living there usually makes much less sense.
3. What type of housing can you get? (And for how much)
Here’s a rough summary based on the data:
| Type of housing | Typical price range (€/month) | What you usually get |
|---|---|---|
| Coliving / Shared flat | 450–850 | Room in 4–12 person flat, shared kitchen, sometimes shared bath |
| Student residence | 750–900+ | Private room + bathroom, shared kitchen, gym/common spaces |
| Classic apartment | 600–1500+ | Studio or 2–3 room flat, sometimes shared with friends |
| High-end hotel-style | 1200–1500+ | CASA do Torel / fancy residence type, premium central location |
3.1 Coliving / Shared flats
Most common option. Real numbers:
- 450–700€/month – typical for colivings in central-ish areas (Anjos, Areeiro, Marquês, Bairro Alto, etc.)
- Up to 850€ in very central / trendy places or premium providers
Pros:
- Super social – often 4–12 Erasmus students in the same flat
- Already furnished, utilities sometimes included
- Huge supply of rooms across Lisbon
Cons:
- Quality varies a lot
- Big colivings (10–12 people) can be messy and intense
- Many reports of scams or deposit issues if you’re not careful
3.2 Student residences
Most mentioned: Milestone (Carcavelos & near Nova), Livensa Living (Marquês de Pombal), and some private residences near Benfica/Carnide.
Typical feedback:
Milestone Carcavelos (near Nova SBE):
- 739–850€/month depending on when you book and which room.
- Big individual room + private bathroom, shared kitchen.
- Gym, events, very international, walkable to campus and beach.
- Downsides: occasional hot water cuts, far from Lisbon nightlife.
Livensa Living Marquês de Pombal:
- About 800€/month.
- Gym, pool, terrace, very clean and high-end.
- Central and safe, ~20 mins by transport to ISEG or other central campuses.
Some Benfica/Carnide residences around 850€/month – one student found theirs too far from everything and not very social.
Pros:
- “All inclusive”, new, hassle-free
- Easy to meet people
- Safe and controlled environment
Cons:
- Expensive for Lisbon standards
- Can be far from nightlife (especially Carcavelos)
- Sometimes more “international bubble” than local life
3.3 Classic apartments (with or without a local host)
Some students go for:
- Airbnb-type rentals (short/medium stays, sometimes extended)
- Flats on Idealista / Spotahome / Inlife / Uniplaces
- Studios in a house (e.g. living above a retired owner who helps with cleaning, laundry, etc.)
Examples:
- Alameda, classic flat via Spotahome – 590€/month, very central and recommended.
- Airbnb in central Lisbon (Rua da Cruz da Carreira):
- 3000€ for 3.5 months (so ~850€/month per room if 2 students), super central, calm street, easy access to everything.
- Casa do Torel type: ~1500€/month, ultra-central, super clean, very secure, but high budget.
Pros:
- You can choose flatmates (if you rent as a group)
- More “real life” feeling, not only Erasmus bubble
- Sometimes better quality if you pay more
Cons:
- Harder to secure from abroad
- Contracts and agencies can be messy
- You must handle utilities, repairs, etc.
4. Websites & platforms: where to actually search
Students consistently mention:
- Idealista – the main Spanish/Portuguese housing platform. Lots of supply, but you need to be fast and careful.
- Uniplaces – used by many Erasmus students, but at least one review says:
“No, they take 400€ in fees and are not professional.”
- Imovirtual – another portal for rentals.
- Inlife – used for a 12-person Erasmus flatshare (700€/month) with weekly cleaning.
- Coolivin – colivings with many students, budget mid–high.
- Rooms / coliving brands: some students mention brands or agencies but warn about fraud.
Plus:
- Facebook groups:
- “Les Français à Lisbonne”
- Erasmus housing groups
- Marketplace (used for some Arco do Cego / Avenida de Berna colivings)
- Residences:
- Milestone (Carcavelos/Nova)
- Livensa Living (Marquês de Pombal)
- Casa do Torel (high-end central)
5. Scams, caution & red flags (read this twice)
Housing in Lisbon has a lot of demand, which creates room for scams and shady deals.
From your dataset:
- One student had to hire a lawyer to get their deposit back from a Facebook/Marketplace landlord.
- Another explicitly writes:
“NE PRENEZ PAS CE LOGEMENT C’EST UNE ENTREPRISE FRAUDULEUSE, SI VOUS VOYEZ “HABYT” FUYEZ.”
- Uniplaces: at least one review says they took 400€ in fees and were not professional.
- Some residences/agencies are extremely hard to contact once they’ve got your money.
Minimum safety rules
- Always sign a contract – and actually read it (move-out dates, deposit, penalty clauses).
- Be suspicious of very low prices in central areas.
- For agencies: check fees before paying anything (some charge crazy “service fees”).
- Do at least a video visit if you can’t come in person.
- If a company name keeps popping up with bad stories (e.g. some experiences with Habyt), treat that as a big red flag.
- Try to take over a room from a previous student – those are often the safest deals, since someone you “know” survived it.
6. Matching housing with your university
6.1 Nova SBE (Carcavelos)
Nova SBE is a dream campus: new, beachfront, with a tunnel straight to the sea, cheap cantina, gym, loads of international students.
But it’s in Carcavelos, not Lisbon.
Your main decision:
Do you live near campus by the beach, or in Lisbon center and commute?
Option A – Live near campus (Carcavelos/Cascais/Milestone)
Pros:
- 10–15 minutes walk to campus
- Beach lifestyle (surf, sunsets after class)
- Easier to study (no 1h30 train after a late class)
- Residences like Milestone = hassle-free, social, safe
Cons:
- 30–45 minutes train to Lisbon for nightlife
- Carcavelos/Cascais are calm; fewer spontaneous “let’s go out” nights
- You might feel a bit out of the Erasmus nightlife loop
Option B – Live in Lisbon (Marquês de Pombal / Bairro Alto / central)
Pros:
- Full access to Erasmus Life Lisboa events, Bairro Alto, clubs, rooftops
- Closer to all the bars, miradouros, and city life
- Highly recommended by at least one student who did a big flatshare there
Cons:
- Commute of 1h15–1h30 to Nova (walk + train + walk)
- You’ll need to organise your days around fewer trips back and forth
- Risk of skipping morning classes more often 😅
If you’re very social-party oriented and okay with a long commute: Lisbon center is king.
If you want surf + easy uni life: Carcavelos/Milestone is easier.
6.2 ISCTE / ISCTE Business School
ISCTE students mention:
- Campus is “ok but not extraordinary”.
- Courses, especially in finance/investments, are hard.
- Registration can be slow, and admin is not always smooth.
Housing-wise, good zones for ISCTE include:
- Arco do Cego, Alameda, Saldanha, Areeiro, Marquês de Pombal
- One student in Arco do Cego (550€/month) loved the coliving “family vibe”.
- Another in Areeiro felt very safe and was 20 minutes walk to uni plus good transport for nightlife.
If you pick ISCTE:
- Be careful with finance/investment track – people warn it’s one of the hardest in Europe.
- Living central but on a good metro line (green/yellow/red) is ideal.
6.3 ISEG, ISEL, IST, Católica, Europeia…
ISEG (Lisbon School of Economics & Management)
- Many ISEG students pick central neighborhoods like Alfama, Marquês, or live in residences like Livensa Marquês de Pombal.
- One student strongly warns against a specific Uniplaces/Habyt residence (scammy experience).
IST / ISEL
- Students at IST/ISEL recommend Alameda / Martim Moniz / central zones with good metro.
- A flat via Spotahome near Alameda for 590€/month was highly recommended (very central, close to everything).
Universidade Católica & Europeia
- One Católica student in Martim Moniz loved the central access but said it was too noisy and recommended being careful at night.
- Another at Europeia in Benfica/Carnide residence found it too expensive and too far from everything; they recommend being closer to central Lisbon instead.
Rule of thumb:
For central Lisbon universities, live central (Baixa, Chiado, Marquês, Bairro Alto, Areeiro, Saldanha, etc.) on a metro line.
For Nova SBE, decide between Carcavelos (close to campus) and central Lisbon (social life).
7. Transport, NIF & daily logistics
A few key survival tips:
Free / cheap transport for under 23/25
- There is a transport card for young people that can make metro/train very cheap or free, but you’ll often need a NIF (Portuguese tax number) to get it.
- Multiple students say: handle your NIF as early as possible to avoid huge queues and delays.
Uber & Bolt
- Over and over: Bolt and Uber are much cheaper than in France/Paris.
- Bolt is often cheaper than Uber.
- Great for late night comebacks or airport trips.
Public transport
- Metro is simple and efficient inside Lisbon.
- Trains connect Lisbon to Carcavelos, Cascais, Sintra, etc.
- For big national trips (Porto, Algarve), Flixbus & national buses are popular.
Scooters & walking
- One student said: “Scooter changes everything” – especially if you live central and move between uni, home and nightlife spots.
Climate & safety:
- Climate: warm, often no heating in flats, can be humid but usually never extremely cold.
- Safety: most students report feeling very safe, especially in the center, with the usual “be careful at night when alone” caution.
8. Social life & why your address matters
Lisbon’s social life is one of its strongest points. You’ll see the same names a lot:
- Bairro Alto – dense bar area, cheap drinks, all Erasmus end up here at some point.
- Erasmus Corner – casual street drinks, lots of students, easy to meet people.
- Clubs & party spots:
- K Urban
- Lust in Rio
- Urban Beach
- Lux Fragil
- Lisboa Rio
- Lost in Rio
- Miradouros (viewpoints): perfect for sunsets and pre-drinks.
- Beach spots: Carcavelos, Cascais, Costa da Caparica for surfing and beach days.
Your housing affects:
- How easy it is to go out spontaneously
- Whether you can walk home or always pay a Bolt
- How many other Erasmus live around you
If you love going out a lot and meeting new people, prioritize:
Central areas like Bairro Alto, Baixa/Chiado, Cais do Sodré, Marquês de Pombal, Avenida, Areeiro/Saldanha.
If you’re more into calm + nature + surf, consider:
Carcavelos, Cascais, coastal areas (especially if you’re at Nova SBE).
9. Using Studcasa & the Lisbon WhatsApp group smartly
Instead of scrolling random ads on housing platforms for hours, use the previous cohort and the group.
Step 1 – Explore feedback
In the Feedback tab for Lisbon:
- Look at reviews for your exact university (Nova, ISCTE, ISEG, Católica, etc.).
- Note which neighborhoods keep showing up (Marquês de Pombal, Anjos, Carcavelos, Bairro Alto, etc.).
- Pay attention to warnings (scams, agencies like Habyt, deposit problems, far-away residences).
Step 2 – DM 2–3 students
Pick a few students:
- Same uni as you
- Same faculty or same budget
- Living in a neighborhood or residence you’re considering
Send them a simple message like:
“Hey, I’m coming to Lisbon for a semester at ISCTE. I saw in your review that you lived in Marquês de Pombal / Milestone / Areeiro – would you recommend it? Any red flags with the landlord/agency?”
Students often:
- Tell you if the building/agency is ok
- Warn you about hidden fees
- Sometimes literally hand over their room/lease to you
Step 3 – Use the Lisbon WhatsApp group
The group is your housing radar:
- Post what you’re looking for (budget, uni, preferred areas).
- Share a few listings you’re considering and ask “Does anyone know this place/owner?”
- Look for flatmate calls (“Looking for 2 more people to share a flat near Marquês / Bairro Alto…”).
This is exactly what Studcasa’s “How to Have a Killer Exchange” advice says:
The best housing comes from talking to previous students and active people in the group, not just random platform ads.
10. Concrete plan: how to find (good) housing in Lisbon
You can literally follow this checklist:
Decide your priorities
- Close to university vs. close to nightlife?
- Max rent per month (500? 700? 900?)
- Do you want a big coliving (6–12 people) or a small flat (2–4)?
Pick 2–3 target zones
- Nova SBE: Carcavelos / Cascais or central Lisbon (Marquês, Bairro Alto, Avenida).
- ISCTE/ISEG/Católica/Europeia: Marquês de Pombal, Bairro Alto, Baixa/Chiado, Areeiro, Saldanha, Alameda, Anjos.
- If you want very calm + chic: Príncipe Real, Rato, Avenida.
Search on trustworthy platforms
- Start with Idealista, Inlife, Livensa, Milestone, Casa do Torel, reputable colivings.
- Be extra cautious with Uniplaces and any unknown agency (check reviews, fees, and contracts).
Filter hard on red flags
- Avoid agencies/brands with multiple scam stories (e.g. Habyt from feedback).
- Be wary of very cheap central rooms.
- Always ask for contract details before paying.
Verify the place
- Video or in-person visit.
- Ask: number of flatmates, included bills, deposit terms, neighborhood vibe (noise, safety).
- Check for humidity issues and general cleanliness.
Cross-check with Studcasa + WhatsApp
- Send links to older students or in the WhatsApp group.
- Ask if anyone has lived in that building or with that agency.
Secure something “good enough”
- Don’t obsess over perfection – focus on safe area + clear contract + reasonable commute.
- You can always move in semester 2 once you know the city.
When you arrive: be active
- Go to Erasmus Life Lisboa / ESN / Nova / ISCTE events.
- Explore Bairro Alto, miradouros, and beach days in Carcavelos & Caparica.
- Meet people beyond your original group – sports, classes, residence, parties.
If you follow these steps, Lisbon can be exactly what you want it to be:
sun, surf, parties, serious academics if you want them, and a home that actually feels like home – not just a random room you found the night before your flight. 🌞🇵🇹