Best areas for students in Pisa

San Francesco

San Francesco is, without a doubt, one of the best neighbourhoods for students in Pisa. It’s part of the historic centre and it has a very lively and youthful atmosphere. This is mainly due to the fact that it hosts the Polo Fibonacci of the University of Pisa. It's definitely a university neighbourhood!

This is one of the liveliest neighbourhoods in Pisa, and has plenty of restaurants, bars and nightclubs that are affordable for students. There are also plenty of cafes, bookstores, and interesting cultural spaces.

Among the historical and cultural sites, the most notable ones in this neighbourhood are:

• National Museum of San Mateo (Museo Nazionale di San Matteo)
• Gipsoteca of Ancient Art (Gipsoteca di Arte Antica dell'Università di Pisa)
• Verdi Theatre
• The Porta San Zeno and the Porta Pacis, two of the gates that were part of the wall that surrounded the historic centre
• Churches and parishes, such as the Chiesa di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria

San Francesco is located north of the Arno river, and the walk along it, called Lungarno Mediceo, offers panoramic views and is perfect for walking or cycling. Moreover, one of the most beautiful squares in the neighbourhood to relax and enjoy the outdoors is the Piazza Martiri della Libertà.

As far as means of transportation are concerned, in this neighbourhood the most common thing is for students to walk or ride a bike everywhere. In addition, several bus lines cross San Francesco, facilitating access to other areas of Pisa.

Santa Maria

This neighbourhood is also part of the historic centre of Pisa, and is located next to San Francesco, to the west of it. It also has a very lively and dynamic atmosphere, and is an excellent option for students looking to live immersed in the artistic heritage of the city.

In Santa Maria is the Engineering Centre (Polo de Ingegneria) of the University of Pisa, and there are also several buildings with other faculties of the institution in the surroundings of the Piazza dei Cavalieri.

The restaurant options are quite varied, and many of the restaurants are located in Via Santa Maria. As for nightlife, a frequent meeting point for students is Piazza delle Vettovaglie, where there are a lot of bars, pubs, and venues with live music. This area is also home to some of the more popular nightclubs for young people, such as Lumiere.

In Santa Maria is the most famous set of buildings in the city. In the Piazza dei Miracoli there’s the group of buildings made up of the famous Tower of Pisa (Torre di Pisa), the Cathedral of Pisa (Cattedrale di Pisa), the Baptistery (Battistero di San Giovanni) and the cemetery (Camposanto Monumentale), all of them recognised by UNESCO.

One of the most beautiful gardens in SantaMaria is the Botanical garden (Orto e Museo Botanico), which is free for students. This neighbourhood also borders the Arno river, so you can walk or exercise along its path, Lugarno Antonio Pacinotti.

Santa Maria is well connected to the rest of the city: it has several bus lines and is next to the regional train station, Pisa San Rossore. In addition, many students choose to walk or ride a bike everywhere, since it’s a central neighbourhood and everything is relatively close.

San Martino

San Martino is another one of the best student neighbourhoods in Pisa. It’s located south of the Arno River, in an area that’s also part of the city's historic centre. It’s a less touristy area, which makes it have a calmer and more authentic atmosphere.

San Martino offers a variety of dining options, with plenty of places to try local cuisine. A popular meeting point for students is the Piazza Chiara Gambacorti, which is surrounded by affordable bars and restaurants.

Compared to the neighbourhoods mentioned above, in San Martino there isn’t a wide variety of cultural sites to visit. However, among the highlights of the neighbourhood are some religious buildings, such as the Parish of San Martino or the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Chiesa del Santo Sepolcro).

On this side of the Arno river, the walk along it, called Lugarno Galilei, is ideal for strolling and enjoying beautiful views of the city. An ideal place for picnics and outdoor study is Giardino Scotto.

Many faculties of the University of Pisa are within walking distance on foot or by bicycle, which is convenient for students. In addition, there are several bus lines which connect to the rest of the city and the city's main train station, Pisa Central Station, is just a few minutes walk away.

FAQ about neighbourhoods in Pisa