Salamanca, Spain

The city with the oldest university in Spain is usually brimming with students in its historic centre. Home to illustrious figures such as Antonio de Nebrija, Calderon de la Barca, and Miguel de Unamuno, the city is a beacon of knowledge, yet it is also a prime location for fun.Summertime in Salamanca offers the perfect environment to visit the university’s buildings, the Plaza Mayor, and the famous Casa de las Conchas. It’s also a great opportunity to visit the city’s beautiful cathedrals, or walk along the riverbank of the Tormes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Padua, Italy

The city with the second oldest university in Italy attracts thousands of students, eager to follow in the footsteps of previous alumni such as Galileo, Dante, and Petrarch.

 

A quarter of the city’s inhabitants are students, so the young vibe throughout the academic year is exceptional, however, the summer exodus of students allows visitors to calmly enjoy Padua’s architectural and artistic monuments without the never-ending queues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nottingham, UK

Famous for the legend of Robin Hood, Nottingham is also one of the UK’s major student cities. The fact that it has two very important universities – as well as thousands of students – makes it a very dynamic city with a strong nightlife. This is also where you’ll find the famous ‘Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem’ – a pub that claims to be England’s oldest, serving pints since 1189.

 

In the summer, Nottingham becomes somewhat of a ghost town – quite literally, in fact, in that it was voted the UK’s most haunted city in 2013.

One of the UK’s less obvious tourist destinations, the city has several landmarks worth visiting. Nottingham’s castle, the underground caves, Galleries of Justice museum, and Wollaton Park and Hall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bamberg, Germany

Walking through the medieval streets and steep red roofs of Bamberg will feel like you’re part of a fairy tale adventure. Despite its small size, the university’s student population has recently increased dramatically and now accounts for a sixth of the city’s inhabitants. Why the recent surge? We’re not sure if it’s the university’s improved reputation, or the fact that Bamberg is in the region where you will find the most breweries in the world; 200 of them, to be precise, with ten of them situated in the city.

 

After all the students have left for their summer vacations, Bamberg offers a quiet environment for exploring the city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maastricht, Netherlands

Vibrant and dynamic, Maastricht is one of the Netherlands’ most international campuses. Attracted by the young and multicultural vibe, almost half of the city’s student population comes from abroad to study and enjoy the epic nightlife.

 

However, it’s more than just a city for students – Maastricht is a great culinary destination, with numerous cafés and several restaurants boasting Michelin stars. In August, the city hosts the Preuvenemint, the country’s largest food festival.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rennes, France

Home to two very well-known universities in France, Rennes is a city with a large student population and a famous nightlife. There are so many bars on the historic Rue St. Michel that it has earned the nickname of ‘The Thirst Street’ by locals. The vibrant nightlife perfectly coexists with other more bohemian and cultural facets, with plenty of cafés and museums to visit.

 

When summer arrives – and most locals head for the coast and students leave – the atmosphere becomes perfect for a quiet stroll through the city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leuven, Belgium

Home to two very well-known universities in France, Rennes is a city with a large student population and a famous nightlife. There are so many bars on the historic Rue St. Michel that it has earned the nickname of ‘The Thirst Street’ by locals. The vibrant nightlife perfectly coexists with other more bohemian and cultural facets, with plenty of cafés and museums to visit.

 

When summer arrives – and most locals head for the coast and students leave – the atmosphere becomes perfect for a quiet stroll through the city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coimbra, Portugal

Known as ‘the city of knowledge’, Coimbra has one of the world’s oldest universities and is a World Heritage site. The city maintains peculiar traditions called the ‘praxe’ which sees the students having to wear a long black cloak as part of their official uniform.

 

Coimbra’s university atmosphere is so well-known that the city’s main attraction is the Queima das Fitas – a festival in May that marks the end of the academic year, full of concerts, beer, and cultural activities.