Accommodation

Students in Siena find accommodation through private rentals or through student housing managed by the Azienda Regionale per il Diritto allo Studio Universitario (DSU Toscana), that is the regional public agency for university students aid in Tuscany.

Each student must evaluate various factors independently when deciding on accommodation. These considerations encompass the location of the housing and the rental expenses. Options range from single or double rooms in student housing to privately shared apartments with other students.

Private rentals

The University of Siena has entered into an agreement with the Azienda Regionale per il Diritto allo Studio Universitario (DSU) to offer its students a housing search service via the cercoalloggio.com website [English version available].

This service aims to assist students in locating private rental properties, even from a distance. On the website, users can browse property listings that include photos, virtual room tours, addresses, pricing, landlord contact information, and other pertinent details. The service offered is free for all students.

Caution: In recent years, scams targeting international students have occurred, so they are advised to steer clear of unreliable websites promoting apartment rental listings. The cercoalloggio.com service oversees all advertisements on the site to safeguard both students and property owners.

Student Housing Managed by DSU Toscana

DSU Toscana provides housing in its facilities to students based on a competitive selection process and subject to availability.

Eligible non-local students, who satisfy both the economic and merit-based criteria detailed in the yearly call for applications, can seek a spot in these university residences. The housing is complimentary for out-of-town students awarded scholarships and is available for the timeframe outlined in the call. Students who qualify but don’t secure a scholarship are offered housing at a preferential monthly rate, contingent upon availability.

Please visit the DSU website for more information. The website is primarily in Italian, although the downloadable documents that provide information on the announcements are in English. It is suggested to consult the DSU Toscana website using an automatic translation service.

Where to Stay in Siena

The City Center

The historic center of Siena represents one of the largest pedestrian areas in Europe. Every place in the center can be reached within a few minutes on foot. There is also a public shuttle service that connects the immediate outskirts with the pedestrian historic center of the city.

Having accommodation in the historic center is definitely advantageous for fully enjoying your university experience and making the most of student services (such as the cafeteria and study rooms in the libraries).

The Outskirts

Siena’s outskirts offer numerous affordable accommodation options. During the hours of 06:00 AM – 08:00 PM, the outskirts are typically well-served by public transportation, allowing you to reach the city center in 15/30 minutes, depending on the distance.

(Image generated by AI)