Experience in Urbino, Italy by Amanda

What is it like to live in Urbino? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Urbino is a medieval city on a hill. The center will always remind of medieval times! Small city, you can find everything inside the city walls, beside gyms which are outside but reachable walking for a 10/15 min

What is the student lifestyle like in Urbino?

In Urbino there are more students than local people.
There are many activities for students if interested like gyms, theatre, choir, cineforums, even medieval fencing!

How much does it cost to live in Urbino?

There is the universitarian canteen where you can find a full meal (lunch and dinner) for 5.50€ (includes water, bread and fruit)
There are also many pizzerie and cafè in which you can find good pizza for 1-2€ or sandwiches/salads etc
Transports are frequent, an urban ticket costs 1.25€, ticket to get in the city with the train station costs about 4.85€

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Urbino? Is there any advice you can give?

It may be difficult to find a good place inside the city walls, most of all if the semester already started, but you can also find something outside (neither too far from center!)
Good accomodations cost among 170€ to 230/250€, there surely are some more expensive.
It's present a universitarian college with single or double rooms, which costs 157€ to 210€, including wifi, any bills, daily cleaning services. I highly recommend the college!

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

It's Italy, you can eat well in every town!
My fav dishes are pizza, piadina, any kind of pasta!

What places would you recommend visiting in Urbino?

Urbino is really small but full of wonders. I recommend to visit Raphael's birthplace, Fortezza Albornoz, Palazzo Ducale at least. Then if you can I suggest you to travel a bit around and reach Bologna, Firenze, Roma and so on! Sometimes there are organized trips for universitarian!

Is it good to eat out in Urbino? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

My fav spots are La Terrazza del Duca and Il Ghiottone, both near the center, their pizzas are awesome!
But also L'Aquilone, in which they prepare piadina and crescia with any kind of filling!!
Last but not least, Belin che buono, they cook typical ligurian food like the focaccia or farinata di ceci!

Is the nightlife good in Urbino? Where is good to go?

Nightlife is a bit poor 'cause the latest city ordinance to not allow people to drink alcoholics outside bars/pubs etc.
However you'll find parties more or less everywere on tuesday and thursday!
If you can move and have a car or friends with car, you can reach Rimini or Riccione which are way better for that!

What advice would you give future students heading to Urbino?

The weather is not always great, it can rain and snow a lot! I suggest a good variety of clothes and bring your umbrella always with you. And a scarf, Urbino is windy!