Top Cities in Germany for Students
Germany is a country that has it all: from beer and sausage to an undisputed respect for David Hasselhoff – is there a better place to be a student? With almost 400 universities, Germany has something for everyone, with each city offering something different for its diverse student population. So, don your lederhosen, fill a stein and get ready, because we’ve put together a list of the best cities for students in Germany.
Frankfurt
Where better to study than in the city that’s said to have the world’s seventh-best quality of life? Frankfurt is incredibly well connected with the rest of Germany, which means you’ve got plenty of opportunities to explore other German cities from this travel hub. Although it’s not the cheapest place to live in Germany, it makes up for it with a rich cultural heritage and world-class educational institutions – making Frankfurt a contender for one of the country’s top student cities.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Central Frankfurt is a key location for businesses, making it Germany’s answer to Singapore or Tokyo – a bustling hub of commerce which is perfect for professionals. That being said, there’s a prominent student community and the outer edges of the city cater for this.
The area of Bockenheim is the former location of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, and remains a key location for the city’s students. Here you’ll find plenty of affordable bars where you and your fellow friends can socialise – for affordable beer and a sense of neighbourhood familiarity, we suggest that you head to Zum Tannenbaum, located just a three-minute walk from our Bockenheim accommodation.
Food
When you think of German sausage you probably think of the nation’s all-time favourite – the frankfurter. People flock from far and wide just to try an authentic version of this tasty snack; made from both beef and pork. They can be picked up virtually anywhere in the city for a couple of euros, but we recommend Ebbelwoi Unser for their great atmosphere and consistently high standard of food.
Hamburg
Hamburg is the German city for shopping, entertainment and relaxation. It’s the country’s northern hub for culture, making it the ideal place for students to live. Don’t be fooled by the numerous concert halls, art galleries, theatres, clubs and bars – you’ve still got to study, and there are few places that are better equipped to further your education than this major European science and education centre.
Entertainment & Nightlife
With over 100 music clubs, 60 museums and 30 cinemas, it’s no surprise that Hamburg is a student haven. You’ll never be late for a concert (or a lecture) with the city’s impressively punctual public transport system. The end of September brings one of Europe’s largest festivals – Reeperbahn – giving you the perfect opportunity to bond with your fellow students over music, art and film.
Food
Where better to try a hamburger than the place that give them their name? In Hamburg, there are plenty of places to eat, no matter what your budget and appetite – from your average burger to fine dining, there will be something for you. For a combination of European and local dishes we suggest Frau Moller: just a 10-minute drive from our Wandsbek accommodation; this restaurant offers a homely feel at a reasonable price and will be sure to leave you feeling satisfied.
Münster
For those of you who prefer a more sedate location: Münster offers the quietness of a smaller town but the nightlife of a larger city, meaning you’re in the right place to both study and have a good time. Tucked away in a quiet corner of Germany it’s a great place to take your studies outdoors – spend the day by the Aasee reservoir and you’ll be sure to get through your work in this serene location.
Entertainment & Nightlife
You’ll benefit from visiting one of the many museums or galleries that Münster has to offer. Take in the city’s rich culture, or enjoy a boat ride on the Aasee. There’s plenty of drinking options both day and night; relax in a beer garden or spend the evening in a cocktail bar – Pension Schmidtt is a popular choice for students, hosting student-friendly events in a cosy, 70’s-style setting.
Food
Experience a range of cuisines with prices to suit the student budget: you’ll be able to try everything from local sausages to vietnamese spring rolls without spending too much. They city has a reputation as a place that welcomes outsiders, and the local delicacies prove that Münster breaks the mould from typical German cuisine – for this reason the pumpernickel is a must-try. We recommend dining in the student-oriented Cavete; just a 10-minute drive from our accommodation where you can try some local vegetarian dishes at a reasonable price.
Darmstadt
Expect to become an honorary citizen of Darmstadt, as the locals (who like to refer to themselves as “Heiners”) are known for their welcoming demeanour. You’ll have plenty of time to get acquainted with the city’s many green spaces, museums, libraries and other useful study spots.
Entertainment & Nightlife
You may think that such a small city doesn’t have much to offer a student in the pursuit of nightlife, but one of the benefits of the city’s size is that you can really experience the diverse entertainment options and work out what suits you. You’re likely to bump into people that you know and have some great opportunities to make new friends. The nightlife ranges from Irish bars to pubs and even a club or two – in fact Darmstadt is a known for kickstarting the careers of some of the world’s most prominent techno DJs. Keep an eye out for the two festivals hosted in the city every year – Heinerfest and Schloßgrabenfest – both of which are hotly anticipated events that draw in big crowds.
Food
Darmstadt has something for everyone, from burgers to vegetarian dishes to traditional German cuisine (straight from the Hessen state). We recommend Habibi vegetarian restaurant, just an eight-minute drive (or 20-minute walk) from our accommodation – here you’ll be able to find generous portions at a reasonable price.
Berlin
Berlin is one of the most diverse cities in the world, with 12 districts forming an incredible, multicultural environment. If you live here, you won’t be short on things to do, as there’s plenty of history, culture and counterculture in which you can immerse yourself throughout your studies.
Nightlife
Being a larger city, Berlin has an incredibly diverse nightlife, with an array of bars and clubs that cater to everyone’s tastes. If you’re looking for a cheap drink we recommend Helmut Kohl – a trendy bar featuring an upmarket wooden decor that’s known for its cheap whiskey sours.
The jewel in the crown of Berlin nightlife is its club scene, with venues like Berghain being known for featuring world-famous techno music, and hosting prominent DJs throughout their careers. These places are known for staying open late, so if you like the idea of partying until 8am, Berlin is the place for you.
Food
Berlin’s food choices mirror its clubbing options in the sense that there is something for everyone. Here you’ll find any cuisine you like, and there will more than likely be somewhere that sells it at your budget. Some of the most cost-effective (and tastiest) food to hit Berlin has come from its recent street food resurgence, where street vendors sell mouth-watering snacks that wouldn’t look out of place in a restaurant.
We recommend the cheeseburger from Bunsmobile which you can find at Bite Club. This event can be found every fortnight at a riverside spot in Kreuzberg and features a range of different vendors. Make sure to get down there early because it’s likely to get busy.
Experiencing Germany Through Uninest
Germany is a country with much to offer in terms of education and entertainment making it an ideal country for students. Finding the perfect balance is important to the student experience – we know that you want to have a good time while you learn and there’s no better way to do that than to immerse yourself in the culture of a new city.
Uninest accommodation gives you everything that you need to make the most of Germany while you study – from central locations to excellent study spaces.
Want to learn more about Germany’s best student cities? Our local guides are full of food, drink, nightlife and culture recommendations. Choose a city and browse our favourite hotspots in each city.