First-Year Student in Alexandroupoli: The Complete Guide to Studies, Housing and Student Life
Got into a university department in Alexandroupoli and looking for student housing? This is the guide to the faculties, rents, meals, getting around and student life in the city. Welcome! Which faculties are in Alexandroupoli? Alexandroupoli hosts five departments of Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), in two schools and on two campuses. School of Health Sciences Department of Medicine Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Department of Nursing, which moved to Alexandroupoli from Didymoteicho in the 2025-2026 academic year All three are on the Dragana campus, 6 kilometres from the centre, next to the University Hospital. School of Education Sciences Department of Primary Education Department of Education Sciences in Early Childhood Both are in Nea Chili, 2 kilometres from the centre. For enrolment dates and timetables, check the announcements of Democritus University of Thrace and of your department. Student housing in Alexandroupoli: where will you live? Housing is the first big thing you will need to sort out, and here you need to move early. Student residence and university housing Alexandroupoli has no student residence. The university houses eligible students in twin rooms in hotels, but places are few and applying does not mean you will get a room. A new 350-place residence is planned, but it is not operating yet. Requirements and deadlines: DUTH - Meals and Housing Student Welfare Office, Alexandroupoli: +30 25510 30965 Email: tath@alex.duth.gr How much does a student flat cost? Most students rent, and the market is tough. Unfortunately the city is expensive: it now gets a great deal of tourism, mainly from Turkey, and many homes have moved to short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb. As a result, properties available for long-term rent are limited. Prices, even for a studio, exceed 350 euros a month. They usually range from 400 to 500 euros, and in some cases go higher if the flat has one bedroom and more square metres, depending also on its age and the area. Add electricity, water, heating, building charges, internet and the deposit to your budget. For listings, start with Spitogatos and also look for flats let directly by owners, to avoid an agent's fee. Start looking as soon as the admission results are out and do not leave it for September. Which area should you choose? Centre: Shops, cafés and food are within walking distance, but you will need a bus to get to class. Nea Chili: Close to the education departments and the student restaurant. Dragana: Close to the School of Health Sciences and the hospital, but 6 kilometres from the centre. Watch out for the summer Some landlords ask students to vacate the flat over the summer so they can let it to tourists. Before you sign, ask whether you will have to leave, whether you must remove your belongings, whether you keep paying rent and whether your return in September is guaranteed. Ask for the terms to be written into the lease; a verbal agreement is not enough. Do not take a flat from photos alone, and do not pay anything before you, or someone you trust, have seen it in person. How can you eat cheaply? The student restaurant is on the Nea Chili campus. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, weekends included, from 1 September to 30 June, except during the Christmas and Easter holidays. Free meals are given to eligible students through an online application on the student platform . You will find the required documents and deadlines at DUTH - Meals and Housing . How will you get around? The centre is walkable. For the campuses in Dragana and Nea Chili you need a city bus or your own transport, so before you rent, check how you will get from home to class, especially on days with morning lectures or labs. Routes, fares and parking are in the ALX guide: Parking, Buses & Getting Around Alexandroupoli . Student life in Alexandroupoli: where do students hang out? For coffee For coffee, with or without meze, some of the city's hangouts: Koul Flou Peach Chymeio Thema and Eccentrico are for coffee by day and turn into bars at night. For a night out Rastoni : a safe choice for drinks. Bacardi Bar AXD : where the city's "alternative" students gather, with quality spirits and classic rock, punk and metal. Estado Club : for more of a club night. For more options, see the city's bars , the tavernas for a meal with friends, and all of Food & Drink . What else can you do in your free time? The sea is inside the city, with beaches you can reach on foot or by bus. Samothraki is not a weekend trip; keep it for more days, perhaps just before the term ends. Check the ferry timetable before you plan it. Before classes start Enrolment: Complete it and follow your department's announcements. Meals and housing: Apply in time if you are eligible. Student pass: Find out how to get it and what travel discounts it gives. Student housing allowance: Check whether you are eligible and what the deadlines are. First-year guide: The university publishes its own first-year guide every year (in Greek), with all the deadlines and documents. Good luck with your studies, and welcome to Alexandroupoli!