Renaissance market squares and medieval towers characterise Padua, not just one of Europe's oldest university towns and a former city-state, but a major pilgrim destination: St Anthony is entombed in its mighty, art-sprinkled basilica. Copernicus and Dante studied here; Galileo and Petrarch were teachers. Yet its current students give Padua a youthful vibe, lived-in feel and scruffy amiability that is a far cry from the middle-aged, tourism-driven atmosphere of nearby Venice. The town is jammed with value eateries, gelato stands and cafes, great interludes on a tour of the 1594 university anatomical theatre, museums and a chapel frescoed by Giotto. discoverpadova.com

OXFORD, UK

Surely no other university town has influenced the world quite like Oxford, with its alumni of authors, Empire builders, prime ministers, prelates and dozens of Nobel-winning scientists. It has some top experiences for the intellectual, including legendary bookstore Blackwell's, Bodleian Library and the Ashmolean Museum. Cobbled streets and venerable colleges make for an agreeable wander; Christ Church stood in for parts of Hogwarts, and New College (founded in 1379) has lovely gardens. But Oxford's students know how to have fun too, whether punting on the river, partying pre-graduation in June, or haunting its many atmospheric pubs. experienceoxfordshire.org

HEIDELBERG, GERMANY

If you want to do the student thing in Heidelberg, walk along the Philosopher's Path by Neckar River, thinking deep thoughts; it inspired Goethe and Schiller, who were among the Romantic writers who made Heidelberg famous. Its ruined sandstone castle atop the town is picturesque with ivy and Gothic windows and backed by wooded hills. Below is a largely baroque old town where some of the town's 30,000 students devour giant sausages in historic pubs and breweries. Other sights in Germany's oldest university town (1386) include a medieval library and former student jail; Hauptstrasse pedestrian shopping drag is lovely and lively. heidelberg.de

MONTPELLIER, FRANCE

Montpellier provides the Mediterranean's sunshine and palm-shaded squares without the Riviera crowds. Its eponymous university, founded in 1289, boasts one of the world's oldest and most eminent medical schools; visit the ghoulish but worthwhile Anatomy Museum, though preferably after lunch. From sprawling, central Place de la Comedie, full of outdoor cafes, a warren of pedestrian streets wanders past limestone buildings, churches and civic monuments, leavened with boutique shops and down-at-heel bars. Musee Fabre is one of the best regional art galleries in France. A quarter of the population are students: enjoy a buzzing nightlife and plenty of indie bands. montpellier-tourisme.fr

SZEGED, HUNGARY

The University of Szeged is one of the most prestigious in central Europe, and provides this small, southern Hungarian town with a youthful, cosmopolitan vibe and abundant bargain eateries that dish up spicy meatballs and fish stew. Most of the centre of town is built in grand Art Nouveau style, with Reok Palace considered one of its finest examples in Europe; a 1907 synagogue is a marvel of stained glass, ornate wood and metal decoration. Szeged's riverside location, lovely magnolia-shaded central square, pedestrian town centre, thermal baths and summertime Open-Air Festival are other reasons to linger. szegedtourism.hu

LEIDEN, NETHERLANDS

A fat hilltop fortress, old sailing boats afloat in the harbour, pleasant parks and canals spanned by humpback wooden bridges: if you want a respite from Amsterdam's tourist crowds, then the 45-minute train ride to Leiden will soon see you sitting at a waterside pub, beer in hand, surrounded by gossipy students. University buildings dot the compact, easily walked town centre. Gabled buildings and canal-scapes are straight out of paintings by Rembrandt, who grew up here. As befits the home of the Netherlands' oldest university (1575), Leiden also has excellent small museums and a fine botanic garden. visitleiden.nl