When it comes to partying, there’s
no denying the Europeans do it best. Whether you’re dancing ‘til dawn in
Barcelona, squeezing in a cheeky pint or two in London or raving it up
island-style in Ibiza, we’ve rounded up some of the top European cities known
for their nightlife.
Image credit: paldies
Barcelona
Not only is Barcelona the
Catalan capital, it’s also Spain’s party centre as well. From laidback drinking
dens open well into the early hours in El Raval (where the likes of Hemingway
and Picasso used to find inspiration) to downtown discothèques like Moog, one
of the world’s most famous electronic clubs, there are plenty of places to go
to lift your spirits. This Spanish social scene starts and ends late – with 2am
considered an early night, so be sure to stock up on your sleep during the
siesta, as you won’t be heading home until the very next morning.
Image credit: kupalima
Berlin
What’s the genre of choice in this part of Germany? Techno
music of course. Often voted one of the
world’s best clubbing destinations, there are hundreds of establishments
dedicated to late-night dancing in Berlin. With an estimated 134,000 students
living in the capital it’s no wonder the city centre is lively almost every
night of the week. Be sure to go club hop so you can experience as many of them
as possible and definitely put Berghain on the list, one of the world’s most
famous nightclubs blasting techno tunes until dawn. In fact, it’s so exclusive,
that there’s a strict no photo policy, so leave your camera at home. If
you’re looking for great deals on places to stay in Berlin visit the Hotels4U website, or see our Berlin Travel Guide for more information about the city.
Image credit: robbrown
London
Whether you’re up for a posh
place to party in the city’s west end or a casual night out in trendy
Shoreditch, this English capital will go down a treat with everyone. Be sure to
start early though as most clubs close around 3 with lots even shutting their
doors at 1, depending on where you go. However, if you’re looking to let loose
all night long, go to Fabric in Farringdon. Although a £5-20 entry fee,
depending on the night, they stay open ‘til 5am and 8am on Saturdays. Take a
look at our London Travel Guide for
more tips on finding your way around the city.
Image credit: jockew
Stockholm
Dancing queens should head
up to Sweden for a slice of the Scandinavian approach to socialising. With
bohemian style bars and underground dance clubs dotted throughout the centre,
the city has its own unique charm outside of what you’d find in an Ikea
catalogue. Be sure to go in the height of summer - you’ll be partying mostly in daylight as it’s
only dark for a couple of hours, and you can watch the sun set from one of the
roof-top bars before rising again over the fjords.
Image credit: st33vo
San Antonio
Of course, when it comes to
raving, no other city beats Ibiza’s exotic town of San Antonio. Attracting an
estimated four-million partygoers each year, this clubbing mecca also holds two
annual music festivals – Ibiza Rocks for pop and rock lovers and Ibiza 123 for
the more electronically-inclined. Click here for fantastic offers on places to stay in the area from
Hotels4U.
Where do you like to party? Let us know in the comments, or on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.