Top 10 City Breaks For Partying

Some people go on city breaks for the culture, some for the architecture, some for the cuisine and some just want to be 24 hour party people and head to the nearest bar to explore the hedonist within themselves.  Whether you’re looking for big festivals, carnivals, massive clubs and DJs or just bars with liquor, this list might help you decide on your next city break.

Here are some top cities that never sleep….

1. Las Vegas, Nevada- Bright lights, showgirls, gambling, casinos, obscenely luxurious hotels, chapel weddings that you don’t remember- you can party to excess in the city nicknamed “Sin City”. If you want to re-create a night like in the movie The Hangover, Vegas is definitely going to be for you. The neon-lit strip runs for 6km and casinos have no clocks or windows so you lose yourself in time. It’s a place where you can resist everything but temptation and you can spend some serious cash in this city.

photo by Christopher Chan on flickr

2. Amsterdam, Holland- Amsterdam conjures up images of the Red Light District and famous street cafes and is one of the most popular party cities in Europe. What really stands out about this city is the legality of cannabis. Whilst most people drink alcohol to have a good time, those who want to smoke a joint without breaking the law can do this in one of the many coffee shops in Amsterdam.

photo by imaginaryb0y on flickr   

3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil- Rio de Janeiro is home to the biggest festivals in the world, Carnaval. Everyone in the world has heard of this street festival and around 500,000 travellers visit it every year.  Carnaval is a 4 day celebration just before Easter and is all about excess. The name Carnaval means “farewell to the pleasures of the flesh”. During the peak of Rio’s summer, when temperatures are at their hottest, people dance, sing and party at this euphoric event. There are lots of parades and huge street parties with people dressed up. Carnaval happens all over the city of Rio, culminating in the Samba parade.

photo by sfmission.com

4. San Antonio, Ibiza, Spain- This Spanish island in the Mediterranean Sea has had the accolade of being the number one place to party for around 30 years.  Hippies first started partying on the island and Ibiza has since become synonymous with hedonism, with partygoers flocking from all over the world to see the top DJs and dance the night away in some of the biggest clubs in the world.

photo by Stoper on flickr

5. Budapest, Hungary- Budapest in Hungary is quickly getting a name for itself as a top party destination, with lots of people being attracted to the twinkling lights along the River Danube. The largest city in Hungary has lots of stylish clubs popping up all over the place. They open late and have no strict closing times, sometimes only closing when the last person gets off the dance floor.  Budapest is also unique for its underground courtyard parties which take place in abandoned courtyard buildings not visible from the street.  Budapest is certainly one party destination to keep an eye on.

photo by szeke on flickr

6. Berlin, Germany- Many cities claim to be party cities, but Berlin really doesn’t ever close for bedtime. Whilst many other European cities claim to be 24 hours, Berlin’s underground bars and clubs really do promise to keep pumping till dawn. Berlin is the home of techno music and in summer thousands of people from around the world head to the Berlin Love Parade, an enormous summer party.

photo by GothPhil on flickr

7. Barcelona, Spain- One of Europe’s most popular city-break destinations, Barcelona has everything to offer, including great beaches, Gaudi architecture and clubs with every kind of music packed with people looking to party. Although it’s only Spain’s second biggest city, its definitely up there with the top so if you take a city break to Barca, expect to see the sun come up every morning. Nightlife is spread across the city in different neighbourhoods, Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter, Plaza Real, El Born, Raval, Port Olimpic…there’s something for everyone.  

photo by MorBCN on flickr

8. Bangkok, Thailand-

For somewhere a little more chaotic head to the humid city of Bangkok for a city break. Think high-rise hotels, rooftop bars, food stalls and people everywhere- Bangkok has a pulsating energy like no other city. Walking through the streets of Bangkok you can get lost in the crowds of people and absorb the sights and sounds of this lively city. And of course one can’t forget to mention the go-go bars that Bangkok is so famous for.

photo by Stuck in Customs on flickr

9. Buenos Aires, Argentina-

The mixture of tango, passionate Latin Americans and flirtation in Buenos Aires is a recipe for a lively nightlife. This sexy city places and emphasis on fashion and there’s a diverse range of entertainment in Buenos Aires’ districts, from old folk bars and Irish pubs to chic clubs and jazz-bars. Party late-night in Milongas or head to a neighbourhood house party. Learn to dance the sexy tango or salsa like a local and dance all night by the waterfront.

photo by Tiago Luiz on flickr

10. Istanbul, Turkey-

Turkey’s capital, Istanbul, sits on the Bosphorus Straits and straddles the two continents of Europe and Asia. For this reason it’s a crossroads- a place where East meets West and a place of conflicting cultures. By day you can eplore the Byzantine architecture, do some shopping in the covered market of the Grand Bazaar and enjoy a Turkish massage, and by night you can enjoy the incredible, exotic nightlife. Start your night with drinks in the Beyoglu district before heading to Ortakoy to startt the party.

photo by Jungle Boy on flickr

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