Nightlife is enticing. It’s fun, it’s dancing, it’s culture. Most cities with a big nightlife scene do have areas where it is more prominent and encouraged. The streets are loud. The food is open late. The club is just a short walk away from your hostel. Here are the popular areas in 3 popular cities: Madrid, Barcelona, and Florence. After reading this, you’ll know where to book your hostel to be a short walk away from the clubs, or where to avoid staying if you aren’t the biggest fan of noise.
As many people know, the nightlife in Spain is intense and appreciated. With some of the top clubs in the world, you MUST experience the nightlife in these cities.
The premiere neighborhood for nightlife in Madrid has to be Malasaña. It was once the hub for counterculture and artistic expression, but has recently undergone a mass of gentrification. It has become extremely commercial and international while still remaining true to its original artistic vibe, making it such a cool place to explore. Not to mention, it is packed to the brim with clubs and bars. Icon, Fucking Mondays, and Waves are all incredible clubs in the area. These will all provide you with the perfect cultural experience and are close enough that you can hop between them all!
To book a table at any of these clubs, check out the booking link.
Barcelona arguably wears the crown when it comes to nightlife, especially in Spain. El Born, El Raval, the Gothic Quarter and Eixample are four of the best areas in the city for nightlife. Eixample is a bit more upscale and expensive. It is home to adorably chic bars and upscale nightclubs, making it the perfect neighborhood if that is your scene.
El Born is modern with a historic flare. Their streets are packed with nightclubs and boutiques. It is also super close to a lot of the main tourist attractions making it even more attractive to first time visitors. The gothic quarter had a medieval feel to it. It is an ancient neighborhood with cosy cafes and lots of bars. El Raval is a bit more indie. With multicultural aspects and buzzing rooftop bars, the neighborhood is appealing to many.
Florence has a more chill nightlife overall, but that doesn’t mean it is dull by ANY means. San Frediano is known as the most authentic place for nightlife in the city. At night, the Piazza del Carmine becomes THE place to be for cocktail bars and clubs. People gather in the square and just have an incredible time in this neighborhood.
XO, Babylon, and Space are three incredible clubs in Florence. A bit smaller than the venues you will find in Spain, they are guaranteed to provide a good time. XO has just officially opened and has already attracted a large crowd. Space and Babylon have been around a bit longer and are a bit more established, but you cannot go wrong with either club.
Nightlife in Europe is vast and exciting. It is such a fun thing to try while you are in cities and if it is something you want to prioritize, I definitely recommend you stay in the neighborhoods mentioned in this blog. Whether you choose an airbnb, hostel, hotel or crashing on someone’s couch, your weekend in any of these cities will be sure to be one you will never forget… unless of course, you do it right.
Written by: Jillian Kotin
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