I thought for this edition of the Saturday City, we’d do something a bit different. Instead of one city, let’s talk about ten. Ten great cities to party in. As travelers, we have nothing but time on the road and, at night when the sightseeing is over, we usually spend that time going out and meeting other travelers. I do. Quite often. So if you are looking for the best places to get loaded with other travelers, here’s my thoroughly researched list:
Bangkok
Bangkok is a major destination for travelers and the infamous Khao San Rd. It’s filled with travelers every night drinking out of alcohol filled buckets. They take after the locals who go out every night drinking from alcohol filled buckets. Seriously. Stop by the expat bars on a Tuesday and everyone is drinking at the after hours clubs until 5am. Bangkok didn’t do my liver any good.
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Barcelona
Any city where people eat dinner at midnight is a city that will start and go late. The clubs here don’t get busy until about 2 am and stay packed until dawn. Barcelona is a city for night owls. It’s why residents don’t even wake up before noon.
Rome
Rome was a great city to party in. There are lots of bars, lots of kicking clubs, and lots of beautiful people. The pub crawl tours are a great way to meet other travelers. You often get pretty friendly and do crazy things with the people you meet. (See exhibit above!)
Prague
Cheap beer makes this city a major party destination…especially for Brits. While I didn’t encounter any of those notorious stag parties, the nightlife in this city will leave you in a haze wondering what you did last night and whose number that is on your arm.
Miami
Miami is not cheap but it’s a great place for the clubbers out there. Lots of music, lots of great DJs, lots of dancing, lots of pretty people, and most importantly, lots of booze. Even on a backpacker budget, you’ll be able to find some fun. Maybe you’ll even run into a celebrity or two.
Sydney
Aussies know how to party and well, they do it really well. The hostels here organize great hostel parties to meet other travelers but if that is not your thing, you can find your own crowd at any of the clubs and bars around the area. Aussies love to party and are more than happy to welcome newcomers with a drink.
Ios
Any top party list has to include a place in Greece. Ios is party central (though Corfu does give it a good run for its money). During the summer, the Greek Isles heave with people and this island heaves the most with travelers coming here to party all night so they can sleep on the beach all day.
Bali (Kuta)
Bali is a great place to get down. After a long day in the sun, all the backpackers want to do is relax and get silly on Kuta Beach. It’s a hotspot on the travel trail for a reason. The foam party is a blast (any foam party is) and, on Bali, you’ll spend your days hurting your skin in the sun and the nights hurting your liver with alcohol.
Florianopolis
This place in Brazil is a big travel destination. It’s known for its hot weather, hot bodies, and hot parties. In fact, everything is just hot here. The beaches have great night parties and there is a famous pool party run by one of the hostels.
Ko Phangan
It’s home to the monthly Full Moon Party which sees 20,000 people on average and goes until dawn. ’nuff said.
So if you are looking to flex your party muscles, check out these cities.
Note: I know Ibiza is a great place to party so before everyone asks why I didn’t include it on the list here’s why: It’s pretty much club central so if you aren’t a clubber, then Ibiza isn’t a good place. Plus, I didn’t want a list loaded with just Europe and Asian destinations.