Fun and Exciting Party destinations in Europe in Winter

Winters in Europe aren’t as dull and boring as it seems to be. There are plenty of things to do even during winters away from the maddening crowd of summer. And best of all — at slashed prices. On top of it, there’s quite a happening nightlife too if you know where to go.

Listed in this post are some of the obvious and not-so-obvious winter party destinations in Europe in collaboration with some of my favorite travel bloggers. Hope you find it useful!

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Budapest

By: Christine Rogador from The Travelling : (Find their blog on Facebook)

Budapest has one of the liveliest nightlife in Europe even during winter. Famous for its ruins bars, this thriving capital of Hungary is becoming a favorite destination for its night scene. If you would like to meet new people, then try going on guided activities like a pub crawl in Budapest.

Ruin bars started in the Jewish quarter in Budapest. Locals converted dilapidated buildings that were left to decay after World War II. And the result is unpretentious thriving bars that changed the way Hungarians party.

From the outside, these bars look like a normal building but once you enter, you will find eclectic, funky, and hip bars. One of the best ruin bars, and the bar that started it all is Szimpla Kert. It has several rooms with different themes and different genres of music. You can enjoy EMD and dance with strangers or bang your head with rock music by just moving from one room to another. They also sell good craft beers for a reasonable price. Which is a good way to beat the freezing winter while dancing your heart away? Also, check free things to do in Budapest.

➜ Check price for pub crawl in Budapest

Where to stay in Budapest

Maverick City Lodge: One of the top-rated and budget accommodations right in the city center. Check price at Maverick City Lodge

Budapest Holiday Harmony: If you’d like to consider staying getting the real Budapest experience, consider staying at Budapest Holiday Harmony apartments. Excellent service, convenient location, and great ambiance. What more could you ask for? Check price at Budapest Holiday Harmony

D8 Hotel: One of the top-rated, beautifully designed hotels right in the heart of the city. Check price at D8 Hotel

Berlin

By: Patrick Muntzinger from German Backpacker (Find his blog on Instagram)

Berlin is known to be one of the best party hotspots in Europe! Especially in winter, when the city is pretty grey and rainy, it’s your perfect excuse to party all night since sightseeing in the cold is not that much fun anyway. The good thing about Berlin – is you’ll find every kind and style of party you can basically imagine. There are chilled bars and pubs, posh and fancy clubs like Ice Bar as well as kinky underground parties and festivals. If you’re visiting in December, make sure to also head to the Christmas markets to enjoy some mulled wine – perfect for pre-drinking before hitting the clubs.

One club that everyone seems to know is Berghain – known for its notoriously strict bouncers, which might give you a hard time getting in. And if you actually make it into the club, be prepared for one of the craziest parties you’ve ever seen. Berlin in Germany is open-minded, diverse, and a party destination for everyone!

Also, you cannot visit Berlin and not sample beers as it makes some of the best beers in the world. Go on a brewery tour and craft beer tasting in Berlin to make the most of your trip.

Where to stay in Berlin

Design Hostel P182: This is one of the best design hostels in Berlin. Berlin boasts contemporary designs and this hostel embodies the culture of Berlin. Check our prices at Design Hostel

Gorki Apartments: Top-rated, lovely apartment with contemporary design at a convenient location. What more could you ask for? Check out prices at Gorki Apartment

Sofitel Berlin Kurfürstendamm: Indulge in all the luxury Berlin has to offer while staying at this swanky hotel right in the heart of the city. It offers a good breakfast spread and great value for money. Check out prices at Sofitel Berlin

Hamburg

By: Megan from Megan Starr (Find her blog on Facebook)

I had the chance to visit Hamburg during the winter and I was on a mission to explore as much of the local craft beer scene as possible.  Little did I know how rich and fun the scene was there and it even led me to enjoy some wine and do a gin tasting!

Hamburg is often overlooked in favor of Berlin from a party perspective, but the people who know Germany well know that Hamburg is a force to be reckoned with.  The northern city has a rich history, temperamental weather, and likes to party.  The best part about Hamburg is that it is easy to reach virtually any Western European city by bus or train, making the party accessible to just about anyone!  

If you have a rough night partying, there are plenty of chilled-out activities that can keep you occupied during the winter months from a vibrant cafe scene to plenty of museums steeped in local history.

Also, there are more things to do in Hamburg, Germany during the winter.

➜ Check out price for Pub crawl entry Hamburg

Where to stay in Hamburg

MEININGER Hotel Hamburg City Center: Top-rated hostel in Hamburg at a convenient location with great value for money. Check out price at Meininger Hotel

Sir Nikolai Hotel: Indulge in luxury and sophistication when you stay at this tastefully designed hotel right in the center of the city. Check out price at Sir Nikolai Hotel

Fraser Suites Hamburg: Comfortable stay, friendly staff, and a newly opened hotel right at a convenient location. Check out price at Fraser Suites

Riga

By: Mary Charie by A Mary Road (Find her blog on Instagram)

What many non-Europeans don’t know is that the Baltic States are also popular as a party destination. And it doesn’t escape winters either. Riga, the capital of Latvia is actually one of the known “Stag Party” destinations. The actual night party and club-goers will normally start filling up the clubs at around 11 p.m. and will last until the sun goes up. If you like mainstream music, you should head to Kaļķu Vārti, where you can also meet Latvians and see how they party. Star Lounge Bar is great to go for those who want to party with the stunning view of Riga. It is also the place where most tourists would go but mainly packed during Friday night and Saturday night. You can also sign up for a group beer or cider tour around the city and meet new people.

Partying in Riga should not break the bank, the price of the drinks is pretty reasonable. Cocktails start at $6 and beers can be found for as cheap as $3. While there are also a lot of party hostels in Riga where you can stay, the hostel organizes pub crawls which you can join.

➜ Check out price for Beer Bike Tour

Where to stay in Riga

Wicked Weasel Hostel: One of the top-rated budget-friendly hostels in Riga. This hostel has an open terrace and is conveniently located with friendly staff. Check out price at Wicked Weasel Hostel

Hotel Bergs – Small Luxury Hotels of the World: Top-rated, value for money, 5-star hotel right in the heart of Riga. Check out price at Hotel Bergs

Barcelona

By: Vicki Franz from Vicki Viaja (Find her blog on Instagram)

Unlike many other places in Europe, Barcelona usually doesn’t get as cold during the winter. Therefore, it’s so much nicer to go out here during the winter months. But it’s not only the temperature that makes Barcelona a perfect party destination. The Catalan capital is known worldwide for its nightlife, bars, and clubs as well as its alcohol such as Sangria or cava.

The locals of Barcelona like to party all night long – which makes sense considering the dinner here often just starts at 10 pm. Thus, leaving for a night out after midnight is completely normal here. That being said partying in Barcelona is fun and it’s a great opportunity to meet locals but please don’t be that guy walking around downtown super wasted and noisy at 5 pm – we have a lot of those already. You can find all kinds of bars all over Barcelona – from traditional Catalan to local Ice Bars, and international ones. You can as well find the right bar or club for all types of music or style.

➜ Check prices for Beer Bike Tour in Barcelona

Find out what not to do in Barcelona here.

Where to stay in Barcelona

Mediterranean Hostel Barcelona: The decently priced hotel is right in the city center. It hosts a cool movie room and is definitely one of the best hostels to stay in Barcelona. Check prices at Mediterranean Hostel

Mediterranean Hostel Barcelona: One of the top-rated and value-for-money apartments in Barcelona run by friendly hosts. Conveniently located, has excellent staff, and is great for couples. Check prices at Mayerling Abamita Apartments

One Barcelona: If you are looking for an indulgent stay, look no further than The One Barcelona GL. It features beautifully decorated interiors and a rooftop pool right at the heart of the city. Check prices at One Barcelona GL 

Paris

By: Elisa from World in Paris (Find her blog on Pinterest).

Paris in the winter is a great destination to party day and night. The city has a handful of legit clubs and bars for dancing and partying and from chic bars around Champs Elysées to indie clubbing in the Belleville neighborhood, there is something for every taste. You can also embark on a panoramic dinner cruise along the river Seine.

Cabaret shows are also a great way to spend a festive night in Paris, with music, dancing, can-can girls, and lots of champagne and the spectators are always very involved in the show. Some cabarets like the Moulin Rouge show come with a dinner option so you are covered for the whole night.

Come to celebrate New Year in Paris and finish the year in style, with beautiful light shows and popular outdoor celebrations everywhere, but especially around Champs Elysées and Montmartre.

Winter in Paris also comes with fun day celebrations, like the Chinese New Year in the 13^th district of Paris, or the Brazilian Carnival a little bit everywhere. The latest is especially colorful and the parade includes groups of batucada so everybody ends up dancing to the sound of the drums.

➜ Check price for Wine & Cheese Tasting in Paris

Where to Stay in Paris

Les Piaules: One of the best backpacker-friendly hostels in Paris. Located right in the heart of the city, Les Piaules is perfect for solo travelers. Check price at Les Piaules

Hôtel Les Deux Girafes: Decently priced hotel at a convenient location – now, that’s hard to come by in a city like Paris, right? But then there are tastefully designed hotels like this to give travelers the best value for their bucks. Check price at Les Deux Girafes

Fabulous Rooftop Louvre: If you’d like to feel at home in Paris, rent yourself this fabulous apartment right in the heart of the city. Check price at Fabulous Rooftop Louvre

Copenhagen

By: Julianna, The Discoveries Of (Find her blog on Pinterest)

Copenhagen is one of the best party destinations in Europe in winter. Maybe it’s because it’s so cold, maybe it’s because it gets so dark so early in the day but those guys sure know how to party hard!

There are endless cocktail bars, beer halls, and old-school drinking holes to ease you into the night, and then the choice is yours. Club-wise, Culture Box and Hive are two well-known joints, as are Zoo Bar and Rust.

Although I’m big into clubs, I think that one of the best things to do in Copenhagen is explore all of the cool live music venues there are dotted around the city. From grotty little dive bars with acts you’ve never heard before to large-scale concert halls, there’s always someone cool to see. I particularly love Little Vega, a small venue that attracts some big names – it’s a fun crowd and it’s great to get up close and personal with the bands. Cannot recommend it enough.

➜ Check price for a Fun Pub Crawl Tour in Copehagen

Where to Stay in Copenhagen

Urban House Copenhagen by MEININGER: If you are looking for value-for-money accommodation while in Copenhagen, don’t look any further than this boutique-styled hostel right in the city center. Check price at Urban House Copenhagen

71 Nyhavn Hotel: One of the top-rated hotels in Copenhagen with fabulous designs and beautiful views. Enjoy your perfect Scandinavian holiday while staying at this lovely hotel. Check price at 71 Nyhavn Hotel

STAY Seaport: Make yourself at home at a well-furnished apartment right in the heart of the city. Check price at STAY Seaport

Lisbon

By: Inma Gregorio from A World to Travel (Check out her blog on Instagram)

It’s nothing new: Lisbon is and has been, a perfect destination to party for many years now. Like last year, I just came back from the Web Summit – held in this city – and I could see once again that Lisbon is in top shape come rain or shine, be it summer or winter, the city is full of impressive sites to experience – drink in hand – at night.

Time Out market and its adjacent bars, as well as social groups such as Casa Intendente, Crew Hassan, and Anjos 70, offer a lot to discover in Lisbon during winter. Don’t miss the bars of Pink Street and the always-busy Bairro Alto. There are also many terraces with great views of the city, such as Topo (in Martim Moniz) and Park (near the viewpoint of Santa Caterina). And if you want to explore beyond the main party areas, check out Ferroviario, the pop-up events at Beato, and the sub-world of Lx Factory.

If you want to meet new people, then sign up for interesting tours like the Food & Wine Tasting Tour, Tagus River Sunset Tour, or the Pastel de Nata Baking Class.

There is so much to see and do in Lisbon during the colder months!

Additionally, if the Lisbon charm has worked its way toward you as it did to me, you may find the Golden visa in Portugal an interesting option to explore citizenship in the European Union.

➜ Check price for beer, Sangria, and Wine Tour in Lisbon

Where to Stay in Lisbon

Lisbon Hostel Terminal 3: If you are looking for pocket-friendly accommodations in Lisbon, then this would be a good place for you. Friendly staff, convenient location, and comes with free breakfast. Check price at Lisbon Hostel Terminal 3

Belém 149 Charming Apartment: Make yourself at home in Lisbon at this value-for-money apartment in the city center. Check Price at Belem 149 Charming Apartment

Bairro Alto Hotel: If you are looking to rest for a couple of days, then this conveniently located boutique-themed hotel makes total sense. Check price at Bairro Alto Hotel

Belgrade

By: Allison Green from Sofia Adventures (Find her blog on Facebook)

If you’re looking for a great party destination in Europe at any time of year, you can’t overlook Belgrade! The party certainly doesn’t stop even during the dead of winter. Belgrade has one of the best nightlife scenes in Europe, from the cool craft beer bars and cocktail bars to the clubs both on land and on the river.

One of the most unique things to do in Belgrade is to party on a riverboat, called a splavovi or splav for short. These fun floating bars/nightclubs are enclosed and heated in the winter so that they are not just a summer phenomenon! My favorite is Klub 20/44, one of the most popular splavs in Belgrade, where you can party until dawn (it runs all night) and even catch the sunrise over the Sava River. There are also plenty of cozy bars located away from the river if a riverside splav is not your thing. I enjoyed Rakia Bar, which has a big selection of rakias, the national liquor of Bulgaria. It’s a strong liquor made from distilled fruits, most commonly plum but also common are apricot, quince, and grape.

➜ Check price for Local Craft Beer Tasting Tour in Belgrade

Where to Stay in Belgrade

Cricket 2 Hostel: Good value for money, convenient location, and friendly staff. What more could you ask from a hostel, right? Check price at Cricket 2 Hostel

Hotel Metropol Palace: Indulge in royalty at the luxury collection hotel in Belgrade. Well-equipped rooms and amenities, friendly staff, and a convenient location make this hotel all the more appealing. Check price at Metropol Palace

Boutique Apartments 360º – Bridgeclub Apartment: Stay comfortably at Bridgeclub Apartment which is quite close to the city center. Check price at Boutique Apartments

Contrary to popular belief, there are plenty of party destinations in Europe even in winter. Along with nightlife, lesser crowds and slashed prices make Europe an appealing destination during winter.

So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your dream Euro Trip now! Happy traveling!