Europe’s got it all – culture, art, food, history and a whole lotta nightlife. From superclubs to basement bars, it has nights on the tiles covered. With such a heady mix on offer, there are a lot of tourist traps and local gems to navigate. We’ve made it easier by giving you a snippet of the hotspots in each city...

Barcelona

When it comes to nightlife, the Catalan capital really packs a punch, and it’s got everything from glossy beachfront clubs to backstreet bars. Las Ramblas is good place to find your feet, especially if you’re a newbie. The tree-lined boulevard is peppered with bars, clubs and restaurants, making it an ideal place to kick off your night.

If boat parties are your thing, head down towards La Barceloneta and get geared up to set sail for the ultimate party at sea. There’s both day and night trips to suit any schedule.

The city also hosts a variety of festivals and live music events throughout the year, such as the huge multi-genre music event, Primavera Sound. There’s also the electronic festival, Sonar. So, it’s worth checking out before you go.

Budapest

Budapest lays on some of the most unique watering holes in Europe. Your first port of call when touching down in this vibrant city should be the ruin pubs. As the name might suggest, they’re quite literally pubs within ruins, but there’s much more to these venues than initially meets the eye. The biggest, and arguably the best, ruin bar is Szimpla Kert. Here, it’s all about cheap drinks, an eclectic crowd and crazy furniture.

Saturday nights in Budapest are covered with summer night spa parties or ‘SPArties’ at Szechenyi Thermal Baths. By day, it’s a place to relax in the hot medicinal pools and experience Budapest’s ancient bath culture, and by night, it’s transformed. You can count on modern beats and plenty of electronic dance tunes, as well as laser effects and light displays. It’s certainly not one to miss.

Buda or Pest? How about both? You’ll find brilliant rooftop bars in sky-high spots on both sides of the river and each boasts spectacular views. If you want 360-degree scenery, then High Note SkyBar ticks the boxes with its signature cocktails and sophisticated vibes. Or choose Leo Rooftop for fine drinks and light bites to the sound of live DJs.

Rome

Do as the Romans do, because they really know how to party. The nightlife kicks off a little later here, but it offers everything from on-the-roof bars to pumping clubs and everything in between. Transport runs throughout the city until late, so every option is right at your disposal.

Trastevere has a distinctively more local and boho ambience, but the partying still carries on until the small hours. There are plenty of local bars that you can hit for well-priced drinks.

Rome’s hottest row of nightclubs can be found on Via di Monte Testaccio. Once just a working-class neighbourhood, it’s now ideal for club-hopping and fun-filled nights out.

Krakow

Krakow is known for its legendary nightlife and many flock to the Old Town as soon as they arrive, which is a stellar place to start. You’ll find Main Market Square chock-full of small and unassuming doorways in the daylight that come alive when the sun sets. Tonnes of clubs and bars offer something for all tastes.

Kazimierz is Krakow’s Jewish Quarter, which has hordes of options. You’ll find oodles of quirky watering holes as well as a traditional Polish shot bars, where you can sample a real taste of Poland at pint-sized prices.

The city also specialises in organised pub crawls. They’re a fab way to meet other people and discover off-the-beaten-track spots you might have never found. The price often includes queue-jumps into clubs, free drinks, plus a range of games to get the party started. It’s a win-win!

Prague

With beers that seem to cost less than water, you can party in Prague without breaking the bank. Lots of traditional establishments rub shoulders with fancy bars. If beer’s your thing, then The Pub might be right up your street. It features huge beer tables with a tap in the middle so that you can pour your own glass. Convinced yet?

If you’re a night owl and feel like partying until the early hours, you might want to try Karlovy Lazne. This 15th-century building has been converted into a jumping nightclub sprawling over five floors. It’s one of the largest in Europe and, with a different genre on every floor, you’re guaranteed to get moving.