Where to Find the Best Nightlife in Italy

The nightlife in Italy ranges from classy wine bars to grungy underground clubs, and everything in between. The country has become one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, welcoming over 50 million tourists a year pre-pandemic. People all over the world come to see iconic art pieces, enjoy world-class architecture, taste amazing food, and of course, experience the nightlife. But the country is varied – everywhere offers something a bit different. So, here’s where to go for the best nightlife in Italy.

Milan

Not only is Milan one of the world’s fashion capitals, but it also has some of the best nightlife in Italy. If you steer clear of the bars around the Duomo, you’ll find the underbelly of Milan’s cool and edgy nightlife scene. Well, it might take some digging – Milan’s hottest spots are famously underground. We recommend befriending locals who will be happy to take you with them, and who will probably already know the bouncers on the door. Although Milan is a big city, the locals are a strong community – once you’re in, you’re in.

Rimini

While Rimini isn’t one of the biggest tourist spots in Italy, the university city has a big backpacker scene. Catered towards a younger crowd, there’s something on every night of the week in Rimini. It’s less edgy than Milan and much more raucous than Rome – it’s good-natured, good-spirited fun. And to top it all off, Rimini sits on the coast, so this city feels like a summertime party all year round. Think party buses, pub crawls, backpacker hostels, pool parties, and open-air clubs.

Palermo

Palermo has impressive historical sights, architecture, and food – that’s really saying something for Italy. By day, street vendors and markets take over the streets. By night, the Sicilian capital burst into a lively scene of vibrant bars, cafes, and restaurants, particularly around the Vuccira market. And when it comes to having a dance, you’ll find a plethora of hip bars and clubs in the Downtown and Liberta areas. If you’re craving a bit of seaside nighttime magic, Mondello is the place to be with seafront lounges and open-air clubs offering the perfect spot for sundowners.

Rome

It’s not particularly surprising that the country’s capital and largest city has some of the best nightlife in Italy. Not only is it one of the world’s most historical cities, but Rome offers a buzzing and exciting nightlife. There is a string of bars along La Trastevere which is where people tend to start the night. While there isn’t exactly a bar crawl scene, there are plenty of bars if you want to hop from one to the other and try them out. Later into the night when you want to explore Rome’s nightclubs, there are a few options. Testaccio is famous for its salsa discos, Piazza Navona is loved for its house clubs, and Centro Storico is positively pumping with clubs and bars.

Naples

Naples – the birthplace of pizza and the picture of Italian grit. The city is known and loved for being a bit rough around the edges, and the people here certainly know how to party. Naples has a large student population, but the nightlife isn’t entirely geared towards a younger crowd. You’ll find something for everyone here. There’s a lot of everything – dance bars, live music venues, restaurants, clubs, wine bars, and more. For a particular standout place, head to Chiaia for unbeatable views over the water while you enjoy the flowing aperitivos.

Florence

This cultural, historical, and artistic hub might not be the first place you think of when considering the best nightlife in Italy. But if you can handle it after a day of exploring the Duomo and the museums, Florence has a surprising underground club scene. But before we get to the club, the city is teeming with amazing rooftop bars that look out over the iconic Florentine view. Or simply enjoy the view from one of the riverside bars along the Arno, before heading further inland to the Santa Croce District. That’s where you’ll find the beating heart of the city’s nightlife scene, with crowds of people dancing until dawn.