Young people out having fun

Spain, non-stop nightlife

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Spain is synonymous with fun, high spirits, great weather, and above all, a fantastic nightlife. In big cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao and Granada and in areas such as Ibiza, the Costa del Sol and Benidorm, there are innumerable restaurants, bars, concert halls, pubs and nightclubs that guarantee you an unforgettable night out until the sun's first rays. Going out for tapas in a string of different bars, getting to know the open and friendly temperament of the Spaniards, dancing to the beat of top international DJs, partying on in an after-hours club... there are numerous different options to choose from, which is what makes Spain's nightlife so incredibly special. Discover them:

Unique climate: the whole night ahead of you

In Spain, it is common to see people having a drink, chatting and laughing in bars from ten at night until the early hours of the morning. In spring and summer, thanks to the pleasant temperatures, almost all bars and restaurants have a terrace where you can have a drink outside. The most popular days to go out are Fridays and Saturdays.

Outdoor cafés in Plaza de Santa Ana, Madrid

Going out for tapas

Without a doubt, this is one of the customs that you will like the most in Spain. Going out for tapas is not only about going from bar to bar with a caña (beer) and a variety of small portions of typical dishes. It's also about discovering a multitude of places full of people and a great atmosphere and participating in an authentic way of life. Try ordering a chato (low, wide glass of wine), a sangria, a tinto de verano, a “pulga” (small sandwich) and more. After going for tapas you will be totally pumped up to go out dancing.

Toasting with friends in a typical tavern

Venues to suit all tastes

Looking for live music? Check out any of the concert halls (where you can listen to singer-songwriters, rock, jazz...) or the popular flamenco “tablaos” that you will find especially in the Andalusia area. And when it comes to dancing, whatever your preferences or your age, you will find a place you like: alternative style venues with rock, punk and indie music; fashionable places to show off your best outfit; electronic music to dance non-stop or a more relaxed atmosphere for a chat. You will also notice that some large cities have different neighborhoods for going out depending on your tastes.

Big nightclubs

Nowhere else in the world will you find clubs as famous as those that await you in parts of Spain like Ibiza. Thousands of tourists come to our country just to experience the epic nights on this island. The party starts in the day with parades through the streets that announce what's going on at the clubs later that night. Then, unbridled fun and wild partying with go-go dancers, celebrities, a swimming pool inside an enormous night club, foam parties... anything is possible.

A night at the Pacha Ibiza disco

Who said it ends?

The night never ends. Although there are some venues that close before three in the morning, nightclubs can remain open until sunrise. And if you still want to party, in cities like Madrid, Barcelona and Ibiza, you will find clubs that open first thing in the morning to keep the fun going from the night before.

A sweet breakfast as the cherry on top

If you are one of those who get hungry after a night of partying, try following the Spanish custom of having a delicious chocolate with churros dipped in sugar for breakfast while the sun is coming up. You’ll love it!

Chocolate con churros

University cities

If you can't wait until Friday to go out, Spain is also the place to go. Mainly in university cities like Salamanca, Santiago de Compostela or Granada, it's very common to meet up to go out on Thursdays. The students give these destinations an unbeatable fun atmosphere.

Bachelor parties, group trips…

Did you know that in Spain there are many companies that can plan an unforgettable stag or hen party? You won't have to worry about the flight, the destination or the club. All you have to think about is having a good time.

Celebration in the Salamanca Fair

International festivals

Many of Spain's fiestas attract thousands of people, all intent on having a good time, and these are the best times of all to guarantee a great party atmosphere, during the day and at night. February is carnival time in Cadiz and Tenerife, when the cities are filled with a multitude of spectacular costumes. In March the Fallas festivities in Valencia offer the sight of colossal castles of fire and non-stop partying in the streets. In July, you can see the typical bull-running through the streets of Pamplona in the fiestas of San Fermín and a party atmosphere in the pubs at night. In August, there's the Tomatina in Buñol, Valencia... you have plenty of options.

Festival of San Fermín in Pamplona
The Neptune Fountain in Madrid suitably attired for World Pride Day

LGBTQI+ vibes

Freedom, respect and tolerance are also characteristic of Spain, and that is why it has become one of the favourite destinations for the LGBTQI+ community to have a good time. Top choices include Maspalomas in Gran Canaria and Sitges on the Costa Brava. It is also common to find neighbourhoods in big cities with LGBTQI+ venues, such as the Eixample in Barcelona or Chueca in Madrid. Chueca becomes especially festive during the Pride parade, which brings together thousands of people every year.

Seaside fiestas

Can you imagine spending the night enjoying music by the sea? You can do so in many places in Spain. The coasts of Catalonia, Valencia and Andalusia are particularly popular, with their beachfront bars. For example, the night of San Juan (at the end of June) is especially well known in Alicante, as well as some popular festivals such as the one in Cadiz in August to celebrate the city's football tournament, which brings thousands of people to the beach for barbecues.

Seafront terrace on the island of Ibiza (Balearic Islands)

As you can see, in Spain you will find a thousand excuses to skip going to bed and to go out and enjoy the night to the fullest. So that everything goes smoothly, here are some tips.Practical advice- Most big cities have night bus services which usually operate from midnight until six in the morning.- Although many clubs are open until dawn, some of them – particularly in residential areas – close between one and three in the morning.- Admission to nightclubs is only permitted for people over 18.- The sale of alcoholic beverages is limited to people over 18.- Admission to certain venues may require a certain dress code.- The consumption of alcoholic drinks outdoors is prohibited, with the exception of the terraces belonging to venues which are specially adapted for this purpose.- Some beaches may have restrictions regarding noise, swimming and access, depending on the local regulations.

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