What are the cheapest European cities to party in?

In 2025, a rapidly growing travel phenomenon — dubbed “noctourism” in an article by the New York Post — describes travelers’ increasing interest in nighttime experiences. Especially with the arrival of warmer seasons, many tourists prefer to explore cities after dark, attend night festivals, hop between clubs or bars, or simply enjoy the vibe of a metropolis by night — in short, to experience a city like a true local, searching for authenticity while staying away from overcrowded tourist hotspots and without feeling like they’re checking off homework assignments. A study conducted by online gaming platform Casinova examined European cities with the best nightlife experiences, taking into account factors such as average prices for food and drinks, opening hours, number of bars and clubs, venue density per square kilometer, and safety index. The analysis revealed a top ten of Europe’s most interesting nightlife destinations, each with its own unique identity and appeal. Overall, it shows a Europe where even smaller cities can compete with capital cities thanks to a winning mix of affordability, cultural authenticity, and safety. Nighttime, once just an afterthought to daily sightseeing, is increasingly becoming the star of memorable travel experiences.

At the top of the list is Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, which combines high-quality offerings with surprisingly low prices. A drink here costs an average of $2.60, making it the most affordable option on the list. Its 266 venues spread over 496 square kilometers provide a wide and accessible range of options. The city also ensures a good level of safety, with an index of 75.51. Its already vibrant nightlife scene is further enhanced by the Czech Beer Festival, which draws thousands of enthusiasts every spring. Next is Plovdiv, Bulgaria, a smaller city packed with places to discover. Meals average $8.69, while drinks are around $2.90. Even with only 16 venues, the compact urban layout — just 101.98 square kilometers — makes it easy to fully enjoy in an intimate and accessible setting. Plovdiv’s atmosphere is lively year-round thanks to cultural events like Kapana Fest, blending art, music, and food. Madrid takes third place thanks to the breadth of its offerings: a whopping 357 nightlife venues, more than any other city listed. Prices are higher than elsewhere, with meals averaging $16.17 and drinks at $3.77, but the charm of Spain’s capital remains undisputed. The safety index, at 71.81, is slightly lower than Prague’s, but the Mad Cool Festival every July transforms the city into an international music hub that attracts youth from all over the world.

In fourth place is Budapest, capital of Hungary, known for its accessible prices — $2.69 per drink — and diverse nightlife spread across 525.2 square kilometers. Its 205 venues offer entertainment for all tastes. The safety index is slightly lower than the top three cities, standing at 66.01, but the magic of events like the Danube river parties makes each evening unique. Zagreb, Croatia, ranks fifth and stands out as the safest city among the top contenders, with a safety index of 78.67. Although it has fewer venues — 56 in total — the average cost of meals at $11.86 and drinks around $3.45 makes it accessible. The weekly Wednesday Night Parties keep the city’s energy alive even in the absence of major festivals. Warsaw ranks sixth, with 80 nightlife venues spread across 517.2 square kilometers. It’s the most expensive for drinks among the top six, with an average of $4.23. Still, the nightlife scene remains vibrant thanks to initiatives like the Nocny Market, a night market blending street food, crafts, and music late into the night. The safety index remains at a solid level.

Seventh is Porto, Portugal, notable for its record density of venues: 18.8 per 10 square kilometers. Covering only 41 square kilometers, the total number of venues is relatively small but easily reachable on foot. The average price of a drink is around $3.40. Nightlife heats up further during the São João Festival, which transforms the city into an explosion of music and color every June. Lisbon also makes the top ten, holding steady at eighth place. The Portuguese capital boasts 132 nightlife venues, a significant number compared to the European average. Prices are slightly higher than in Porto, with drinks averaging about $3.23, but the experience is enriched by the Santos Populares celebrations, which bring festivities to the city’s historic neighborhoods and alleys during the summer months. Ninth is Bucharest, a dynamic and growing tourist city. Its 92 venues offer a wide range of options, with drinks averaging $3.42. The safety index stands at 71.79, making it one of the most reliable cities in the ranking. Its cosmopolitan atmosphere is boosted by international music events like EUROPAfest, attracting thousands of enthusiasts each year. Finally, Dubrovnik rounds out the top ten with an interesting combination of elegance, safety, and tradition. It boasts the highest safety index on the list at 82.71, but also the highest prices: a drink averages $4.54. The number of nightlife venues is limited — just 26 — but the experience is enriched by the charm of the old city and the renowned Summer Festival, which lights up July and August nights with performances, music, and live shows.