The Italian movida is world-famous and has nothing to envy to such famous locations as Ibiza or Mykonos. Where should you go to find the most exclusive clubs and the most carefree nightlife? If your aim is to have the most fun in the liveliest neighbourhoods and the trendiest clubs, here is a guide to Italy's 10 best nightlife destinations.
You can't miss Romagna, a welcoming land full of attractions for all tastes, as well as Jesolo, the nerve centre of Veneto nightlife. Discover with us where you can go wild!
N.B.: The following ranking is the result of a survey involving over 100,000 community users, who were asked to express their preferences by choosing 3 destinations from 100 previously selected by the editorial staff.
10 - Calabria - Coast of the Gods
Type of nightlife: Beach party
Top 3 nightlife spots: Tropea, Capo Vaticano and Scilla
Top3 clubs not to be missed: Zeus, Punta Cana, Macrì
This area of Calabria, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, is a very fashionable destination, especially among young people. This part of the Calabrian coastline offers cheap accommodation, including campsites that, in low season, can offer rates starting from just 5 Euro! In addition to the fantastic sea views, white or rocky beaches, and crystal-clear sea, there is an abundance of entertainment. At the beaches of Tropea, Capo Vaticano and Scilla, clubs abound, such as the very popular Zeus, the Punta Cana discotheque and, for those looking for something more quiet and relaxing but at the same time lively, the Macrì, Madison and Coiba cocktail bars.
9 - Ischia
Type of nightlife: open-air parties, live music, street parties
Top 3 nightlife districts: Riva Destra area, Ischia Porto, Ischia comune
Top3 places not to miss: Calise bar (aperitifs), Dioniso pub, Jane disco
The Campania island of Ischia has gained the reputation of being one of the capitals of movida, not only locally but nationally. It is a splendid island, reached by thousands of young people who, every evening, frequent the area of the Riva Destra and the centre of Ischia Porto. The sensation is that of a large and endless open-air party. Shows with live music are often organised but, in general, there is never a shortage of opportunities to go wild and have fun. There are also many discos and clubs to suit all tastes. Traditional is the aperitif, to be enjoyed at a historic venue in Ischia, the Calise bar. Alternatively, you can choose the Dionisio pub or the Friends Club, as well as the Valentino, the Exstasy or the famous Jane disco.
8 - Sardinia - Coral Riviera
Type of nightlife: dinner and after-dinner clubs, discos, clubs
Top 3 nightlife districts: Alghero centre, Alghero Riviera del Corallo, San Teodoro
Top3 must-see clubs: La Siesta and Il Ruscello discos, Ambra Night
This beautiful Italian region of millenary traditions and heavenly beaches is not just about exclusive resorts and the Costa Smeralda. If you want to find the best low-cost nightlife, you have to focus on towns like Alghero and San Teodoro, which are definitely within reach of young tourists. In Alghero, you will find the beautiful Riviera del Corallo with the famous Mugoni, Lazzaretto, Le Bombarde and Cala dell'Argentiera beaches. Here, there are plenty of clubs offering the chance to enjoy a drink but also delicious mixed fried food. The most active discos in the area are La Siesta and Il Ruscello. In San Teodoro, the most renowned discos are Ambra Night and La Luna Glam Club.
7 - Jesolo
Type of nightlife: disco, beach party, street party
Top 3 nightlife districts: lungomare delle stelle, spiaggia del Faro, lido di Jesolo
Top3 clubs not to be missed: Muretto, Café del mar, Vanilla Club
This is a location that, in summer, is almost taken by storm by young people from all over the Veneto and beyond. The town is really full of discos and clubs that are very much in vogue. The famous Muretto is now a historic venue, and the Café del mar is also enjoying a fair amount of success because it offers free admission. Entertainment at this seaside resort is not limited to the night-time hours; there is also one of the largest water parks in Italy, the very popular Aqualandia.
6 - Romagna Riviera
Type of nightlife: disco, beach party
Top 3 nightlife districts: seafront in Riccione, piazza Cavour in Rimini, viale Matteotti in Milano Marittima
Top 3 clubs not to be missed: Peter Pan, Cocoricò, Pineta
How can we talk about fun without mentioning the Romagna Riviera? Always considered the true home of Italian nightlife, both in summer and winter, Romagna is home to places like Rimini, Riccione and Milano Marittima, important seaside resorts with discos and clubs famous not only in Italy but also in Europe. Romagna is home to Peter Pan, Cocoricò and Byblos Club, where evenings with international DJ sets, theme parties and much more are organised. Hospitality on the Romagna Riviera is an institution, which is why it is easy to find accommodation at very competitive prices.
5 - Apulia - Salento
Type of nightlife: Beach parties
Top 3 nightlife spots: Baia Verde, Otranto, Lecce
Top3 clubs not to be missed: Zen, Samsara Beach, Bahia Beach Club
We are about to talk about a place, the Salento, that has won more and more trust of young travellers, not only for its fabulous beaches, but also for a growing movida that has been developing in recent years. Of particular note is the Baia Verde area, where there are lidos that organise parties and DJ sets directly on the beach. Some of these are, for example, Zen or the famous Samsara Beach, a real open-air disco that allows you to go wild until dawn. Among the discos is Riobò, which organises fantastic events with entry for only 15 Euro. Another very active area is Otranto, where you will find the Bahia Beach club or the Fuorirotta beach.
4 - Venice
Type of movida: discos, clubs, street parties
Top 3 nightlife districts: Erbaria, Fondamenta Misericordia, Santa Margherita
Top3 clubs not to be missed: Molocinque, Aurora Beach Club, Skyline Bar
At the top of this ranking are some of the most important Italian cities. The first, which ranks fourth, is Venice. The palaces in the centre are not only an attraction for tourists but also reserve pleasant surprises for young people looking for fun. One example is the Molocinque, a club housed in an old theatre that became a disco in 1999. The atmosphere is chic but the venue is not pretentious. Another noteworthy summer venue is the Aurora Beach Club, a discotheque on the beach that takes advantage of the summer atmosphere to organise dizzying parties. At the Skyline Bar, you can indulge in house cocktails while admiring the panorama of the city.
3 - Rome
Type of nightlife: dinner and after-dinner clubs, disco, club undegrounds
Top 3 nightlife districts: Pigneto, San Lorenzo, Ostiense
Top3 clubs not to be missed: La Maison, Gilda, Opengate Club
Our capital city, famous for its nightlife, sometimes even a little harassing, could not be missing from this ranking. If you are looking for a very chic French-style atmosphere, you should head to La Maison, a club where you dance to the rhythm of the best hits, also frequented by international models and young businessmen. The dress code is, of course, very strict. The Gilda is another of Rome's most famous clubs. Known since the 1980s, it is now frequented by footballers and celebrities from sport and show business.
2 - Florence
Type of nightlife: famous clubs, street parties, hot clubs
Top 3 nightlife districts: Oltrarno, Santo Spirito, Santa Croce
Top3 must-see clubs: Dolce Vita, Moyo, Joyce pub
Florence also has the reputation of being a real centre of fun! The Dolce Vita venue welcomes its customers in a small but packed with the city's leading socialites. There is also an art gallery that hosts various exhibitions throughout the year. In summer, a cosy terrace also allows you to sip your drink outdoors. Also in the area near Piazza Santa Croce you can find a place like Moyo, a very atmospheric place with an informal and relaxed atmosphere.
SEE ALSO: 10 things to see in Florence
1 - Milan
Type of nightlife: aperitif bars, nightclubs, street parties, hot clubs
Top 3 nightlife districts: Corso Como, Corso Sempione, Colonne di San Lorenzo
Top3 must-see clubs: Old Fashion, Alcatraz, Hollywood
The first place in this ranking could only be awarded to the city of movida par excellence, Milan. Already at aperitif time, the most frequented neighbourhoods are swarming with young and old who do not want to miss an opportunity to have fun, relax and socialise. Corso Como and Corso Sempione are, for example, two very fashionable areas for the aperitif ritual. Also around the Colonne di San Lorenzo, including Via Torino and, of course, Piazza Duomo, are hotspots of Milanese nightlife. To mention just a few of the many venues in Milan, we can mention the Old Fashion, in Parco Sempione, but also Alcatraz, which is not only a disco but also a venue for concerts by international bands.
SEE ALSO: 10 things to see in Milan