Portugal is one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations due to its stunning scenery, brilliant beaches, rich history, and amazing food and wine. But it is also a great destination for night owls due to its plenty of party spots. You can find a good night out all across the country, but some places are better than others when it comes to dancing the night away. Here are some of the top places for the best nightlife in Portugal, from rooftop bars to street parties.
7 places for the best nightlife in Portugal
1. Lisbon
Lisbon is one of the hottest nightlife spots in Europe right now, as it offers a diverse and vibrant night out. The nightlife scene sprawls across the city, with each district offering something different, but the main nightlife district is Bairro Alto. This is where most locals and tourists kick off the night. It’s jam-packed with small bars, meaning plenty of punters pour out of the bars and onto the streets. This is the perfect place for a night of bar hopping. You’ll hear a wide range of music in the bars, from jazz to live DJs, so whatever your aural pleasure, you will surely find something that matches your vibe.
To hear authentic Fado music, head to Tasca do Chico for a live performance every night from 8pm. It can get pretty crowded on narrow streets, especially during summer. If you want to escape the crowds, make a beeline for one of Bairro Alto’s many rooftop bars, such as Zé dos Bois and Insólito.
2. Porto
The nightlife in beautiful Porto is varied, ranging from cosy small bars to swanky cocktail spots. For cocktails in upscale beach bars whilst watching the sunset, head to affluent Foz do Douro by the seafront. The vibe here is very chilled out, but there are a few nightclubs to hit up after the sun goes down.
Porto is a famous wine region. There are some wonderful bars and port houses along the Duoro River where you can taste the local tipples, including Port and Porto Tonico. You find the big parties in Galerias de Paris and Cândido dos Reis and Conde de Vizela. Some of our favourite nightclubs in the city are Base, a popular open-air club, Piano B for house music lovers, and Boîte has something for everyone.
3. Albufeira
The Algarve is the hot spot for partying in Portugal, and Albufeira is the resort with the liveliest nightlife. As you make your way through the crowded Strip, the neon signs will dazzle you, and you’ll see groups of people on stag and hen parties. Tonnes of bars and nightclubs line The Strip. Some of the most popular are Club Heaven, Club Vida, and Liberto’s. If you want something a bit more low-key, the marina is a beautiful, chilled place to watch the sun go down with a delicious cocktail in hand or enjoy the local seafood in one of the cosy tavernas.
4. Praia da Rocha
Praia da Rocha is the quintessential European beach holiday destination. It is a lively resort that caters really well to night owls with its lively bar and club scene. You’ll find the highest concentration of places to party along the main street, Avenida Tomás Cabreira. One of the best things about bar hopping in Praia da Rocha is that everything is so close to each other, so you can easily walk from one place to the next.
5. Lagos, Portugal
Lagos is the Algarve’s surfer town and a famous party spot in Portugal. This charming coastal town has lots of venues hosting wild parties for all types of partygoers. Lagos attracts a younger crowd, but there’s something for everyone, from live music to karaoke, and wild clubs to cosy pubs. Most establishments are open till 4am, so you can party all night and head out onto the beach to watch the sunrise. Some of our favourite spots to visit on a night out include Joe’s Garage, MJ Bar, The Star, Legends Bar, The Lionheart and the Three Monkeys Bar. The Grand Café is the closest thing to a club in Lagos. Most people end up here at the end of the night.
6. Coimbra
This beautiful university town is a great place to visit if you want to party with the locals. You won’t find many tourists here. If you want to experience Fado music in traditional bars, one of the most popular places to do so is Diligencia Bar. One of the most popular student bars in town is Bar Quebra Costas. Located between the medieval old town and the downtown area, and perched on a hill, patrons pour out onto the slanted cobbled streets where they continue drinking and singing local folk songs. There are also some great spots for partying the night away on the dancefloor. Pinga Amor, TUTTI, and Noites Longas are some of the best clubs.
7. Quinta do Lagos
Quinta do Lagos is known for their up-scale nightlife and luxury hotels. You can find everything here, from mellow romantic bars to wild beach clubs, luxurious lounge bars and cost local joints. If you want to dance and party the night away, head to T-Cube. Here you can sip cocktails in the indoor garden before hitting the dancing floor. For elegant cocktails, head to Hotel Quinta do Lago and the Laguna Bar, with its beautiful terrace overlooking Ria Formosa and the sea.
