From sun-soaked beaches to mouth-watering mezze, rich ancient history sights to pine-studded mountain trails, Greece has oodles up its sleeve. And it’s also a pretty pumping place when the sun goes down. Yep, check out this guide to the best party destinations in Greece to get a feel for nine spots where you can let loose and be merry…
We’ve gone for a good mix of spots. There are a few buzzy 18-30s resorts that have a dedicated nightlife strip where you’ll find neon-lit DJ bars clustered together with karaoke joints and all-night venues. But we’ve also added a few more local options, where you should find that the nightlife scene is a touch more nuanced and different.
It’s worth noting that most of the best party destinations in Greece listed below really start getting off the hook when the summer swings around. The season usually officially launches in early June and winds up in the last weeks of August, and some places go into hibernation for the winter months. The bigger city of Athens is probably the only exception to that rule – there’s nightlife in the Greek capital all year round.
Malia
Malia is a coastal town on the north side of the stunning Greek island of Crete, just an easy 30-minute transfer from Heraklion Airport. Though it sits in the middle of a resort area that’s packed with family-friendly hotels, it’s best known as one of the country’s most happening 18-30s party meccas.
The heart of the town is given over to the nightlife hub of The Strip. A 2-kilometer stretch of nightclubs and bays, it’s brimming with some of the liveliest clubs on the island – Candy Club, Zig Zags, Apollo. Each has its own vibe, but the style of music is pretty much chart and house and EDM throughout. Other events on offer include booze cruises, paint parties, and the occasional music festival. There are often wristbands on sale that can get you plenty of discounts on events and experiences across Malia.
When you’re done partying, be sure to check out the inviting Greek tavernas close to the shore, and the old Minoan palace complex of Malia. That lies just above pretty Potamos Beach a touch to the east of The Strip.
Laganas
Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It’s one that usually hits the travel brochures thanks to the eye-wateringly stunning bay of Shipwreck Beach. However, there’s also party to be had, courtesy of the resort town of Laganas, which sits neatly on the far south coast, just 20 minutes from the Zakynthos Airport.
Head here and you’ll find a huge choice of accommodation and many hotels that host their own pool parties and events during the day. The clubs and bars for later on are dotted along the main road, and many of them are open till 6am, so you can guarantee a late night. Popular spots include Cocktails and Dreams, Plus Club, and Waikiki. Many groups spend their nights trying out each of the venues in a bar crawl and there are also companies which can organize this for you.
Laganas also happens to be home to a beautiful beach that has famously clear waters and white-gold fine sand. It’s also really close to the so-called Turtle Island, where you can go snorkeling with the rare sea creatures in the wild, hangover permitting, of course.
Mykonos
Mykonos is one of the Cyclades Islands that strings through the heart of the Aegean Sea. It’s been known as a cosmopolitan party hub since at least the 1970s, drawing a regular crowd of celebrities, influencers, and partygoers. In fact, it is often referred to as the country’s answer to Ibiza, so has a certain place on this list of the best party destinations in Greece.
From rowdy to posh, there’s a huge range of options when it comes to a night out in Mykonos. There are plenty of options throughout Mykonos Town, with popular venues including Tropicana club, Moni, Addiction Club, and the perennial fav of Skandinavian Bar. Venture out of town and you’ll also find beach clubs down on Super Paradise Beach and Pssarou that host world-famous DJ acts in the summer months.
The neighborhood of Little Venice is also worth a special mention. Here, you’ll find winding pathways and hidden alleyways with plenty of seaside bars and restaurants boasting magnificent views. It’s an all-in-one sunset drinking and late-night dancing spot that’s replete with options and LGBTQ+ friendly spaces.
Kos
Kos Town is located on the northwestern edge of Kos, one of Greece’s eastern Dodecanese islands. Along with nearby Rhodes, it’s a very popular tourist destination and an epic spot for folks looking to party. Kos Town can be reached from Kos Airport in around just 30 minutes, or you can get a boat over from Turkey!
Most of the nightlife in Kos Town can be found along the popular Bar Street. That hosts pubs, bars, and clubs that open until the early hours of the morning. Many venues will often have drink deals or discounted entry. The most popular spots include West Bar, Zero Café, and the Mylos Beach Bar.
You might also want to venture over to the south coast of the island. Not only is that a haven for beaches but it’s the home of the second nightlife center of Kos: Kardamaina. More of an out-and-out 18-30s resort, that one’s got youthful student bars with cheap happy-hour drinks and one or two clubs dotting the central square.
The island of Kos is notably famous for its abundance of beautiful beaches with plenty of sunbeds and parasols for a day of relaxation. There are also a number of beach bars and restaurants with many venues like Kavo Paradiso and Baltic Beach Bar organizing beach parties throughout the year.
Ios
No beating around the wild-thyme bush here: Ios is pretty darn crazy in the summer months. If Mykonos is the beach-party mecca of the Cyclades, Ios kinda’ of just ditches the beach part of that. It’s almost entirely focused on nightlife, with the action centered on the enchanting Chora town on the western shoreline just up from the port.
The main road – conveniently called Main Road – leading through the town is the place to be. It pumps with DJ clubs and cocktail bars from around 6pm every evening and doesn’t wind up again until the sun comes up. The best venues are the Lost Boys Bar, Voodoo, Jar Bar, and Click.
Also, we know you’re here for the hedonism and all that, but it’s definitely worth having at least one day on Ios that’s not consumed by a hangover. The reason? Most travelers don’t do that, so you’ll find the more far-flung beaches can be totally deserted. They are also fantastic – check out Paralia Agia Theodoti in the easy or lovely Magganari in the south.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is often overlooked by partiers on their way to the island-based best nightlife destinations in Greece. But the town of the north certainly has the credentials of a place that can offer something wild once the sun has set. It’s close to the Balkans, so brings in holidaymakers from Hungary, Croatia, and beyond. It has a huge student population. All good so far.
There are two main hubs for the action here. Start on the Beach Promenade. It’s riddled with tavernas and bars that have great happy-hour deals at sunset, along with menus of Aegean-Balkan fusion food that’s not quite like what you get in the rest of the country. Then, move up to Ladadika, the hipster district, where dance bars spill onto the cobbled alleys.
Thessaloniki is nice and close to the trio of headlands that is Halkidiki. You can go there in the day for your fix of sun and sand if you like. Alternatively, if you have the energy, there’s always Mount Chortiatis and the Kerkini Lake National Park for hiking and outdoor explorations.
Kavos
Kavos is a seaside resort in the south of Corfu, a popular Greek island in the Ionian Sea, located 1.5 hours’ drive from Corfu Airport. As in many of the other Greek party resorts on this list, the main attraction for hedonists here is the 2km strip of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants that forms the backbone of the town.
During the summer, you can hit that roadway to enjoy a variety of themed nights and entertainments, ranging from karaoke to foam parties. Popular venues include Snobs Bar, SOS pub, and Barn Bar. Future Club is a famous superclub in Kavos, known for its laser shows, special effects, and multiple dance rooms. It’s also the spot with the biggest DJ names on the roster.
There are multiple hotels available within a short walking distance from the strip with many hosting events throughout the day to get the party started. Kavos also happens to have a reputation for considerably lower prices than other party resorts, making it the perfect choice if you are on a budget. During the day, be sure to check out the lovely beaches of the Corfu west coast (especially Palaiokastritsa) or head to the nearby waterpark to get the adrenaline pumping.
Athens
If you’re on the hunt for an all-year party destination in Greece that doesn’t stop just because the summer ends, Athens is the place to be. Yep, the forever-lively capital of the country isn’t all about being awed by the ruins of Acropolis hill and the great treasures of the Parthenon Museum, you know? It’s also a happening place with plenty going on after dark…
We especially like traipsing through the Plaka district at sunset time. It’s the main tourist part of Athens but has oodles of enticing taverna kitchens and rooftop beer bars that open onto views of the Acropolis. After that, you can move down to the café-bars that occupy the corners north of Monastiraki Square, or go for hipster drinking in craft beer joints in Koukaki.
The area of Exarchia has also established itself as a wild party hub. It’s gritty, edgy, and rough around the edges. You’ll need to be careful there, but will be rewarded with rollicking rock joints and alt music venues come art galleries. For something chicer, consider moving south to the so-called Athenian Riviera, which offers sleek bars on the beachfront in Asteras and Vouliagmeni.
Rhodes
Rhodes makes it onto our list of the best party destinations in Greece for one reason: Faliraki. Up there with Kavos and Malia as one of the biggest young person’s summer resorts in the Med, it’s a ceaseless shindig from the end of May to the start of September each year.
The action is anchored on the Faliraki Strip. Also called Ermoi Street, it’s about a 300-meter run of bars and eateries that connects to the beachfront in the east. Along there is where you’ll find the most famous hotspots in the town, including the Aussie-themed Bondi Bar Faliraki and the karaoke hub of Jimmy’s Bar. Later on, you could opt for some reggaeton at Jamaica Bar or hit Yolo for some bigger DJ shows.
What we love about a party in Rhodes is that it’s easy to mix in trips to awesome beaches and soaring mountains. You can escape to the south to hit Anthony Quinn Bay, where there’s some epic snorkelling, or drive up into the peaks to find rustic villages like Eleousa. It’s even possible to continue on to Turkey, thanks to all the direct boats linking Rhodes Town with Datca.
Which part of Greece is best for nightlife?
There are loads of parts of Greece that are great for nightlife. If you want to combine hedonism with trips to stunning beaches, we’d recommend Zante or Corfu. For a longer season that stays warm into October, think about heading south to Crete. For parties with the locals outside of the main tourist season, Athens is probably the best choice.
Is Greece good for partying?
Greece is a great place for partying. There are just so many lively destinations to choose between, including the beach-fronted strip of Kavos and the urban energy of Athens. On top of that, Greece tends to be a little more affordable as a summer party destination than some of the other spots in Europe, like Ibiza, for example.
When is the best time to party in Greece?
The summer season is the main party season in Greece. That means you should come between May and September to enjoy the busiest resorts and biggest events. You should also find it easier to get flights to islands like Rhodes and Mykonos then, as lots of the connections are seasonal.
