Paris New York are a couple of the many cities that exude a special atmosphere after the sun has set. For a memorable trip, here are five best cities to discover by night!
Many major cities offer a plethora of options for keeping one’s dance card full any hour of the day. Travelers who never want to miss a beat know that limiting their trip to daytime simply isn’t enough. At nightfall, these cities take on a completely different vibe. Night owls, take note! Follow this guide to experience these nocturan cities as a local would.
1. Paris
After sundown, the City of Light sparkles with the passion of a thousand fires, and it’s during the night that the romanticism peaks. Whether you’re at the top of the Eiffel Tower or cruising along the Seine, you will fall under the spell of the French capital’s illuminations. On the culture front, the Louvre organizes night tours, which are ideal for avoiding the chaos of of the crowds. Contemplate the museum’s masterpieces without having to jostle elbows with strangers. To conclude this special visit, a wine tasting with a qualified sommelier will make your evening even more special. If you wish to dive into a particularly Parisian atmosphere, treat yourself to a private tour of Paris by night in a vintage 2CV car. And to feel super Parisian, the fabled Moulin Rouge awaits you! Don’t miss “Féerie” the mythical cabaret show with the iconic Doriss Girls. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show!
A Parisian Carousel and the illuminated Eiffel Tower
2. Rome
The Eternal City by night never fails to enchant. When the sun starts to go down on the Italian capital, the golden evening light gilds Rome’s alleys, squares, fountains and monuments, and it is absolutely irresistible. Admire this very sunset that casts shadows on the squares of the capital from one of the hilltops. Prolong your visit by contemplating the illuminated monuments from on board a panoramic bus. Or take a stroll through Rome’s cobbled streets and stop to sip an aperitivo. Culture vultures will want to visit the Vatican museums under new a light, or explore mysterious Rome during a visit to one of the city’s lesser known, hidden areas. The city offers a variety of evening shows to attend from concerts at the Opera to moving video projections that show how the temples, statues and buildings of the Forum were created in antiquity.
View of the Tiber River and St. Peter’s dome at night
3. Barcelona
Live according to Spanish time in Barcelona, where the nightlife scene is one of Europe’s most vibrant. The Catalan metropolis overflows with trendy nightclubs where you can spend unforgettable evenings and dance with locals. From techno to funk to reggae, there’s something for everyone! And if you can’t make up your mind, you can always opt for the Barcelona Night Card, a single ticket with access to Barcelona’s best clubs. Night owls not into clubs can attend a Flamenco show and nosh on tasty tapas. For a romantic evening, admire the water and light show of the magical Montjuïc fountain. Finally, for those who enjoy an occasional scare, follow a special nocturnal itinerary based on the novel The Phantoms of Barcelona.
Barcelona at Night, Photo credit: Nervegna Tommaso via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-SA
4. Dubai
Dubai never sleeps. Bar lounges on hotel rooftops turn into rowdy clubs, beach parties abound, malls stay open all night, the city is night owl’s paradise with no room for boredom! Admire Dubai’s sparkling lights from the top of the Burj Khalifa, from where you can admire the magical spectacle of the incandescent fountain’s illumination show. A stroll along the Marina is always relaxing, and it offers a glimpse the residential area’s vastness. Admire the nightly illuminations of Khor Dubai during a romantic dinner cruise, a testament to how there is no better reprieve from a long day of shopping than the sea air. Adventure seekers should go for a 4WD safari in the desert followed by a barbeque. If you can wing it, don’t miss the beautiful sunrise in the middle of the dunes.
Dubai at Night
5. New York
As you can imagine, it would have been unthinkable to not include New York on this list, if only to contemplate Time Square in all its splendor or see a show on Broadway. New York has so much to offer, and its spectacular energy reaches its peak at night. The lights emit a bright, multicolored veil that covers the entire city. From Greenwich Village to Chinatown to Brooklyn, tour the city’s most beautiful night skies from the top of a double decker bus or on the water’s edge. Don’t miss the opportunity to climb to the Top of the Rock and admire a breathtaking view of New York City at night. New York is a culinary melting pot, so be sure to indulge in of the many varied ethnic cuisines, from Spanish to Italian to Korean to Chinese to more…the world is literally your oyster!
It feels almost as if it is the middle of the day, Photo credit: Justin in SD via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-SA
Cover Photo credit: ataferner via Visualhunt.com / CC BY-NC-SA