For those who love the thrill of Las Vegas but are looking for a European adventure, here are the ten cities that resemble Las Vegas the most.
From luxurious hotels and casinos to lively nightlife and upscale dining, these cities have much to offer travelers looking for excitement and entertainment.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon, Portugal, has a lively nightlife, especially in areas like Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré, where the streets are filled with bars, music, and neon lights. While it’s not as extravagant as the Las Vegas Strip, the illuminated streets and party atmosphere might remind some of Vegas.
While Portugal isn’t known for casinos like Las Vegas, Lisbon does have its own famous casino, Casino Lisboa. It’s one of Europe’s biggest casinos and has a flashy, modern design reminiscent of Vegas casinos.
Both cities attract millions of visitors each year looking for a mix of culture, entertainment, and leisure. While Vegas is famous for its shows, Lisbon has an excellent music and arts scene, with plenty of live performances and cultural festivals.
Lisbon has high-end shopping districts, luxury hotels, and a growing tourism industry that caters to visitors looking for a stylish and enjoyable experience, similar to what Las Vegas offers.
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Rotterdam is known for its modern and experimental architecture, much like the extravagant, eye-catching designs of Las Vegas. Buildings like the Markthal, Cube Houses, and De Rotterdam have a futuristic, almost surreal look, similar to the way Vegas casinos and hotels are designed to stand out.
Rotterdam has its own major casino, Holland Casino, which is reminiscent of Vegas-style gaming. While it’s not as grand as Vegas casinos, it offers a similar experience with gambling, restaurants, and live entertainment.
Rotterdam has one of the most striking skylines in Europe, with tall, modern skyscrapers like the De Zalmhaven Tower and Maastoren, which give it a Vegas-like, high-rise aesthetic when lit up at night.
Rotterdam also has a lively club and music scene, with electronic music festivals, rooftop bars, and large-scale events that bring a level of energy similar to Vegas nightlife.
Antwerp, Belgium
Antwerp, Belgium, is known for its clubs, bars, and music venues that keep the city lively until the early hours. While it’s not as extreme as Las Vegas, areas like Het Zuid, Eilandje, and Grote Markt have an energetic, party-like atmosphere.
Antwerp has a few gaming halls and slot machine venues which offers a mini-Vegas experience with gambling, entertainment, and dining. Full casinos are regulated with the country having less than 10 of them.
Antwerp is Belgium’s fashion capital, known for its high-end shopping streets like Schuttershofstraat and Meir, where luxury brands dominate. Similarly, Las Vegas has a strong luxury shopping culture in places like The Forum Shops and The Shops at Crystals.
Just like Vegas, Antwerp is a city that thrives on hosting concerts, events, and international shows. From large music festivals to theater performances, Antwerp is a major entertainment hub in Belgium.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Tivoli Gardens, one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, has a magical, illuminated nighttime atmosphere that feels somewhat like Las Vegas. The park’s lights, rides, and entertainment create an experience similar to the fantasy-driven environment of Vegas resorts.
There is Casino Copenhagen, one of the few legal casinos in Denmark, offering a mini-Vegas experience with slot machines, poker, and high-stakes gaming. While it’s nowhere near the size of Vegas casinos, it is a luxury gambling destination in the heart of the city.
Copenhagen’s Strøget and Illum shopping districts cater to high-end shoppers, similar to the designer boutiques found in Las Vegas hotels like The Venetian or The Bellagio. The city has a growing culture of fine dining, boutique hotels, and high-profile events, attracting luxury tourists in a way that mirrors Vegas’s appeal.
Areas like the Meatpacking District offer a dynamic mix of cocktail bars, clubs, and live music venues. Copenhagen also hosts massive festivals and concerts, such as Distortion, Copenhagen Jazz Festival, and Roskilde Festival.
Rome
Among European cities, the Italian capital boasts the highest number of five-star hotels per capita, with nearly two for every 100,000 residents. The city has an impressive count of 124 nightlife locations with five-star ratings, placing it within the top ten in this category.
Dublin
Dublin is the third-ranked city in terms of its number of casinos per capita among these European cities, with almost two for every 100,000 residents. The city’s solid rankings for nightlife and five-star hotels have enabled the Irish capital to secure a spot in the top five.
London
London’s abundance of luxury hotels is noteworthy, as the city’s 163 five-star establishments rank it second in per capita rankings, with a 1.75 per 100,000 people ratio. Additionally, the capital of England boasts the third-highest number of casinos, with a total of 53. While London also features an impressive number of Michelin Guide restaurants, coming in ninth place in this category with a ratio of 0.57 per 100,000 population.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s per capita ranking for Michelin Guide-featured restaurants is impressive, with 70 restaurants amounting to over six per 100,000 population. Additionally, the city ranks fifth for its number of casinos per capita, sixth for the number of five-star hotels, and fourth for the number of five-star nightlife locations. These combined factors have allowed the Dutch capital to secure a spot in the top three.
Prague
With a staggering 162 five-star rated nightlife locations per capita, Prague tops the list of cities in Europe, with over 12 for every 100,000 residents. In addition to its lively nightlife, the Czech capital ranks second for the number of casinos, with a total of 56, securing its position as a leading destination for entertainment and gambling.
Bucharest
Bucharest, Romania, has earned the title of the European Las Vegas due to its whopping 160 casinos, which translates to almost 9 per 100,000 residents – the highest number in the region. While it ranks moderately for five-star hotels (17th), its top ten nightlife score, combined with its great gambling, cements its position as Europe’s version of Vegas.
Alexandrea Sumuel Groves is a nationally syndicated travel writer. She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers, a digital publisher on several major online news websites, and the creator behind Wander Worthy and Virginia Trip Guide.