10 Best Places to Spend New Year’s in Europe

Who doesn’t love New Year’s? It is the time to reflect on the year that has passed, celebrate with family and friends, and look ahead to the future on what is to come. But it is also a fantastic time to travel during your well-earned holiday time and a new year of vacation days! So why not check out some of the best places to spend New Year’s in Europe during that time off?

Whether you want to savor the Christmas season further, or you’d like to start the New Year off with a bang, here are the top 10 best New Year’s vacations in Europe.

Top 10 Best Places to Spend New Year’s in Europe

1. Paris, France

Paris at any time of year is a place like no other. But during New Year’s it is something else. Enjoy the City of Lights all lit up for the affair, with dazzling firework shows, saucy cabarets, and more. But the best place to spend New Year’s in Paris is on the water.

Take a riverboat cruise during the New Year’s celebrations to enjoy the fireworks across the city, and take in all the perfect sights in Paris. But book it early– Paris on the river during New Year’s Eve is very popular! Here is a more affordable, 1-hour option too!

Pro-Tip: many Christmas markets are still open until January 5^th, meaning you can savor Christmas just a little longer after you’ve got your fill of New Year’s Eve festivities.

Read reviews and book your Paris hotel here!

And don’t forget to check out our 4 days in Paris itinerary or Paris, France podcast episode!

2. Berlin, Germany

We know Berlin to be the place for underground clubs and techno music. So when it comes to partying it up during a New Year’s Eve vacation, this is the place to be.

The best clubs in the entire world are right in Berlin, ready for a wild night of partying to ring in the New Year. And it lasts for several days! Yes, many clubs stay open for days without closing. So if you have that kind of energy and are ready to party, Berlin is the place to be.

Also, you’ll love the fireworks across the city and if you want to get some fresh air from the club, head to Brandenburg Gate for the largest open-air party. It is practically its own festival with various stages, party tents, and more.

Read reviews and book your Berlin hotel here!

3. Edinburgh, Scotland

When it comes to New Year’s Eve breaks abroad, nothing beats Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. This 3-day festival is filled with fireworks, a costume parade, concerts, a street party, and so much more. Scots take their New Year’s Eve celebrations seriously, with Hogmanay originating way back in the 17^th century.

There are several events to partake in like the Loony Dook, where you dress up in costume and take a dip in the River Forth, or some less crazy events like the Candlelit Concert at St. Giles Cathedral.

Either way, you’ll enjoy the culture and fun that is Edinburgh, Scotland during your time celebrating Hogmanay.

Read reviews and book your Edinburgh hotel here!

4. Porto, Portugal

The land of port wine has its own New Year’s traditions that make it perfect for a New Year’s Eve break in Europe.

Whether you enjoy fireworks, partying all night, or cruising on the river, Porto has something for everyone for New Year’s. Enjoy a Duoro River cruise to see the city lit up at night and take in the fireworks. Or, if you’d rather up the excitement on New Year’s, partake in a street party at Avenida dos Aliados in front of Porto City Hall or head to the club until dawn.

Either way, you’ll enjoy the culture and fun of Porto as you ring in the coming year.

Read reviews and book your Porto hotel here!

5. Vienna, Austria

While we all know Vienna to be iconic for its Christmas markets, making it ideal for December, did you know they have quite the New Year’s celebration too? If you are still looking for where to go for New Year’s Eve in Europe, this is definitely the place.

Partake in Sylvesterpfad (New Year’s Path) that lasts from 2 pm on December 31^st until 2 am on January 1^st. This is a street filled with live concerts, where you can dance the waltz and admire fireworks well into the early hours of the morning.

What better way to celebrate New Year’s Eve than waltzing into it during the ringing of church bells at midnight?

And even on January 1^st, you’ll definitely want to hear the Philharmonic perform Johann Strauss music.

Read reviews and book your Vienna hotel here!

6. Prague, Czech Republic

Another stunning Eastern European city that is romantic any time of year, Prague is perfect for your New Year’s Eve celebrations too. 

This place is idyllic for a New Year’s Eve river cruise with live music and a spot to enjoy the fireworks. And with both official and unofficial fireworks going off all evening, it is quite a feast for the eyes!

And yes, there are plenty of clubs to dance the night away, but in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it is the perfect place to wander Charles Bridge and Old Town Square for the lights and fireworks of the New Year.

Don’t forget New Year’s Day! They even have a lovely Mozart dinner on January 1 to celebrate the New Year!

Read reviews and book your Prague hotel here!

7. Venice, Italy

Aside from being perfectly romantic for nighttime strolls along the canals, on New Year’s Eve, you’ll love Piazza San Marco around midnight, where you can exchange kisses and good wishes for the year to come. Pair that with a firework display and it may be one of the more romantic spots for New Year’s Eve.

Also, don’t forget to check out the theater during New Year’s! One of Venice’s top places to go on New Year’s Eve is La Fenice Theater, where you’ll be treated to a fantastic concert and art displays to ring in the New Year.

Read reviews and book your Venice hotel here!

8. Madrid, Spain

If you are looking where to go for New Year’s Eve in Europe, look no further. If you want to experience a truly iconic New Year’s experience, head to Puerta del Sol. This clock is essentially the New York Time’s Ball, with Spaniards watching live and on TV for the clock to strike midnight where they feast on…grapes?

Yes, a Spanish New Year’s tradition is to eat 12 grapes at midnight, 1 for each strike of the clock. So eat quickly for good luck! Then, head out to one of Madrid’s famed nightclubs like Kapital or Joy Eslava to party it up until dawn.

And if partying isn’t your thing, head back to your accommodation (try to get one with a kitchen facility) and create your own special New Year’s meal!

Read reviews and book your Madrid hotel here!

9. Reykjavik, Iceland

While this may be the only place on this list to potentially see the Northern Lights during winter if you’re planning to stay past New Year’s Eve, it is also a place where people love fireworks. And by love I mean people go nuts shooting fireworks on New Year’s Eve. They start lighting up a few days before New Year’s Eve and go well into the New Year!

So if you want to enjoy the festivities, starting around 8 pm through the night, you’ll be delighted at the most unofficial but super fun firework display across Reykjavik as Icelanders have a few drinks and light up the night sky!

To join in on the fun, head to Klambratun Park, Landakotstun Park, or Hallgrimskirkja Church where many people go to set off their own fireworks.

And if you love a good bonfire, join in the celebration and partake in the bonfires across Reykjavik during New Year’s Eve.

Read reviews and book your Reykjavik hotel here!

Also, check out the New Year’s Eve fireworks cruise or  Bonfire tour!

10. Dresden, Germany

While this is certainly a wonderful place to enjoy the Christmas markets, why not stick around for the New Year’s Eve celebrations? As one of the best places to spend New Year’s Eve in Europe (and Germany in particular), you’ll be sure to enjoy this smaller German city.

Theaterplatz Square is the place to be for live music, dancing, delicious German food, and, of course, an elaborate fireworks display. Perfect for couples, families, or solo travelers alike, for a cheap New Year’s Eve trip, Dresden takes the cake for a place to enjoy some mulled wine while welcoming in the New Year!

Read reviews and book your Dresden hotel here!

When it comes to where to go for New Year’s Eve, Europe is the place to be. From river cruises along canals to firework displays that are sure to inspire your New Year’s dreams, you’ll love spending time exploring the best cities in Europe for New Year’s.

Where do you think the best places to spend New Year’s in Europe are? Where do you love to spend New Year’s Eve? Let us know in the comments!

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