10 best New Year's Eve destinations in Europe

10. Vienna

Let’s start counting down to get to know our FlixBus 10 Best New Year’s Eve destinations! Number 10 on our list is Vienna! The capital of Austria is a beautiful city, beloved since ages by intellectuals and artists, but what about big New Year’s Eve celebrations? Starting from 2 p.m. on the 31st of December, Vienna’s Old City transforms into a big street party. Silvesterpfad (New Year’s Eve) is a synonymous of mulled wine, beer, champagne and food offered by many booths in the town. You can enjoy free concerts and try yourself dancing the traditional waltz! Free lessons will be provided by dancing schools at 2 p.m. in front of the Stephansdom. It's a good occasion to practice before midnight, when traditionally everyone starts to dance waltz! Don’t forget to watch the fireworks at Heldenplatz or at the Vienna Prater. Ein gutes Neues!

Would you like to know more about what to do and see in Vienna? Check our Tourist information and all connections for New Year's Eve to Vienna

9. Copenhagen

Danes start their New Year’s Eve celebrations by watching the Queens’ New Year’s Eve speech on TV at 6 p.m. After that you can head to several bars, discos or restaurants that are open during this day. At midnight, people gather on the square of Amalienborg, the Royal Palace to wish each other all the best and to watch the Royal Garden Parade in red gala uniforms. Famous gathering spots where people celebrate New Year’s are traditionally the Town Hall Square or the bridge across the lakes to Nørrebro, Queen Louise's Bridge. Another ‘must’ is a visit to the world-famous Tivoli Gardens which are open on 31st! Typical for this day is to eat codfish, pork and kale. When the clock strikes 12, you should try the marzipan cake called “kransekage” and have a glass of champagne! Godt nytår!

8. Budapest

Have you been to the beautiful capital of Hungary already? No? Then the New Year’s Eve celebration can be a good option for you to explore this city! Szilveszter (New Year’s Eve in Hungarian) will take place at Vorosmarty Square where people celebrate with concerts, good food, some pálinka and local sparkling wine. This is the place where thousands of people gather to properly greet the New Year. Other spots where you can go are Oktogon Square (by Andrassy Ave) to enjoy some concerts and Nyugati Square, which is a popular meeting point for many locals. We can’t forget about the Party District – Gozsdu Court and the Jewish Qrtr – the place of the ruin pubs. Don’t forget to try some Hungarian food like lentil soup or lentil Fozelek and pork dishes. It’s for good luck in the following year! So, take a bus to Budapest and celebrate well! Boldog Új Évet!

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7. Barcelona

Looking for a warm place to celebrate New Year’s Eve? Then head to Barcelona, where at the Font Màgica de Montjuïc (Magic Fountain of Montjuïc) in Plaza Espanya you can enjoy the official city celebrations! Don’t worry about not having enough time to explore Barcelona. You’ll have a whole day for you, since the concerts start at 9 pm. Then at 11.30 pm the main attraction ‘son et lumière’ sound and light show will take place. Get ready for an amazing and innovative performance with fire, water, sound and lights! And it’s all free of charge! At midnight enjoy fireworks and toast for the New Year with Cava.  If you’re up for clubbing, try to get to the New Year's Party at Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village), which is at walking distance from the Magic Fountain Don’t forget about the traditional celebrations which include: wearing red underwear, eating 12 grapes with each chime at midnight and toasting with Cava! ¡Feliz año nuevo!

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6. Prague

Our number 6 is Prague! The charming capital of the Czech Republic which on the 31st will be waiting for you with concerts, fireworks and champagne. There are several options to celebrate your New Year’s Eve. If you like the atmosphere of big squares where people gather together, head to the Old Square or the Wenceslas Square. A nice place to watch the fireworks is also the National Theater. Another way to enjoy “Silvestr” (NYE in Czech) is to head to the river close to Charles Bridge and be entertained with the beautiful sight of the fireworks across the water. If you want to say goodbye to the old year properly with the big bang, you can also try the river cruises or the boat parties with lots of food, drinks, fun and amazing views. Do you want to try out some clubs? Then, famous Roxy, Karlovy Lazne, Sasazu, Zlaty Strom or Duplex should be your choices. We recommend you to check out the prices and book in advance! Šťastný Nový rok!

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5. Rome

Bella Italia is the perfect destination during the whole year, but especially during New Year’s Eve! Imagine walking around the charming Trastevere area in the afternoon, have some pasta with wine and accomplish the old year by watching fireworks near the Imperial Forum. Sounds good? Ok, let’s make it real then. What can the capital of Italy offer you on the 31st of December? You have several options: free concert at Circo Massimo (starts at 10 p.m.), party dancing experience along Via dei Fori Imperiali and live bands in Piazza del Popolo. Shortly before midnight head to the spots from which you will have a beautiful view on the city. Our recommendations are: Gianicolo Hill, the Pincio above Piazza del Popolo. Don’t forget to eat lentils after midnight! It brings fortune for the coming year. Another important ‘must’ is wearing red underwear for luck in the new year. We all want it, don’t we? Felice Anno Nuovo!

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4. Paris

We are getting closer to the podium! Number 4 in our best New Year’s destinations is the city of love, Paris! 31st is the night full of champagne, events, and cabarets. The big gathering point is Champs Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe, where you can admire beautiful decorations. Other popular places to celebrate are the top of Montmartre, at Sacre Coeur, where you will have an amazing view on the city. Walk around the main points during the day and then kick off the old year with a chic party or romantic dinner on the boat! Also, on NYE the Christmas markets will be open in: Saint-Sulpice, Saint-Germain-des-Près, Place de la Nation and Place des Abbesses in Montmartre. While being in the Christmas village in Champes Elysées, try out the big wheel and don’t forget about the vin chaud or the papillottes – traditional chocolates with the message inside. All these options are waiting for you! The celebrations continue New Year’s Day with the Grande Parade de Paris. You got some inputs? Good, then off you go! Bonne année!

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3. Berlin

Finally, number 3! Berlin, the capital of Germany and the famous party city! Every year, thousands of people are coming here to celebrate on the “Party Mile”, which is the street "Straße des 17. Juni" between Brandenburger Gate and the Victory Column. Here, you will enjoy the music stages, the party tents and the laser light shows. There will be also stands full of food and drinks, so you’ll have enough energy to have fun! The gates will open at 2 p.m. and there will the rehearsals for the evening start. The official beginning of the event will be at 7p.m.  Those who will take their bus earlier should not worry, as already on 30th you can enjoy the festival area starting from 2p.m. Are you in? Ok, then take also part in the New Year’s Eve “run for the donut” at the Teufelsberg, where runners are wearing funny costumes! The funniest one wins! The classical music concerts are also taking place, for example in Charlottenburg Palace or in the concert hall at the Gendarmenmarkt. There will be something for everyone! Frohes Neues Jahr!  

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2. Amsterdam

Coming closer to the winner, we have an amazing party destination – Amsterdam! On the 31st, the city becomes a big street party with bars, restaurants and people from all over the world having fun. The main place to celebrate is The Oosterdok. This is also the location for the official city’s celebrations and the fireworks show. The other places which we should mention are Rembrandtplein, Nieumarkt, Museumplein and Dam Square. Get ready to see tents full of beer and live shows. Looking for something quieter? Head to the Magere Brug – the bridge situated on the main canal of Amsterdam and watch the fireworks over the water. While being in Amsterdam you can’t miss the typical “oliebollen” and “appelflappen”, which are some delicious sweets, totally worth it to try! A very famous Dutch tradition on the New Year’s Day is the New Year’s Dive! Around 60 000 people come every year to the sea to take a freezing cold bath. Way to recover after party hard and have fresh start the New Year?  Let’s give it a try! Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!

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