The best destinations for New Year's Eve

Not interested in spending New Year's at home? Here are some ideas for where and how you can celebrate the next New Year's Eve. Depending on what you're in the mood for and your ideal vision of the biggest party of the year, here are a few suggestions: from Europe's most exciting cities for a glamorous evening to a trip to warmer destinations where you can watch fireworks on the beach, to Germany's trendiest cities where you can greet the New Year at lavish parties, romantic restaurants, and in front of fascinating backdrops. 

Prague: city for party with charming scenery

The capital of the Czech Republic is famous for its beautiful cityscape, with Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, and the historic Wenceslas Square. Here, the whole city celebrates the New Year together, and the main square, along with the Old Town Square, is perfect for a unique New Year's Eve night. To admire the fireworks in peace, stroll to the legendary Charles Bridge just before midnight and enjoy the spectacle along the Vltava River.

New Year's Eve in Prague 

Zurich is not only one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland but in all of Europe. The old town with its narrow cobblestone streets, pointed church towers, and cozy traditional restaurants invites you to a relaxing cheese fondue dinner. Alternatively, you can dine at one of the many elegant restaurants by the lake, before admiring one of the best fireworks displays in the country. The Swiss city, with its diverse cultural offerings and nightlife, is renowned for its party scene, and on New Year's Eve, the celebrations continue until the sun rises over the mountains.

London: New Year by the Thames

The English see out the old year with a gigantic fireworks display in the British capital. The whole city gathers at the banks of the Thames at the end of the year to toast and celebrate in one of the many pubs and nightclubs. The best view of the fireworks is by the river, near Tower Bridge and Big Ben. For those who want to continue the party the next day, indulge in a big serving of fish and chips for breakfast and then watch the London New Year's Parade in the afternoon, with the royal horse guards and thousands of performers and dancers.

New Year's Eve in London? Why not!

 

Munich impresses with its romantic and cozy old town and the elegant Leopoldstraße in Schwabing, where the who's who of German cinema welcomed the New Year as early as the 1970s. The golden Angel of Peace on Prinzregentenplatz offers the best view of the city center and the fireworks at midnight. It is located right on the border of the two upscale districts of Haidhausen and Bogenhausen, with trendy restaurants lining the nearby streets, perfect for a decadent New Year's Eve celebration.

Hamburg: celebrate like a true Northerner

The most spectacular fireworks in Germany can be found in Hamburg, the laid-back city on the Elbe. If you're heading to northern Germany for New Year's Eve, be sure to be at the Hamburg harbor at midnight—there's no better party! Alongside the glowing rockets, captains of large freighters, sailboats, and passenger ships sound their horns at midnight, and celebrations continue with fish sandwiches and beer! Wonderfully unpretentious and relaxed. From there, it's just a short walk to the Reeperbahn with its countless legendary clubs, like Die Ritze. 

New Year's Eve on the Elbe

New Year's Eve in Germany's capital

Berlin is not only Germany's capital but has also set benchmarks in the European and international club scene for years. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people come to the metropolis to celebrate New Year's Eve in one of the many legendary nightclubs and bars. The party zone is located along Straße des 17. Juni between the Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column, and this is also where Berlin's official New Year's celebration takes place. From a live countdown to live bands and DJs to fireworks—the motto here is to party until you drop. Spend the evening on the party mile and then continue in one of Berlin's countless popular electronic clubs.

New Year's Eve of the superlative: head to New York!

Do you want to make this New Year's Eve extra special? Then a trip to New York City is just right for you! The city that never sleeps is the perfect place to turn night into day and welcome the New Year in a truly special atmosphere. The biggest party in the city usually takes place at the famous Times Square. But there's plenty of partying across the rest of the city well into the early morning hours.

New York, New York

On the Viennese New Year's Eve trail

Austria's capital is one of Europe's most popular city destinations, not only at New Year's. As the year comes to a close, Vienna welcomes many visitors, and the beautiful old town transforms into a true winter wonderland. The Viennese celebrate the end of the year on the so-called New Year's Eve Trail, where typical local delicacies are served, and the countdown is awaited with warming mulled wine or champagne in hand. At midnight, people gather at Heldenplatz to watch Austria's largest fireworks display.

Barcelona invites you to dance and music 

Not interested in standing in the cold for the countdown to the New Year? Then New Year's Eve in Barcelona is a great choice. The Spanish party metropolis invites you to the Font Màgica de Montjuïc, located at Plaza España. Here, every year there is a spectacle of fire, water, music, and light effects, and from the central square, you get a great view of the fireworks. If you want to continue the celebration, head to Poble Español and dance into the new year with a glass of sangria in hand.

New Year's Eve at Plaza Espana 

  

Where could a couple in love better celebrate the start of the New Year than in the city of love? On the last day of the year, the residents of the French capital gather, along with thousands of tourists, on the legendary Champs-Élysées and around the Arc de Triomphe to celebrate—of course, with a glass of champagne! The entire area is still decorated with Christmas lights, and numerous stands offer food and drinks to help pass the time until the countdown.