10 Destinations to Enjoy New Year’s Eve 2023/2024 in Europe

Europe is a captivating continent with a rich history and culture, and it is also home to some of the most stunning cities and landscapes in the world. If you are looking for a memorable New Year’s Eve experience, then Europe is the perfect place to be. Here are some of the best destinations, main traditions and addresses to enjoy New Year’s Eve in Europe:

1. Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is known for its lively nightlife and its beautiful bridges, making it a perfect place to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The city hosts a number of popular events on New Year’s Eve, including a concert in Heroes’ Square and a fireworks display over the Danube River.

Midnight Celebration Spots:

Heroes’ Square: Host to an unforgettable New Year’s Eve concert, this grand square transforms into a bustling party scene with live music, fireworks, and a vibrant countdown to midnight.
Danube River Cruise: Embark on a magical Danube River cruise and witness breathtaking fireworks displays as you sail past Budapest’s illuminated cityscape.
Gellért Hill: Ascend to the summit of Gellért Hill for panoramic views of the city and a spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display.

Iconic Traditions:

Eating lencsefőzelék: Lentil soup is a traditional New Year’s Eve dish in Hungary, believed to bring good luck and fortune in the coming year.
Tossing old shoes: At the stroke of midnight, Hungarians traditionally toss an old shoe over their left shoulder, hoping it will land pointing towards the door to symbolize good luck in the coming year.
Counting down the seconds: As the clock strikes midnight, Hungarians join in the traditional countdown, shouting “Boldog újévet!” (Happy New Year!)

2. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is a charming city with a fairytale-like atmosphere, and it is also a great place to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The city hosts a number of fireworks displays, concerts, and other events on New Year’s Eve, and the streets are filled with revelers until the early hours of the morning.

Midnight Celebration Spots:

Charles Bridge: Walk hand-in-hand across the iconic Charles Bridge and soak in the electrifying atmosphere as the city erupts in fireworks at midnight.
Old Town Square: Join the lively celebrations in the heart of Old Town Square, where a grand fireworks display illuminates the historic landmarks and the countdown to midnight echoes through the cobblestone streets.
Petrin Hill: Ascend to Petrin Hill, the “Little Prague,” for breathtaking panoramic views of the city and a mesmerizing New Year’s Eve fireworks display.

Iconic Traditions:

Eating pork and sauerkraut: Pork and sauerkraut are a traditional New Year’s Eve dish in the Czech Republic, believed to bring prosperity and abundance in the coming year.
Breaking a plate: At midnight, Czechs traditionally break a plate against the door of their loved ones’ homes, believing it will bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
Counting down the bells: As the clock strikes midnight, Czechs listen for the 12 strokes of the Prague Astronomical Clock, cheering at each chime.

3. Berlin, Germany

Berlin is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with a lively nightlife scene, making it a great place to party on New Year’s Eve. The city hosts a number of popular events on New Year’s Eve, including a concert in the Brandenburg Gate and a fireworks display over the city center.

Midnight Celebration Spots:

Brandenburg Gate: Witness a spectacular fireworks display over the Brandenburg Gate, one of Berlin’s most iconic landmarks, as the city celebrates the New Year in grand style.
Alexanderplatz: Immerse yourself in the lively celebrations at Alexanderplatz, the city’s central square, where a massive fireworks display and a countdown to midnight create an unforgettable atmosphere.
Tiergarten: Escape the urban buzz and enjoy a New Year’s Eve celebration in the serene setting of Tiergarten, Berlin’s largest park. Dance under the stars, enjoy live music, and witness a stunning fireworks display over the park’s lake.

Iconic Traditions:

Wearing red underwear: Wearing red underwear on New Year’s Eve is a tradition in Germany, believed to bring love and passion in the coming year.
Eating apples and nuts: Apples and nuts are a traditional New Year’s Eve snack in Germany, believed to represent wealth and fertility.
Setting off fireworks: Fireworks are a staple of New Year’s Eve celebrations in Germany, with cities across the country lighting up with dazzling displays at midnight.

4. Vienna, Austria

Vienna is a beautiful and elegant city with a rich history and culture. The city hosts a number of traditional events on New Year’s Eve, including a ball and a fireworks display.

Midnight Celebration Spots:

Vienna State Opera: Ring in the New Year in the grand ballroom of the Vienna State Opera, where a traditional New Year’s Gala Dinner and Ball offer an unforgettable evening of classical music, waltzes, and elegant revelry.
Stephansdom: Enjoy the panoramic views of Vienna from the top of Stephansdom, the city’s iconic cathedral, and witness a spectacular fireworks display over the city as the clock strikes midnight.
Belvedere Palace: Celebrate the New Year in the opulent surroundings of the Belvedere Palace

Iconic Traditions:

Attending the Vienna Philharmonic Concert: The Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve Concert is a world-famous tradition, featuring classical music performances that have been broadcast worldwide for over 80 years.
Eating Sachertorte: Sachertorte, a rich chocolate cake with apricot jam and whipped cream, is a traditional New Year’s Eve treat in Vienna.
Toasting with champagne: Champagne is the traditional drink of choice for New Year’s Eve celebrations in Vienna, with toasts of “Prosit Neujahr!” (Happy New Year!) echoing through the streets.

5. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is a charming city with a laid-back atmosphere, and it is also a great place to enjoy New Year’s Eve. The city hosts a number of outdoor parties and fireworks displays on New Year’s Eve, and the streets are filled with revelers until the early hours of the morning.

Midnight Celebration Spots:

Dam Square: Witness a spectacular fireworks display over Dam Square, Amsterdam’s most central square, and join in the countdown to midnight amidst the vibrant festivities.
Rembrandtplein: Immerse yourself in the lively celebrations at Rembrandtplein, a popular square known for its bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Enjoy live music, dancing, and a festive atmosphere as the city welcomes the New Year.
Vondelpark: Escape the crowds and enjoy a more tranquil New Year’s Eve celebration in the serene setting of Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s largest park. Enjoy live music, dance under the stars, and witness a stunning fireworks display over the park’s lake.

Iconic Traditions:

Ringing in the New Year on a canal boat: Taking a canal boat cruise on New Year’s Eve is a popular way to see the fireworks displays over Amsterdam’s canals.
Eating oliebollen: Oliebollen are deep-fried dough balls filled with raisins or apples, a traditional Dutch New Year’s Eve snack.
Watching the fireworks from Dam Square: Dam Square is the heart of Amsterdam and a popular spot to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks display.

6. Dublin, Ireland

Dublin is a lively and fun-loving city with a great pub culture, making it a perfect place to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The city hosts a number of traditional Irish events on New Year’s Eve, including a céilí dance and a fireworks display over Dublin Bay.

Midnight Celebration Spots:

Grafton Street: Experience the heart of Dublin’s New Year’s Eve celebrations on Grafton Street, a bustling pedestrianized area lined with pubs, restaurants, and shops. Enjoy live music, street performers, and a countdown to midnight that culminates in a spectacular fireworks display.
Temple Bar: Immerse yourself in Dublin’s vibrant nightlife in the historic district of Temple Bar. Enjoy live music, traditional Irish dancing, and a festive atmosphere that lasts well into the early hours of the morning.
Custom House Quay: Witness a breathtaking fireworks display over Dublin Bay from Custom House Quay, a scenic waterfront area with stunning views of the city skyline.

Iconic Traditions:

Attending a traditional céilí dance: Céilí dances are lively social gatherings where people dance traditional Irish dances, a popular way to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Ireland.
Eating black pudding and colcannon: Black pudding and colcannon are traditional Irish New Year’s Eve dishes, believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
Toasting with champagne and saying “Sláinte!”: Champagne is the traditional drink of choice for New Year’s Eve celebrations in Dublin, with toasts of “Sláinte!” (Health!) echoing through the streets.

7. Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is a historic city with a vibrant cultural scene, and it is also a great place to witness a New Year’s Eve tradition called Hogmanay. Hogmanay is a week-long festival of events, including concerts, ceilidhs, and fireworks displays.

Midnight Celebration Spots:

Edinburgh Castle: Ring in the New Year atop Edinburgh Castle, a magnificent medieval fortress offering panoramic views of the city and a spectacular fireworks display at midnight.
Princes Street: Witness a vibrant fireworks display over Princes Street, Edinburgh’s main shopping street, and join in the boisterous celebrations amidst a sea of confetti cannons and inflatables.
Calton Hill: Ascend to Calton Hill for panoramic views of the city and a stunning fireworks display to welcome the New Year.

Iconic Traditions:

Watching the fireworks from Calton Hill: Calton Hill offers panoramic views of the city, making it a popular spot to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
Attending the Torchlight Procession: The Torchlight Procession is a traditional Hogmanay event, where people carry torches through the streets of Edinburgh.
Making a Hogmanay wish: Hogmanay traditions often involve making wishes for the coming year. One popular way to do this is to throw a coin into the River Forth, hoping it will bring luck.

8. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a vibrant Mediterranean city with a world-famous beach and a lively nightlife scene. The city hosts a number of popular events on New Year’s Eve, including a concert in the Plaça de Catalunya and a fireworks display over the harbor.

Midnight Celebration Spots:

Plaça de Catalunya: Immerse yourself in the heart of Barcelona’s New Year’s Eve celebrations on Plaça de Catalunya, a bustling square surrounded by iconic landmarks. Enjoy live music, fireworks, and a countdown to midnight that marks the start of the New Year.
Barceloneta Beach: Welcome the New Year with a bang by watching a spectacular fireworks display from Barceloneta Beach, Barcelona’s lively seaside promenade.
Port Vell: Celebrate the New Year with a touch of glamour at Port Vell, Barcelona’s harbor area, where upscale restaurants, bars, and nightclubs offer a stylish New Year’s Eve experience.

Iconic Traditions:

Eating 12 grapes: At midnight, Spaniards traditionally eat 12 grapes, one for each month of the year. This is believed to bring good luck in the coming year.
Watching the fireworks from Barceloneta Beach: Barceloneta Beach is a lively spot to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
Sipping on cava: Cava, a sparkling wine, is the traditional drink of choice for New Year’s Eve celebrations in Spain.

9. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is a beautiful city with a rich history and culture. The city hosts a number of traditional Portuguese events on New Year’s Eve, including a concert in Praça do Comércio and a fireworks display over the Tagus River.

Midnight Celebration Spots:

Praça do Comércio: Celebrate the New Year in the heart of Lisbon on Praça do Comércio, a grand square overlooking the Tagus River. Enjoy live music, fireworks, and a countdown to midnight that culminates in a spectacular display of lights and colors.
Ribeira das Naus: Witness a mesmerizing fireworks display over the Tagus River from Ribeira das Naus, a historic waterfront area with stunning views of the city skyline.
Alfama: Immerse yourself in the traditional atmosphere of Lisbon’s Alfama district. Explore the narrow cobblestone streets, enjoy Fado performances, and join in the lively celebrations as the city welcomes the New Year.

Iconic Traditions:

Eating cozido à portuguesa: Cozido à portuguesa is a hearty stew made with pork, beef, sausage, and vegetables. It is a traditional New Year’s Eve dish in Portugal, believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
Listening to Fado music: Fado is a traditional Portuguese music genre that is often associated with New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Watching the fireworks from Ribeira das Naus: Ribeira das Naus is a picturesque waterfront area with stunning views of the city skyline.

10. Rome, Italy

Rome is a historic and romantic city with a rich history and culture. The city hosts a number of traditional Italian events on New Year’s Eve, including a concert in Piazza del Popolo and a fireworks display over the Colosseum.

Midnight Celebration Spots:

Piazza del Popolo: Witness a spectacular fireworks display over Piazza del Popolo, one of Rome’s most iconic squares, and join in the lively celebrations amidst a sea of confetti and revelry.
Castel Sant’Angelo: Ascend to Castel Sant’Angelo, a historic fortress overlooking the city, for panoramic views of the fireworks display and a touch of medieval charm.
Trevi Fountain: Ring in the New Year by tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain and making a wish. The fountain is said to bring good fortune, so take your chance to start the New Year with a touch of luck.

Iconic Traditions:

Tossing cocci di ceramica: At midnight, Romans traditionally throw shards of ceramic called cocci di ceramica, believing it will bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
Watching the fireworks from Piazza del Popolo: Piazza del Popolo is a historic square in central Rome, offering breathtaking views of the city skyline.
Making a coin wish: Tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain is a popular New Year’s Eve tradition in Rome, believed to bring good luck and ensure a return visit.