New Year's Eve breaks: 13 city break destinations to celebrate 2016
New Year’s Eve is a funny event: often it can be anticlimactic, finding the right venue and group of family or friends to celebrate with requires a lot of planning so this New Year, why not get away from it all? There’s nothing like a change of scenery to awaken your senses and we’ve picked 13 city destinations that will do just that. Now you just need to book your flights on time to make sure you don't miss out!
1. Berlin
Image courtesy of Andrey Belenko.
Berlin is a major party city and if you can handle the cold, New Year’s here is a great night out. Street parties take place between the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column in the Tiergarten. Think lazer light shows, live music, DJs and fireworks all free of charge. Make sure to get there early however as crowds are restricted at the event.
Stay with: Jorinde in Kreuzberg
2. Dubrovnik
Image courtesy of Eric Hossinger.
For some Mediterranean charm, head to the picturesque Croatian city of Dubrovnik. High profile concerts mark the event with locals traditionally dining together either at home or in one of the city’s restaurants before heading to the New Year’s concert on Stradun, the main street of the city. Carol-singing and concert orchestras kick off the evening and the atmosphere here is second to none.
Stay with: Damir in Dubrovnik
3. Madrid
Left image courtesy of jacinta lluch valero.
Nobody does a party like the Spanish and never is it more true than when it comes to New Years. Head to the Puerta del Sol square in the heart of the city where locals ring in the New Year, in an event that is televised around the country. The tradition is to try and eat 12 grapes in time with the chime of the clock as it strikes twelve so make sure you come prepared. Most Spaniards spend midnight with their families before heading out on the town so if you’re planning on partying in Madrid, expect it to be a long night!
Stay with: Charo in Malasaña
4. London
One of the most famous cities in Europe for New Year’s celebrations, the fireworks along the Thames in London are a must-see and while the event this year is ticketed, price begin at around £10. While most of the city’s major clubs will have events running, these will be ticketed so unless you’ve booked your place, don’t show up on spec. For something a little lower key head to a local pub and celebrate the New Year with friends. The Cat & Mutton on Broadway Market or Baltic, a vodka specialist in Southwark are both great options.
Stay with: Helen in Streatham
5. Madeira
Image courtesy of Mark Woodward.
Madeira may seem a little off the beaten track for New Year’s but the city is known to the Portuguese as a great place to ring in the New Year. The fireworks displays at the stroke of midnight goes on for well over ten minutes over the bay of the island's capital Funchal and is in itself worth the visit. Start the evening in on of the city's beautiful seafood restaurants and admire the twinkling lights that’s adorn this crescent-shaped city. Madeira also has the added bonus of some winter sun with average December temperatures between 15 and 21 degrees Celsius.
Stay with: Marlize in Cabo Girão
6. Edinburgh
Image courtesy of This is Edinburgh.
The cobbled streets of Edinburgh are a great place to head out ring in the New Year and Scotland’s traditional Hogmanay festival marks the end of the old and the beginning of the new. The city comes alive with concerts, street parties with traditional music and dancing and specific events for children and families as well as adults. Most events are ticketed but several are free of charge, head to the Hogmanay 2016 to find out more.
Stay with: Norrie in Edinburgh
7. Stockholm
Another city for winter lovers, Stockholm is a fantastic long weekend destination. Wrap up warm and head out into the night air for some fireworks. The main festivities are in the Old Town, Gamla Stan close to the Royal Palace and Cathedral while the museum island of Skansen has festivities that are televised across the nation. After that, head to the trendy Södermalm district to party into the small hours.
8. Istanbul
Despite being a relatively short flight from most European countries, Istanbul feels a world away. This cosmopolitan Turkish city is a feast for the eyes and its hilly landscape and rooftop bars provide ample opportunity to take in the New Year festivities. For something a little different, trying booking a place of one of the many pleasure boats along the Bosphorus and admire the bright lights and fireworks from the indigo waters that run through the city.
Stay with: Gokce in Fatih
9. Copenhagen
Left image courtesy of Hans Hansson, right image courtesy of Thomas Rousing.
The southern sister of Sweden, Denmark compact capital Copenhagen is another great spot for a city break and aside from the cold, New Years is one of the best times to visit the city. The famous Tivoli fairground plays host to a fireworks festival from the 26th-30th of December so if you arrive a little early in the city this is a definite event to get you in the party mood. At midnight on the 31st locals gather in City Hall Square and on the Queen Louise Bridge near Nørrebro. If you can try book a dinner beforehand in one of the city’s many great restaurants, it will set you up for the evening ahead.
10 St. Petersburg
Image courtesy of Gary Hall.
A place for serious winter lovers, Russia is a fascinating country that does the holiday season well. St. Petersburg is the smaller of the two Russian cities on our weekend list and its island layout and long winter nights give it a more relaxed feel than Russia's capital city. Head to Dvortsovaya Square to watch the President’s address and fireworks on the stroke of midnight. For somewhere a little quieter head to Strelka on Vasilyevski Island to watch the fireworks from afar then head back to the city to party. If you are lucky, you may even see the Northern Lights at this time of year.
Stay with: Valentina in St. Petersburg
11. Moscow
The Russian capital has one place you want to be for midnight on the 31st: the famous Red Square. Crowds here are huge so if it sounds a little overwhelming, find a spot along the banks of the Moskva River to take in the fireworks over the spires of St. Basil’s and the Kremlin from there instead. Afterwards head to some of Moscow’s enormous night clubs (if you can get in!) or hang out in Tverskaya Ulitsa, only a stone’s throw from Red Square where there will be DJs playing funk, pop and techno as well as dance classes until around 2am.
Stay with: Yura in Krasnaya Presnya
12. Vienna
Image courtesy of Cha già José.
Vienna’s gala New Year concerts are famous the world over and while you may not be able to nab yourself a ticket to these black tie events, there’s still plenty of fun to be had in the Austrian capital. Crowds gather in City Hall Square for Gluwein, live music and waltzes, with the Vienna Dance School be on hand to offer any novices a tip or two. On New Year’s Day, head back to City Hall Square where the New Year’s Day concert from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra will be broadcast on screens in the square.
Stay with: Lucyna in Vienna
13. Marrakech
Left image courtesy of Mark Rowland, right image courtesy of Ryan Kilpatrick.
For something a little different for your New Year’s and some brilliant winter sun, try Marrakech in the south of Morocco. Celebrations here will be far more chilled than most European capitals so if you’re not a fan of the bells and fireworks of midnight this is definitely the place for you. And if you miss the winter chill you can head into the nearby Atlas Mountains for a spot of skiing!
Stay with: Narimane in Marrakech
Written by Mary Plunkett
Mary’s curious personality means that she is forever looking to explore new places and cultures. Like many Irish kids, Mary first got a taste for travel on family camping holidays to France.
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