2024 is fast approaching, but you've still got time to start making epic plans for New Year's Eve. It's always an incredible experience starting the new year in a big city, so why not pack your bag for December 31st and end the year on a high with an unforgettable trip?
A New Year’s Eve spent in Europe doesn’t have to mean blowing all your hard-earned cash (but don’t worry, we’re not going to suggest drinking tap water all night). To prove it, we’ve put together some options in a selection of our favourite European cities to help you decide where to lose your dignity for the final time in 2023 - in the best but most affordable way possible.
LONDON
SEE IN 2024 WITH A BANG OPPOSITE BIG BEN
Victoria Embankment, Westminster, London, SW1A 2NS, United Kingdom
Spending New Year's Eve in London really doesn't have to be as expensive as you think. If you’re in the capital on December 31st, you can’t miss the most spectacular display of fireworks in the country that lights up the skies from 12am. Exploding right over the London Eye and twinkling over the city’s stand-out skyline, for only £15 a ticket it is a fantastic, and affordable way to spend New Year's Eve. If you don’t fancy getting in with the crowd (or you're feeling extra tight), why not set up camp on Primrose Hill with a flask of your favourite tipple and a big blanket and watch the display for free?
If you're looking for something afterwards, head to the nearest Belushi’s bar for a huge party with a live DJ playing the biggest tunes from the 60's onwards, plus some of the best deals on drinks in the capital. Better yet, if you're staying with us your bed will be just upstairs in the hostel if you choose to party here. Convenient.
BERLIN
ENJOY THE BRANDENBURG GATE UNDER EXPLOSIONS OF COLOUR
Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Berlin’s famous Brandenburg Gate will once again be a haven of New Year celebrations on the 31st. The huge open area behind this mega tourist attraction will cater for foodies and party-goers alike, with famous DJs and singers getting the night started. On the strike of midnight, fireworks will burst the sky into colour so all the lucky ones there can welcome the New Year in with a bang. It's essentially a huge open air street party that will go on until the early hours.
Fighting the crowds for a spot is worth it, but if you prefer a chilled evening you could make a visit the afternoon before New Year’s Eve when some of the acts will be practicing their performance from 2-8pm!
Once you've snapped some insta-worthy pics of the fireworks over the gate, head to the world famous nightclub Tresor to kick off 2024 with some techno.
Need a hostel for New Years Eve? Check out St Christopher’s Inn Berlin .
PARIS
PARTY IN THE STREET AT CHAMPS-ELYSEES
Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, France
Be at the heart of the NYE action in Paris an
d join the Champs-Elysees street party and official New Year's Eve countdown. Grab a good spot to watch the Eiffel Tower from afar as it dances into 2024 with its famous glistening lights and you’ll feel like you're in a real-life Disney movie (or the intro at least). Alcohol is not permitted in the Champs-Elysees area so don’t make the mistake of bringing your own or you’ll get smacked with a fine. You can, however, find plenty of bière or vin and hours of music in the bars and clubs that line the avenue.
You might find you’ll spend a little more than you might like - this is the 8th arrondissement after all. La Cordonnerie is a cheaper option, but you’ll have to stroll a little longer from Champs-Elysees to get there than you might want to post-midnight. If you do want to head elsewhere, Metro Lines 1, 2, 5, 6, 9 and 14 will work all night - but watch out as they might not stop everywhere. Want to know the best nightclubs to hit? .
We have two hostels to choose from in Paris.
BARCELONA
SMASH SOME BOTTLES IN BARCELONA
Plaça de Catalunya, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
New Years Eve, or 'Nochevieja' in Spanish is always a wild night in the Catalonian capital. See the New Year in a little differently as Barcelona’s Placa Catalunya is cleared to allow crazy crowds to take part in the majorly impressive, yet fairly terrifying, midnight bottle toss. Arrive at about 11pm and when the clock strikes, you’ll see bottles fly into the air and smash into pieces on the ground. It's great fun to be around a rowdy crowd of locals - just make sure you're not in the middle of it all. Once the fun and games are over, spend the rest of your night on a bar crawl in the Gothic Quarter, or if you're staying sober head to Montjuic to watch the city light up with fireworks from above. Whatever your doing, just remember to wear your red undies - this is tradition in Barcelona for New Year's Eve - we promise.
Another unforgettable and affordable thing to do in Barcelona this New Years Eve is make a stop at the spectacular New Year Chimes firework show. Located at the Magic Fountain near Plaza Espanya (around the corner from ), this event attracts locals and tourists from all over the world to join the New Year countdown. The show consists of a wildly colourful water and light display, fireworks and music that combine to create an electric atmosphere. Be prepared to encounter some Spanish new year’s traditions while you’re there too - such as stuffing your mouth with 12 grapes on the 12 clock gongs leading up to midnight. To avoid the crowds, walk up to the Tarragona Metro stop, rather than entering at Espanya.
Check out for your NYE party.
EDINBURGH
PARTY LIKE A SCOTSMAN AT EDINBURGH’S HOGMANAY
Throughout Edinburgh city centre, Castle Street
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is back again to help celebrate the coming of 2024 in a big way, with festivities from the 30th December to 1st of January! This year everyone will become part of the show with light-up wristbands illuminating an incredible atmosphere throughout the city. For an affordable but mesmerising show, make sure you're in a good position to see the ultimate fireworks explode over Edinburgh Castle at 12am - we'd recommend heading to The Vennel or Ross Fountain in Princes St Gardens for the best views.
Tickets to the street party on Princes Street cost a little over £20, and come with live DJ soundtracks, giant screens and funfair attractions all night long. If you're wanting to carry on the party, head to Belushi’s Edinburgh to party afterwards with some of the best cocktails in the Scottish capital!
If your head's not too sore on New Year's Day, there's plenty more to check out in the bars, pubs and restaurants of the city, with a 'First Footin’' celebration offering an afternoon of live music and performance completely free of charge. Great news if you've gone over-budget the night before!
Need a bed for New Year's Eve? .