Where to go on New Year's Eve? Where is the coolest New Year's Eve location? So far, I've spent every New Year's Eve relatively unspectacular, but still very nice, with friends or family at home. I've never been to a really cool location during the New Year. But hopefully that will change soon, because this year I will most likely spend New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro at the Copacabana. And I'm looking forward to it to no end!
Small update: It's always very exciting in retrospect how plans have changed just like that. Instead of South America, I spent that New Year's Eve in New York at Times Square! Check here for lots of New York Insider tips for Christmas and New Year's Eve.
If you don't have a good idea where to spend the last days of the year yet, I asked some travel bloggers for their most beautiful, exciting and thrilling locations for New Year's Eve. Let me surprise you with the results!
New Year's Eve Location Bali - The Island of Surfers and Yogis
Tip from Indojunkie Melissa: Fireworks at sub-zero temperatures? Ugh! I don't want that. I'd rather be warm, in a T-shirt and by the sea, right? A New Year's Eve party crammed into drunken crowds? No, thanks! Then rather cosy on the beach with guitar sounds! My favourite place to start the new year is and remains the Indonesian island of Bali. Whether beer or arak - you'll get plenty of the liquid supplement here. Great people to celebrate the new year with are around every corner. A fire on the beach, firecrackers over the sea, sand between your toes, guitar sounds next to you and some great people in your arms... What more could you want?
Whether it's on the Bukit Peninsula, around Canggu or on Nusa Lembongan - there are plenty of places around Bali to celebrate magical New Year's Eve. If you prefer it wild and busy, you can of course also celebrate in Kuta or Seminyak. Bali has so many places to offer and there is a perfect New Year's Eve location for everyone. And what better way to start the new year than with surfing, diving or yoga in Bali?
Celebrating New Year's Eve on Table Mountain in Cape Town!
Tip from Modern Hippie Eve: Four years ago I started the New Year in South Africa's most beautiful city. Experiencing Cape Town over the New Year was my biggest New Year's Eve highlight so far. The city itself has a lot to offer, but celebrating the New Year on top of Cape Town's highest mountain - Table Mountain - is absolutely amazing. Before sunset, we took the cable car up to Table Mountain at a height of over 1,000 metres. From there we all enjoyed the sunset and had our first drinks. There will hardly be a better New Year's Eve location in Cape Town. Seeing the city lights, the sea and Lions Head, the second largest mountain in Cape Town, made this view and the whole experience almost perfect. After we had a good start into the new year on Table Mountain, we went to Longstreet - Cape Town's party street - to continue partying. For me, this New Year's Eve was unique: I have never been offered such a view on New Year's Eve before and it will be hard to ever beat it!
Be sure to check out my tips for a perfect Cape Town holiday here on my travel blog. I'm sure they will whet your appetite for the city. You can also combine Cape Town with a safari in South Africa or a stay in the Wetlands of Santa Lucia.
Where to go on New Year's Eve? Prague!
Tip from Follow the world Sandra: New Year's Eve in Prague is definitely worth considering. From Germany, you can reach the Czech capital by car or long-distance bus in just a few hours and experience an unforgettable New Year's Eve. It's definitely worth arriving a day or two early to see the sights of the city. Since most of the spots are outdoors, you should dress warmly. It is very, very cold in Prague at this time of year. A few degrees less than in Germany is quite common. But since there's a mulled wine to go on every corner, it's easy to bear. Many restaurants only offer overpriced menus on New Year's Eve. I can recommend Lehka Hlava, a vegan restaurant with first-class cuisine. Here you can order a la carte at reasonable prices. However, a reservation is recommended.
The best view of the fireworks is definitely from Prague Castle, if it's not too foggy. The Charles Bridge is very popular for the fireworks, but to get a good spot you should be there at least 2 hours before. Afterwards, you can attend one of the many New Year's Eve parties or just wander from bar to bar. If you don't like so much hustle and bustle, you should visit Dejavu. It's a small club with one bar and a lot of charm! The best thing about New Year's Eve in Prague? On New Year's Day there is another fireworks display at 6 pm. So you can see two spectacular fireworks displays at once. As always on New Year's Eve, the earlier you book, the cheaper the hotel. But even two days before, you can still find small guesthouses with reasonable prices. Conclusion: Prague's New Year's Eve location may be freezing cold, but it's definitely worth a trip!
White New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro!
Tip from Sabbaticalism Gregor: New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro is, besides Carnival, the highlight in the cidade maravilhosa, probably the most beautiful city in the world. Every year, about 2 million people make a pilgrimage to Copacabana, Rio's 4-kilometre-long dream beach, to watch one of the world's most spectacular fireworks displays while intoxicated with Caipi. If you want, you can jump into the waves shortly after midnight. This is supposed to bring good luck and is fun. Traditionally, people wear all white on this evening. At least 90 % of the locals and 99.9 % of the tourists follow this custom.
Since many Brazilians have dinner with their families first, the party beach really fills up shortly before noon. Those who are not lucky enough to get one of the sought-after accommodations within walking distance of the beach should be there earlier, as public transport takes a break that evening. For the return journey to other parts of the city, taxis and even metro tickets have to be reserved in advance. Some Brazilians therefore simply sleep directly on the beach. Accommodation should also be organised early. Most hotels and Airbnb flats have special rates, about 2-3 times more expensive for a minimum stay of 5 days. Also check here for a 30 Euro voucher for your first Airbnb trip and my tips for Rio de Janeiro!
Where to go on New Year's Eve? To San Francisco!
Tip from travel photographer Tanja: Romantic Hollywood blockbusters are the perfect entertainment for me every now and then. Surely you can remember one or the other American New Year's Eve movie scene? Maybe from "Sleepless in Seattle" or "Harry and Sally"? No matter where, when the clock in America turns to twelve, and thus to the New Year, it is not only the fireworks that ring out in the sky. Wherever they are available, the song "Auld Lang Syne" also resounds from the loudspeakers. The song is actually about old times, old friends and a drink, not about New Year's Eve. Nevertheless, this song is indispensable for the New Year's Eve tradition of the Americans!
Standing at the harbour of San Francisco in California, definitely the best New Year's Eve location for me, goose bumps come over me as the song plays from the speakers. All around me people are kissing, hugging and singing. No champagne corks are sounding and no alcohol is actually drunk for toasts, except from paper bags that hide the contents. Public consumption of alcohol is not permitted. Nevertheless, the atmosphere is outstanding.
While I'm usually afraid of fireworks in public places, private fireworks are simply forbidden in San Francisco because of all the wooden buildings that are typical of the USA. The public fireworks are all the more beautiful for it. Unbelievable fireworks are set off from the harbour building, the Ferry Building, and from two ships behind it. The view from the harbour building is brilliant, as you are standing right between the Oakland Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate.
Perfect tip for the hours before: dinner at an Italian restaurant. The Italian quarter is located behind the harbour area and is therefore ideal for a cosy evening out. If you want to go to an official event, you have to get tickets early.
I've also been to San Francisco and have some great tips for you, packed into a San Francisco California road trip. And if you're a real road trip fan, you can find the continuation to the canyons of the USA here!
New Year's Eve Location Cologne - New Year in Germany
Tip from Packlisten.org Jasmin: I'm not a New Year's Eve freak. In fact, it annoys me every year anew to have to do something special on 31 December. For me, it's a day like any other. After all, I always think, could someone have miscounted over the centuries and 1 January 0:00 is not the turn of the year at all? However, the biggest advantage of New Year's Eve in my eyes is that other friends also keep the days around 1 January free. So we can do something together, go away and spend time together. Since there are several circles of friends, I have spent completely different New Year's Eve rounds in the last few years.
My favourite New Year's Eve location is where we are together. It doesn't matter if it's in a little house in the Spreewald, in an Airbnb flat in Cologne or at my house with "dinner for one" and raclette. In any case, we agree beforehand who will bring what and what we will cook. So there is always delicious food, chess games, walks and good conversations. This year we are going to Kołobrzeg (Kolberg) on the Polish Baltic Sea. Maybe that will be my new New Year's Eve location highlight. It will be good in any case, because we'll be there together!
Where to go on New Year's Eve? New York baby!
Tip from Travel Zentric Susanne: New Year's Eve in New York. It simply has to be! It's been 15 years since I spent New Year's Eve in New York. That was the time when the Y2K bug was feared a little and the new millennium was celebrated euphorically. But what does New York offer on New Year's Eve? That hasn't changed to this day... On New Year's Eve, there is one destination in particular for most people, Times Square. And while most New Yorkers move as far away from it as possible, those who want to see the big crystal ball drop at midnight go to the centre of Manhattan.
I, too, found myself in Times Square with a group of students, alongside about 1.5 million people and many police officers. Important: You have to be there at noon to get into the square. In the early evening, we decided to look for a restaurant outside our "conquered square". After that, however, we had to find the end of the "queue". In our case, it was at Central Park. From there we could actually see the Times Square globe. Champagne bottles appeared from somewhere and we met nice people from all over the world around us and celebrated with them into the new millennium. It was definitely a very special New Year's Eve. In the front area with a view of the stage programme of current top singers and then when "New York, New York" is intoned, the atmosphere can certainly make up for the cold and waiting a little easier.
If you're looking for alternatives to Times Square, you'll find them in Brooklyn, Harlem, on a boat tour or at the Midnight Run in Central Park. Good to know: If youwant to go to Times Square later on New Year's Eve, youcan buy a ticket for about $250 - $500 to one of the parties or events in the restaurants, clubs or hotels in Times Square. These are available at TGI Fridays or Rennaissance New York, for example.
New Year's Eve with a difference: on a plane!
Tip from Puriy Madlen: Sometimes things turn out differently, and instead of sailing on the Amazon - as I had actually planned - I celebrated my most unusual New Year's Eve in 2010 surprisingly on board Aerolíneas Argentinas over the Atlantic. I had been stranded in Madrid a few days earlier and had quickly bought the "cheapest" ticket to South America. This led to me flying over Madeira at midnight, where I said goodbye to 2010. The biggest luxury was that the plane was only one-third booked and shortly after take-off everyone grabbed a row of seats to lie down.
As we flew over Madeira, the flight crew came through the aisles with little hats on their heads and paper snakes around their necks and gave out an extra round. After that, everyone went back to enjoying the rest of the flight in a deep sleep. I don't think I've ever had such a wonderfully relaxed long-haul flight in Economy Class before. And as a New Year's Eve sourpuss, that suited me perfectly. When I landed in Buenos Aires in the early hours of the morning, the city was still sleeping it off. The streets were totally deserted and full of rubbish. But over the next few hours, the picture changed on Avenida 9 de Julio, because that was where the Dakar Rally started on this New Year's Day. And suddenly I was in the thick of it - in the speed rush, in the jet lag and in the year 2011. For those who can do without New Year's celebrations and like to travel cheaply and in a relaxed way, I can warmly recommend 31 December of any year.
Where to go on New Year's Eve? To the Liwa Oasis in Abu Dhabi!
Tip from We travel the world Caro and Martin: We are not fans of crowds, so our tip is to make a trip to the desert of Abu Dhabi, to the Liwa Oasis. This is definitely the coolest New Year's Eve location you can imagine. The "Empty Quarter" (the Rub al-Chali), the largest sand desert in the world, begins at Liwa. It has an area of 780,000 square kilometres and dunes that can be up to 300 metres high. Germany is just 360,000 square kilometres.
We went on a jeep safari through the dunes with friends and rounded off the adventure with camping in the desert. In the evening, we sat around the campfire with a delicious barbecue and celebrated into the new year. We pitched our tent about 20 minutes away from the Qasr al Sarab Resort, a luxury resort in the middle of nowhere. Shortly before midnight, we hiked close to Qasr al Sarab to admire the resort's fireworks between the dunes.
The next morning we climbed the gigantic dunes again in daylight: sand dunes as far as the eye can see! You have to let such a unique landscape have an effect on you. Absolutely dreamlike.
Want more desert for New Year's Eve? How about the Sahara in Morocco or the Wadi Rum in Jordan?
Celebrate the New Year in beautiful Sydney
Tip from Verwandert Sarah: Even before I had Pony Egon and wandered around Germany with him, I did a year of work & travel in New Zealand and Australia. I spent the turn of the year 2008 / 2009 in Sydney with some friends. We really wanted to get a good view of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge and accordingly I stood in a long queue in front of the Botanical Gardens at half past seven in the morning (!). They let 20,000 people into this one. And believe me - that's not much! I was among the first 1,000 to be let into the park, but although the gates opened at 10am, I was still only inside at 12:15pm. Then it was a case of being quick... We just ran and tried to get as close to the water as possible. Eventually we made it to another cordoned-off area where only 3,000 people are allowed in. So we were able to avoid the crowds a bit. The hours until the fireworks went by super fast and when they started at midnight, I was standing there with tears in my eyes - the atmosphere was just indescribable!
By the way, here on my travel blog you will also find many tips on the most beautiful hiking trail in Sydney, a perfect road trip along the east coast of Australia and cool Western Australia sights, activities and tours. Have fun browsing!
Going to Palma de Mallorca for the New Year?
Tip from Reisehappen Nina: For the last 10 years, I've always worked on New Year's Eve - when other people are celebrating. With one exception: a few years ago I spent New Year's Eve on Mallorca, or more precisely in Palma de Mallorca. First we had dinner at a nice little Italian restaurant in Santa Catalina, which I think is the most beautiful district of Palma. At 11pm, with a bottle of cava under our arms, we went to Palma's town hall, because this is where people traditionally meet on "noche vieja", as the Spanish call New Year's Eve. People wait together for the sound of the bells that announce the new year.
In addition to the bottle of cava, you should also bring a packet of "uvas de la suerte", the so-called lucky grapes. There are always 12 of them in a small bag, and with every stroke of the bell you pop a grape into your mouth and make a wish for the new year. By the way, it's not that easy to eat 12 grapes in 12 seconds. Give it a try! Don't laugh, or talk, don't breathe, just chew and down! A happy new year, "feliz año nuevo", is then wished after the last grape in the first second of the new year, and then we celebrate. By the way, this custom does not only exist in front of the town hall in Palma, but everywhere on the island and on the mainland.
Of course there are fireworks in Palma too, but they are relatively small. The biggest fireworks display in Mallorca takes place on 20 January, on the occasion of San Sebastian, when the Mallorcans celebrate their patron saint. Even today, every firework display in the city has something magical for me. I love it when the beautiful houses of the old town and the cathedral shine in the bright colours of the fireworks and the echo of the firecrackers roars through the narrow streets. After the traditional part, young and old in Palma hit the slopes and party the night away in the city's discos, clubs and bars. I especially like to go to the Hostal Cuba to party. A small restaurant where the tables are pushed aside from 11 pm and you dance the night away to salsa music.
A top New Year's Eve location? Boracay Island!
Tip from Home is where your bag is: It has always been a dream of both of us to spend Christmas and New Year's Eve not in snow and cold, but under palm trees. Last year we fulfilled this dream and spent the time on Boracay in the Philippines. Even though our Boracay trip was not necessarily marked by the best weather, it was still a very nice stay. One highlight was of course the famous White Beach, which is simply a dream despite the large number of tourists. Especially during the holidays, Boracay is very busy. On New Year's Eve, countless parties take place on White Beach. Especially the area at Station 1 and 2 is full of New Year's parties, but it also belongs to the clientele of holidaymakers with a medium to luxury budget. If you want to have it a bit cheaper and meet more backpackers, you can also party wonderfully at Station 3.
But it doesn't always have to be big and expensive. For example, we partied in the small Exit Bar between Stations 1 and 2. Together with people from Japan, South Africa, Nigeria, Turkey and of course Filipinos, as well as several cheap rum cokes... We had a really cool party. The bar is absolutely recommendable in general and even offers a live DJ booth despite the small space. You can watch the fireworks from anywhere on White Beach, as they are spread all over the beach, which is about 2 kilometres long.
Conclusion: If you've always wanted to celebrate New Year's Eve in Southeast Asia and you like a bit more hustle and bustle, Boracay is definitely one of the top destinations! Book your accommodation and flights VERY early though.
Where to go for New Year's Eve? Santiago de Chile!
Tip from Movin'n'Groovin Mandy: Although it's been 11 years, New Year's Eve in Santiago de Chile remains my highlight so far. But it didn't start out so well... The night before, I was out with friends in a very lively corner of Santiago with lots of restaurants and bars. It was very nice, so we quickly decided that we wanted to spend New Year's Eve there. But fiddlesticks! When we arrive on New Year's Eve in the street that was still lively the night before, nothing is happening - all the shops are closed! There we stand, somewhat perplexed, on the deserted street. After a moment's thought, we jump into the next best taxi and ask the driver, a little unsure, where the people in Santiago celebrate New Year's Eve. He should please take us there - no sooner said than done!
So we end up in the city centre of Santiago, where people are milling around in the streets, dancing to live music and drinking together. Everything is very relaxed and cheerful. We are approached from all sides and invited to toast. Someone always comes from somewhere to refill our cups. Shortly before midnight, the people around us suddenly start shaking champagne bottles. So besides the fireworks, there was a champagne shower on top! Afterwards, we danced and drank in the street for quite a while... And all this in glorious summer temperatures, so New Year's Eve can be endured! The evening, which started a bit bumpy, ended with such a beautiful experience. Simply unforgettable! This year I'll be travelling to South America again, spending New Year's Eve in Buenos Aires, and I'm really looking forward to celebrating New Year's Eve in the summer again!
While you're there, you should also visit the Atacama Desert in Chile, Araucania Chile and Chiloe Chile and do a Torres del Paine trekking in Patagonia! More tips? Feel free to browse through my Chile archive here on the travel blog!
New Year's Eve in Germany at the Baltic Sea
Tip from Sun and Clouds Jana: As much as I love travelling, I prefer to spend the time between Christmas and the New Year with family and friends - if only because I think that New Year's Eve is always better the lower the expectations are. One New Year's Eve, however, when I broke with my routine and remembered it fondly, was spent with friends in a small village near Eckernförde on the Baltic Sea. The special thing about it is that there is a New Year's Eve tradition there called "Rummelpott". The "village youth" goes from house to house, singing Low German songs and drinking schnapps with the villagers. We were warmly welcomed in every household and many, especially old people, were very happy about our visit. Meeting all the nice people and seeing the various homes decorated for Christmas while the snowflakes danced outside made this New Year's Eve very special. And the Low German songs also became easier with every schnapps house.
We started the New Year's morning with a wonderfully sobering and refreshing walk on the beach. The ice floes were floating on the Baltic Sea and no one was out except us. Afterwards we had a hot cup of cocoa before heading back home.
Queenstown in New Zealand at the turn of the year
Tip from Globusliebe Julia: Long before the champagne corks pop in Germany at midnight, I welcome the New Year in Kiwiland, because thanks to the time zone, New Zealanders are one of the first countries in the world to start the New Year. Around 18,000 kilometres away from Germany, 12 hours ahead in time and with much more pleasant temperatures - it's summer in New Zealand - I spend the last hours of the year at the beautiful Lake Wakatipu, which seems almost unrealistic with its glowing turquoise colour.
On New Year's Eve, it's even crazier in Queenstown, the town on the edge of the New Zealand Alps on the South Island, than on any other day of the year. Besides the many tourists, many young New Zealanders come to celebrate the turn of the year in the party town. The streets and pubs are accordingly full. The atmosphere is very close to that of a festival.
At midnight, I sit in the middle of a huge crowd on the lakeshore and let myself be carried away by the incredible fireworks that are shot into the sky directly above the lake. The backdrop is impressive. Live music blares from the stages set up on the lakeshore. Under the starry sky I dance into the New Year.
Maybe celebrate New Year's Eve in Sicily?
Tip from Let's find Tiggy: New Year's Eve with a view of Etna? Definitely recommended! Taormina - undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Sicily - is worth a visit all year round. Because of the special atmosphere, this is especially true for the Christmas season and the turn of the year. And it was precisely this atmosphere that made our New Year's Eve in Taormina a very special one for us. On Corso Umberto, the promenade in the centre of Taormina with its numerous bars, cafés and shops, it's all about seeing and being seen. Directly on the Corso is the Piazza IX Aprile, from which you have a wonderful view of Mount Etna. This is a great place to start the new year.
If you want to experience the best of Sicilian cuisine, then the New Year's Eve menu at the restaurant "La Botte dal 1972″ (Piazza Santa Domenica 4) is recommended. The walls of the restaurant are covered with photos of celebrities who have visited the restaurant since 1972 and it's fun to look around to see who has been there. We seriously doubted that we would be able to manage the whole menu, but we actually did and it was simply divine and well timed too: the dessert was eaten by midnight sharp.
After toasting the new year, you can just go outside and you're right in the middle of the action. After a few hours of sleep, there's nothing better on New Year's Day than sitting in the sun on Piazza IX Aprile among all kinds of people and looking at Mount Etna. Side note: For us, it was the first New Year's Eve as a threesome and I was with the baby in a sling.
Are you a huge fan of Italy? Then I have some tips for Naples and Emilia Romagna in northern Italy for you!
Where to go on New Year's Eve? Sweden!
Tip from The travelogue: Loud, cold and beautiful: That was our New Year's Eve in Sweden in Stockholm! Originally we wanted to celebrate New Year's Eve in a club, but spontaneously we changed our minds and headed for the harbour. From there you have a magnificent view over the old town and you can marvel at the numerous fireworks that are set off all over the city. There is not only one firework display organised by the royal family, for example, but all the inhabitants can organise their own fireworks. So you are constantly on the move, because all around you the colourful works of art can be seen in the sky. After a short time, the entire city centre was covered in smoke, which created a mystical atmosphere and made the city very special.
A walk through the city is a great way to "celebrate" the new year. Stockholm is also a beautiful city at night, which has its very own charm. Especially the old town Gamla Stan is captivating with its colourful houses, the narrow alleys and the small cafés. Therefore, this district is also really perfect for New Year's Eve, which also makes the city's inhabitants very special. Because one thing is certain: the Swedes are an insanely loving and helpful people who welcome every visitor with open arms!
And finally, back to Cape Town!
Tip from Reisen und Essen Thomas: Cape Town is in the southern hemisphere and on New Year's Eve it is high summer there. Wonderfully warm temperatures await you in Cape Town. Add to that a dreamlike backdrop with the deep blue sea, rich shades of green and a dominating Table Mountain that always pulls its famous tablecloth over itself. Cape Town fascinated me, as did the rest of South Africa. Cape Town itself has a lot to offer, such as the colourful Bo-Kaap, District Six or Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela had to spend many years. Also Castle of Good Hope, the city centre with its many restaurants and pubs, and the night market on Adderly Street. Just outside Camps Bay with the beach and the many surfers in the sea as well as the view of the 12 Apostles.
A drive along the coastal road Chapmans Peak Drive is a wonderful experience. Take a detour to Bolders Bay at the penguin colony. Continue on to a very special attraction: the Cape of Good Hope with its famous southern tip and lighthouse.
On New Year's Eve, you can dine at the Waterfront and enjoy the fireworks at midnight. For the palate, there are of course various fish specialities or seafood. I also recommend ostrich fillet. A stage is set up at the Waterfront on New Year's Eve and there is a lot on offer. A special tip: Be sure to visit Table Mountain and enjoy the view. You should take the first opportunity and take the cable car up Table Mountain. Due to strong winds and the tablecloth, the service is often suspended.
