Grab a last minute flight or train ride to one of the best places to celebrate New Years in Europe. Yes, there are some cheap European cities for New Years Eve!
Here are a few of our favorite cheap, last minute New Years getaways ideas in Europe. But first let’s start with inexpensive options to get there and away.
The first thing I do when planning travel is to hop on Skyscanner to compare flight schedules and prices. If you live close enough that you won’t need to fly, check the local trains to see if you can get there by rail. You can compare options and book tickets on the Trainline website. And if you really want to save money, take look at Flixbus, they have bus routes across Europe that are super inexpensive! In some areas you can even use Blablacar and hitch a ride with another driver.
Watch the fireworks at the Magic Fountain in Barcelona on New Years Eve. Don’t forget to bring grapes to stuff into your mouth as the clock strikes midnight. Actually this year the grape is the theme of the Magic Fountain display!
Would you like more ideas for Barcelona New Years Eve? Check this link for a list of events. Barcelona is one of the best places to celebrate New Years in Europe, even if it does not have the most affordable lodgings.
While you are in Barcelona enjoy a food tour by Culinary Backstreets, check out the amazing Park Güell, and explore Gaudi’s other works all across the city on free walking tour. Use the code “WKNDGD” to get 5% off Culinary Backstreets food tours.
Perhaps you’d like to learn something for the new year? Why not take a cooking class after shopping in local Barcelona market.
Do you like to get your views from above? Take a ride on the newly refurbished Montjuïc cable car high above the city.
Feel like combining your visit to sunny Barcelona with some snow? Take the train from Barcelona to Nuria to experience the snow in the Pyrenees. Take the cable car for amazing views or go snowshoeing.
Affordable places to stay in Barcelona for New Years:
Getting there and away:
Lisbon is one of my favorite cities! You couldn’t ask for a more beautiful place to ring in the new year.
The city puts on several fireworks displays which can be seen from rooftop bars, riverside quays and miradouros. Head down to Praça do Comércio to see fireworks light up the arch or watch the display by the Belem Tower.
If you didn’t plan ahead it may be a challenge to get a booking at one of Lisbon’s most popular restaurants for New Years Eve. But don’t be too disappointed as there are plenty of smaller restaurants and cafes where you can have a delicious meal.
After the festivities are over you’ll want to explore the area. Perhaps you’d enjoy a guided walking tour of Lisbon’s neighborhoods of Rossio, Chiado and Alfama. If you have an extra day then you could take day trip to Sintra and Cascais. Foodies will love a walking food tour by Culinary Backstreets. Use the code “WKNDGD” to get 5% off Culinary Backstreets food tours.
The Lisbon Card will give you access to museums and public transport for 24, 48 or 72 hours. It could be an excellent investment.
Affordable places to stay in Lisbon for New Years:
Getting there and away:
Bulgaria is an excellent choice for celebrating New Years. Enjoy an open air concert on Battenberg Square plus a fireworks show over beautiful Sofia. Maybe you’ll even get to see (or take part in) an amazing Horo dance.
If you are searching for cheap European cities for New Years Eve don’t miss Sofia.
The next day take a shuttle to the two UNESCO World Heritage Sights close to Sofia: Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. If you’d like to ski and snowboard you’ve come to the right place. Vitosha mountain is only 20 minutes from the city. You can even take guided snowshoe hike. That would be a fun way to start the new year right.
Affordable places to stay in Sofia for New Years:
Getting there and away:
Scotland may not be the first place that comes to mind when you are planning your New Years Eve holidays. But perhaps you should consider Edinburgh. They even have a special name for the festivities: Hogmanay.
Hogmanay is a word to refer to the last day of the year in Scotland. Starting on December 30th with a torchlight procession, Edinburgh has a huge street party on Princes Street and concerts in the gardens on New Years Eve. Cap off the celebrations with a spectacular fireworks show from Edinburgh Castle.
After the clock strikes midnight you may notice the locals running off in a hurry. This is the tradition of “first-footing” where it is good luck to be the first to step into the home of family and friends with a gift in hand.
After the party is over, head across the Firth of Forth to explore the beautiful Fife region. Perhaps even take a wintery walk on the Fife Coastal Path.
Affordable places to stay in Edinburgh for New Years:
Getting there and away:
Head to the Coal Market in Gdansk for the New Years concert and midnight fireworks display. Then the next morning, wash away your vodka hangover at Jelitkowo beach with a freezing cold Walrus Swim in the Baltic Sea.
To further recover from New Years Eve festivities, head to the nearby resort town of Sopot and book a few nights and relaxing treatments at Mera Spa or another spa hotel.
Winter is a magical time in the area. Would you like to do something romantic? Take an evening horse drawn sleigh ride in Kashubian. How about ice skating at Gdańskie Lodowisko?
Gdansk really comes to life in the summer months, but winter is a lovely time to visit and experience the Christmas lights and quiet streets of the beautifully restored Old Town.
Affordable places to stay in Gdansk for New Years:
Getting there and away:
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