Celebrate New Year's Eve with FlixBus!
Celebrating New Year’s Eve with FlixBus!
Are you looking for the perfect place to enjoy New Year’s Eve? Wondering where to go and how people celebrate this day in different countries? Have you heard that in Spain, at midnight, people eat 12 grapes simultaneously at each stroke of the clock making 12 wishes? Spanish and Italians also wear red underwear as a wish for luck in love. In Greece people hang an onion on their doors, Germans eat tiny marzipan pig for good luck and in Russia they write down wishes on a piece of paper, burn it and drink the mix of ashes and Champagne! Sounds interesting? Why not to experience this by yourself then?
If you're dreaming about a fantastic party in one of the European capitals and you are curious to experience how the locals celebrate New Year’s Eve, you're in the right place! Check out our night buses and go on an awesome trip where you will celebrate New Year's Eve in the most beautiful cities in Europe! Let's get ready to check out 10 best FlixBus New Year's Eve destinations!
Check our 10 best New Year's Eve destinations?
10. Vienna
Let’s start counting down to get to know our FlixBus 10 Best New Year’s Eve destinations! Number 10 on our list is Vienna! The capital of Austria is a beautiful city, beloved since ages by intellectuals and artists, but what about big New Year’s Eve celebrations? Starting from 2 p.m. on the 31st of December, Vienna’s Old City transforms into a big street party. Silvesterpfad (New Year’s Eve) is a synonymous of mulled wine, beer, champagne and food offered by many booths in the town. You can enjoy free concerts and try yourself dancing the traditional waltz! Free lessons will be provided by dancing schools at 2 p.m. in front of the Stephansdom. It's a good occasion to practice before midnight, when traditionally everyone starts to dance waltz! Don’t forget to watch the fireworks at Heldenplatz or at the Vienna Prater. Ein gutes Neues!
9. Copenhagen
Danes start their New Year’s Eve celebrations by watching the Queens’ New Year’s Eve speech on TV at 6 p.m. Afterward you can head to several bars, discos or restaurants that are open during this day. At midnight, people gather on the square of Amalienborg, the Royal Palace to wish each other all the best and to watch the Royal Garden Parade in red gala uniforms. Famous gathering spots where people celebrate New Year’s are traditionally the Town Hall Square or the bridge across the lakes to Nørrebro, Queen Louise's Bridge. Another ‘must’ is a visit to the world-famous Tivoli Gardens which are open on 31st! Typical for this day is to eat codfish, pork and kale. When the clock strikes 12, you should try the marzipan cake called “kransekage” and have a glass of champagne! Godt nytår!
8. Budapest
Have you been to the beautiful capital of Hungary already? No? Then the New Year’s Eve celebration can be a good option for you to explore this city! Szilveszter (New Year’s Eve in Hungarian) will take place at Vorosmarty Square, where people celebrate with concerts, good food, some pálinka and local sparkling wine. This is where thousands of people gather to properly greet the New Year. Other spots where you can go are Oktogon Square (by Andrassy Ave) to enjoy some concerts and Nyugati Square, a popular meeting point for many locals. We can’t forget about the Party District – Gozsdu Court and the Jewish Qrtr – the place of the ruin pubs. Don’t forget to try some Hungarian food like lentil soup or lentil Fozelek and pork dishes. It’s for good luck in the following year! So, take a bus to Budapest and celebrate well! Boldog Új Évet!
7. Barcelona
Are you looking for a warm place to celebrate New Year’s Eve? Then head to Barcelona, where at the Font Màgica de Montjuïc (Magic Fountain of Montjuïc) in Plaza Espanya! At midnight, enjoy fireworks and toast for the New Year with Cava. If you’re up for clubbing, try to get to the New Year's Party at Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village), within walking distance from the Magic Fountain. Don’t forget about the traditional celebrations, which include wearing red underwear, eating 12 grapes with each chime at midnight, and toasting with Cava! ¡Feliz año nuevo!
6. Prague
Our number 6 is Prague! The charming capital of the Czech Republic which on the 31st will be waiting for you with concerts, fireworks and champagne. There are several options to celebrate your New Year’s Eve. If you like the atmosphere of big squares where people gather together, head to the Old Square or the Wenceslas Square. An excellent place to watch the fireworks is also the National Theater. Another way to enjoy “Silvestr” (NYE in Czech) is to head to the river close to Charles Bridge and be entertained by the beautiful sight of the fireworks across the water. If you want to say goodbye to the old year properly with the big bang, you can also try the river cruises or the boat parties with lots of food, drinks, fun and incredible views. Šťastný Nový rok!
5. Rome
Bella Italia is the perfect destination during the whole year, but especially during New Year’s Eve! Imagine walking around the charming Trastevere area in the afternoon, have some pasta with wine and accomplish the old year by watching fireworks near the Imperial Forum. Before midnight, head to the spots from which you will have a beautiful city view. Our recommendations are Gianicolo Hill, the Pincio above Piazza del Popolo. Don’t forget to eat lentils after midnight! It brings fortune for the coming year. Another important ‘must’ is wearing red underwear for luck in the new year. We all want it, don’t we? Felice Anno Nuovo!
4. Paris
We are getting closer to the podium! Number 4 in our best New Year’s destinations is the city of love, Paris! 31st is the night full of champagne, events, and lounges. The enourmous gathering point is Champs Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe, where you can admire beautiful decorations. Other popular places to celebrate are the top of Montmartre, at Sacre Coeur, where you will have an amazing view on the city. Walk around the main points during the day and then kick off the old year with a chic party or romantic dinner on the boat! While in the Christmas village in Champes Elysées, try out the big wheel, and don’t forget about the vin chaud or the papillottes – traditional chocolates with the message inside. All these options are waiting for you! The celebrations continue on New Year’s Day with the Grande Parade de Paris. Did you get some ideas? Good, then off you go! Bonne année!
3. Berlin
Finally, number 3! Berlin, the capital of Germany and the famous party city! Every year, thousands of people are coming here to celebrate on the “Party Mile”, which is the street "Straße des 17. Juni" between Brandenburger Gate and the Victory Column. Here, you will enjoy the music stages, the party tents and the laser light shows. There will be also stands full of food and drinks, so you’ll have enough energy to have fun! Also, participate in the New Year’s Eve “run for the doughnut” at the Teufelsberg, where runners wear funny costumes! The most comic one wins! Classical music concerts are also taking place, for example, in Charlottenburg Palace or the Gendarmenmarkt concert hall. There will be something for everyone! Frohes Neues Jahr!
2. Amsterdam
Coming closer to the winner, we have an amazing party destination – Amsterdam! On the 31st, the city becomes a big street party with bars, restaurants and people from all over the world having fun. The central place to celebrate is The Oosterdok. This is also the location for the official city’s celebrations and the fireworks. The other sites we should mention are Rembrandtplein, Nieumarkt, Museumplein and Dam Square. Get ready to see tents full of beer and live shows. Looking for something quieter? Head to the Magere Brug – the bridge situated on the main canal of Amsterdam and watch the fireworks over the wateryou can’t miss the typical “oliebollen” and “appelflappen,” which are some delicious sweets, totally worth trying! A famous Dutch New Year’s Day tradition is the New Year’s Dive! Around 60,000 people come every year to the sea to take a cold bath. Way to recover after party hard and have a fresh New Year start? Let’s give it a try! Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
1. London
Ladies and Gentlemen, here is the winner – LONDON! That’s our FlixBus best New Year’s Eve destination. Why? Easy to convince you! Imagine a big celebration and stunning worldwide famous fireworks, which will properly kick off the old year. That’s London! All spots along the Thames close to the Big Ben and the London Eye will be good to watch te fireworks show. There is also an opportunity to buy the tickets for a nice spot in advance. Head to one of the clubs or pubs around the city and greet the New Year properly. London is a natural amusement place for everyone: theatres, museums (some are open on NYE, too), romantic dinners, boat cruises, bus tours, view spots, everyone will find something for himself! Lots of options and information can be found on several websites. On New Year’s Day, there’s the annual parade with the procession of the Queen’s horses, dancers, acrobats, cheerleaders, historic vehicles, and many more. That’s the proper way to start the New Year! So, let’s go! Happy New Year!
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Remember, that according to our Terms and Conditions dangerous substances and objects are not permitted during the travel. This includes also fireworks.