The Best City in Europe for New Year's Celebration Named 0 12

Only a few weeks remain until the New Year celebration. First and foremost, this means that there is less and less time to plan for New Year's Eve, so now is the perfect time to decide where you will be when the clock strikes midnight.

Time Out reports that New Year's is one of the few holidays celebrated by almost everyone around the world. Major cities on all continents host fireworks, while the smallest villages have street parties, but not all celebrations are the same.

Traveler and writer Daina Camilleri Clark spent December 31 in 10 different European cities and named the best among them for celebrating New Year's - Madrid.

The Spanish capital takes parties seriously, and New Year's is no exception. Midnight is the "warm-up," as Clark says, before the night party that continues until the early morning. As a bonus, you will participate in a countdown at 1 AM to celebrate the Canary Islands catching up with mainland Spain. It is noted that this is quite a unique experience.

The center of events is Puerta del Sol, but most restaurants, bars, and clubs throughout the city host their own parties that you can attend.

But it’s not just about the fun; there are several cherished local traditions you can partake in if you celebrate New Year's in Madrid. For example, the 12 lucky grapes is a centuries-old Spanish tradition where people eat one grape for each stroke of the clock at midnight to attract good luck.

Berlin ranked second in Europe for popularity for welcoming the New Year in 2026, while Milan came in third. Both cities have their unique charm.