In just over three weeks, it will be 2026. Above all else, that means you’re running out of time to make plans for New Year’s Eve, and now is the time to figure out where you’ll be when the clock strikes 12.
New Year’s is one of the only holidays that almost everyone celebrates across the world. There are fireworks displays in major cities on every continent and street parties held even in the smallest of villages, but not all NYE parties are made the same. We’ve all been to a dud houseparty which wasn’t worth the January 1 hangover, so if you want to make sure that this is one to remember, we’ve got a couple of recommendations.
travel writer Dayna Camilleri Clarke has spent December 31 in 10 different European cities, so she knows where’s worth your time and where to avoid. Her top recommendation? Madrid.
The Spanish capital takes parties seriously, and New Year’s is no exception. Midnight is ‘warm-up lap’, as Clarke puts it, for an all-night party which goes on until the wee small hours. You also get a bonus go at the countdown at 1am, to celebrate the Canary Islands catching up to mainland Spain, which is a pretty unique experience.
The centre of the action is Puerta del Sol, but most restaurants, bars, and clubs across the city will have their own parties you can attend.
But it’s not just about partying; there are some dearly-held local traditions you’ll get to join in on if you celebrate NYE in Madrid. Las doce uvas de la suerte (the 12 lucky grapes) is a century-old Spanish tradition where people eat a grape for each strike of the bell at midnight for, you guessed it, good luck. It’s a lot harder than it sounds, which is part of the fun.
Clarke’s top tip? Don’t leave it till the last minute to grab your grapes – ‘shops sell out faster than you would think’.
Berlin came in as the second-best spot in Europe to welcome 2026, with Milan trailing as a close third. Both have their own unique charm, although Milan’s festivities are decidedly less based on DJs and dance music.
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