New Years Eve - Europe
Discussion
Rather than bringing in the new year with the usual night in the pub or a house party, me and a group of mates are thinking of partying in a European city (not the UK).. Has anyone got any recommendations of any particular city and done something like this? We are in our early 30s and looking for a party atmosphere.
I've been away the last 4 out of 5 new years and if it wasn't for the fact I've just bought a house and getting married next year I'd be away this year too. 
So, we've been to Prague, Berlin, Budapest and Amsterdam. I'd take Amsterdam off the list straight away as it's a s
t hole.
Prague was my favourite city for exploring and you couldn't go wrong going with a bunch of mates. Plenty of bars/clubs, affordable beer and great surroundings. I was there with my OH, what we've done each year is spent the night in the town squares where everyone gathers, the Christmas markets will be there with beer and food tents. Once the celebrations have finished not long after midnight we head off to a pub we've scoped out earlier. A lot of websites recommend getting a ticket for bars but I've never had a problem in any of these cities.
For pure organisation and scale of event then Berlin wins hands down. The event at the Brandenburg Gate is something else. There must have been over a kilometer of beer and food stalls along strasse des 17. Juni. Paul Potts singing Nessun Dorma as the fireworks exploded overhead at midnight was incredible.
I found Berlin vast, though. We actually found it difficult to find bars. We'd come out of one place and wander aimlessly for ages trying to find the next place to escape the cold.
It does have quite a big party and club scene though, so it might be the place for you. You could soak up the atmosphere at the gate then spend the rest of the night at a club (get tickets) til sunrise if that's what you're looking for.
New year there was spent in Budapest. Again we were in the town square then a pub afterwards. Beers were pretty cheap here iirc and we never had any problems finding bars. Good atmosphere in the town square but just watch out for the odd stray firework overhead, the locals get a bit carried away.
You really couldn't go wrong in any of these cities, Amsterdam excluded. Amsterdam felt incredibly cheap to me despite being unable to find a beer for under about 7-8 euros when I was there, extortionate! The street party wasn't up to much and there was just litter everywhere the whole time we were there. The other cities were hoovered come morning and you wouldn't have known there was thousands of people on the streets the night before.
Having only spent generally 3-4 days in each city over new year I don't know THAT much about them tbh so I'm not sure how much help any of this is.
If you have anything specific to ask about these places I'll do my best.
So, we've been to Prague, Berlin, Budapest and Amsterdam. I'd take Amsterdam off the list straight away as it's a s
t hole.Prague was my favourite city for exploring and you couldn't go wrong going with a bunch of mates. Plenty of bars/clubs, affordable beer and great surroundings. I was there with my OH, what we've done each year is spent the night in the town squares where everyone gathers, the Christmas markets will be there with beer and food tents. Once the celebrations have finished not long after midnight we head off to a pub we've scoped out earlier. A lot of websites recommend getting a ticket for bars but I've never had a problem in any of these cities.
For pure organisation and scale of event then Berlin wins hands down. The event at the Brandenburg Gate is something else. There must have been over a kilometer of beer and food stalls along strasse des 17. Juni. Paul Potts singing Nessun Dorma as the fireworks exploded overhead at midnight was incredible.
I found Berlin vast, though. We actually found it difficult to find bars. We'd come out of one place and wander aimlessly for ages trying to find the next place to escape the cold.
It does have quite a big party and club scene though, so it might be the place for you. You could soak up the atmosphere at the gate then spend the rest of the night at a club (get tickets) til sunrise if that's what you're looking for.
New year there was spent in Budapest. Again we were in the town square then a pub afterwards. Beers were pretty cheap here iirc and we never had any problems finding bars. Good atmosphere in the town square but just watch out for the odd stray firework overhead, the locals get a bit carried away.
You really couldn't go wrong in any of these cities, Amsterdam excluded. Amsterdam felt incredibly cheap to me despite being unable to find a beer for under about 7-8 euros when I was there, extortionate! The street party wasn't up to much and there was just litter everywhere the whole time we were there. The other cities were hoovered come morning and you wouldn't have known there was thousands of people on the streets the night before.
Having only spent generally 3-4 days in each city over new year I don't know THAT much about them tbh so I'm not sure how much help any of this is.
If you have anything specific to ask about these places I'll do my best.
I went to Berlin a few years ago. They had a huge party all down the length of Straße des 17. Juni from the Brandenburg Gate to the Tiergarten with stages at various intervals playing different types of music. All down each side of the road there were alternate dance, bar and food tents.
It was superbly organised, very very friendly and loads of fun.
No idea if they still do that, but if they do it's highly recommended.
EDIT: seems they still do it:
http://www.visitberlin.de/en/event/new-years-eve-p...
http://www.silvester-in-berlin.de/
It was superbly organised, very very friendly and loads of fun.
No idea if they still do that, but if they do it's highly recommended.
EDIT: seems they still do it:
http://www.visitberlin.de/en/event/new-years-eve-p...
http://www.silvester-in-berlin.de/
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