The Most Romantic Places Around the World to Spend New Year's Eve

Share New Years Eve with your loved one
Share New Year's Eve with your loved one | © Pexels/ Pixabay
Sean Mowbray

The New Year is soon upon us and it’s a time that is best spent with those closest to your heart. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to treat that special loved one, look no further than these 10 romantic places to bring in 2018.

1. New York, USA

Times Square in New York City is the place to be on New Year’s Eve. The giant orb begins its slow-motion drop at exactly one minute before January 1 begins. When it strikes down you’ll be showered in a cascade of confetti. Immediately afterwards, around one million revelers take part in what is probably one of the biggest parties you’ll experience in the world.

Time Squares, Manhattan, NY 10036, USA

Champagne in New York| © lazyllama/ Shutterstock

Edinburgh, Scotland

At the end of every year, Edinburgh becomes the place to be to enjoy Scotland’s Hogmanay celebrations, the Scottish version of New Year. Fireworks, live music, plenty of whisky and a beautiful fireworks display, with Edinburgh’s iconic castle as a backdrop, are rounded off with a chorus of Auld Land Syne as the New Year rolls in. For couples looking for a mix of fun and romance, Edinburgh is a good choice. But bring your waterproofs, just in case.

Fireworks over the Forth Road Bridge, Edinburgh

2. Venice, Italy

The island city, with its romantic canals and winding streets, is arguably at its best at the end of December. Local traditions such as the San Silvestro dinner are the perfect opportunity to try out life as a Venetian. For a truly romantic evening you can take to a boat and enjoy the views over the city from the lagoon, while enjoying a glass of tasty Italian wine. Finally, end the evening, or begin it, with a ‘lover’s kiss’ in Piazza San Marco, where thousands of couples gather for this incredibly important local tradition.

Piazza San Marco, 30100 Venezia VE, Italy

Venice’s world-famous canals are full of romance | © 12019/ Pixabay

3. Paris, France

Restaurant

Paris, the city of love, is a no-brainer for bringing in the New Year with your other half. For a truly memorable evening you can dine at the Eiffel Tower’s restaurant or take a slow boat ride down the Seine river (an incredibly popular choice). There are so many things to do in Paris during New Year’s Eve and so many local traditions to experience that you and your partner will truly be spoiled for choice.

Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France

New Year’s Eve in Paris, France | © Falcon® Photography / Flickr

4. Sydney, Australia

Be one of the first in the world to see in the New Year in Sydney Australia. Sitting down for a romantic dinner along the Sydney Harbour, you’ll be in prime position to enjoy the city’s world famous firework display, and afterwards you can dance the night away at the epic party on Bondi Beach.

Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney NSW, Australia

Sydney harbour | © pattyjanse/ Pixabay

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Copacabana Beach, renowned for the world’s best carnival, also puts on a pretty good show for New Year’s Eve. You’ll find yourself in a city that oozes sensuality and is top spot for a romantic couple’s getaway. Drink a little champagne, or make like the locals and enjoy a few caipirinhas before shaking your hips to the sound of samba as fireworks shoot out from boats and light up the night’s sky.

Copacabana beach becomes Rio’s New Year’s party central

Cape Town, South Africa

Enjoy spectacular views of Cape Town’s end-of-the-year fireworks from Table Mountain, one of the city’s romantic highlights. Take a hike to get there, or be whisked up to the top in a cable car. After descending into the city you can continue on to live music shows and street parties in the Cape Quarter.

A view over Cape Town

London, England

London is a top destination for couples the whole year round. Take a walk to one of the many bridges that cross the Thames for 10 minutes of fabulous fireworks that illuminate London’s famous skyline. Amidst all this the city’s icon, Big Ben, chimes away offering a clanging soundtrack to the New Year. The following day you can join Londoners who continue the revelry with parades and floats that wind their way through the city’s streets.

London’s New Year’s show

5. Hong Kong

Hong Kong becomes one giant party on New Years Eve. And there is nothing that says ‘I love you’ more than a giant pyrotechnic dragon lighting up the city’s skyline. For the best experience you should head down to the Victoria Harbour. Alternatively, you can also take a trip to Hong Kong for the Chinese New Year, where the festivities last for 15 days.

Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong

New Year in Hong Kong | © Michael Elleray/ Flickr

Madeira, Portugal

Funchal, on the island of Madeira in Portugal is illuminated by thousands of glittering lights that line the city’s streets, while flowers from the island are hung almost everywhere. Enjoy some winter sunshine with your partner and take a boat trip for the best views of the island’s breath-taking fireworks display. The island is a natural wonder, full of incredible flora and is best for those seeking a more natural, down-to-earth form of romance.

Bring in the New Year surrounded by Madeira’s natural beauty

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