New Year is a fabulous time! If you are a romantic, we advise you to celebrate a holiday in Europe, in the atmosphere of antiquity and magic. See where and how you can celebrate Christmas and New Year 2021.
Attention! This review is not about where you can fly to rest abroad now, but simply about the best destinations. Only a little more than a dozen countries are still open for recreation (see below). The choice is small, but at least something! We really hope that more destinations will open soon. The cost of rest in the review is indicated for the last year. When the borders open, we expect similar or even lower tour prices.
How to save money. If you want to spend the New Year, holidays and Catholic Christmas in Europe, we advise you to fly out on December 22, 23 or 24, and return back in early January. Book everything a few months before the trip.
About prices in the article. Hotels - for a double room on New Year's Eve. Tours - for two people. Air tickets - for one person in both directions. We are considering flights from Moscow. We indicated the prices for air tickets and tours for New Year's dates (departure on December 29-30 and return on January 3-6), since it is on these days that tourists fly on vacation.
Which countries are now open
For more information see: List of open countries and entry conditions.
This is where Russians can now fly on vacation (follow the links to read our travel guides, we have been to almost all of these countries):
- Turkey
- Abkhazia
- Montenegro
- Cuba
- Maldives
- Tanzania
- Egypt
- UAE (Dubai)
- Mexico (with transfer)
- Dominican Republic (flights are expected to open)
- Morocco (with transfer)
See also where to go for the New Year in Russia.
Finland - Helsinki and Lapland
Where to celebrate New Year - 2021 and Christmas in Europe, if not in the homeland of Santa Claus? At the end of December, it is frosty outside, down to -15 ° С, a lot of snow falls. They go to Finland for solitude and a winter fairy tale. Rent a cottage and devote your New Year's holidays to outdoor activities - skiing and snowmobiling, for example. Admire the northern lights, learn the local cuisine, and visit the Joulupukki Residence in Lapland.
Tours from Moscow for 4-5 nights cost from 65 thousand rubles.
Flights from Moscow to Helsinki and back cost from 11 thousand rubles. Petersburgers can get there by train or bus.
Hotels. Inexpensive hotels - from 40 € for two in the center of Helsinki (3 * hotels - from 85 €), cottage rental in Rovaniemi - from 130 €. Dinner at the restaurant - about 50 € per person. Find out what the prices are in Helsinki.
Czech Republic, Prague
The Czech Republic is another country in Europe where you can celebrate the New Year - 2021 gloriously. In Prague, on the Old Town Square, the main Christmas tree is erected with shining lights. There is a fair, tourists and locals walk, eat almonds fried in spices, delicious trdelniki and drink mulled wine and mead. Read: 7 reasons not to go to Prague and 7 reasons to visit Prague.
The weather in Prague at the end of December is good: during the day it can be slightly above 0 ° С, at night - up to -5 ° С. There is not always snow cover.
Tours in Prague for 7 nights for the New Year can be purchased from only 65 thousand rubles.
Flights. A flight for New Year's holidays from Moscow to Prague and back costs from 16 thousand rubles.
Hotels. Rent a room in a hotel for two in the center - from 90 € per night and more. New Year's Eve dinner at the restaurant will cost € 100-170 per person.
Cyprus
For an inexpensive New Year's Eve 2021 in Europe, head to Cyprus. In winter, it is warm there, about +15 ... + 20 ° С. Rent a car and see the whole island while it's not hot and there are no tourists.
New Year's holidays on the island last from December 23 to January 6. In large cities, performances, dances, decorate a Christmas tree are held. However, for the most part New Years and Christmas are family holidays, and after two nights the streets are already quiet.
Tours to Cyprus on New Year's holidays in 2021 for 7 nights cost from 60 thousand rubles.
Flights Moscow - Larnaca and back cost from 13 thousand rubles and more.
Hotels. In an inexpensive hotel in Larnaca or Limassol, you can stay for 30 € and more per day. Find out about the best hotels in Cyprus.
Germany - Berlin and Munich
The best New Year in Europe, in our opinion, is in Germany. Do you want to plunge into a real Christmas fairy tale? We advise you to go to Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Nuremberg or other cities. Visit cheerful fairs with all the gastronomic attributes of Christmas and New Year: caramel apples, gingerbread houses and hearts, stollens and aromatic hot mulled wine. The weather at this time of the year in Germany is usually pleasant, from 0 to –4 ° C, snow does not always fall.
Tours for 4 nights cost from 60 thousand rubles for two.
Flights. A flight Moscow - Berlin and back costs from 16 thousand rubles (direct flights), to Munich - about the same.
Hotels in the center of Berlin - from 120 € per night for two. New Year's Eve dinner at the restaurant costs approximately € 100-200 per person. Find out what the prices are in Berlin.
Montenegro, Budva
Where to inexpensively celebrate the New Year - 2021 and Christmas? Tourists recommend going to Montenegro (namely Budva or Podgorica). The ski resorts of Kolasin and Zabljak are also popular.
Locals usually meet midnight with family or friends, and then go out into the street. Traditionally, performances, fireworks and concerts are held in the city center. The weather is changeable, there are rains. There is snow and cold in the mountains, and about + 10 ° C on the coast.
Tours to Montenegro for the holidays cost from 60 thousand rubles (Tivat, 7 nights).
Flights. A flight from Moscow to Tivat and back on New Year's dates costs from 15 thousand rubles.
Hotels. Budget hotel in Budva - from 20 €. In Podgorica - from 15-20 €, 3 * - from 22 €. In Tivat, prices are about the same. Find out what the prices are in Montenegro.
Greece, Athens
Greece's New Year traditions are close to Cyprus, and the New Year and Christmas celebrations in both countries are almost identical. In cities, residents gather in the center for a concert and fireworks, and young people after the official meeting of the holiday go to clubs. Tourists prefer to rest in Thessaloniki, Halkidiki or Athens. As in Montenegro, the weather is changeable, but warm, around +12 ... + 15 ° С.
Tours for Christmas and New Year's holidays cost from 50 thousand rubles for two for 7 nights.
Flights from Moscow to Athens and back cost from 15 thousand rubles.
Hotels. A double room in Athens costs from 14 €, in Halkidiki (for example, Sarti) - from 24 €. Find out what the prices are in Greece.
Italy Rome
To have fun in the new year 2021, you need to travel to Italy. The locals are very fond of New Year and Christmas and greet them on a grand scale. In addition, you can have a relatively inexpensive vacation in the country.
Popular tourist cities for celebrating the holiday are Milan, Venice and Rome. How to mark? Choose original ways: in thermal baths and spas, in medieval castles and villas, cruise. It's a good idea to go to ski resorts in Italy.
The weather in the capital of Italy at the end of December is quite good, up to + 12 ° С, however, it rains. There is no snow in Rome, but it can be in the north of the country. Take in the sights in peace during the New Year holidays. Free museums in Rome >>
Tours for New Year and Christmas in Italy are inexpensive. For example, in Rimini for 7-8 nights - only from 56 thousand rubles. A trip to Rome for 4 nights can be purchased from 60 thousand.
Flights Moscow - Rome cost from 18 thousand rubles in both directions, to Milan and Venice - from 16.5 thousand rubles.
Hotels. Overnight in a double room in a 3 * hotel in Rome - from 50 € and more in the city center. Dinner on New Year's Eve will cost € 50-250 per person.
France Paris
Where to go for the New Year - 2021, if not the most romantic city in Europe? Illumination everywhere, Christmas markets (the best are on the Champs Elysees and in the La Defense quarter). The aromas of hot wine and roasted chestnuts carry through the streets. Try foie gras, choucrut, maroon glace and fondue. True, the weather is not impressive: it rarely snows, the temperature is up to + 5 ° С, it is rather damp and can be drizzling.
Tours... Vouchers for 5 nights in Paris and the Cote d'Azur cost from 80 thousand rubles for two.
Flights. A flight from Moscow to Paris and back costs about 16 thousand rubles.
Hotels. You can rent a room in an inexpensive hotel in the very center of the city (near the Louvre) for 80-90 € for two, if you book in advance. In a 3 * hotel in the center - from 120 €. New Year's Eve in a restaurant will cost from about 150 € per person and more. Find out what the prices are in Paris.
Turkey, Istanbul
Many people go to Istanbul for the winter holidays: there is good service and a variety of opportunities for recreation. New Year is not celebrated as such - it is a holiday for tourists. Nevertheless, the city is beautifully decorated, and hotels, clubs and restaurants offer an entertainment program.
You can meet New Year's Eve on Galata Bridge, on Istiklal Street, in a hotel, in a club, on a ship, and so on. But devote your vacation to sightseeing - read our great guide to Istanbul.
Winters are mild, temperatures up to + 12 ° C. However, a cold and harsh wind blows from the sea, so dress warmly. Find out what the weather is like in Istanbul in winter.
Tours... In addition to Istanbul, you can fly to relax on New Year's resorts: Antalya, Alanya, Side, Kemer and others. Vouchers for 5 nights cost from 58 thousand rubles.
Flights. A flight Moscow - Istanbul in both directions costs from 10 thousand rubles.
Hotels. It is better to book accommodation in advance, as prices are soaring. An inexpensive hotel costs from 25 € per night for two (in the Galata area), a 3 * hotel - from 30 €. A gala dinner will cost € 65-90 per person. Find out what the prices are in Istanbul.
Latvia, Riga
New Year's holidays in Riga are long: both Catholic and Orthodox Christmas is celebrated. A good reason to visit the capital of Latvia! As in other European countries, preparations for Christmas and New Year begin ahead of time, from about the end of November - beginning of December. The city is gradually "settled" with garlands and decorations, a Christmas tree is erected on the main square, and a fair begins to work. Directly New Year - 2021 can be spent in a hotel, restaurant or just walking around the city - concerts and performances are organized. Prices in Riga >>
The weather in Riga at the end of December is usually pleasing: the medieval city is covered with a white shroud, there may be a light frost.
Tours... New Year's tours to Riga for 4-5 nights cost from 56 thousand rubles.
Flights. To fly to Riga from Moscow and back during the winter holidays, you will have to pay from 13 thousand rubles and more.
Hotels. A room in a budget hotel in the city center costs from 30 € per night for two. On average, a New Year's Eve dinner at a restaurant will cost € 50-100 per person, but you can look for cheaper places. Where to eat inexpensively in Riga >>
Great Britain, London
On Christmas and New Years in London, it is fabulous: showcases are beautifully decorated, garlands are hung, fairs with souvenirs and delicacies are open, Christmas chants are sung. Fireworks are fired over the Thames, and Big Ben chimes twelve times at midnight.
In London at the end of December it is relatively warm - on average + 7 ° C, but due to the humidity, the temperature is felt differently. Freezing nights. It may rain, so bring an umbrella. In rainy weather, you can visit museums - find out which ones are free to enter.
Flights to London from Moscow and back on New Year's Eve - 2021 cost from 14 thousand rubles and more.
Hotels. The cost of a double room in the center of London - from 60 € per night, a room in a 3 * hotel - from 80 €. New Year's Eve Dinner - from 80 € per person.
