Best Cities in Europe to Celebrate New Year: Rating.

The world's largest travel publisher Lonely Planet has compiled a list of eight European cities that are best suited for visiting on New Year's Eve.

«Whether you want to watch fireworks over London's landmarks, visit Berlin's techno clubs, or sip a pint of Guinness in Dublin's best pubs, we've gathered the best European cities to celebrate the New Year», – claim the authors of the rating.

1. London, United Kingdom. London is used to large-scale New Year celebrations, culminating in impressive fireworks. This year, it's expected that 100,000 visitors will line up along the River Thames to see the annual night sky display. Especially popular on this day is the ride on the famous London Eye on the banks of the Thames. However, tickets should be purchased in advance, with prices ranging from 20 to 50 pounds sterling (approximately 1070-2673 UAH).

2. Berlin, Germany. The German capital is a recognized world capital of parties and nightclubs for every taste. On New Year's Eve, the city hosts numerous DJ sets at various locations – in clubs, museums, palaces, on boats. The best ones are held near the famous Brandenburg Gate, but entry tickets need to be taken care of in advance.

3. Lisbon, Portugal. Fireworks are an integral part of most New Year's celebrations, and Lisbon has plenty of spots to watch them. Thousands of tourists head to the city or along the Tagus River, but the miradouros (viewpoints), located around the seven hills surrounding the capital. On this day, mass festivities also take place at Lisbon's Praça do Comércio – the largest square in the country – where live music plays, and sparkling wine flows abundantly. The city is also a gourmet's paradise, with several Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as many hotels and restaurants offering special New Year dinners.

4. Paris, France. The French capital attracts tourists with its special magic any day of the year, but on New Year's Eve, Paris fully justifies its nickname «City of Lights». Visitors can head to the Champs-Élysées, then stroll to the Arc de Triomphe to see the night fireworks. It's also worth visiting the Sacré-Cœur area on Montmartre, from where there is a splendid view of all of Paris.

5. Dublin, Ireland. It seems that on New Year's Eve, all the residents of the Irish capital take to the streets to celebrate together. Festive fairs with treats and drinks are held under live music and DJ sets at several of the city's largest locations.

6. Edinburgh, Scotland. Hogmanay – is a four-day program of events in Edinburgh. It's an unforgettable street party with music and fireworks. The torchlight procession through the city center, accompanied by bagpipes and drums, is an unforgettable experience.

7. Stockholm, Sweden. Many residents of Stockholm stay home for New Year or dine with friends, but there are still plenty of things to do for travelers in the Swedish capital. In particular, it's worth watching the annual midnight fireworks over the Old Town. «Wrap up warmly and head to Stadshuset locations where the best views are», – suggest the authors of the rating. New Year's in Stockholm also offers various sophisticated events, such as a concert in Stockholm Cathedral, a masquerade at the Royal Opera House of Sweden, and much more.

8. Madrid, Spain. New Year's Eve, or Nochevieja as it's called in Spain, shows how much Madrileños love to party. The celebrations gain momentum shortly before midnight on New Year's Eve and continue late into the night. Thousands gather in the historic Puerta del Sol square, from which all Spanish roads are measured. A bottle of sparkling champagne and grapes are essential, as tradition dictates eating 12 grapes in the last 12 seconds of the countdown to midnight.

For several years in a row, Finland has topped the global ranking of countries where tourists risk exceeding their budget. This is linked to high prices for food, transport, and accommodation. Tourists particularly complain about the expensive alcohol: prices for alcoholic beverages in Finland are 102% higher than the EU average. For example, a mug of beer (500 ml) costs 7 euros. Many travelers, not appreciating the financial aspect, carry out their trips to Finland with a smaller budget.