From good vibes to great value: the best cities to ring in the New Year

After days spent indoors playing Christmas charades with your annoying cousins, New Year’s Eve can feel like the perfect time to travel. Visiting a new city for NYE offers something for every type of traveller; the night owls can join the midnight festivities, families can benefit from free child-friendly events, and everyone can enjoy the fireworks from the peace of their hotel rooms. But after the financial pressures of Christmas, is it possible to get away on a budget?

To uncover which destinations offer fun and great value for an overnight stay, we looked at the following factors:

Based on this research, we’ll reveal:

For affordable accommodation and unforgettable events, look no further than the ‘toon, which came out as the best value city for an NYE escape in the UK. England’s northernmost city offers a free family-friendly event at the historic Newcastle Quayside, so you can watch as the bridges across the Tyne are lit up by spectacular fireworks.

Manchester is the perfect place to ring in 2026. Although not officially confirmed for NYE 2025 just yet, visitors are usually able to watch fireworks at a free family-friendly event in the historic St Peter’s Square. In classic Mancunian style, the night’s unlikely to end here – a host of live music events and late bars will be ready to welcome partygoers until the early hours of the morning. Plus, it offers accommodation that won’t break the bank.

The UK’s capital remains a hotspot for NYE celebrations. Although the hotel costs are among the most expensive in the UK, London more than makes up for it with its unbeatable NYE buzz. While the annual fireworks show is ticketed, there are plenty of vantage points across the city – like Primrose Hill and Parliament Hill – where you can enjoy the view for free and avoid the central crowds.

Edinburgh, Cardiff and Wakefield scored lowest for value-for-money NYE city escapes. Edinburgh and Cardiff’s high accommodation costs make them less affordable destinations for travellers on a budget. Although Wakefield offers affordable hotel stays, its lack of free events and NYE buzz brings down its score.

With some of the most affordable accommodation among the European cities we analysed, and low overall search interest for NYE, Helsinki is the perfect hidden gem for a getaway that won’t overstretch your budget. The Finnish capital offers not one, but two free events for visitors to enjoy on NYE. Recognised as a ‘Design City’ by UNESCO, it lives up to its creative reputation with an outdoor event that features artistic performances and fireworks in the architectural surroundings of Kansalaistori Square. For even more fireworks and celebrations, there’s also a free event in the picturesque city centre.

Madrid offers two free events to see off 2025 in style, as well as accommodation that won’t break the bank. You could take part in the famous grape-eating ritual as you count down to midnight in the Puerta del Sol, or stick to more familiar traditions by watching the fireworks in the historic Plaza Mayor.

The ‘Eternal City’ is a fitting location for NYE celebrations that last all night. Rome pays homage to its musical heritage with a free concert and fireworks for visitors to enjoy in the spectacular surroundings of the Circus Maximus, as well as a parade in the Piazza del Popolo. You can also make the most of being in the cultural heart of Europe with free entry to many museums and archaeological sites on New Year’s Day. Combined with affordable accommodation, it’s the perfect budget-friendly NYE escape.

At the other end of the scale, Vienna, Prague, and Copenhagen offer the least value-for-money NYE getaways. Hotels are over three times more expensive in Vienna than in Helsinki, although the historic architecture would certainly make an incredible setting for a fireworks show. Prague and Copenhagen have similarly steep accommodation costs and little in the way of free events, so you don’t get much bang for your buck.

It’s always rewarding to find a bargain, but some cities are worth splurging for. With a Monzo savings account, you can save up for the things that matter, and these cities, which ranked highest for popular buzz around NYE, should be top of your wish list.

You need a Monzo Current Account. Ts&Cs apply. UK residents only.

If NYE is your favourite holiday, then Edinburgh’s the place to be when the clock strikes midnight. The Hogmanay Festival is one of the greatest NYE celebrations in the world – where else could you join hands with thousands of revellers for a rousing rendition of Auld Lang Syne? Although average hotel costs are among the highest in Europe (second only to Vienna), the torchlight procession, live concert and fireworks display make it an unforgettable holiday well worth saving for.

Paris is always a good idea, and this is no less true on the last night of the year. The ‘City of Light’ lives up to its name with an incredible sound and light show that takes over the Champs-Élysées, culminating in a firework display by the historic Arc de Triomphe. Although the accommodation is among the most expensive in Europe, this incredible experience could be worth saving up for.

From frosty Helsinki to vibrant Newcastle, there are plenty of NYE destinations to discover this year, without facing eye-watering costs. But for those looking to splash out, Edinburgh, Paris, and London are excellent options to consider.

Whatever your destination, make the most of your money with Monzo. With no foreign transaction fees, free withdrawals in the European Economic Area, and real-time exchange rates in the app, you can enjoy the celebrations without worrying about hidden costs. 

Fee-free withdrawals are only applicable if Monzo is your main account. Ts&Cs apply.

Research methodology 

Disclaimer: Prices are provided for reference only and may change over time. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee that all information will remain up-to-date.