Where to Be At Midnight: New Year’s Eve Barcelona

Why not visit one of the world’s most renowned party destinations this New Year’s Eve? No doubt, Barcelona on New Year’s Eve is the place to be. This is how we recommend you do it. Base yourself in the beautiful nearby town of Sitges. Spend your days relaxing in a luxurious villa on the beach, exploring the beautiful town of Sitges, or taking long walks on the promenade. As night falls take a short train ride to the beautiful, buzzing barrios of Barcelona. It is a hive of activity on New Year’s Eve. Knowing that on New Year’s Day, your wonderful villa is waiting for you in tranquil Sitges.

How do the locals spend New Year’s Eve in Barcelona?

After dinner with family and friends, they eat 12 grapes at midnight, one for each chime. This is accompanied by a glass of cava with a gold ring in it. Don’t forget to wear red underwear (all for love and luck in the coming year) and join them in their traditions. Every restaurant that is offering a New Year’s Eve menu will follow this tradition and it is fun to be part of it!

Here are a few of the festivities available in Barcelona this coming New Year:

Plaça d´Espanya

Barcelona on New Year’s Eve should start here. Watch the amazing light show at the Magic Fountain, complete with music and an outstanding fireworks display for FREE. A mere half-an-hour bus or train ride from Sitges, and you can join the many locals at this hugely popular, family-friendly event. There is a magical pre-show from 9:30 pm of the Magic Fountains Light Display in all of its glory. The main pyrotechnic show begins at 11.45 pm and lasts about 30 minutes. At midnight the chimes will ring and everyone will eat the 12 grapes in time with the bells. After which most people will head off to clubs or home to bed.

Plaça Catalunya

Plaça Catalunya is a great location to start the festivities because it is central and easily accessible by public transport. This is a cheap option for ringing in the New Year. Everyone simply takes to the square with their 12 grapes and bottles of cava, laughing the night away. This does also mean it gets packed out. After the final stroke of midnight, the cava bottles are somewhat terrifyingly launched into the centre of the square. Perhaps not the best choice if you are going with kids.

Rooftop Views

Secure yourself a spot on one of the many beautiful rooftop bars around Barcelona on New Year’s Eve. Watch the fireworks, and while away the evening with a couple of glasses of Cava. For fantastic views of the whole city, check out Mirablau bar on Tibidabo Hill. Alternatively, you could try La Dolce Vitae Majestic Barcelona for New Year’s dinner if you ́re feeling a little flush. There will be a delicious dinner, live music, and dancing. It has lovely views over the Mediterranean Sea and is centrally located and a great vantage point from which to see the fireworks.

Looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a Spanish flair?

How about a little dinner and Flamenco to see in the new decade? Both Palacio Del Flamenco and Tablao Flamenco Cordobes are offering a magical evening of dance, dinner, and merriment this year.

Clubbing in Barcelona on New Year’s Eve

Barcelona on New Year’s Eve is the place to be if clubbing is your thing. Do you want to dance till dawn? No problem! Whether you prefer sophisticated glamour, Ibiza style madness, or old school and a little grungy Barcelona has it all. If you want to mingle with the well-heeled VIPs of Barcelona we recommend the Sutton Club. This is in the posh end of town off Av Diagonal. Head to one of the mega clubs on the beach for a full-on all-night party. Opium will be bringing the EDM and commercial house music and Pacha, the Hip Hop R&B, and party hits. Both of these have great restaurants so you can eat and see in the New Year before moving seamlessly to the dance floor. If you want a dark and sweaty night of serious techno Moog is your place, conveniently located in the centre of BCN. Or if your group has mixed music tastes you can’t go wrong with Razzmatazz which has 5 different rooms playing different genres of music. There will be indie pop, house, and more.

New Year’s Eve in Sitges

New Year’s Eve in Sitges is usually a quiet affair that the locals celebrate with their families. They eat a Catalonian tradition broth called Escudella amb carn d’olla, waiting for the stroke of midnight. It is not until after the New Year begins that the clubs open and some head into the buzzing nightlife of the town. However, there is also plenty of pre-countdown options for you to choose from, but make sure you book in advance.

Many restaurants offer a New Year’s Eve Menu and Sitges is certainly not short of Restaurants. If you want a romantic and extravagant meal, book the evening at Hotel Mim on the seafront. Try their New Year’s Menu before dancing the night away. For an epic evening of revelry, watching the ball drop, party favours, a toast at midnight, and DJ Juicy grooves, go to Queenz. It is very popular and a guaranteed good night, so make sure you book in advance.

If you want to celebrate the New Year in style with the Mediterranean Sea at your doorstep, look no further than Sitges. It is one of the most spectacular and luxurious places to visit on the peninsula. Whether you want to spend New Year’s Eve in Barcelona or relax in one of our breathtaking villas on the beach, this is the ideal spot for you.