Top New Year party places

2008 may not have been the most cheerful year, but despite the gloom, it seems Brits are determined to welcome in 2009 with a big party, and there's been no reduction in flight search traffic for the New Year break. Leading flight search engine, Skyscanner.net) reveals the most popular* New Year destinations for Brits.

1. London
2. Geneva
3. Malaga
4. Paris
5. Alicante
6. Tenerife
7. Amsterdam
8. Barcelona
9. Edinburgh
10. Dublin

*Most popular flight searches for European destinations during the New Year period 08/09.

UK cities featuring in the top ten include London and Edinburgh; other UK cities will obviously be very popular but did not feature in the list as party goers may travel there by car or train rather than plane. There also seems to be a strong element of winter sun seeking, with three Spanish beach spots proving popular places for Brits to see in the New Year.

Falling just outside of the top ten were cities such as Prague, Berlin, Madrid and Rome, whilst at the other end of the scale, the cities least likely to host Brits over New Year were Bergerac in France, Verona in Italy and Poznan in Poland.

London (England) – the UK’s biggest New Year party place, it’s not surprising that the capital tops Skyscanner’s list. Families can get their skates on at the Natural History Museum ice rink where mum and dad can enjoy champagne and mulled wine. Clubbers can head to the Ibiza Underground Party, one of the biggest New Year bashes in London, or why not get onboard the MV London Belle, a party boat that sets sail from most of the piers in central London and provides the best seats in the city for the midnight fireworks.

Geneva (Switzerland) – its popularity as a ski hub is the reason this Swiss city ranks so high in the charts. With over 100 resorts less than a 2 hour drive away, thousands will be seeing in the New Year on the slopes of the Swiss and French Alps. However, there’s plenty of celebrations happening in the city itself – the Old Town hosts concerts, food markets and late night parties in the central square. Find cheap flights to Geneva.

Malaga (Spain) – a long time favourite of Brits during the summer, Malaga continues to draw UK visitors in winter too. Though it couldn’t exactly be described as balmy on the 31st of December, an average temperature of around 16C means that New Year in Malaga is considerably warmer than in the UK. Grab your bottles of cerveza and take to the town centre to join the New Year festivities.

Paris (France) – regarded as one of the most colourful and exciting places to celebrate New Year, Parisians toast the Nouvelle année with flutes of Champagne and papillottes – small chocolates which pop like firecrackers when opened. Head to the Champs-Elysees from where you’ll be able to soak up the seasonal atmosphere and get a good view of the Eiffel Tower which explodes with light when the clock strikes twelve.

Alicante (Spain) – another Spanish city long popular with Brits, locals tend to start off the Nochevieja celebrations with a huge family dinner at home, after which the younger members hit the town for the night. Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square) in El Barrio is the place to gather for the big midnight countdown, then check into one of numerous discothèques and party till Spanish sunrise.

Tenerife (Spain) – the fact the Tenerife is still a warm 18 degrees in mid-winter is probably why Tenerife attracts plenty of Brits for New Year. The church square in Los Cristianos hosts thousands of revellers waiting to pop their bottles of Cava – and like everywhere else, you’ll be able to join the locals “oohing” and “aahing” over the spectacular firework display.

Amsterdam (Netherlands) – a year round city of pleasure, it’s little wonder that the Dutch capital draws thousands of Brits for New Year. Known as Oudjaarsavond – meaning Old Year’s Eve – throngs of people will head to the famous streets such as Dam Square and Rembrandtplein to welcome in 2009. The Dutch have a hands on approach to fireworks and you’ll find it all ‘going off’ in the streets - ear plugs and safety goggles are advised.

Barcelona (Spain) – many Spaniards commence the evening at home with family and don’t really start the party till after midnight, from when they’ll continue until the not so early hours. Join the locals in the grape eating challenge – the tradition of trying to eat 12 grapes on the twelve strikes of midnight – for every grape consumed you get a month’s good luck, so get chomping.

Edinburgh (Scotland) – The Scottish capital’s Hogmanay party is one of the biggest New Year street parties in the UK. With live music performances across four different stages from major acts including Groove Armada, The Hoosiers and Glasvegas, and firework displays from each of the city’s high places, the night promises to be bigger, better and louder than ever before.

Dublin (Ireland) – join thousands of others enjoying the craic on the streets of Ireland’s capital. At midnight, the Christchurch Bells will ring out through the streets of the entire city as revellers toast to 2009. If you’re not suffering too much, drag yourself out of bed to see the Lord Mayor’s New Year’s Day Parade which hosts some fantastic marching bands from both Ireland and around the world. Find cheap flights to Dublin.