Where to go for New Year 2024 in Russia and abroad? A big guide to destinations

The holiday is just around the corner, and in the flow of everyday life you can miss the moment and not have time to prepare. That’s why we start making plans now, first of all we need to decide on a place, because on New Year’s vacations all the coolest locations are booked very quickly.

How to spend New Year holidays?

There is always an option to “stay at home”, but if you and so often spent New Year’s Eve at the festive table with your family, this option could get boring. In this case, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to go out. You have to choose between two options: active or relaxing vacation outside the house. And here everything depends on your preferences.

Active vacation will suit those who can not sit still, want to go on a tour of the city, see new places, ride a snowboard, catch a wave on the ocean, and this is not the whole list of adventures. A change of scenery and activities will definitely help to restore the resource and gain energy for the whole coming year, well, or at least until the next vacation.

The second, no less tempting option – full relaxation, it is characterized by massages, spa treatments, yoga, reading books and watching your favorite New Year’s movies. And here it is hard to argue with the benefits too, because after a busy year and workdays so want to relax, and both physically and psychologically.

There are ideal places for each type of vacation, but remember that they can be combined, finding a balance between relaxation and active entertainment. Together with the experts we prepared a list of points on the map and told in detail about each destination in figures.

Where to go in Russia?

Sochi

Cost of travel

A one-way air ticket on New Year’s vacations costs an average of 9000 rubles, and a room can be booked for about 7700 rubles per day.

Why choose

We say “winter Sochi”, we think “Krasnaya Polyana” – most tourists come for New Year’s vacations just for ski vacation. And it is not surprising, because there are three excellent resorts with modern slopes.

But there is a lot to do in the city besides downhill skiing. Down by the sea you will find quite comfortable for walking +10 °C, because it is so pleasant to walk along the promenade and breathe the salty air. Afterwards, you can head to one of the spa hotels for a sauna, a massage or a swim in the warm pool. And if you get caught in the rain, take a bus tour, visit a dolphinarium or an oceanarium.

Kaliningrad

Travel costs

You can fly to Kaliningrad on holidays for an average of 7000 rubles one way, and for accommodation you need to lay down from 3800 rubles per day.

Why choose

In the westernmost city of Russia, the climate is mild, so winters are warm, without severe frosts. When Kaliningrad is covered with snow, it becomes like a Christmas card with “gingerbread” houses and warm lights.

See Kant’s Island with its beautiful Cathedral, buy souvenirs in the Fish Village and warm up with warm mulled wine in one of the cafes – and then plan a trip to the sea. The rugged Baltic is definitely worth seeing in winter, so head to Svetlogorsk or Zelenogradsk for the day. We advise you to choose a hotel with a sauna and spa – after walking along the cold sea shore you will definitely want to warm up thoroughly.

Murmansk

Travel cost

A one-way ticket costs about 10,000 rubles, and a hotel can be found for 4700 rubles per day.

Why it is worth choosing

The harsh northern nature is waiting for the most courageous and brave to visit – and generously shares its beauty with them. For example, in January in Teriberka you have every chance to watch whales, and there’s no need to talk about the aurora borealis – look for guides who know the best spots with minimal light pollution, and take a good camera.

And afterwards – go skiing in the Khibiny! There are two excellent resorts here, Kukisvumchorr and Bolshoi Vudyavr, with long comfortable tracks. And, by the way, there are no extremely low temperatures in the Murmansk region, especially near the sea, but you should still dress warmer.

Karelia

Travel cost

A flight to Petrozavodsk in the New Year vacations will cost about 6500 rubles one way, and when looking for accommodation can be guided by the amount of about 3800 rubles per day.

Why you should choose

Get ready: January in Karelia is considered the frostiest month. Fluffy snow, about -10°C outside, and sometimes even crackling frosts up to -30°C are the winter fairy tale that many city dwellers are looking for.

Can you imagine how mesmerizing the snow-covered waterfalls and the famous marble quarry surrounded by white trees look? You can also go to Kizhi Island, ride snowmobiles or dog sleds and, finally, spend a couple of days in one of the comfortable hotels, sitting by the window with a cup of hot tea, washing it down with delicious pirozhki kalitki.

Kamchatka

Cost of the trip

Fly to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in winter can be done for about 16,000 rubles, and a hotel will cost about 8000 rubles per day.

Why it is worth choosing

Magical edge of the world tourists usually seek to see in the summer, but in winter you will get incredible impressions here. Snowmobile rides to volcanoes, relaxation in thermal springs (at -8°C it’s an interesting experience), excursions to an ethnic village where you can pet reindeer – don’t say we haven’t convinced you.

There’s also all the skiing and snowboarding opportunities that freeride enthusiasts will especially appreciate. And, of course, no one canceled Kamchatka sea delicacies and sandwiches with a layer of caviar thicker than bread – just the right thing to be the first in Russia to celebrate the New Year.

Where to go abroad?

Thailand, Phuket

Cost of travel

A one-way ticket costs about 48,000 rubles, but the hotel can be found relatively inexpensively – the average price is 6000 rubles per day.

Rules of entry to Thailand

Russian tourists will only need a valid passport. Without a visa on the territory of the country you can stay up to 90 days. At entry, you may be asked to present return tickets.

Why choose

This small island off the west coast of Thailand is invariably popular with Russians going on winter vacation. No wonder, because the weather here in January is absolutely summer-like: the thermometer during the day shows about +29°C, the sea is about the same temperature, and there is almost no rain, it is the dry season.

If you want to swim and snorkeling, stay on the beaches of the central part of the coast, and for cool parties you are welcome to the south of the island – in Patong or Karon. We also suggest driving to the main viewpoints for spectacular sunsets and a visit to Monkey Mountain.

Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa

Cost of Travel

A one-way ticket costs about 45,000 rubles, and accommodation will cost about 5,600 rubles per day.

Rules of entry to Sri Lanka

To travel you need a valid passport and a visa, which can be obtained online, on arrival at the airport or at the Moscow embassy. Visa fee is $ 50, you can stay in the country for up to 30 days. In October 2023, Sri Lanka announced the abolition of visa fee, but the dates from which you can apply for a visa to the country for free are still unknown.

Why choose

The resort is the closest to the capital of the island, Colombo, which means that it will be convenient to get there, even if you fly with children, because you will spend about 1 hour and 40 minutes on the road (for comparison, it takes more than two hours to get to Unawatuna, which is more popular among Russians).

Everyone will like Hikkaduwa. Fans of diving and snorkeling will find beautiful coral reefs right off the coast, where you can meet turtles. Families with children will appreciate the variety of cozy sandy beaches with a comfortable entrance to the water, and surfers will suit Narigama Beach with good waves. The weather in January is also pleasant: during the day it is about +30°C, and the water is warmed up to +28°C.

Vietnam, Nha Trang

Travel costs

A one-way ticket will cost about 55,000 rubles, and in November, in addition, they promise to open direct flights. A hotel room can be rented for 4000 rubles per day.

Rules of entry to Vietnam

Russian tourists can visit the country without a visa and stay on the territory of up to 45 days, and if you apply for a visa online, then 90 days. At entry, you may be asked to show return tickets. And, of course, you need a passport.

Why choose

Nha Trang is a resort city, there are a lot of excellent hotels here, but there are no private beaches, all public, and the housing on the first line is separated from the sea by a road and promenade. People come here to swim and sunbathe – January is perfect for this, the rainy season is over and the heat is not yet intense, and the daytime is not hotter than +27°C.

But not only for the beaches, tourists come here to walk along the promenade and Central Park with swimming pools, attractions and restaurants, and one day is definitely worth spending in the famous Vinpearl amusement park.

Serbia, Belgrade

Travel costs

A one-way ticket costs about 50,000 rubles, and a hotel room can be rented for 7000 rubles per night.

Rules of entry to Serbia

Russians can come here without a visa, only with a passport, and stay in the country for up to 30 days. Keep in mind that when entering, they are sometimes asked to show return tickets.

Why choose it

If you want to spend New Year vacations in affordable Europe, Belgrade is a great option: the city is beautifully decorated and waiting for tourists. The weather is perfect for sightseeing and exploring the Serbian capital: temperatures are usually consistently above freezing, although frosts are possible at night, and there is little rain.

Belgrade is pleasant to walk around: there are pedestrian streets, where life never stops, and nice neighborhoods like Skadarlje quarter or creative Savamala. And the hearty, fatty and very tasty Serbian cuisine is perfect for winter, a trip like this is an opportunity to try cvartsi, pleskavica and cookies (not the one you’re thinking of, but a pig on a spit).

Georgia, Tbilisi

Trip Cost

A one-way ticket to Tbilisi this winter will cost about 25,000 rubles, a hotel can be found for 5000 rubles per night.

Rules of entry to Georgia

Russian tourists can stay in the country without a visa for a year. The main thing is to have a valid passport. Sometimes at the border they ask to show return tickets.

Why you should choose

Georgians celebrate New Year’s Eve in a big way. No one needs to tell you how much they love to eat here, right? You will find yourself in a bright and bustling festive city, where at every step you can find cozy cafes and restaurants with khinkali, khachapuri and local wine.

If you get tired of gastronomic pleasures, from Tbilisi it is easy to get to one of the best ski resorts in Georgia, Gudauri: just 2 hours and 30 minutes – and you find yourself in a real winter fairy tale. There are more than 20 slopes, and the length of slopes is almost 50 km. There is also an extreme park, cool observation platforms with panoramic views and an opportunity to fly over the mountain slopes and gorges on a paraglide.

How to have a perfect New Year’s Eve weekend?

You’ve already learned about 10 great options for a vacation, but how do you plan it? We’ve put together a checklist to help you not forget anything.

• Decide how and with whom you want to spend your holiday vacation.
• Determine your budget.
• Choose a vacation destination. Find out everything about it.
• Make a travel plan, think about the details.
• Choose activities that interest you. Make a program for the weekend. Book activities if necessary.
• Check accommodation bookings and tickets.
• Plan your New Year’s Eve meal.
• Prepare your documents.
• Pack your suitcase.

Don’t forget to take your New Year’s mood and aim for a vacation. Your trip will be perfect if you spend it with pleasure in the company of loved ones. And we wish you a successful preparation for the vacations!