The Portuguese are happy to welcome New Year revellers in their thousands but within Europe, plan to spend less time and money on the celebrations to see in 2015.
Of Europe’s 22 nationalities, the Portuguese lie third behind Poland and Serbia with their plans to spend a quiet New Year’s Eve.
As for preferred destinations in Europe, Oporto tops the list, followed by Lisbon, Albufeira, Paris and London according to a Trivago study on the ‘last party of the year.’
The Spanish will be heading for Portugal in good numbers representing 41% of foreigners booked in to Portugal’s hotels, followed by the Italians (18%) and German visitors (11%).
Portugal’s destinations vary widely in cost per night with those staying in Madeira spending an average of €133 per night compared to Braga at €54.
Second and third most expensive are Cascais at €106 and Sintra at €82, with Lagos at €60 and Vila Nova de Gaia at €63 at the cheaper end.
Portuguese travelling for New Year’s Eve are staying away on average for only three nights, the shortest average break among their European cousins.
Norwegian and Finnish party goers plan to celebrate for six nights and the Spanish, Italian and French will stay away for an average of four nights.
Portuguese booking into hotels will be spending the third lowest on accommodation at €99 per night, compared with €86 for the Serbs and €91 for the Poles.
The Brits will be pushing the boat out with the most enthusiasm, spending €185 per night, beating even the cash rich Norwegians at €179.
Algarve events
The singer Aurea will perform in the Praça do Infante in Lagos and Albufeira’s Praça dos Pescadores will host Tiago Bettencourt.
Quarteira’s Praça do Mar will see the tribute band ‘Queen’ in its ‘Kind of Magic' show. In Faro, in the Manuel Bivar gardens, the 'Wallabee Jam Band’ will be doing just that with a blend of reggae, disco funk, soul and rock.
In Tavira, the Algarve band 'Iris' will perform in the Praça da República and over at Monte Gordo beach 'Duo Reflexo" and" Top Som' will ensure 2015 is welcomed with a party mood.
The fireworks are back in strength and in Albufeira, Vilamoura, Faro, Tavira and Monte Gordo the party will carry on long after the midnight display with DJs on hand.
For the first time there will be a New Year's Eve party at the normally empty Arade Congress Centre in Parchal, Lagoa. The 'Arade Music Fest' aims to attract a variety of audiences with a restaurant area, an electronic music zone, both with a DJ, and a chill out lounge. This one you have to pay for but the fireworks are part of the deal.
For those that prefer to stay indoors, most of the Algarve’s casinos, and top hotel restaurants will have music, special menus and hopefully reasonable prices across the Algarve this New Year.
Plan ahead and do not plan on driving as the traffic police will be 'assisting motorists' as never before with year end targets for fines revenue to meet. The tourist board suggests revellers book their acccommodation now and check hotels for good deals.
Silves area revellers can head down to Jackie O'Gradys 12 Bar for its very own New Year's Eve Party with buffet from 7.00pm and live music from 9.00pm featuring The Quest, Franky B Boy and The Tasmaniac.
