New Year on the Costa Dorada: a family break to welcome 2027
Nobody’s agreed on dinner yet, but the family group chat has already moved on to the annual question: “What are we doing for New Year?”
This year, you could make a few days of it. Rent a house or apartment on Spain’s Costa Dorada, cook dinner together and stay long enough to enjoy more than the countdown.
If you’re packing your bags, you might as well leave time for a walk by the sea, a leisurely lunch and a few mornings without an alarm.
Somewhere the whole family can settle in
When you’re staying together, the practical details matter. The bedroom layout, enough bathrooms and a dining table that seats everyone can make more of a difference than a spectacular terrace in the photographs.
Before booking, think about how you’ll spend your time. Will you cook New Year’s Eve dinner at home? Are you bringing young children? Does anyone need to avoid stairs?
Choose somewhere you’ll enjoy spending time indoors as well as somewhere in the right location. In December, the sitting room and dining area will get plenty of use.
An apartment may be just right for a smaller family. If grandparents, parents and children are all coming along, a house or villa may give you more room. Check the layout and maximum occupancy of each property before deciding.
Things to do over New Year on the Costa Dorada
New Year’s Eve dinner is only part of the trip. There are also the days either side, and you don’t need a packed itinerary to enjoy them.
Salou: a live nativity and Christmas market
During the festive season, Salou’s Masia Catalana hosts a live nativity and a Christmas market. You can watch performers bring the nativity scenes to life, then browse the market stalls together.
Combine your visit with a walk through Salou or along the Jaume I promenade beside Llevant beach.
Check the dates and performance times before setting off. The live nativity takes place at set times, so it isn’t something you can drop into whenever you like.
And bring a coat. A December break by the Mediterranean still calls for a few warm layers.
Cambrils: a morning around the harbour
Cambrils harbour is a good place for an easy morning out. Take a walk along the waterfront, explore the surrounding area and head back when you’re ready for lunch.
If you’re staying for a few days, you can visit Salou one day and Cambrils another. There’s no need to squeeze everything into a single outing.
La Pineda: a nativity scene made from sand
In La Pineda, sand is part of the Christmas celebrations too. The Pessebre de Sorra is a nativity scene sculpted entirely from sand, with figures and intricate details worth taking a closer look at.
If you’re visiting with children, expect at least one “How did they make that?”
There’s a craft market alongside it, where you can browse the stalls and perhaps pick up a gift. Afterwards, head down to the seafront for a stroll without getting back in the car.
Check the dates for both the sand nativity and the market before visiting, particularly if you’re travelling towards the end of the festive season.
What to check before booking your New Year accommodation
Before choosing a holiday home for New Year’s Eve, take a look at:
- Sleeping arrangements. How many bedrooms are there, and do any of the advertised beds include a sofa bed?
- Heating. Find out what heating is provided and which rooms it covers.
- The kitchen and dining space. If you’re cooking a special dinner, check that you’ll have the equipment you need and enough room to eat together.
- Bathrooms and accessibility. These deserve particular attention when several generations are travelling together.
- Booking conditions. Check arrival and departure times, cancellation terms and the house rules.
A pool in the photographs doesn’t mean it will be open or heated in December. If it matters to your stay, check before booking.
If you’re planning to have visitors over, ask about that too. The property’s occupancy limit and rules on noise and visitors still apply over New Year.
New Year’s Eve dinner without a whole day in the kitchen
Dinner can get complicated before anyone has even picked up a pan. One person suggests fish, someone else doesn’t eat it, and before you know it, you’re discussing a seven-course menu.
For a holiday, a simpler meal and a little planning usually work well. Agree on what you’ll cook, what you can prepare ahead and who’s doing the shopping.
Check shop opening hours over the public holidays too. It’s much easier than heading out at the last minute for the one ingredient everyone forgot.
If you’d like to join in with the Spanish tradition, have twelve grapes ready for each person at midnight: one for each chime of the clock.
And put breakfast for New Year’s Day on the shopping list. It’s easy to remember the fizz and forget the tea bags.
Give yourself time to find the right place
If you need a particular number of bedrooms, are travelling with children or have a specific area in mind, looking ahead gives you more time to compare your options.
You don’t necessarily need the biggest house. You need somewhere everyone can sleep comfortably, with space to cook, eat and spend time together.
At Planet Costa Dorada, you can browse apartments, houses and villas in Salou, Cambrils and La Pineda. Enter your dates and the number of guests to check availability, then look through the details of each property.
Find your New Year holiday accommodation on the Costa Dorada
Not sure which property would suit your family? Get in touch and tell us how many people are coming and what you need.
We’ll leave you to settle who’s cooking dinner.