If you pass through Munich, Cologne and Salzburg, the best value Christmas market breaks are in the Baltic states and as you head deeper into Central and Eastern Europe.
Christmas markets may have originated in Germany and Austria in the late Middle Ages, but today they are all over the continent, and when it comes to cheap festive delights, they include countries such as Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and the Czech Republic.
That’s the conclusion of Post Office Travel Money’s 2024 Christmas Markets Barometer, with Slovakia’s capital Bratislava topping the list of bargain breaks. A two-night break is estimated to cost £511 for two people with travel, hotels and food – just £255.50 per person.
And with the possibility of getting gifts at a good price, a getaway before Christmas is even more tempting. So here we focus on the best Post Office Travel Money Christmas market options on a budget.
GOODIES IN BRATISLAVA
The festivities are celebrated in the center of Slovakia’s capital on the main square and Hviezdoslavovo Square, with stalls selling wooden toys, handmade jewelry, candles, ornaments and colorful enameled items. Enjoy a glass of ‘medovina’ (a honey-infused liqueur served hot) and indulge in ‘ciganska pecenka’, a pork or chicken roll with mustard and onion.
There’s ice skating, live music, Nutcracker performances, and even a fairy-lit tram known as the Christmas Express (rides are free).
WHEN: Since November 21.
CHEAP FLIGHT: Stansted returns from £44 (ryanair.com).
ECONOMIC STAY: Doubles from £105 at the Crowne Plaza, opposite the Presidential Palace (ihg.com).
Europe’s best value Christmas market breaks revealed in annual report, with Bratislava topping the list
VILNIUS ON THE ICE
The stalls are spread across three squares in the center of the Lithuanian capital, with an ice rink and two giant Christmas trees whose branches are dressed in lights every year: the result is like works of art.
This Christmas market has a cozy and traditional atmosphere, not at all crowded with crowds.
Expect antique sweet stalls, mulled wine, craft stalls and a splendid nativity scene near the cathedral, which last year featured a live camel.
Vilnius, Lithuania, is the second cheapest destination for a holiday getaway. Above, Vilnius Christmas market on Cathedral Square
WHEN: Since November 29.
CHEAP FLIGHT: Stansted returns from £45 (ryanair.com).
ECONOMIC STAY: Doubles from £92 at the central Artagonist hotel (artagonista.lt).
ROASTED ALMONDS IN RIGA
Above, festive stalls in Doma Square in Riga, the capital of Latvia.
A cozy getaway for two to Riga costs around £546, according to new research (file image)
Located on Doma Square, the Christmas market in Latvia’s capital is a place to feast on gingerbread, toasted almonds, smoked sausages, piragi (torpedo-shaped buns filled with chopped bacon and onion) and boiled gray peas. , which may not sound appetizing but are believed to bring good luck for the coming year. Stalls sell finely carved candlesticks, honey, woolen gloves, teddy bears, amber jewelry and much more. There is a brilliant ‘Bunny Kingdom’ full of rabbits for children.
WHEN: Since November 29.
CHEAP FLIGHT: Stansted or Manchester to Riga from £49 return (ryanair.com).
ECONOMIC STAY: Doubles from £98 B&B in luxurious Pullman Riga Old Town (todo.accor.com).
TRADITIONAL GDANSK
In Gdansk, next to the Baltic Sea, a Christmas market has been held since the 17th century, attended by two “market mascots”, Mr. and Mrs. Orzechowski, dressed in ancient soldiers’ costumes and parading among the street stalls cobblestones of the old city.
Shop amber jewelry, traditional toys, knitted sweaters and wooden crafts. Hot beer is popular, as is currywurst, pierogi (small dumplings) and oscypek, Polish mountain cheese wrapped in bacon and served with cranberries.
WHEN: Since November 22.
CHEAP FLIGHT: Luton returns from £53 (wizzair.com); Manchester returns from £66 (ryanair.com).
ECONOMIC STAY: Doubles from £61 at trendy Radisson RED Gdansk (radisson.com hotels).
CAROLS IN PRAGUE
Get ready for Christmas: Prague is one of the holiday destinations where it is said that your money stretches the furthest. Above, stalls fill the city’s Old Town Square.
Stalls fill Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square selling Christmas tree decorations, candles, wooden toys, puppets, dolls, hats and leather gloves.
The meal is a great treat with ‘klobasa’ (grilled sausages), smoked meat balls, carp soup, pancakes and flatbreads with cheese and garlic. Carol services with traditional dancing are held (from 4 to 7 p.m.) and classical music concerts.
Christmas decoration painting workshops are held for children. There is an outdoor ice rink.
WHEN: Starting November 30.
CHEAP FLIGHT: Luton returns from £68 (wizzair.com); Manchester returns from £58 and Edinburgh returns from £86 (ryanair.com).
ECONOMIC STAY: Double rooms from £87 B&B at central Gradnior Hotel Prague (hotel-grandior.cz).
HUNGARY FOR GOULASH
Above, the Christmas market in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest, Hungary
Budapest enjoys no less than six Christmas markets, the two main ones in St. Stephen’s Basilica and Vörösmarty Square.
Wooden stalls selling crafts are dotted among kiosks serving hearty plates of goulash stew alongside mulled wine and ‘kürtoskalács’ (also known as ‘chimney cakes’ with baked dough twisted into a cylindrical shape and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon). .
There are ice rinks, Christmas trees and choral performances. Local specialties include sheepskin mittens, hand-embroidered tablecloths and pottery.
WHEN: Since November 15.
CHEAP FLIGHT: Luton returns from £47 (wizzair.com); Liverpool returns from £34 (ryanair.com).
ECONOMIC STAY: Double rooms from £82 at comfortable Novotel Budapest Centrum (todo.accor.com).