Move over Munich, Cologne and Salzburg, the best-value Christmas market breaks are to be found in the Baltic states and as you move deeper into Central and Eastern Europe.
Christmas markets may have originated in Germany and Austria in the late middle ages, but these days they’re all over the continent and for cheap festive treats the likes of Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and the Czech Republic lead the way.
That’s the finding of Post Office Travel Money’s Christmas Markets Barometer 2024, with Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, topping the bargain break list. A two-night getaway is estimated to cost from £511 for two people with travel, hotels and food – a mere £255.50 per person.
And with the chance to pick up good-value presents, a pre-Christmas escape is even more enticing. So here we focus on Post Office Travel Money’s top Christmas market picks on a budget.
BAUBLES IN BRATISLAVA
Festivities in Slovakia’s capital centre on the Main Square and Hviezdoslavovo Square, with stalls selling wooden toys, handmade jewellery, candles, baubles and colourful enamelware. Enjoy a glass of ‘medovina’ (a honey-infused spirit served warm) and tuck into ‘ciganska pecenka’, a pork or chicken roll with mustard and onions.
There’s ice-skating, live music, performances of the Nutcracker and even a tram illuminated with fairy lights known as the Christmas Express (rides are free).
WHEN: From November 21.
CHEAP FLIGHT: Stansted returns from £44 (ryanair.com).
BUDGET STAY: Doubles from £105 at the Crowne Plaza, opposite the Presidential Palace (ihg.com).
The best-value Christmas market breaks in Europe have been revealed in an annual report, with Bratislava topping the list
VILNIUS ON ICE
Stalls are spread out across three squares in the centre of Lithuania’s capital, with an ice rink and two giant Christmas trees over which great care is taken dressing the branches with lights each year – the results are like works of art.
This Christmas market enjoys a cosy, traditional feel, not at all overrun with crowds.
Expect old-fashioned sweet stalls, mulled wine, arts and crafts stalls and a splendid nativity scene near the cathedral, which featured a live camel last year.
Vilnius, Lithuania, is the second-cheapest destination for a festive getaway. Above, Vilnius’ Christmas market in Cathedral Square
WHEN: From November 29.
CHEAP FLIGHT: Stansted returns from £45 (ryanair.com).
BUDGET STAY: Doubles from £92 at the central Artagonist hotel (artagonist.lt).
ROASTED ALMONDS IN RIGA
Above, festive stalls set out in Doma Square in Riga, Latvia’s capital
A cosy break for two people to Riga costs around £546, according to new research (file image)
Set in Doma Square, the Christmas market in Latvia’s capital is a place to feast on gingerbread, roasted almonds, smoked sausages, ‘piragi’ (torpedo-shaped rolls filled with chopped bacon and onion), and boiled grey peas – which may not sound appetising but are believed to bring good luck for the year ahead. Stalls sell finely carved candlesticks, honey, woollen mittens, teddy bears, amber jewellery and much else. There’s a brilliant ‘Bunny Kingdom’ full of rabbits for kids.
WHEN: From November 29.
CHEAP FLIGHT: Stansted or Manchester to Riga from £49 return (ryanair.com).
BUDGET STAY: Doubles from £98 B&B at the plush Pullman Riga Old Town (all.accor.com).
TRADITIONAL GDANSK
Up by the Baltic Sea, Gdansk has held a Christmas market since the 17th century – attended by two ‘market mascots’, Mr and Mrs Orzechowski, dressed in old-fashioned soldier costumes and who parade among the stalls in the cobbled streets of the old town.
Pick up amber jewellery, traditional toys, knitted jumpers, and wooden handicrafts. Mulled beer is popular, as is currywurst, ‘pierogi’ (little dumplings), and ‘oscypek’, Polish mountain cheese wrapped in bacon and served with cranberries.
WHEN: From November 22.
CHEAP FLIGHT: Luton returns from £53 (wizzair.com); Manchester returns from £66 (ryanair.com).
BUDGET STAY: Doubles from £61 at the modern Radisson RED Gdansk (radissonhotels.com).
CAROLS IN PRAGUE
Get set for Christmas: Prague is one of the festive destinations where your money is said to stretch furthest. Above, stalls fill the city’s Old Town Square
Stalls fill the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square selling Christmas tree ornaments, candles, wooden toys, puppets, dolls, hats and leather gloves.
Food is a big treat with ‘klobasa’ (barbecued sausages), smoked meat dumplings, carp soup, pancakes and garlicy cheese flatbreads. Carol services with traditional dancing (4pm to 7pm) are held as well as classical music concerts.
Christmas decoration painting workshops are held for kids. There’s an open-air ice rink.
WHEN: From November 30.
CHEAP FLIGHT: Luton returns from £68 (wizzair.com); Manchester returns from £58 and Edinburgh returns from £86 (ryanair.com).
BUDGET STAY: Doubles from £87 B&B at the 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 fewer than six Christmas markets, the main two being by St Stephen Basilica and in Vörösmarty Square.
Wooden stalls selling arts and crafts are dotted between kiosks serving hearty bowls of goulash stew along with mulled wine and ‘kürtoskalács’ (also known as ‘chimney cakes’ with baked dough twisted into a cylindric shape and sprinkled with sugar and cinammon).
There are ice rinks, Christmas trees and choral performances. Local specialities include sheepskin mittens, hand-embroidered tablecloths and pottery.
WHEN: From November 15.
CHEAP FLIGHT: Luton returns from £47 (wizzair.com); Liverpool returns from £34 (ryanair.com).
BUDGET STAY: Doubles from £82 at the comfortable Novotel Budapest Centrum (all.accor.com).
