Move over Munich: Europe’s cheapest Christmas market is revealed – and it’s the Baltic states that are leading the way
Travel across Munich, Cologne and Salzburg; the cheapest Christmas market holidays can 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 today they can be found all over the continent and for cheap festive treats, countries such as Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and the Czech Republic are leading the way.
That is the conclusion of Post Office Travel Money’s Christmas Markets Barometer 2024, with Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, at the top of the bargain list. A two-night getaway is estimated to cost £511 for two people, including travel, hotels and food – just £255.50 per person.
And with the chance to pick up good value gifts, a pre-Christmas getaway is even more appealing. So here we focus on Post Office Travel Money’s best Christmas market picks on a budget.
trinkets in BRATISLAVA
Festivities in the capital of Slovakia on the Main Square and Hviezdoslavovo Square, with stalls selling wooden toys, handmade jewelry, candles, baubles and colorful enamelware. Enjoy a glass of ‘medovina’ (a honey-infused spirit served hot) and enjoy ‘ciganska pecenka’, a pork or chicken sandwich with mustard and onions.
There’s ice skating, live music, performances of the Nutcracker and even a tram lit up with Christmas lights known as the Christmas Express (rides are free).
WHEN: From November 21st.
CHEAP FLIGHT: Stansted returns from £44 (ryanair.com).
BUDGET STAY: Doubles from £105 at the Crowne Plaza, opposite the Presidential Palace (ihg.com).
The cheapest Christmas market holidays in Europe have been revealed in an annual report, with Bratislava topping the list
VILNIUS ON ICE
The stalls are spread across three squares in the center of the Lithuanian capital, with an ice rink and two giant Christmas trees, where every year great care is taken to dress the branches with lights – the results are like works of art.
This Christmas market has a cozy, traditional atmosphere and is not overrun with crowds at all.
Expect old-fashioned sweet stalls, mulled wine, arts and crafts stalls and a beautiful nativity scene near the cathedral, which featured a live camel last year.
Vilnius, Lithuania, is the second cheapest destination for a festive getaway. Above, the Vilnius Christmas market on 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 are festive stalls on Doma Square in Riga, the capital of Latvia
A fun getaway for two to Riga will cost around £546, according to new research (file image)
The Christmas market in Latvia’s capital, located on Doma Square, is a place to feast on gingerbread, roasted almonds, smoked sausage, ‘piragi’ (torpedo-shaped rolls filled with minced bacon and onion) and boiled gray peas – which might not be that’s what it sounds like. tasty, but it is believed that they bring good luck for the coming year. Stalls sell finely carved candlesticks, honey, woolen mittens, teddy bears, amber jewelry and much more. There is a beautiful ‘Bunny Kingdom’ full of rabbits for children.
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 luxurious Pullman Riga Old Town (all.accor.com).
TRADITIONAL GDANSK
On 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 parading among the stalls in the cobbled streets of the old village.
Collect amber jewelry, traditional toys, knitted sweaters and wooden crafts. Mulled wine is popular, as are currywurst, ‘pierogi’ (small 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 ready for Christmas: Prague is one of the festive destinations where your money will go the furthest. At the top, stalls fill the city’s Old Town Square
On Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square there are stalls selling Christmas tree decorations, candles, wooden toys, dolls, dolls, hats and leather gloves.
Food is a big treat with ‘klobasa’ (grilled sausages), smoked meat dumplings, carp soup, pancakes and garlic cheese flatbreads. Carol services with traditional dancing (4:00 PM to 7:00 PM) are held as well as classical music concerts.
Christmas decoration painting workshops for children are held. There is an outdoor ice skating rink.
WHEN: From November 30th.
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 has no fewer than six Christmas markets, the most important of which are at St. Stephen’s Basilica and on Vörösmarty Square.
Between kiosks are wooden stalls selling arts and crafts, serving hearty bowls of goulash stew along with mulled wine and ‘kürtoskalács’ (also called ‘chimney cakes’, where fried dough is twisted into a cylindrical shape and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon).
There are ice skating rinks, Christmas trees and choir performances. Local specialties include sheepskin mittens, hand-embroidered tablecloths and pottery.
WHEN: From November 15th.
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).
