Europe’s twinkling markets do a splendid job in bringing us some festive cheer, even when we’re feeling the economic pinch. If you can’t resist taking a few days to browse craft stalls and snack on festive treats under fairy lights, take heart from the latest Post Office survey showing the best-value Christmas markets in Europe. Some of the results might surprise you: who, for instance, would have thought Scandinavia could be among the most affordable? Take into account cheaper transport, accommodation and costs of eating and drinking, and you can put these destinations on your Christmas wishlist. Here’s our pick of the most affordable Christmas breaks in Europe.
Main photo: the Christmas market in Gdansk, Poland (Getty Images)
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1. Riga, Latvia
Dates December 3, 2023 to January 8, 2024
Latvia’s capital consistently tops lists of Europe’s most affordable Christmas markets. In Riga’s old town, the handsome Dome Square transforms into Christmas Central, with wooden chalets selling handmade gifts and fragrant mulled wine. Fill up on hearty Latvian sausages and sauerkraut while DJs, choirs and folk musicians perform. Pack your snow boots — the whole scene is even made more charming by the dusting of snow that usually comes in December.
2. Stockholm, Sweden
Dates November 25 to December 23, 2023
With competitive airfares and sterling’s decent showing against the krona, Stockholm is more affordable than you think. For a classic Swedish Christmas, head to Gamla Stan, the old town, where the country’s oldest Christmas market takes over the beautiful square, Stortorget. Take the kids to meet the resident animals in the open-air museum of Skansen, whose Christmas market runs every Friday to Sunday from November 24 to December 17.
3. Zagreb, Croatia
Dates December 2, 2023, to January 7, 2024
You’ll need a big appetite (but not necessarily a big wallet) to get the most out of Zagreb Advent, where more than a dozen markets are spread out across the Croatian capital. Sure, you’ll find plenty of stalls piled high with handicrafts, but food and drink are the stars here. Watch the ice-skaters swirl around King Tomislav Square while you snack on stuffed cabbage rolls and spicy sausages and sip shots of fruit brandy.
4. Prague, Czech Republic
Dates December 2, 2023 to January 6, 2024
A drop in the costs of flights and accommodation has made pretty Prague even more appealing. Breathe in the scent of cinnamon in the magnificent Old Town Square, where brightly decorated food and craft stalls vie for attention between the 15th-century astronomical clock and the gothic Church of Our Lady before Tyn. Save room for chunky sausages and svarak, the spicy, citrusy Czech version of mulled wine.
5. Gdansk, Poland
Dates November 24 to December 23, 2023
Gdansk’s Targ Weglowy square becomes a winter wonderland during its Christmas Fair, which gets more popular every year as people take advantage of low-cost flights to Poland’s Baltic port city. Once you’ve checked out the wooden chalets selling handmade gifts, head to the food court for a global culinary tour — but one that, naturally, includes pierogi. There’s a theme for every day of the week, including karaoke on Wednesdays.
6. Budapest, Hungary
Dates November 17, 2023 to January 1, 2024
Wallet-friendly Budapest spoils visitors with several markets round the city, but the two biggest and glossiest are in the heart of the city. Head to Vorosmarty Square for traditional Hungarian gifts and rib-sticking food — with plenty of tables where you can enjoy your wintry feasts. Then wander over to the glittering market in front of illuminated St Stephen’s Basilica and take a turn round the ice-skating rink that wraps itself around a giant Christmas tree.
7. Lille, France
Dates November 22 to December 30, 2023
A quick jaunt across the Channel — by LeShuttle, ferry or Eurostar — and you’re in northern France’s liveliest festive market. Nearly 90 wooden chalets turn Lille’s Place Rihour into the Village de Noël with a pleasing mixture of stalls selling gifts and moreish food and drink, including seriously gooey cheese and warming mulled wine. Over in Grand Place, visit Santa’s grotto and take a ride on the giant wheel for views of the city.
8. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Dates December 1, 2023 to January 2, 2024
There’s more than a hint of the fairy-tale town in Ljubljana at all times of the year, let alone at yuletide in Slovenia’s budget-friendly capital. Shop at food and craft stalls in Presernov Square, set up beside Ljubljana’s distinctive triple bridge, and take the cute little funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for another Christmas fair in a magical setting. You’ll be serenaded by free concerts throughout December.
9. Krakow, Poland
Dates November 24 to January 1, 2024
It’s hard not to fall in love at first sight with Krakow’s main square, Rynek Glowny, especially when it puts on its Christmas sparkle. Here in the largest medieval square in Europe, dominated by the enormous Renaissance Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), you can buy trinkets, toys, decorations and other gifts under glittering lights. Eating well on a budget is easy in Krakow, and the festive market is no exception. Fill up on Polish sausages, pork knuckle and thick soups to go with shots of vodka and glasses of mulled wine or honey-flavoured mulled beer.
10. Berlin, Germany
Dates various from November 3, 2023, to January 7, 2024
Berlin has more than 100 Christmas markets scattered around the city and suburbs at various periods from November until early January, so you’re more than spoilt for choice. Sporty types can pay only £2 to whoosh down the 12m (40ft) toboggan run in Potsdamer Platz’s Winter World and take in views of the Brandenburg Gate. For good old-fashioned fun, ride the ferris wheel and other traditional rides at the Christmas market at Alexanderplatz, where, as with all the other markets, you can fill up on bratwurst, gingerbread and glühwein while doing your Christmas shopping. For pure majesty, it’s hard to beat the Christmas market in front of Charlottenburg Palace.
11. Salzburg, Austria
Dates November 23, 2023 to January 1, 2024
Affordable flights to Mozart’s home town add even more lustre to Salzburg’s allure. In the stately atmosphere of the 16th-century Residenzplatz is one of Europe’s oldest Advent markets, with more than 100 wooden chalets selling gifts, hot punch and delicious Austrian street food. Inevitably you’ll hear Silent Night, as Salzburg is where the carol was written more than a century ago, but turn up on a Tuesday from 6pm to 8pm and you can join in a mass carol singalong.
12. Wroclaw, Poland
Dates November 24, 2023 to January 7, 2024
Along with low-cost flights and well-priced city-centre accommodation, Wroclaw has one of the loveliest medieval squares in Europe as well as one of Poland’s best Christmas markets. Surrounded by the splendour of gothic, Renaissance and art nouveau architecture — and spilling out into the cobbled side streets — wooden market stalls tempt you with hand-knitted accessories, amber jewellery and other high-quality gifts. Then there’s the food — bowls of bigos stew, pierogi, sausages and a local speciality of smoked sheep’s cheese with cranberries. Mulled wine here comes in a shoe-shaped mug you’ll want to keep as a souvenir.
