Cheapest Christmas markets in Europe revealed – with £2 mulled wine & £20 flights
WHILE Christmas market getaways are popular among Brit holidaymakers, finding somewhere affordable can be a little tricky.
Thankfully, one Christmas market has been named the best value in Europe.
Recent research from No1 Currency, a team of travel money experts, has revealed the best-value-for-money Christmas Markets to visit in the world.
While Budapest in Hungary took the crown, largely thanks to its cheap and cheerful accommodation, several other European cities, with cheaper treats, also made the cut.
Prague’s Christmas market came in second place, making it one of Europe’s cheapest.
The winter breaks were ranked based on factors like accommodation, flights, and the cost of food and drink.
According to the research, the average price of a room for two people came in at £187, based on two people sharing a room.
Food and drink at the Christmas market is cheap too, with a glass of mulled wine costing as little as £1.77.
The research also listed the price of return flights as £92.50 per person, but there are cheaper options too.
Both Ryanair and Jet2 operate direct flights from the UK to Prague, with a one-way ticket costing £20 in December.
Every winter, the centre of Prague hosts a Christmas market in the Old Town Square.
But Prague is home to several smaller markets too, including one in Republic Square and another in Na Kampě Square by the Charles Bridge in Lesser Town.
Each of Prague’s markets is packed with wooden stalls selling traditional delicacies, such as barbecued sausages (klobása) and smoked meat dumplings.
There will also be stalls serving treats like mulled wine (svařák) as well as plenty of Czech beers.
Other activities include the tree-lighting ceremony, which takes place at 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm, 8:30pm, and 9:30pm every day, and carol singing.
Younger holidaymakers might even be able to catch a glimpse of the market’s mascot, Mikulas, and his companions, the angel and the devil, in the Old Town Square.
For an extra special day, holidaymakers should consider visiting on December 5 (St. Nicholas Day), which represents the start of Christmas for Czech people.
The Christmas market will be open from December 2, 2023, and last until January 6, 2024.
Several other Christmas markets in Europe were also named as some of the best-value for Brits, including Cologne in Germany, Helsinki in Finland, and Copenhagen in Denmark.
Simon Phillips, Managing Director at No1 Currency, commented: “For Britons seeking some early Christmas cheer, a getaway to a foreign city holding a Christmas Market is hard to beat, and the Pound’s steady rise compared to many overseas currencies means several destinations have become better value since last year.
“Wherever you choose to drink in the sights and sounds of Christmas, remember that while credit cards can travel far, only cash is guaranteed to be accepted everywhere – and won’t leave you at risk of facing extra charges while abroad.”
For those holidaymakers who don’t fancy heading abroad to visit a Christmas market, then you’ll be relieved to know that there are some great festive attractions in the UK.
One of those is The Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham, which is said to be the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany.
Meanwhile, this travel writer thinks their hometown has the best Christmas attraction in the UK.