The ‘most beautiful’ Christmas market in Europe is in England

The festive lights are on, the weather is chilly, the mulled wine is out and we’re all planning our trip to the Instagrammable Christmas markets.

Luckily, the best Christmas markets in Europe are in England, and not in London.

Edinburgh has taken the crown, beating out the likes of Vienna and Prague, for it’s stunning backdrops of Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street Gardens.

But if you don’t fancy staying in the UK, the cheapest European Christmas market to visit is in Bratislava, Slovakia, just two hours from London – more on that later.

The Edinburgh market stalls officially opened on November 15 and will be open until January 4, with many fairground rides, ice skating, a Polar Ice Bar and festive food offerings.

Research by Solopress found that the Scottish capital’s Christmas market had 2,738 TikTok posts and 55,304 Instagram hashtags, earning an overall score of 9.11 out of 10 – more than any other European Christmas market. Although, London’s Winter Wonderland followed in second place.

Other offerings at the Edinburgh Christmas market include the Christmas Tree Maze which opens on November 23, the ferris wheel and Santa’s grotto where children can meet themselves together with the elves.

It won’t be cheap to get to from the capital, with a return ticket to Edinburgh costing more than £150, so you’ll also want to prepare your accommodation before spending money on festive items.

But, as I said, if you want to make your Christmas market trip a mini-break instead of a staycation without breaking the bank, then we’ve got you covered too…

Europe’s cheapest Christmas market for a mini break

For the cheapest European Christmas market trip, look no further than Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava.

Known for its cobblestone streets, sculptures and beer culture, Bratislava is found to be the cheapest price for a two-night package holiday for two people from 14 European countries, just £510 for the trip.

Research by Post Office Travel Money takes into account the cost of return flights, transfers, bed and breakfast accommodation, meals and food purchased at markets.

The Bratislava Christmas Market has been held every year since 1993 from the end of November to December 23rd. In the main square you can find traditional food and drinks, as well as handmade Slovak gifts and a giant Christmas tree next to a stage with live music. played.

It also has an ice skating rink and there is also a chance of snow in December if you want a white Christmas experience.

Practically connected to Bratislava is Vilnius, Lithuania, which will cost £511 to travel to the Christmas market there.

Although more than 2,000km away, this medieval city is less than three hours from London by plane, with flight prices starting at £42 – cheaper than a UK train ticket, where the fare is one-way from London to London. Manchester will give you £60 back in Christmas week.

Prague, the site of the popular Christmas market will cost £606 for a trip to drink mulled wine and buy some festive goods. The market is open there on November 30 and until January 26, including on Christmas Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

The main Christmas market there is held in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, which includes festively decorated wooden huts, filled with handmade gifts including ceramics, jewelry, toys, and Christmas tree ornaments.

Food offerings include large grilled ham, grilled sausages, dumplings and spicy gingerbread. Of course there is also beer.

Budapest ranks sixth most affordable at £639, just behind Prague, while the popular Krakow ranks eighth and will cost £678 for a round trip to Poland.

The Krakow Christmas Market is just a two-hour flight from the UK airport and a 25-minute taxi ride from the airport to Krakow’s Main Square Rynek Główny, where the market is held.

You can marvel among the market stalls in one of Europe’s largest medieval squares with St Mary’s basilica in the background. While there is a possibility that it will snow in Krakow in December, it is obviously not guaranteed, so go there for mulled wine and not the weather.

Another popular market that costs almost twice as much as Bratislava, is Vienna. A round trip to see the festivities there will cost you an eye-watering £950.

The Austrian Christmas market is an old tradition, but in fact, it dates back to 1296. Covered in festive lights is the Vienna Dream Christmas market in front of the City Hall, and there is a craft workshop for children where they can learn how to make. make cookies or candles.

There is also the Belvedere Palace Christmas Village, which offers 40 stalls selling food, gifts and Christmas decorations. The same offer is also available in the Christmas Village at Maria Theresien Square, so choose or explore all three.

Round out the list and take the crown for the most expensive Christmas Market mini-break is Copenhagen. The Danish capital proved to be a little on the expensive side for a short festive trip, setting you back about £989.

So where will you be enjoying Christmas?

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Get in touch via email at MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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