Europe’s cheapest Christmas markets to visit this winter – with bargain meals and festive drinks
THE Slovakian capital of Bratislava is this year’s bargain choice for Christmas market lovers.
The historic — and underrated — destination tops the Post Office Travel Money’s Christmas Markets barometer of value destinations which was released this week as the festive showcases get under way across Europe.
Featuring in the report for the first time, Bratislava’s combination of the lowest-priced two-night package and value food and drink make it the cheapest of the 14 cities surveyed for the report — and almost half the price of Copenhagen, the most expensive.
The report looked at prices for two people, including return flights, two nights’ 3H or 4H accommodation, airport transfers, two evening meals with wine and coffee, and drinks and snacks at the Christmas market.
Bratislava came in at £510 in total, compared to £989 in Copenhagen.
Eastern Euro-pean cities con-tinue to offer the best value for bargain hunters, taking nine of the top ten places.
Lithuanian capital Vilnius, another newcomer to the report, was just a tad more expensive than Bratislava, with a two-night Christmas market stay from £511.
It also emerged as the cheapest for meals, drinks and airport transfers.
Completing the top three is Polish city Gdansk, at £596. Prices for the city on the Baltic coast are 12 per cent lower than popular Polish city Krakow.
The latter’s barometer total of £678 is 20 per cent lower than it was a year ago, thanks to a combination of lower meal prices and better flight availability bringing down cost.
Last year’s report saw a lack of flights increase costs, but this year prices are back to 2022 levels.
Despite the strength of sterling, which has made the Pound better value against all the currencies for cities featured in the 2024 report, prices for a two-night Christmas market break have fallen in only three of the 11 cities that were also featured in the 2023 report.
Barometer costs have dropped 5.3 per cent in Czech Republic capital Prague to £606, and by 10.4 per cent in Hungarian capital Budapest to £639, helping these cities rise to fifth and sixth in this year’s chart.
Prague also boasts the lowest meal prices, with two three-course feasts for two with wine costing £131.75 compared with £133.82 in Vilnius and £134.07 in Budapest. Meals cost twice as much in Copenhagen, at £263.16.
Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at the Post Office, said: “Sterling has risen in value against European currencies, which means you will have more cash to spend while away.
“However, the price variations revealed by the latest barometer show just how important it is to check prices and factor in all the costs.
“While emerging cities such as Bratislava and Vilnius offer outstanding value, Prague and Budapest are also great options for bargain hunters because of the price falls we found in these more established favourites.”
Get lokse in Slovak city
A CHRISTMAS tree lighting ceremony in the Main Square kicks off Bratislava’s month-long festive build-up on November 22.
Stalls serve a variety of traditional food, drinks and homemade crafts, including colourful enamelware dishes, decorations and wooden toys.
Hearty food options include lokse, a potato pancake stuffed with fillings such as duck fat or sauerkraut as well as sweet treats like jam.
Other popular street foods include ciganska – marinated grilled pork or chicken served in a bun with onions and mustard – as well as medovniky honey cookies.
Warm up with mulled wine or grog, a hot and heady combination of rum, water, sugar and lemon.
A second market in Hviezdoslav Square features an ice-skating rink.
Not to be missed is a climb to Bratislava Castle – adorned with lights and decorations over the festive period – which offers views over the city and the Danube River. You can also enjoy a river cruise with food and entertainment.
Gothic St Martin’s Cathedral hosts special holiday services and concerts.
Or why not climb aboard the free Christmas Express?
The lit-up tram is decorated in festive colours and features carol singers around a fireplace inside. And you don’t need a ticket to ride it.