Cheap Christmas Markets in Europe that won’t break the bank

The festive season is just around the corner, and there’s no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by visiting one of Europe’s enchanting markets. These markets are not only magical, but they can also be cheap for travellers looking for an affordable experience without making your wallet wince.

We’ve rounded up the best cheap Christmas markets in Europe and based our picks on these factors:

Affordability

All the markets have low-cost accommodation options, budget-friendly food and drinks on offer, and are accessible via cheap transport options. Whilst you’re there, they can mostly be explored on foot.

Local experience

The markets offer an authentic feel, giving you a real taste of European Christmas traditions.

Accessibility

Each market is easy to reach directly from various UK airports.

Top cheap Christmas markets in Europe

Riga, Latvia

• Dates: 29th November 2024 – 2nd January 2025
• Flights: From £37pp direct from London, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, East Midlands

• What makes it cheap?:

Capital city, Riga, is a hidden gem and the flights are super cheap! It also offers a wide range of budget-friendly accommodation and local food stalls serve traditional Latvian dishes like potato pancakes and sausages at a low price.

• Highlights:

Apparently, Riga is the first place where Christmas trees were decorated, which makes it the perfect location for a Christmas market. According to online reports, this year is going to be better than ever! The market in Doma Square, the heart of the Old Town, is surrounded by historical buildings. The Dome Cathedral towers over the wooden chalets where you can expect to find artisan goods, traditional crafts, and plenty of seasonal food.

• Cheap things to do:

You can enjoy the festive atmosphere by strolling through the markets, visiting the famous Riga Cathedral, and taking a free walking tour to explore the city’s history.

• Budget-friendly travel tip:

Use budget airlines to fly directly to Riga for as low as £37pp return. From the airport, you can take a local bus for under £2 to reach the city centre.

Brussels, Belgium

• Dates: 29th November 2024 – 5th January 2025
• Flights: From £31pp direct from London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester.

• What makes it cheap?:

Accommodation in Brussels can be found at a reasonable rate, and local treats like Belgian waffles and frites are inexpensive. Stick to budget hotels to save money. Our ‘Start your Journey‘ DIY trip planner will help you find great value hotels in good locations, along with cheap flights to get you there. You can search generally for “Christmas Markets” to find the best value destinations from your local airports.

• Highlights:

The Winter Wonders market in Brussels has over 200 stalls, an ice skating rink, and a magnificent Christmas tree in Grand Place. You’ll also find an affordable mix of food, drinks, and handmade gifts.

• Cheap things to do:

Take a walk through the illuminated streets, watch the sound and light show at Grand Place, and explore the city’s historic sites like the Atomium, with free entry for kids under six.

• Budget-friendly travel tip:

When flying into Brussels, check which airport you’re flying into. Charleroi (CRL) is further from the centre so we’d recommend using the Terravision bus for a cheap, quick and easy way to reach the city centre.

Budapest, Hungary

• Dates: 17th November 2024 – 1st January 2025
• Flights: From £35pp direct from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Bristol, Belfast and more.

• What makes it cheap?:

Budapest is one of Europe’s most affordable cities to travel to and a great cheap Christmas market destination. You can find cheap street food such as lángos (deep-fried dough) and goulash, and budget accommodation options are in abundance. Travel is affordable and reliable and it’s a very walkable city if you’d prefer to see it on foot.

• Highlights:

There are a number of markets scattered across the city, but the biggest ones take place in Vörösmarty Square and St Stephen’s Square. The Vörösmarty Square market is one of Budapest’s oldest and most beautiful Christmas markets. The city also has plenty of thermal baths where you can relax after a day of shopping.

• Cheap things to do:

You should definitely take a stroll along the River Danube to see the twinkling Christmas lights, or visit the Buda Castle district for stunning views across the city. There are also plenty of free outdoor concerts to enjoy, too. Budapest has a lot of beautiful architecture – the Gothic Parliament Building and St. Stephen’s Basilica are worth seeing.

• Budget-friendly travel tip:

Book flights early for cheap options. Now is a great time to plan your trip. Use Budapest’s affordable public transport system where single tickets cost just £1. Eat local street style food to fill up without spending too much.

• Visiting with Family?

Check out our blog post on visiting Budapest with Kids.

Copenhagen, Denmark

• Dates: 17th November – 31st December 2024
• Flights: From £31pp direct from Bristol, Manchester, London, Edinburgh, Leeds and more

• What makes it cheap?:

Even though Copenhagen is known for being pricey, you can make your trip affordable by staying in budget-friendly hotels and enjoying the free entertainment in the city. There is so much to explore on foot and many cheap attractions to visit. Read our specific blog post from when we visited Copenhagen last Christmas!

• Highlights:

Copenhagen offers several Christmas markets which you can explore whilst wandering around the city. The Tivoli Gardens market is the largest and most popular but you’ll need to buy the entry ticket to Tivoli to get access to the park and market (approx £18 adults and £9 children – this doesn’t include rides). We talk a little but more about Tivoli in our Copenhagen blog post. The Nyhavn Christmas market is also a must-see. It’s got a cosy harbour setting with beautiful lights and festive stalls, and the Højbro Plads Christmas market is surrounded by historic buildings.

• Cheap things to do:

Strøget Street is one of Europe’s most famous shopping streets and is a must-see during the Christmas season. You can also enjoy free walking tours around the city, and head to the top of Christiansborg Palace for panoramic views. Even though you need to pay to enter Tivoli Gardens, and it isn’t the cheapest day out, it is a great thing to with kids. We discuss the Copenhagen card in our Copenhagen blog, this is a great way to do a lot of things for less.

• Budget-friendly travel tip:

Copenhagen is a very walkable city, and there are bikes available to rent which don’t cost a lot. This is the perfect way to get around and save money on transport.

Gdansk, Poland

• Dates: 24th November – 23rd December 2024
• Flights: From £28pp direct from London, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol, Aberdeen, Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh

• What makes it cheap?:

Poland remains one of the most budget-friendly countries in Europe. Accommodation in Gdansk is affordable, and local dishes such as pierogi (Polish dumplings) and grilled meats are cheap and delicious.

• Highlights:

Gdansk’s Christmas market is situated in the picturesque Old Town, and has a very romantic feel to it. There’s even a spot that’s been set up so lovers can kiss under the mistletoe in the hope of having a long life together! You can expect festive decorations aplenty, handcrafted goods, and local foods. It’s less touristy than other European markets, making it a bit of a hidden gem.

• Cheap things to do:

Visit the stunning Mariacka Street – the only street with a complete row of terraces – which makes for some stunning photos. You can also enjoy the free light displays, and take in the beautiful architecture of the city’s old buildings like St. Mary’s Basilica Tower which is only around £3 to climb (you’ll need to be fit to climb 409 steps! But you’ll be rewarded with an incredible panoramic view of Gdańsk).

• Budget-friendly travel tip:

Take advantage of the city’s cheap public transport with day passes that cost just a few pounds, or simply walk or cycle to most attractions in the Old Town area.

Krakow, Poland

• Dates: November 29th 2024 – January 1st 2025
• Flights From £36pp direct from London, Bournemouth, Glasgow, Belfast, Birmingham, Leeds, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol, Liverpool

• What makes it cheap?:

Like Gdansk, Krakow offers excellent value for accommodation and food – you can get cheap 5* hotels and more importantly beer for a couple of quid. The main market square is full of affordable Polish snacks and treats too.

• Highlights:

The city truly comes alive in December, making it seem as though it was built for Christmas. The main Christmas market is held in Krakow’s stunning medieval square, Rynek Glowny, where you’ll find traditional stalls selling crafts and yummy treats.

• Cheap things to do:

Exploring the Old Town and Jewish Quarter is a great way to spend a day. The square itself is surrounded by pastel-coloured buildings, horse-drawn carriages and the striking town hall which has become symbolic of Krakow. You can’t miss Wawel Castle whose domes and spires tower high above the city (there’s free entry on selected days). You can also enjoy free walking tours, and admire the Christmas lights along Florianska Street.

• Budget-friendly travel tip:

Krakow is a small city so it’s easily walkable on foot. There’s loads to see and do and lots of the activities and sights won’t cost you a penny. You don’t really need to worry about finding ‘budget restaurants’ because they’re all going to feel pretty cheap compared to the UK.

Top tips for a Cheap Christmas Market Trip

• Be an early bird: Book flights and accommodation as early as possible to get the best deals. Don’t worry if you have left things a bit late, you can use our new Christmas Market search tool to help you find the cheapest options for you.
• Enjoy local food and entertainment: At the markets, sample the local delicacies that are often cheaper than international foods or venturing off to eat at a chain restaurant. Look for free events such as concerts or light shows to enjoy festive entertainment without spending a fortune.
• Catch public transport: Many of these cities offer cheap public transport or are small enough to explore on foot, so take advantage of this to save on costs.

Overall

I hope this has given you a good summary of the cheapest Christmas markets in Europe. They are a wonderful way to embrace the festive season without spending a fortune.

Start planning your cheap Christmas market getaway today with our new Christmas market search feature.

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