Christmas holidays come in all snowy shapes and sparkly sizes, with everything from a ski trip in the mountains to a sunny escape from the winter. But for those of us who would rather be thrown straight into festivities, a city break to some Christmas markets is the perfect way to go.
A new study conducted by Christmas Tree World has looked into where the cheapest Christmas market city breaks are in Europe, by researching the average prices of three and four-star hotels.
Ranking as the cheapest city for a three-star stay is Poznań in Poland, where a hotel costs around €65 (£56, $70). And with its beautiful Renaissance-style buildings and status as the musical capital of Poland, it sure does make a lovely setting for a festive (and budget-friendly) getaway.
The market here is nestled right by the train station, and is home to the city’s only outdoor ice rink. This year, it’s open for festivities until December 23.
However, it’s Tallinn which claims the top spot for the cheapest four-star stays. With an average nightly price of €93 (£80, $101), this Estonian capital is a great option to live it up for a little price.
Tallinn, known for its walled Old City and mediaeval history, is Estonia's hub for culture – and they certainly know how to do Christmas. The market runs throughout December and a massive tree towers over the cobbled square.
The Lithuanian capital of Vilnius also makes both lists, with a three-star stay averaging at €74 (£64, $80) per night, and a four-star costing around €96 (£83, $105). The Baroque architecture makes a great backdrop for their Christmas market, which runs until New Year’s Day.
Poland is the country with the most entries, as Poznań and Wroclaw have made it onto both lists.
Here are the top five cheapest three-star Christmas market city breaks
Here are the top five cheapest four-star Christmas market city breaks
- Talinn, Estonia
- Poznań, Poland
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- Wroclaw, Poland
- Brno, Czech Republic
Looking for more festive travel inspiration? Check out our own guide to Europe’s best Christmas markets or discover the best places to visit at Christmas around the world.
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