The best value Christmas markets in Europe for British customers have been revealed, with popular hotspots such as Berlin, Vienna and Budapest making the cut.
However it is Riga that has been judged the best bargain choice for a European shopping trip this festive period, taking the top spot in new research by the Post Office.
The firm's 'barometer' compared costs in 12 European cities with those in 2019 - and Riga had one of the smallest increases.
The city's total of £507 for two people was calculated by combining the costs of return flights, two nights’ three-star accommodation, airport transfers, two evening meals with wine, coffee, festive drinks and snacks at the Christmas Market.
The capital city has two main festive markets, with the more established Old Riga Christmas Market home to an enchanting ensemble of wooden huts, glittering lights, and a large central tree.
The Advent Market is the other big offering, selling visitors all sorts of designer decorations made of silver, amber and sea stones, as well warm clothes accessories, designer clothes for children and adults.
Coming close to Riga in offering holidaying Brits a bargain, Croatia’s capital city, Zagreb, was runner up in the barometer with a total of £541.
Zagreb's Advent Christmas Market has cemented itself among Europe's finest in recent times, having been judged the best on the Continent three years in a row.
Rows of fir trees twinkling with lights shine beneath the twin peaks of the Cathedral of the Assumption.
Third place in the rankings went to Poland’s Krakow (£649) - which meant Eastern European destinations filled the podium.
Krakow - which was also recently named the cheapest European city for Brits - hosts a famous Christmas market in Rynek Glowny, the 13th-century square in the centre of the Old Town. Add in the medieval buildings, impressive cathedrals and delicious food, and it's no surprise that it's already long been a firm favourite with those after a cheap and cheerful festive break.
While price increases in the top three stayed below 5%, Brits heading to other cities will face higher costs than 2019 levels.
Prices in Tallinn (£684), which took fourth place, rose by 29%, while they were up by over a third (34.4 per cent) in Copenhagen, where the overall cost of £881 made it the 11th most expensive city surveyed.
Lille was again best value among the cities surveyed in Western Europe.
At £725, the French city came fifth in the survey despite a rise of 26% in barometer costs. It is also the closest to the UK with an 82-minute train journey from London.
You can check out the full rankings below...
Best value European Christmas Markets
The rankings were determined based on costs of visiting a Christmas market abroad, compared to pre-pandemic levels.
This includes return flights, accommodation, transfers, evening meals and some snacks at the Christmas market itself.
- Riga +2.2%
- Zagreb +3.5%
- Krakow +4.9%
- Stockholm +18.0%
- Vienna +18.6%
- Budapest +19.3%
- Prague +19.5%
- Berlin +23.1%
- Lille +26.0%
- Tallinn +29.0%
- Copenhagen +34.4%
Nick Boden, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: “Our research reflects the concern that people have about living costs but also shows that their solution is more likely to be cost cutting rather than jettisoning holiday plans.
“Short breaks are a practical way to holiday abroad for a lower cost and at this time of year Christmas Markets are a real attraction.
"Although prices have risen across the board since we last conducted the survey, the scale of those increases varies significantly from city to city 4.
"This means budget-conscious Britons who do their holiday homework can potentially save hundreds of pounds by picking a city like Riga where costs are low.”
