What do you look for when choosing which Christmas markets to visit when the festive season draws in?
Are you on the hunt for the prettiest twinkling lights? Searching for the best mulled wine? Or perhaps the best budget locations for stocking up on Christmas gifts?
If you’re looking for an alternative market to visit in Europe, there are plenty of options across the continent.
Some are a real bargain – one town even has hotel rooms for £35 and mulled wine for an impressively cheap 86p.
Here are some of the best Christmas market destinations for your festive travels…
Wroclaw, Poland
With direct return UK flights less than £47 and the cheapest accommodation price being £47, this underrated Polish destination makes for an easy getaway.
Christmas market entry is free – and is well worth the money. It’s very reasonably priced, with a mulled wine costing only 15 PLN (£3.08), and is known for its pretty stalls, handmade crafts and delicious food.
The Christmas market in Wroclaw, Poland is one of the best in Europe if you’re looking for excellent value for money
The total trip cost (based on the cheapest options for two nights) here is just £123.
Laura Evans-Fisk, head of digital and engagement at eurochange, says: ‘Our research shows the Christmas market in Wroclaw, Poland is one of the best in Europe if you’re looking for excellent value for money and a truly authentic experience.’
Innsbruck, Austria
Austria’s a popular destination at this time of year, and Innsbruck is no exception.
With chalets offering delicious regional food, fairy lights decorating the medieval alleys and Christmas carols galore, it’s the perfect choice this time of year.
The total trip cost (based on the cheapest options for two nights) for two people would be around £196 – and entry to the Christmas market is free.
Sibiu, Romania
Laura explains: ‘Sibiu in Romania is a close second when it comes to the cheapest Christmas markets in Europe. Here, you can get a mulled wine for just 86p!’
Sibiu is Romania’s most popular Christmas market destination, and locals love this Transalvanian winter celebration
Sibiu is Romania’s most popular Christmas market destination, and locals love this Transylvanian winter celebration, known as ‘The Fair In Sibiu’, which takes place from November 14, 2025 to January 4, 2026.
It’s extremely cheap, too. A cup of mulled wine will cost between five and 10 leu – just 86p.
Tallinn, Estonia
Estonia is an up-and-coming destination with fairytale appeal.
The star attraction? The market Christmas tree, which has been set up every year in the Town Hall Square since 1441, making it the first ever Christmas tree to be put on display in Europe.
This city is also cheap to visit, with warming festive tipples from as little as €1-2 (90p-£1.80) and an average trip cost of £141.
Zagreb, Croata
Next up on the list is Zagreb – more often cited for summer holidays.
If you’re looking for an alternative market to visit in Europe, there are plenty of options across the continent
But it’s particularly special during the festive season, with an epic Christmas market and a rich programme of music and art exhibitions, plus an impressive ice-skating rink in King Tromislav Square.
The total trip cost (based on the cheapest options for two nights) for two people is around £163, making it a well-priced getaway at this time of year.
Strasbourg, France
Finally, this city brings a blend of two cultures both known for making the Christmas period magical – French and German.
It’s a bit pricier than some alternatives, with a total trip cost for two people around £258, but is still a reasonably priced getaway given the time of year.
Known to the French as the ‘capital of Christmas’, Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik is France’s oldest Christmas market, and has been running for four centuries.
Here, you can taste Alsatian delicacies such as Bredele (traditional Christmas biscuits) and Berawecka, a traditional Christmas fruit cake.
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