Prague is known for it’s traditional Christmas markets and beautiful architecture, and it’s cheap pints(Image: Wowcher)
Tis the season, and to get you in to the Christmas spirit you may fancy heading on a European city break that is filled with traditional markets and mulled wine. However, the prices of absolutely everything are rising and this includes flights, hotels and of course pints.
Pints can sometimes set us back around £8 or maybe even more than that, but new research from SumUp has revealed which European cities hosting Christmas markets are the most wallet-friendly. They’ve taken in to account the different factors including the cost of flights, accommodation, and most importantly, the beer.
The cities included in the study were selected from The Independent’s list of European Christmas markets, excluding any markets not located in major cities. When making their decision they factored in the cheapest flights from London, average price of a pint, average price of a soft drink, average cost of a meal, and average expenditure for a night in a hotel. You can find more of our travel recommendations here.
With all of this in mind, you’ll never guess which city comes out on top. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here
The lesser-known city Poznan in Poland has clinched the top spot.
Poznan, not as well-known internationally as their neighbours Warsaw and Krakow, could be an excellent choice for your festive weekend break this year, thanks to its relatively low costs and traditional Christmas market offering.
Flights from London start at £52, while a one-night stay is as little as £30.40, and a pint will set you back £2.49- what more could you want? To get in the Christmas spirit, the city hosts an annual market in the Old Market Square, perfect for festive celebrations.
Poznan in Poland
Hot on its heels in second place is Sarande, Albania, another lesser known city proving to be another budget-friendly option. It boasts flights from just £30 and hotels average £48.64 a night. Visitors can order a pint in a restaurant for a mere £2.28, with an average meal cost coming in at £40.23.
Metz, which hosts one of the largest Christmas markets in France, ranks third and remains a budget-friendly option with flights starting from £31 and hotel stays averaging around £51.68, although a pint is slightly pricier at £3.52.
Other cities that made it to the top 10 most affordable European Christmas market breaks include Craiova in Romania, Budapest in Hungary, Dresden and Trier in Germany, Valkenburg in the Netherlands, Riga in Latvia and Prague in Czechia.
In fact, Wowcher are offering trips to Prague which include flights and a hotel from £109. The prices range based on the date and airport you fly from. The airport options include London Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Manchester, Bristol or Edinburgh and you can choose from a two night stay to a four night stay.
Prague is a beautiful city, especially when it gets closer to Christmas and is lit up with decorations to celebrate the holiday. It’s nicknamed “the City of a Hundred Spires” thanks to it’s beautiful architecture which makes it look like somewhere straight out of a fairy tale.
The capital of Czechia is full of colourful baroque buildings, and stunning gothic churches and is the perfect place to get away this winter. They are known for their Christmas market, which opens in late November and combines traditional European elements, delicious food and plenty of mulled wine.
Not only that, but there is plenty to do in the capital, including walking across the Charles Bridge, admiring Prague’s castle, exploring the Old Town Square and discovering local bars and restaurants.