There’s no two ways about it: Christmas is an expensive time of year. With presents to buy, stockings to fill, and plenty of food to feast on, it can be tricky to find any spare change to spend on yourself. But Christmas markets are a great opportunity to kill two, or even three, birds with one stone – while also taking a well-deserved trip.
Spend a weekend soaking up seasonal cheer while you weave through stalls creaking with expertly crafted gifts and steaming hot vats of mulled wine and tick off items from your festive to-do list. Of course, you can find some of the most magical markets at home – London’s Christmas markets are some of the very best, whether you want a twinkling riverside stroll or are heading out on a gift-gathering mission. Beyond the capital, the UK is home to charming Christmas markets , from Edinburgh to Manchester and Bath.
But there’s something special about going on a Christmas break abroad – hopping on a plane or train to find yourself at an enchanting market in a new land. And if you can do it affordably, even better. The Post Office has reliably provided travellers with surveys and studies of the cheapest places to go on holiday.
From 2024’s cheapest destination in the world to the cheapest long-haul holiday destinations , the reports analyse the likes of exchange rates, the cost of eating out, the price of popular tourist attractions or the cost of a cup of coffee. Now, they’ve turned their attention to the best affordable Christ.