With the festive season fast approaching, the cost of gifts, parties, and celebrations can quickly mount up, making the idea of a Christmas getaway seem financially out of reach. However, new research has uncovered a selection of European gems where Brits can enjoy a magical festive break without draining their savings.
Revealing Europe's Most Affordable Festive Destinations
Financial technology company SumUp has conducted comprehensive research to identify the best value European holidays for the Christmas period. The analysis carefully considered several key cost factors, including the price of return flights from London, average hotel accommodation, and the cost of a pint of beer and a meal.
Topping the list as the number one budget-friendly destination is Poznan in Poland. A charming and often overlooked alternative to Krakow, Poznan offers a classic Christmas market experience in its picturesque Old Market Square. The research found flights from London for around £52, with a hotel night averaging just £30.40. With beer priced from £2.49, SumUp estimates the total average trip cost to be approximately £126.60.
Sun, Sea and Savings in the Runner-Ups
In second place is the coastal city of Sarande, Albania. This sunny retreat offers incredible travel bargains, with flights costing around £30 and average hotel stays at £48.64 per night. While a meal may average £45.27, you can enjoy a pint for just £2.28. Visitors can explore a festive market brimming with local goods and crafts.
Claiming the third spot is Metz, France. A flight to this French city averages £52.64, with hotel rooms at about £51.68 per night and a pint costing £3.52. The city's Christmas spirit is spread across five different squares, each hosting its own festive market.
Fourth place goes to Craiova, Romania, which boasts the cheapest pint on the list at an average of just £1.92. Accommodation is a bargain at £29.64 per night, though flights are slightly higher at around £95.
The Full List of Budget-Friendly Festive Cities
The complete ranking of the top 10 most affordable European Christmas market breaks is as follows:
- Poznan, Poland
- Sarande, Albania
- Metz, France
- Craiova, Romania
- Trier, Germany
- Dresden, Germany
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Riga, Latvia
- Budapest, Hungary
- Valkenburg, The Netherlands
Notably, Trier in Germany ranked fifth with a total average trip cost of £167.14, while another German city, Dresden, took sixth place. Prague secured the seventh position, with the Hungarian capital Budapest in ninth and Valkenburg in the Netherlands rounding out the list in tenth place.
This research provides a welcome guide for Brits seeking to experience the magic of a European Christmas market without the financial stress, proving that a festive escape can be both memorable and affordable.
