Fairytale city named cheapest for Christmas market break with £20 flights from UK

The festive season is made all the more magical by the scent of spiced mulled wine and wooden cabins brimming with unique gifts at Christmas markets. One such market in Europe has been hailed as the most affordable for a winter escape.

Europe boasts a plethora of countries offering spectacular Christmas markets, nestled within their charming towns against mountainous backdrops that could easily be mistaken for a scene from a Hallmark film. However, these picturesque locations can often carry a hefty price tag, especially during the festive period, but this doesn’t mean we have to forego our dream of a European winter wonderland.

Riga, the capital of Latvia, offers the enchantment of Christmas at a bargain price, with direct flights starting from £20.

The city, famed for its pedestrian-only medieval Old Town and Art Nouveau architecture, provides everything you could desire for a festive winter getaway.

The main attraction during this time of year is the delightful and traditional Riga Christmas Market in Dome Square.

It’s teeming with stalls and boasts a vibrant food scene featuring winter street-food dishes and Latvian cuisine.

Visitors can also enjoy warming mulled wines and festive cocktails while perusing the stalls of local Latvian artisans, reports the Mirror.

Riga might just be the perfect destination for some Christmas shopping inspiration, offering a variety of handcrafted gifts such as beeswax candles, gingerbread, socks, wool gloves, and creative kits to create wreaths, wall decor and acrylic dishes.

The Riga Christmas Market, which runs from November 28 to January 4, adds to the festive atmosphere with a DJ every Friday, choirs and music ensembles performing on Saturdays and folk music on Sundays.

Known as the ‘Art Nouveau capital of Europe’, Riga is a captivating city with its charming, colourful homes lining the streets and a vibrant cultural scene.

It’s packed with shops and cosy restaurants offering a traditional taste of Latvia, not to mention the bustling Livu Square, home to numerous bars and nightclubs.

One of the most appealing aspects of this European city is its affordability. According to the annual Post Office Christmas Markets Barometer, Riga is one of the most affordable European destinations for a two-night weekend Christmas market experience, in stark contrast to Copenhagen and Vienna, which are ranked among the priciest.

The Post Office has provided an estimate of how much you’re likely to spend in Riga during a two-night break for two during the Christmas market season, and it certainly offers good value for money.

They revealed the following prices:

• Four cups of coffee from a cafe or bar = £11.49
• Two three-course meals for two (including a bottle of wine) = £132.89
• Two return bus/train transfers from the airport to the city centre = £7.18
• Four glasses of mulled wine, punch or Glühwein at the Christmas market £14.37
• Four pieces of cake/gingerbread/stollen at Christmas market £12.57

The Post Office has revealed that a two-night stay in a B&B in Riga, including direct flights or Eurostar for two, would set you back £377.

With all expenses considered, a weekend getaway for two in Riga would total £555.50, or £277.75 per person.

This is a stark contrast to a similar trip to Copenhagen in Denmark, which was estimated to cost £1,056.55 for the same amenities.

Or a two-night trip to Vienna in Austria, which would cost £926.41.

Direct return weekend flights from London Stansted to Riga start from around £87 per person, and mid-week return flights can be found from around £45. Flights from Leeds to Riga are available for as little as £20, with returns costing around £42.

Moreover, direct flights from Manchester start from around £25, or £45 for a return flight. You can also fly from East Midlands Airport (EMA), near Nottingham, to Riga from £22, or spend around £45 on a direct return.

You can check the best flights on the Skyscanner website here.

Laura Plunkett, head of Travel Money at Post Office, said: “A short break to one of Europe’s colourful Christmas Markets is an attractive holiday option at this time of year.

“However, sterling’s drop in value is an important factor for travellers to consider before booking a trip, as it varies between currencies.

“The pound’s fall against the euro is smaller than against other European currencies – five per cent compared with 10.6% against the Hungarian forint and 10.9% against the Swedish kronor.

“The cost of flights and accommodation will also have a significant impact on overall costs so it is doubly important for holidaymakers planning a trip to do their homework to factor in how sterling’s value, flight and hotel capacity and meal costs will affect overall costs. Budget-conscious travellers stand to save hundreds of pounds if they choose carefully.”