NOTHING screams Christmas like the smell of roasted chestnuts, sizzling sausages, and hot mulled wine floating through the air.
Europe’s legendary Christmas markets are preparing for the festive season – and now is the best time to lock in a cheap getaway.
Whether you want to eat gooey Raclette cheese under the Eiffel Tower, gorge on cheap chimney cakes in Prague, or visit a quiet, snowy Venice, we’ve found the very best package deals to get you there for less.
Here is our ultimate guide to Europe’s best festive city breaks, with flights and hotels from just £84pp.
Paris – from £124
Paris is magical enough in winter, with the Eiffel Tower twinkling, cosy bakeries with warm bread and pastries, and plenty of chic cafes for a tasty hot chocolate.
But if you visit from November 12, you can go rooftop skating at Galeries Lafayette, or browse the near-350 Swiss-style chalet stalls at La Defense Christmas Market.
This is the largest Christmas market in the region, offering massive food tents packed with oozing Raclette cheese, mulled wine and chocolatey crepes, plus plenty of handmade souvenirs and even regular DJ sets.
This £124pp Wowcher offer puts you up in a stylish Parisian hotel for two nights, just a 15-minute walk from La Defense, and bundles in return flights from London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester or Edinburgh.
Budapest – from £84
If you want a fairytale festive break, book in a trip to Budapest from mid-November onwards.
The Hungarian capital doesn’t just do one Christmas market – it practically turns the entire downtown area into a glowing winter wonderland.
The two heavy hitters you have to visit are Vorosmarty Square market, packed with around 100 stalls selling handmade Hungarian gifts, and the Advent Bazilika market, with a skating rink, 3D lights show and more right beneath the basilica.
This £84 Wowcher deal includes a stay at your pick of two four-star hotels (the Carlton Hotel Buda Castle or Gold Hotel Budapest) plus return flights from London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester or Edinburgh.
Brussels – from £140
On the Beach doesn’t only offer fly and flop hols – you can actually get cheap Christmas Market deals on there too, like this Brussels break.
The popular Winter Wonders event takes place in the city centre, with over 200 glowing wooden chalets serving melted chocolate and mulled wine, plus a massive Ferris wheel and ice rink.
Wrap up the chilly nights by thawing out in a cosy local tavern with a Trappist beer, local beers brewed under the supervision of monks.
On the Beach offer a two-night break at the Jam Hotel, a swanky spot that blends industrial decor with warm rugs and cosy fires, from £140pp with return flights.
Riga – from £129
Underrated Riga in Latvia sees a maze of cobbled Old Town streets light up at Christmas, overlooked by towering Gothic churches and pastel-coloured buildings that look magical under a thick blanket of snow.
The main event, Riga Christmas Market, takes place in the Dome Square under Riga Cathedral. To warm up, chow down on hot smoked sausages or sip on a steaming cup of hot cranberry juice.
Unlike the mass-produced, samey bits you find at some popular markets, the stalls here are packed with genuine Latvian crafts, like thick woollen mittens, carved wooden sculptures and beeswax candles.
This £129pp Loveholidays offer includes your return flights plus a two-night stay at the gorgeous Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel, a homely spot with cosy sloping ceilings, exposed brick and wooden beams.
Prague – from £114
With its towering, needle-like spires and busy market squares, the Czech capital is breathtaking in the winter.
Under the Prague Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square, you’ll find wooden huts selling pretty glass ornaments, handmade wooden toys and more, all surrounding a gigantic Christmas tree.
With food famously cheaper than spots in Western Europe, you can fill up on spit-roasted meats, sugary chimney cakes and dirt-cheap mugs of hot honey wine.
This £114pp Wowcher offer includes a two-night stay at the four-star Deminka Palace, plus return flights from London, Bristol, Manchester or Edinburgh.
Krakow – from £110
Krakow is a popular winter city break for good reason, with magical horse-drawn carriages, medieval architecture and an epic Christmas market.
Browse stalls with amber jewellery and hand-painted ornaments, and enjoy mulled wine poured straight from giant wooden barrels.
As for food, go for some sizzling-hot dumplings and some crispy oscypek, which is smoked cheese with cranberry formed into a diamond that looks more like a pretty bauble than something you can eat.
This £110 On the Beach deal includes your flights plus a two-night stay at modern hotel and bar Metropolo By Golden Tulip.
Venice – from £84
Christmas may just be one of the best times to visit Venice, with peaceful gondola rides and smaller Christmas markets where you won’t get caught up in crowds.
St Mark’s Square glows with twinkling lights, while the main Christmas market in Campo Santo Stefano sells unique Carnival masks, jewellery, ceramics and more.
Of course, you cant’ leave without gorging on a tall slice of fluffy Panettone – make sure to wash it down with a rich Italian hot chocolate.
This £84pp Wowcher deal includes a two-night stay at Hotel Al Vivit, plus return flights from London, Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh.
Christmas Market Mystery Holiday – from £94
If you just can’t pick where to go, try a Christmas Market Mystery Holiday. For £94, you could land anywhere from Vienna all the way to New York.
Some stays even come with special experiences, like Santa Village visits in Lapland, glass igloo stays in Finland and a Northern Lights-themed stay in Iceland.
Other destinations you could land include Helsinki, Toronto, Nice, Amsterdam and Chicago.
The Christmas Market Mystery Holiday ticket currently costs £94, saving £5 on full price.
Prices correct at the time of publication.