Vilnius has been crowned Europe's cheapest city for a Christmas market break. Post Office Travel Money's annual Christmas Market Barometer ranked the Lithuanian capital top among 15 European destinations, with a two-night trip for two people costing just £509, including return flights, accommodation, meals and festive refreshments.
The study found Riga, Latvia's capital, ranked second at £555, while Copenhagen proved most expensive at £1,056.55. Berlin climbed from 11th to 8th place after flight and accommodation costs dropped 22 percent. Flights to Vilnius from London start from £19.99 with Ryanair, making the Baltic city increasingly accessible for budget-conscious travelers.
Advice for travelers
Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at Post Office, highlighted the impact of currency fluctuations on travel budgets: «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 because this varies between currencies.»
She added: «Budget-conscious travellers stand to save hundreds of pounds if they choose carefully.» The pound has fallen five percent against the euro, compared to larger drops against other European currencies.
Vilnius offers more than just low prices. The city blends Baroque architecture with a growing food scene, Unesco-listed Old Town, and vibrant cultural attractions. Lithuania, which declared independence from the USSR in March 1990 as the first Soviet country to do so, now ranks top in World Happiness for under-30s. The city's tourism board markets it as the 'G-spot of Europe' – "amazing, but nobody knows where it is."
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
