Perusing the market stalls for gifts and indulging in mulled wine, hot chocolate, bratwurst and gingerbread is a long-cherished tradition on the continent but is starting to become a staple of the festive season in this country too.
Prices at the most popular Christmas markets can be on the steep side, and flights to those destinations in the run up to Christmas aren’t cheap either – but there are also bargains out there if you know where to look. The great news is there are still lots of incredible Christmas markets you can reach with a direct flight from Manchester Airport for under £80pp* return – thanks to the hub’s enviable network of more than 200 destinations worldwide.
Here we run the rule over some seasonal escapes that won’t break the bank.
7. Zurich
Fly with easyJet from £79pp return Zurich Christmas market runs from 20 November – 23 December With the snow-capped peaks of the Alps in the distance and medieval German architecture, Zurich is a picture-perfect setting for a Christmas market – and what sets it apart is that it hosts several pretty large but distinct markets in different locations around the city. The largest is actually indoors, in the grounds of the city’s main train station – one of the largest in Europe. Here you’ll find Swiss treats like raclette and mulled wine, and a giant Christmas tree. Swiss Airlines and easyJet both fly to Zurich from Manchester. Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images