Intimate Christmas market crowned ‘best in Europe for 2023’ is in one of the cheapest cities
THE best Christmas market in Europe has been revealed – and you’ve probably never heard of it.
For the last 12 years, Budapest has hosted an intimate Christmas market called Advent Bazilika.
The tiny Christmas market takes place in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica in the Hungarian capital.
Advent Bazilika has been crowned Europe’s Best Christmas market by the travel website European Best Destinations.
They based their rankings after they received votes from more than 300,000 travellers across the globe.
The Hungarian Christmas market has bagged the top spot for the last three years thanks to its warmth and charm.
They said: “It is without doubt one of the most beautiful Christmas fairs in Europe.”
At this year’s market, visitors can expect to find hundreds of wooden stalls selling handmade gifts and local delicacies like Langos (a fried flatbread) and goulash (a warm soup).
The small Christmas market also has ice skating rink, and festive lights are projected onto the outside of the cathedral.
The Christmas market will be open from November 24, 2023, to December 31, 2023.
While the Christmas market is free to enter, visitors will need to pay for any purchases they make at market stalls.
And it isn’t just travel experts who’ve praised the little-known Christmas market, holidaymakers have been raving about it too.
In a review on TripAdvisor, one person wrote: “This market is small but perfectly formed with a good selection of stalls of craft goods and food outlets.”
While a second added: “This Advent market had more Christmas feeling and a more pleasant atmosphere than the Christmas Fair at Vörösmarty square.
“Although the range of food and traditional Christmas decorations was the same as at Vörösmarty, it felt much nicer and more cosy.”
Advent Bazilika isn’t the only Christmas market in Budapest, there are several others too, including the Christmas Market at Vörösmarty Square.
Vörösmarty Square Christmas market is situated right in the heart of the city and will also sell handmade gifts and traditional food.
There will also be a small festive train that the market’s youngest visitors can ride for free.
Ryanair operates direct flights from the UK to Budapest in the winter months.
Flight prices start at £20 for a one-way ticket, with journey times taking two hours and 20 minutes.
Hotels in the city are extremely affordable in November and December too.
Sun Online Travel have found an overnight stay at the Park Inn By Radisson Budapest, a four-star hotel, from £50 per person.
There are also cheaper deals to be had too, with a bed inside a hostel dorm room costing as little as £15 per person.
For those holidaymakers who don’t fancy heading abroad to visit a Christmas market, then you’ll be relieved to know that there are some great festive attractions in the UK.
One of those is The Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham, which is said to be the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany.
Meanwhile, this travel writer thinks their hometown has the best Christmas attraction in the UK.
And, here are ten of the best Christmas market cruises from the UK this winter.