- Mr Plane Guy
- Sep 26
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 30
The Best Christmas Markets You Can Visit on a Weekend Break
By Flight, Travel & Glühwein Expert Mr Plane Guy
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this blog running (and fuels my habit of buying overpriced airport lattes at the airport). Thanks for your support!
Christmas markets are one of Europe’s most magical traditions, twinkling lights, steaming mugs of glühwein, wooden chalets filled with ornaments, and the smell of roasted chestnuts in the air. The best part? You don’t need two weeks of annual leave to enjoy them. With cheap flights, trains, and clever use of points, you can visit some of Europe’s top Christmas markets in just a weekend break.
In this guide, I’ll share the best short breaks for Christmas markets you can do from the UK and across Europe, plus my top hacks for cheap flights, quick itineraries, and earning Avios along the way.
Why Weekend Breaks Are Perfect for Christmas Markets
Unlike a beach holiday where you want endless days to relax, Christmas markets are made for short trips. Most markets are compact, the city centres are walkable, and you can soak up the festive vibes in just 48 hours.
Compact itineraries – see the best of the city in 1–2 days.
Cheap weekend flights – budget airlines and Avios redemptions make it affordable.
Perfect timing – markets usually run late November through December, so you can slot in a quick trip before Christmas.
Top Christmas Markets for a Weekend Break
Here are my favourites that work perfectly for a Friday-to-Sunday trip (or even a quick overnight).
1. Edinburgh – A Scottish Winter Wonderland
Few places do Christmas like Edinburgh. The historic streets, the castle lit up against the night sky, and a sprawling Christmas market in Princes Street Gardens, it’s a festive hit.
Why it’s great for a weekend:
Short flight from London (1h 20m) or direct trains from most UK cities.
The market is right in the city centre, you don’t waste time getting around.
Avios Hack:
Book with 4,750 Avios + £17.50 (Reward Flight Saver). A great use of points when cash fares surge in December.
Must-dos:
Mulled cider in the Scottish Market section.
Ride the big wheel for epic views of the city lights.
Pop into local pubs when the weather gets frosty.
I managed to book a flight to Edinburgh from London Luton for a tenner! My train to Luton Aiport was £25! Trip.com have some seriously amazing fares check them out!
🌟 Planning your Christmas market trip? Grab the best deals here.
2. Brussels – A Short Hop Packed with Markets
Brussels might surprise you: its Winter Wonders festival spreads across multiple
squares, with skating rinks, light shows, and one of the most beautiful Christmas trees in Europe at Grand Place.
Why it’s great for a weekend:
London to Brussels flights take under 1 hour.
Eurostar is a brilliant option, just over 2 hours from London St Pancras.
You can walk the entire market circuit in a day.
Avios Hack:
Fly BA or Iberia with Avios from 4,750 + £17.50.
Or book Eurostar with Nectar points if you’re Avios-poor.
Must-dos:
Grab Belgian waffles fresh from a stall.
Visit the light show at Grand Place after dark.
Warm up with Belgian hot chocolate (or beer).
3. Bruges, A Fairytale Christmas Break
Bruges is one of the prettiest Christmas market settings in Europe medieval squares, canals, and a perfectly sized market in Markt Square. It’s like stepping into a snow globe.
Why it’s great for a weekend:
Combine it with Brussels: Eurostar to Brussels, then just a 1-hour train to Bruges.
You don’t need a car the town is walkable.
Avios Hack:
Use Avios to fly to Brussels, then hop the train.
Earn points on your hotel stay I recommend booking via BA Hotels or Hotels.com Rewards.
Must-dos:
Ice rink at the Markt.
Climb the Belfry tower for festive views.
Try Belgian fries with mayo (a Bruges essential).
🎄 Make the most of the season with these special Christmas offers, click here.
4. Ghent – Underrated and Affordable
Ghent is Brussels’ cooler, less touristy cousin and its Christmas market is growing every year. With medieval buildings lit up in fairy lights, it’s stunning at night.
Why it’s great for a weekend:
Combine with Brussels/Bruges easily by train.
Hotels and food are often cheaper than Bruges.
Avios Hack:
Same play: Avios flight to Brussels + onward train.
Or book a cheap low-cost flight to Brussels South (Charleroi).
Must-dos:
Ferris wheel at Sint-Baafsplein.
Try jenever (a Belgian spirit) at a Christmas hut.
Wander the canals for less crowded vibes than Bruges.
Travel Hacks for a Weekend Christmas Market Trip
Here’s where you save time and money:
1. Fly Friday evening, return Sunday night
Maximise your time without extra holiday days.
Use Avios for Friday/Sunday flights when cash is highest.
2. Pack light and skip the luggage fees
A backpack fits under the seat on Ryanair/EasyJet.
Bonus: no waiting at baggage claim = more time for glühwein.
3. Book hotels with free cancellation
December weather and strikes can be unpredictable.
Booking with BA Hotels or Hotels.com lets you earn Avios/Rewards + stay flexible.
4. Use public transport passes
Brussels: buy a 24/48h STIB pass for unlimited trams/metro.
Edinburgh: everything is walkable or a cheap bus ride.
5. Eat at the market for budget-friendly meals
Market food is part of the experience and cheaper than restaurants.
Think sausages in Cologne, tartiflette in Brussels, or raclette in Bruges.
How to Earn Avios on Weekend Breaks
Even if you don’t redeem Avios for flights, you can still earn them while you travel:
Flights – credit even low-cost airlines to BA via partners.
Hotels – book through BA Hotels or with an Avios-earning credit card.
Dining – use an Avios-linked card at restaurants abroad.
Shopping – yes, some stalls accept cards. Pay with your Avios-earning credit card and collect while you buy ornaments.
👉 See my 2025 Avios Maximisation Guide for detailed tips.
Sample Itineraries: Two Markets in One Weekend
One of the best hacks for a Christmas market weekend is combining two cities in one trip. Thanks to cheap flights, trains, and buses, you can pack in double the festive magic without doubling the budget.
Vienna + Bratislava – only 1 hour apart by train or boat down the Danube! Do Vienna’s grand Christmas markets on Friday/Saturday, then hop to Bratislava on Sunday for a cosier, less touristy vibe.
Geneva + Strasbourg – fly into Geneva (often cheap from London with EasyJet/BA Avios), enjoy the lakeside markets, then train to Strasbourg for one of Europe’s most famous and traditional markets.
Berlin + Dresden – Berlin has dozens of unique Christmas markets, and just 2 hours away, Dresden hosts Germany’s oldest market (the Striezelmarkt). Perfect for a cultural + festive double hit.
Munich + Nuremberg – Munich’s Marienplatz market is iconic, but Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is world-famous. Just 1 hour by train connects them.
Brussels + Bruges (or Ghent) – the Belgian classic: Eurostar into Brussels, then train-hop to Bruges or Ghent. Compact, easy, and very festive.
My Gdansk + Riga Hack – Last year, I visited the Gdansk Christmas Market, then grabbed a late-night Ryanair flight to Riga for around £20. I spent one night exploring Riga’s magical Christmas market (seriously underrated and beautifully traditional) and then flew home to Stansted on a cheap return. It was seamless, affordable, and honestly one of the best festive trips I’ve ever done. Sometimes the spontaneous, budget-friendly hops make the most memorable weekends!
Warm up with mulled wine and these great festive savings see them here.
Final Boarding Call
Weekend trips to Christmas markets are the perfect festive short break. They’re quick, affordable, and packed with holiday magic. With a bit of planning and some Avios hacks you can enjoy mulled wine in Edinburgh one weekend and Belgian waffles in Bruges the next, all without breaking the bank.
So grab a Friday flight, keep your bag light, and head to Europe’s most festive cities this December.
Looking for a smart way to manage travel spending?
Don’t miss out on amazing festive offers check them out here.
Airport Lounge Access: Start Your Holiday in Style
Complimentary drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
Tasty snacks to keep you going
Wi-Fi to catch up on emails or browse before your flight
Comfortable seating to unwind before takeoff
If you love starting your holiday with a touch of luxury, this alone might make the upgrade worthwhile.
Want airport lounge access but at a reduced fee? I got you!
Priority Pass is the world's largest independent airport VIP lounge access program, with over 1,700+ lounges in over 600 cities across 148 countries! From just £69 for an annual pass.
The lovely people from priority Pass have offered me a 30% discount code making it just £48! Be quick this won't last long!! Use my link below.
Take a Look Here ( I get a tiny kickback BTW, thank you for the support )
TOP TIP: If two of you are travelling, just get one Priority Pass and the two of you will get into lounges at reduced fee's all year!
Plan Your Airport Parking: Booking in advance can make your journey more seamless.
Follow me on Instagram for the latest lounge reviews, PLANE tips, and PLANE deals.
Travel Tip: Get one of these phone holder clips and watch something on your phone hands free, it clips on to economy seats perfectly! They are so cheap and will really transform your economy flight experience!
My phone bill was last month was £92 after just 2 days in Cologne! I forgot to take out an eSim! Don't make my mistake and take out an eSim before your next flight!
👉 Next reads:
Related Articles:
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London Airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading The Best Christmas Markets You Can Visit on a Weekend Break.
Follow My YouTube Channel Here
Comments