THERE’S an award-winning Christmas market in Europe where Brits could see snowfall -and it has its own 600-year-old tradition.
Every year, the capital city of Estonia hosts an intimate Christmas market in the heart of the city.
Getty – ContributorTallinn Christmas Market was previously crowned Best Christmas Market by the travel website European Best Destinations[/caption]
AlamyThe wooden market stalls sell a selection of homemade gifts, including woolen mittens, sweaters, and wooden ornaments[/caption]
Tallinn Christmas Market was previously crowned Best Christmas Market by the travel website European Best Destinations.
They based their rankings on votes from more than 200,000 travellers across the globe.
Tallinn Christmas Market bagged the top spot in 2019, with European Best Destinations writing: “The Tallinn Christmas market delights everyone with its cosiness, historical location, wonderfully preserved medieval old buildings, and long traditions.”
Set in the heart of Tallinn, in Town Hall Square, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its main feature is a giant Christmas tree, which is often described as the “star of the market.”
It was first placed in the square in 1441, making it the first Christmas tree to be put on display in Europe.
While the market gets a new tree every year, the tradition has lasted for nearly 600 years.
There are other smaller trees dotted around the market too, while wooden stalls are covered in twinkling lights and other decorations.
The wooden market stalls sell a selection of homemade gifts, including woollen mittens, sweaters, and wooden ornaments.
Local delicacies such as black pudding and sour cabbage are also sold at the market, as well as other treats like gingerbread and mulled wine.
Among the rides and other attractions, there’s also a merry-go-round and a miniature train for younger holidaymakers.
Children will be able to see Father Christmas too, who doubles as a multilingual host and performer on the weekend stages.
There’s also a Christmas Jazz festival and an art exhibition dedicated to gingerbread called Gingerbread Mania.
The Christmas market will be open from December 1, 2023, to January 7, 2024.
While the Christmas market is free to enter, visitors will need to pay for rides and any purchases they make at market stalls.
The intimate Christmas market has also received positive reviews online.
One person wrote on TripAdvisor: “The market is beautiful and it is very atmospheric.”
Another person added: “It’s a very happening place, and it’s also a good spot to people watch.”
Wizz Air operates direct flights from London to Tallinn in the winter months.
Flight prices start at £33 for a one-way ticket, with journey times taking two hours and 55 minutes.
Hotels in the city are extremely affordable in December too.
Sun Online Travel have found an overnight stay at the Citybox Tallinn City Center, a three-star hotel, from £25 per person per night.
Tallinn is cheap on the back balance in other ways too, with Brit holidaymakers being able to live off just £18 per day.
YouTubers and Travel influencers Jack and Gab Explore posted a video where they demonstrated how far their £18 budget could stretch.
The travelling couple spent €1 (90p) on their breakfasts at a bakery in the heart of Tallinn’s old town.
For lunch, they headed to Lido, a chain restaurant set inside a supermarket in Tallinn, a buffet spread cost them €8.50 (£7.39) each.
Despite keeping to a strict budget for their breakfast and lunch, the couple bought supermarket groceries and made themselves dinner at their Airbnb.
While it is possible to live off £18 per day in Tallinn, Brit holidaymakers might need a larger budget to eat out for every meal and pay for other activities.
There’s also another perk when it comes to visiting Tallinn in December.
According to Visit Tallinn, a tourism board, it’s very common for the city to see snowfall between November and March.
There are plenty of other unusual Christmas markets across Europe, including Kerststad Valkenburg, which is set in a series of underground caves.
Meanwhile, part of Leiden’s Christmas Market is floating on a canal in the Netherlands.
The Christmas market spans across the entire town, but its most unique feature is its floating ice rink.
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.
The Christmas market will be open from December 1, 2023, to January 7, 2024Alamy
AlamyWizz Air operates direct flights from London to Tallinn in the winter months[/caption]