Alpine Christmas market with mulled wine for under £3 ranked the best in Europe

Elsewhere in the list, which puts the spotlight on the lesser-known markets where festive cheer comes without the crowds or the high price tags, Innsbruck in Austria has commanded a dominant position thanks to its cinematic setting and wide-range of entertainment which includes the dulcet tones of brass bands play carols. Salzburg delivers the ultimate Christmas setting, with festive stalls tucked between baroque landmarks creating one of Europe’s most charming winter atmospheres.

The UNESCO-listed old town in Lübeck, Germany, also ranks highly, with regional foods and drinks like marzipan punch recommended by experts, while Ljubljana in Slovenia is recommended thanks to its picture-perfect riverside market which glows with fairy lights reflected in the river. Visitors can enjoy a glass of vin kuhan (mulled wine) for around £3, tuck into local Kranjska sausages, and could even see the ‘Granpa Frost’ procession with Santa Claus taking to a carriage pulled by real Lippizianer horses.

1. Aosta, Italy / Marché Vert Noël: – Mulled wine from £2.55, sausage from £4.25, flights from £23.99, holidays from £219, high chance of snow
2. Innsbruck, Austria / Old Town – Mulled wine from £3.80, sausage from £4.25 flights from £35.99 holidays from £279, high chance of snow
3. Lübeck, Germany / Hanseatic Markets – Mulled wine from £3.40, sausage from £3.40, flights from £47.99, holidays from £219, moderate–high chance of snow
4. Salzburg, Austria – Christkindlmarkt – Mulled wine from £3.40, sausage from £4.25, flights from £31.99, holidays from £239, high chance of snow
5. Grenoble, France / Place Victor Hugo Market – Mulled wine from £2.55, sausage from £3.40, flights from £26.99, holidays from £209, moderate–high chance of snow
6. Naples, Italy / Pietrarsa Railway Museum – Mulled wine from £2.50, sausage from £3.00, flights from £20.99, holidays from £229, low chance of snow
7. Ljubljana, Slovenia / Festive December – Mulled wine from £3.00, sausage from £5.50, flights from £54.99, holidays from £229, low–moderate chance of snow
8. Toulouse, France / Capitole Market – Mulled wine from £2.55, sausage from £4.25, flights from £26.99, holidays from £219, low chance of snow
9. Verona, Italy / Piazza Bra – Mulled wine from £2.55, sausage from £4.25, flights from £23.99, holidays from £249, low–moderate chance of snow
10. Basel, Switzerland / Barfüsserplatz – Mulled wine from £3.75, sausage from £5.25, flights from £38.99, holidays from £249, moderate chance of snow