I went to 12 Christmas markets in Vienna, Bratislava and Prague in 72 hours — one ‘came alive at night’

Jessica Hamilton

Published December 14, 2024 12:16pm Updated December 19, 2024 4:48pm

Hayely Merconi travelled to Europe’s best Christmas markets (Picture: Jam Press)

There’s no better way to fill up on festive spirit than exploring Europe’s Christmas markets.

But one woman has taken her love of all things Yuletide to the next level by visiting 12 across three countries — in 72 hours.

Hayley Merconi flew from London to Austria, then travelled on to the Slovakian capital of Bratislava – Europe’s cheapest Christmas market for 2024 – and Prague, Czechia, in the space of a long weekend. All while spending less than £100 a day.

Travelling with her son Jamie, sister-in-law Terri, nieces Huni and Maya, and pal Kristyn, the 45-year-old mum from Preston managed to book accommodation for less than £65 per person.

And with flights to Vienna starting from £36, there’s still time to take inspiration from Hayley and jet off on a rapid-fire European market trip right before they close for Christmas.

A woman and her son on a platform in a square in Europe with an ornate building in the background — Hayley travelled with her son Jamie, sister-in-law, nieces and friend across the European hotspots (Picture: Jam Press/Hayley Merconi)

The group rented an apartment for two nights in central Vienna, close to the Rathaus (city hall) where the biggest of the city’s many Christmas markets is on show.

From there they made the 90-minute journey to Bratislava by train, at a cost of less than €12 (£9.99) per person.

Known for its cobblestone streets, sculptures and beer culture, Post Office Travel Money found Bratislava to have the lowest prices for a two-night Christmas market package deal for two people out of 14 European countries, at just £510 for a round trip.

Bratislava’s Christmas market has been held every year since 1993 from the end of November to December 23. In the main square you can find traditional food and beverages, as well as handmade Slovak gifts and a giant Christmas tree next to a stage where live music is played.

Hayley's son Jamie is pictured with Krampus, the traditional Christmas legend in Eastern Europe — The family met Krampus, the traditional Christmas legend, in Bratislava (Picture: Jam Press/Hayley Merconi)

They caught the last train of the day back to Vienna, before taking a second train on the third day of the trip to Prague, a journey that took just over four and a half hours.

A trip to Prague, a popular Christmas market destination, will cost you about £606, according to the Post Office Travel Money study. The main Christmas markets there are held in the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, consisting of festively decorated wooden huts, stocked with handmade gifts including ceramics, jewellery, toys, and Christmas tree ornaments.

The markets opened there on November 30 and run until January 26, including on Christmas Eve, Christmas day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, so there’s still plenty of time to plan a trip.

Hayley said she would recommend her three-city itinerary to anyone looking for some festive fun at Europe’s Christmas markets this year.

Story From Jam Press (Christmas Market Tour) Pictured: Jamie in Vienna. ?I hit the best of Europe?s Christmas markets by travelling to three countries in 72 hours - and it cost me less than ?100 a day? A woman has revealed how she went to 12 Christmas markets in just 72 hours - and it cost her less than ?100 a day. Hayley Merconi visited European hotspots Austria, Bratislava and Prague in a space of the long weekend. And with flights from London to Vienna costing as little as ?36, the 45-year-old mum, from Preston, certainly did it on a budget. Travelling with her son Jamie, sister-in-law Terri, nieces Huni and Maya, and pal Kristyn, Hayley even managed to bag acommodation for under ?65 per person. ?We went to 12 Christmas markets, went ice skating, rode ferris wheels and went to an opera, which was phenomenal,? Hayley told What's The Jam. ?[We] took a horse drawn carriage through the centre, saw the Christmas Krampus and drank lots of Gl?hwein.? Day one involved a direct, two-hour flight from London to Vienna in Austria. The family rented an apartment for two nights in the centre close to Rathaus, and spent the whole of the first day and night enjoying all the city had to offer. She said: ?From Vienna we travelled by train and it cost less than ?12 per person for a round trip to Bratislava in Slovakia. ?We caught an early train, taking just over an hour, and soaked up the incredible city for the full day. ?Then we caught a late train back to our apartment in Vienna.? On the third and final day, Hayley took a second train to Prague in the Czech Republic. She said: ?The following day was an early start. ?We caught the train to Prague and we only booked one way as we had two nights in Prague. ?The trip took around four and a half hours. ?There are private family cabins and a restaurant on the train.? Hayley said if anyone is looking to experience the European Christmas markets this year, this route comes highly recommended. She added: ?It?s is really difficult to determine which city we liked the best. ?They are all absolutely stunning but so very different in many ways. ?Vienna was bustling there was so much for the children to do. ?The Christmas markets are the most famous and most visited in Europe, there are so many in Vienna city. ?The biggest being Rathaus with over 200 stalls, a huge ice skate rink and a ferris wheel. ?The markets themselves are beautifully lit and come alive at night. ?Bratislava was more traditional, like Munich we got to see Krampus make an appearance. ?Much smaller but a lot more authentic especially when it came to the incredible food and traditional costume. ?Prague I think architecturally speaking gets my vote. ?The markets are huge and Prague I think, boasted my favourite Christmas tree close to the clock tower. ?We have had the absolute best time.? ENDS — The group took a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride on their trip (Picture: Jam Press/Hayley Merconi)

As for which city they enjoyed most, Hayley said: ‘It’s really difficult. They are all absolutely stunning but so different in many ways.’

She added: ‘Vienna was bustling; there was so much for the children to do.

‘The Christmas markets are the most famous and most visited in Europe, there are so many in Vienna city – the biggest being Rathaus with over 200 stalls, a huge ice skate rink and a Ferris wheel.’

Hayley described the markets as ‘beautifully lit’ and said they ‘come alive at night’.

Hayley described each country as ‘absolutely stunning’ (Picture: Jam Press/Hayley Merconi)

She described Bratislava as more ‘traditional’ and got to see Krampus, a horned figure from central European folklore who is said to accompany Saint Nicholas on visits to children before Christmas.