Don’t blow your holiday travel budget and end up on the naughty list.
From sunny Mexican beaches to charming Italian cobblestone streets, many affordable getaways offer festive cheer without the expensive price tag.
Spend less and celebrate more at these wallet-friendly Christmas destinations:
Riga, Latvia
Head to Riga if you want traditional European charm without the chaos of cities like Cologne and Zurich. In 2023, Post Office named it the cheapest place in Europe to go Christmas market shopping.
Around the holidays, Riga boasts enchanting light displays and festive activities like ice skating. Beautiful architecture, fascinating history, and unique stores await you around every corner.
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Venture off the beaten path with a getaway to Siem Reap in Cambodia. It’s most famous for Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered the world’s largest religious complex.
The weather in Siem Reap is usually warm and mild in December, so you can comfortably explore the local temples and nearby Phnom Kulen National Park. Other fun activities include browsing the stalls at the Angkor Night Market and watching a traditional performance at the Angkor Village Apsara Theatre.
Quebec City, Canada
You don’t have to travel far or spend much for an unforgettable Christmas vacation. Take a trip up north to Quebec City, a Europe lookalike steeped in French culture.
Local accommodations cater to all budgets, and there are magical citywide celebrations. Walking through the Old City, browsing the German Christmas Market, and skating at Place D’Youville will instantly put you in the holiday spirit.
Vilnius, Lithuania
Vilnius is a highly underrated European destination for the season. It’s budget-friendly and cheerful, with a legendary Christmas village and fun activities like skating and skiing. Don’t miss the chance to sample local delicacies like kūčiukai, which translates to Christmas Eve cookies, and spanguolių kisielius, a festive cranberry drink.
Puerto Morelos, Mexico
Swap snow for sand and escape to Puerto Morelos this Christmas. This coastal town on the Yucatan Peninsula is more affordable than nearby locales like Playa del Carmen and Cancun. Some of the best things to do in Puerto Morelos include snorkeling, fishing, and hiking.
Bologna, Italy
This season, skip crowded and pricey cities like Rome and Milan in favor of Bologna. It’s a charming Christmas destination that won’t hurt your wallet.
Public squares, including Piazza Nettuno and Trento e Trieste, host stalls selling handcrafted goods and traditional treats. For one-of-a-kind shopping and dining, visit Fiera di Santa Lucia, Bologna’s oldest market.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is a great place to maximize your travel budget. Since December through February is the low season, planning a wallet-friendly vacation is easy.
Prague’s picturesque city center is the perfect backdrop for your Christmas celebrations. Stroll the cobblestone streets, sip on mulled wine, and shop for gifts at the festive markets.
Charleston, South Carolina
Since most tourists visit Charleston in spring and fall, Christmas is the perfect time to save on a getaway. The port city is famous for its quaint cobblestone streets and elegant architecture, creating a picture-perfect backdrop for your holiday festivities. Stroll through the downtown historic district to admire the decorations, watch a festive musical at Charleston Music Hall, and stuff your stockings at the city’s holiday markets.
Stockholm, Sweden
Enjoy a Scandinavian Christmas in Stockholm, a surprisingly affordable holiday destination. December falls in the middle of the off-season, so flights and hotels are significantly cheaper than usual. Stockholm abounds with festive cheer, from the annual Santa Run event to gingerbread house competitions and live choirs singing transitional carols.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
While most Thailand visitors stay in Bangkok, Chiang Mai offers fewer crowds and lower prices. The city’s affordability makes it an excellent place to celebrate the season. Expect warm, sunny weather and plenty of fun things to do for the entire family.
Large shopping centers like the Maya and Central Festival Malls deck the halls with massive Christmas trees and fake snow. Meanwhile, eateries like The Duke’s serve feasts of turkey, prime rib, crab legs, and much more.
Bled, Slovenia
Spending the holidays in Bled will teach you the true meaning of a winter wonderland. Around this time of year, snow blankets the town and Lake Bled, creating an enchanting, fairytale-like scene.
Bled offers excellent value for your money, so you don’t have to overspend for an unforgettable vacation. While there, take advantage of the snowy landscape by trying winter sports like ice climbing and cross-country skiing.
Curaçao
If you crave a Caribbean Christmas, move Curaçao to the top of your travel list. This tropical paradise provides good bang for your buck, making it possible to visit on a budget.
Curaçao is beautiful around the holidays, as most of the island is adorned with lights and decorations. There are also many seasonal events throughout December, from parades to markets.
Seville, Spain
December is one of the cheapest months to visit the Andalusian capital of Seville. You’ll have a fantastic time exploring the city and its holiday offerings.
Plaza de San Francisco is a must-visit for dazzling light displays and trees decorated to the max. From shopping to parades and live nativity scenes, visitors of all ages will love spending Christmas in Seville.
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Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
