Budget-friendly European capital that transforms into a 'fairytale' at Christmas

Tucked away in the heart of Slovenia is a town so breath-taking, it's been likened to a scene straight out of a fairytale. As Christmas approaches swiftly, it presents an ideal location for a holiday, offering the chance to explore a picturesque market.

Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital, was recently highlighted in the Times' list of 13 most affordable Christmas markets. The city is easy on the pocket and with just a three-hour flight separating it from the UK, there's little reason not to give it a visit.

You can venture into the city and peruse food and craft stalls in Presernov Square, situated next to Ljubljana’s unique triple bridge. From this point, you can take the charming funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for another fair in a magical setting.

The Times characterised the city as akin to "a fairytale" - the quintessential Christmas experience. Individuals who have spent their Christmas in the city are full of glowing testimonials, with several people posting on TripAdvisor about their fantastic holidays.

"This place has charm, it’s very lovely. During winter season it has Christmas markets and music everywhere. It’s always full of people too, which gives it life and a great atmosphere. I really liked it," one person wrote.

"Visiting at Christmas has been lovely, with all the open air markets, food stalls and live music. Great for families with kids. Very friendly people and easy to get by with basic Slovenian and English. Totally worth it! " another visitor said.

The Christmas markets in Ljubljana are set abuzz with a rich line up of daily events throughout December, hosted on the city's central streets and squares. Both folk and pop artists will take to five different stages to entertain visitors.

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