Portugal's capital city may be one of THE European city break destinations of the moment, but it remains an undiscovered gem and is well worth a visit. Lisbon is one of the most affordable of the European capitals, with flights as cheap as £50 return so your money goes much further for hotels, restaurants, drinks and activities. A two-night break staying at three-star hotel Principe Lisboa from 11 to 13 December and return flights from Liverpool with Easyjet Holidays costs from £73 per person. Chillisauce can organise activities in Lisbon including surfing lessons, Segway tours, Portuguese food tours and bar crawls.
- Marrakech is a great place to experience a new culture and excellent for an affordable December January, where you can soak up some sunshine, too. The Moroccan city has a rich history and traditional architecture, as well as food stalls and markets galore. In December, the average temperature is a balmy 23C - that's practically summer for us Brits! Holiday Hypermarket offers a seven-night trip from 13 December, flying from London Gatwick and staying at the four-star Riu Tikida Garden Hotel on an all-inclusive basis from £182 per person.
With December temperatures that stray into the 20s, a wealth of beautiful beaches, one-of-a-kind heritage sites and an abundance of cheap Cypriot meze, Paphos offers a wonderful budget winter getaway. The mild winter temperatures are perfect for visiting the Troodos Mountains, which are filled with exquisite Mediterranean churches (10 are UNESCO World Heritage Sites) that range from free to approximately €5 to visit. The food in Paphos is cheap and it is possible to grab enormous portions of meze for less than €10 (try Sienna Restaurant). On the Beach offers a December holiday to Paphos from £198 per person, staying at the four-star Capital Coast Resort and Spa on a self-catering basis for seven nights and flying from London Gatwick on 18 December.
- Thousands of cyclists arrive every year to travel Mallorca's highways and byways, enjoying the mild winters and sunny skies. December is the perfect month for an affordable cycling holiday in Mallorca, where you can enjoy the best conditions for getting around on two wheels. It's also an excellent time to relax, soak up the sunshine and enjoy good views. Monarch offers a seven-night holiday at the four-star THB Class Felip on a B&B basis from 16 to 23 December for £245 per person, departing from Gatwick.
The second largest city in Poland, Krakow is a fantastic destination for a winter holiday, famous for its beautiful white Christmases and wild News Year’s Eves. Its annual Christmas market takes place in the main square of the old town and is a must-visit, while Krakow's interesting architecture, lush city parks, baroque palaces and gothic churches are wonderful to explore. The city is great for those travelling with friends or as a couple as it has something for everyone at affordable prices. Hilton Garden Inn Krakow offers stays in a Queen room for just £38 in December. Located in central Krakow, the hotel affords picturesque views of the Vistula River, complimentary WiFi, a 24-hour fitness centre, two restaurants and popular bar, the Globe Café.
- Malta enjoys pleasant weather in December, when holidaymakers can take advantage of excellent off-peak prices. The Mediterranean holiday spot can be reached in just a couple of hours and by travelling before the Christmas holidays start you can bag the best bargains. Easyjet Holidays offers seven nights at the four-star Bella Vista Hotel in Qawra within St Paul's Bay for £105 per person, including flights from Newcastle on 10 December. St Paul's Bay has a lovely seafront promenade overlooking the Mediterranean, good seafood restaurants and popular diving sites.
Looking for a long-haul destination without the price tag? Gambia offers a taste of Africa at a fraction of the price. Being just a six-hour flight away with no time difference, the small country is the ideal destination for winter sun. Gambia is famed for its golden sands and subtropical climate, with uninterrupted dry weather and temperatures of 30C from November to May. It's a superb alternative to well-known destinations Cape Verde or the Canary Islands, offering plenty of culture and a very different landscape. The Gambia Experience offers a seven-night holiday at lively beachfront hotel The Kombo Beach on a B&B basis from £330 per person, including return flights from Manchester departing 14 December and resort transfers.
Visit Porto at Christmas time and you can enjoy the same prices as any other time of year, but with a whole host of events and attractions that take over the city, such as the fairs and markets, Christmas carols, concerts and the city's outdoor ice rink. On your December break, you can take a tour of a port wine cellar (6€), go on a Six Bridges Cruise (12.50€) and visit Clerigos Tower (3€). TravelSupermarket offers a two-night break in Porto, flying from Luton on 11 December and staying at the three-star Tryp Porto Centro Hotel on a room-only basis for £115 per person.
Prague is one of the cheapest place for a Christmas market break this year, according to Post Office Travel. When looking at the cost of meals, snacks and drinks for a two-day break, as well as travel to and from the airport, Prague is a bargain thanks to the low cost of eating out. For return flights for two people, two nights' B&B accommodation, airport-city centre transfers, two evening meals for two with wine, coffee, festive drinks and snacks at the Christmas Markets, the Czech capital costs an average of £582. We've found a cheap holiday to Prague with TravelSupermarket for two nights at the four-star Ambiance Hotel, with breakfast included, for £113.74 per person, departing Luton on 13 December.
- The Canary Islands were made for cheap winter sun and are ideal for enjoying affordable luxury. In Tenerife, you will benefit from mild temperatures of 21C, perfect for hiking Montana Blanca, taking in the views from Mount Teide (the highest mountain in Spain) and relaxing on the volcanic beaches. Easyjet Holidays offers seven nights at the four-star Puerto Palace Hotel in Puerto de la Cruz on a bed and breakfast basis for £286 per person including flights from London Southend on 13 December.