Setting off on a unique festive challenge, travel enthusiast Chelsea Dickenson arrived in Stockholm on 19th December 2025 with a sense of trepidation. She was in the midst of a self-imposed 'Christmas Market Bingo Challenge', navigating European yuletide fairs with a strict £500 budget to last five days.
A Budget-Friendly Surprise in Gamla Stan
Her chosen market in the Swedish capital was located in Stortorget square, the historic heart of the old town, Gamla Stan. With transport and accommodation pre-booked, her remaining budget was solely for market indulgence, making every penny critical. Her first impression was of a compact but charming site, with around 30 wooden huts nestled beside the Nobel Prize Museum.
'Small, but perfectly formed,' she noted, describing the storybook baroque surroundings. Stalls offered knitwear, candles, and festive drinks, but her bingo card demanded mandatory squares for mulled wine and sausage. Fearing Scandinavia's reputation for high prices, she braced herself for a budget blow.
Prices That Defy Scandinavian Expectations
Opting for a traditional bratwurst, she was stunned when the delicious, garlicky sausage cost just 50 SEK (£3.99). Emboldened, she approached a glögg stall. With no prices displayed, it felt like a gamble, but she was met with another delightful shock: 40 SEK (£3.19) for the warming Swedish mulled wine, complete with a small biscuit.
She soon realised the glögg contained very little alcohol, a reflection of Sweden's strict alcohol laws where stronger drinks are sold through state-run shops. 'You're not paying for a heavy hit of alcohol; you're paying for the atmosphere, and it's worth every penny,' she concluded. A festive snowflake waffle later cost 60 SEK (£4.80).
How Stockholm Stacks Up Against European Rivals
Drawing on experience from over 15 European Christmas markets, Dickenson declared Stockholm's offerings among the cheapest she'd seen recently. She highlighted stark contrasts with other destinations often perceived as budget-friendly.
In Budapest two years prior, a bratwurst cost her £13.75. In Tallinn this year, mulled wine started at €7 (£6.15) and a sausage plate at €15 (£13.20). German markets, like Hamburg's, set a reasonable standard at €5 (£4.38) for each item. The only cheaper experience she recalled was in Timisoara, Romania, back in 2017, where mulled wine was just £1 a pint.
'Markets often labelled budget, such as Budapest or Tallinn, can be the opposite once you arrive,' she warned.
Her advice for future festive travellers is to consider lesser-known destinations for better value and to avoid overcrowding. She recommends treating Stockholm's market as a perfect festive stop-off while exploring Gamla Stan, perhaps combined with a visit to the Skansen open-air museum or the ABBA Museum.
'For charm, fair prices and a reminder that Christmas markets do not have to be cash grabs, Stockholm may just surprise you,' she finished. The market is ideal for adding festive flair to a city break, though not for those seeking day-long chaos or a boozy session.
