Eight winter breaks you can book from Manchester Airport right now

Upgrade your Christmas Market visit with Jet2 and fly to one of these magical European destinations…

By Lucy Holt, Last updated 16 September 2026

It’s officially that time of year where you can get excited for Christmas. And while here in Manchester we’re pretty well regarded for our festive market offering, you can’t beat a winter break in a snowy European wonderland. With Manchester Airport on our doorstep, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to festive city destinations, and Jet2 fly to all of them. Plus, with loads of great new additions to T2 – from specialty coffee shops to independent food markets – the experience starts before you’re in the air.

If you like crisp, scenic walks, cosy cafes, roaring fires, rich history, cultural discovery and, of course, as much mulled wine as your heart desires, then these are for you. What’s more, Jet2 make it easy with 10kg of hand luggage and 22kg baggage included, plus return flights and a city centre hotel when you book a city break…

Tallinn, Estonia

Estonia’s capital city of Tallinn is located on the Baltic Sea, and the fabulous Old Town is a UNESCO Heritage Site, which means fans of winding cobbled alleys, gothic spires and medieval walls are in for a treat. The Town Hall Square is the beating heart of the city, and never more so than at Christmas. The city lays claim to the first Christmas tree in Europe, put up back in 1441. Local delicacies are abundant, like black pudding, sour cabbage and gingerbread. And when you’ve gorged yourself on culinary treats, you can check out an art exhibition at Kumu Art Museum or take in scenic roofline views from one of the city’s many popular viewing points.

Strasbourg and Colmar, France

Two stunning destinations within a stone’s throw of one another, Strasbourg and Colmar – close to the French border with Germany – offer double the winter magic. The former has a stunning cathedral and the picturesque ‘La Petite France’ quarter to explore. There’s the 18th century Palace Rohan, housing fine art and archaeological finds, and the Christmas markets sprawl across several of the city’s squares. You have to try local Alsatian dishes like the savoury tarte flambée, and stop for a beer at a ‘wintub’, or traditional tavern. Meanwhile, just 30 minutes away by train in Colmar, you can see fairytale timber houses and shop for regional produce at the famous covered market.

Vienna, Austria

Arguably one of the most iconic winter destinations, Vienna has it all. Steeped in history, the capital city of Austria is a real-life Christmas wonderland. The festive markets, where you can enjoy things like käsekrainer (crispy pork sausages filled with cheese) and kaiserschmarrn (fluffy, sweet pancakes with plum jam) are located outside stunning buildings like the City Hall and famous Schönbrunn Palace. You can take the whimsical feelings up a notch with a trip on the ferris wheel at the Prater amusement park, watch a ballet at the Vienna State Opera, or simply enjoy a wholesome afternoon sipping coffee and eating strudel in one of the many grand coffee houses. And with Manchester Airport’s T2 recent transformation, you can enjoy a champagne breakfast at San Carlo before you jet off.

Cologne, Germany

Cologne is a winter paradise, particularly if your interests lean towards sampling local culinary delights. Alongside the 800-year old cathedral, famous Hohenzollern Bridge and romantic ice skating rink, you can indulge in all sorts of comforting street food like raclette, roast pork rolls with sauerkraut, wood-fired salmon flammlachs (sarnies, essentially), and buttery soft dumplings with sesame seeds. It’s the perfect sort of food to scoff down in one of Cologne’s twinkly-light-strewn streets and squares, before heading off to one of the city’s copious historical breweries. If you’re feeling the need to offset that with some culture, there are more museums and galleries along the Rhine than you could shake a festive stick at.

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague and Christmas go together like, well, mulled wine and klobasa (smoky BBQ sausages served with bread and mustard). It’s hard not to feel like you’ve been transported to a festive fantasyland, complete with historic castles and fortresses, winding medieval streets, the impressive Wenceslas Square and the stone-built Charles Bridge. You have to go and see the vibrantly coloured houses on Golden Lane, and shopping-wise, the city is known for its Bohemian glassware and luxury boutiques. But what’s really beautiful about this city is going for a stroll without much of a plan. Opt for a city break with Jet2, and you’ll get your city centre hotel, 10kg hand luggage and 22kg baggage included too – as well as your flights.

Krakow, Poland

A winter break to Krakow tends to centre around the main market square, Rynek Główny. Surrounded by impossibly photogenic townhouses and churches, right in the middle there stands the Cloth Hall, which is a shopper’s paradise. There are stalls selling everything from flowers to food to interior decor, via jewellery and local handcrafts. The square is also where you’ll find the Christmas Markets, as well as scattered throughout the city itself. A day trip out to the thermal baths near Zakopane is a great way to escape the city too. Head to the bohemian area of Kazimierz for independent cafes and bars, or warm up with a plate of pierogi in a traditional Polish eatery – you’ll need it, Krakow is one of the snowiest destinations on our list. Thankfully, with Jet2 10kg of cabin luggage is always included at no extra cost – whether booking flights or a whole break – making it easy to pack all the layers you’ll need. Plus, 22kg baggage is included with all city breaks too.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin is the super cool German capital which manages to strike a perfect balance between culture and nightlife. Spend your days exploring Museum Island (yep, a whole island dedicated to museums) or sampling the independent cafes and restaurants of Neukölln and Kreutzberg. Head to Alexanderplatz or Charlottenburg Palace for the expansive Christmas markets where you can fill up on bratwurst, currywurst and käsespätzle (cheesy noodles, essentially). Sip German beers in cosy Bavarian-style taverns or cocktails in effortlessly cool bars, and then, if you fancy, head out to sample some of the city’s infamous, non-stop party scene. Plus, now that Manchester Airport’s T2 has a bigger Amber Alehouse by Seven Bro7hers, the beer adventure begins before you set off.

Budapest, Hungary

With markets, an ice rink and cosy cafes everywhere you look, a trip to Budapest in winter is a bit of a no-brainer, but that’s just part of the story. You can take a river cruise down the Danube, which famously separates Buda from Pest. If you prefer to do your exploring on dry land, there are loads of places to get your culture fix, from the Hungarian National Gallery to contemporary art spaces, as well as over 100 museums. Food and drink enthusiasts are well catered for too, and the culinary scene is full of sleek modern bistros, traditional stew-centric restaurants and moody ruin bars located in abandoned buildings and courtyards. After all that, you might be in pursuit of some wellness. You’d be in luck; there are loads of thermal baths across the city – including Europe’s largest – decadently decorated in Baroque style. A treat for you and for your post-trip photo dump.