The beautiful European city is the cheapest for a Christmas holiday with flights from £23

Even though we are in the middle of summer, many of us book our Christmas holidays to get the best deal. There are many factors that go into what makes a good Christmas holiday, including where to find the best value Christmas market.

Fortunately Post office has cleared it up for us, revealing that Latvia's capital Riga was the best value market last year. The win is down to cheap flights and budget accommodation.

But of course, the Baltic city has much more to offer than just a festive market. There is great food, places to drink and things to see.

READ MORE: The pretty beach walk less than 2 hours from London with white cliffs, sandy beaches and cozy pubs

What to do

One of the first places to visit is Riga's Old Town, or Vecrīga as it is known locally. It is a maze of narrow cobbled streets and features a mix of architectural styles such as Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque.

The KGB Building – also known as the Corner House – is another place you absolutely must visit while you're there. It was the headquarters of the Soviet KGB in Latvia from 1940 to 1941 and from 1944 to 1991. Although it is a magnificent building and looks a little menacing, it is no longer used by a sinister secret service.

It is open daily from 10:30am to 5:30pm and admission at the time of writing is £12.65, £4.20 for students and free for disabled people.

And depending on the time of year, the Christmas markets are also a big attraction. The main markets are concentrated on the cathedral square and are filled with festive aromas such as cinnamon and nutmeg.

The best restaurants, bars and pubs in Riga

While you're there, you'll inevitably work up an appetite. The Bellagio Naples is for you. With a whopping five-star rating on TripAdvisor, it serves delicious delicacies such as antipasti, gnocchi and a selection of tasty pizzas.

In fact, it's so delicious that people raved about it in the reviews section. One customer said, “Bella Napoli is hands down the best Italian pizzeria I've ever been to. The dough is perfectly thin and crispy, the toppings are fresh and authentic, and the ambiance transports you straight to Naples. Their pizza Margherita is a must-try! Exceptional service and an impressive wine selection make it an outstanding dining experience. Highly recommended!”

And if you don’t want to eat but would rather have a few drinks, then Black Magic Bar is for you. It sells all kinds of liquor at shockingly cheap prices and has the aesthetic of a police force that would be brilliant at responsibly sinking a few of them.

Getting there from London

The flight there from London takes two and a half hours. Even better, at the time of writing, there is a flight at 8.40pm from Gatwick Airport on Thursday 29 August for just £23.

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