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Christmas Market River Cruises

Glühwein, carols and medieval squares strung with lights, with your floating hotel moored a short walk from the stalls.

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Christmas Market River Cruises with Travelisto

A Christmas market river cruise is the most civilised way to do Advent in Europe. Instead of dragging a suitcase between cities and queuing for trains in the cold, you unpack once and the markets come to you. The ship moors in the middle of town, you wander ashore for mulled wine, gingerbread and carved wooden decorations, and you are back on board in time for dinner while the next city slides into view.

The classic routes follow the Rhine and the Danube. On the Rhine you can see Cologne, with markets beneath its great cathedral, the half-timbered streets of Strasbourg and Rüdesheim, and the castles of the Rhine Gorge. On the Danube, sailings link Nuremberg and Regensburg with Passau, Vienna and Budapest, whose Christmas markets are among the most elegant in Europe. Some itineraries add the Main or the Moselle, or a few nights in Prague or Paris.

The season is short and popular. Most sailings run from late November to just before Christmas, with a handful of festive cruises over Christmas and New Year themselves. Short three- to five-night mini cruises suit a long weekend, while seven nights is the most popular length, and longer sailings combine both rivers. Cabins on the best dates fill early, so it pays to book well ahead.

Dress for the weather. It is often cold and sometimes snowy, which is part of the charm, and the warmest seat in town is your cabin window. River ships are small, calm and easy to move around, so these cruises suit first-time cruisers and anyone who would rather spend an evening by the fire than at a big-ship show.

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Lines we recommend

The cruise lines our Travel Designers suggest most often for this kind of trip. Tap a line for the full guide.

Which line suits you?

Cruise lineBest for
Avalon Waterways Travellers who like big panoramic windows and a relaxed, modern ship.
AmaWaterways Food and wine lovers, with bikes on board and plenty of guided walks.
Scenic Those who want an all-inclusive luxury feel, with butler service and included excursions.
A-Rosa Couples and families who want a relaxed, informal atmosphere and good value short breaks.
CroisiEurope Short festive breaks with a French touch and a strong focus on the markets.
Viva Cruises Travellers who want a contemporary, all-inclusive ship and German-style markets.

The Christmas markets you can visit

Cologne, Germany
Several markets in the shadow of the cathedral, with a huge tree and stalls of mulled wine and gingerbread.
Strasbourg, France
One of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, in the half-timbered streets of the old town.
Rüdesheim, Germany
A small Rhine town famous for its market of nations and its coffee laced with local brandy.
Nuremberg, Germany
The Christkindlesmarkt is one of the most famous in the world, known for its gingerbread and plum figures.
Regensburg and Passau, Germany
Medieval river towns with intimate markets in cobbled squares.
Vienna, Austria
Elegant markets in front of the City Hall and Schönbrunn Palace, with coffee houses for warming up.
Budapest, Hungary
Lively markets in Vörösmarty Square and before St Stephen’s Basilica, with chimney cakes and mulled wine.

Rhine or Danube?

Choose the Rhine for Cologne, Strasbourg and the castles of the Rhine Gorge, with plenty of small towns in between. Choose the Danube for the grand cities of Vienna and Budapest and the medieval towns of Bavaria. Both rivers have short mini cruises and week-long sailings.

If you can only go once, a seven-night sailing on either river gives you four or five markets, with time to explore each one. Longer sailings link the two rivers via the Main, and some add a few nights in Prague or Paris.

Prefer a land tour?

If you would rather travel by train or coach, our Christmas market tours visit many of the same cities with a tour leader, and some include flights. They suit travellers who want more time in each city, or a smaller budget.

Further reading

FAQ

Christmas Market River Cruises: your questions answered

When do Christmas market river cruises run?

Most sail from late November to just before Christmas, when the markets are open. A few festive sailings run over Christmas and New Year. The season is short, so the best dates and cabins often sell out months ahead.

Which river is best for Christmas markets?

Both the Rhine and the Danube are excellent. The Rhine suits travellers who want Cologne, Strasbourg and the castles of the Rhine Gorge. The Danube links Nuremberg, Regensburg, Vienna and Budapest. Some sailings combine both, or add the Main, the Moselle, Prague or Paris.

How long is a Christmas market river cruise?

Mini cruises of three to five nights suit a long weekend. Seven nights is the most popular length and visits four or five markets. Longer sailings of ten nights or more combine rivers and add extra cities.

Is a Christmas market cruise good for first-time cruisers?

Yes. River ships are small and calm, the ship moors in the centre of town, and you unpack only once. It is an easy introduction to cruising, especially for travellers who prefer smaller ships and plenty of time ashore.

What should I pack?

Warm layers, a waterproof coat, gloves, a hat and comfortable shoes for cobbled streets. Evenings on board are relaxed, so smart-casual clothes are fine. A small bag for market shopping is useful too.

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