Always a popular choice, a Christmas Market River Cruise is the perfect way to see a host of Europe’s world famous Christmas markets. Whether you wish to sample local specialities at some of Europe’s most stunning markets, with city backdrops of Cologne, Strasbourg and Budapest or if you are just looking for a Christmas getaway with a difference, we are sure you will be tempted by some of the fantastic offers detailed below.
Christmas markets in Europe tend to start mid-November and stay open until the end of December, with some closing just before Christmas day. Popular Christmas markets include*:
Strasbourg, France - Rhine River - 22 November to 30 December
Budapest, Hungary - Danube River - 23 November to 6 January
Vienna, Austria - Danube River - 16 November to 24 December
Metz, France - Moselle River - 20 November to 29 December
Dresden, Germany - Elbe River - 27 November to 24 December
Basel, Switzerland - Rhine River - 28 November to 23 December
Cologne, Germany - Rhine River - 26 November to 23 December
*Dates are provisional
With the listing above, the popular rivers to experience the Christmas markets along include the Rhine, Danube and Moselle rivers - each of which offers fantastic markets teeming with wooden chalets and Christmas decorations. These visit the regions of France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary - each of which offers their own slice of Christmas heaven!
Enjoy mulled wine and gingerbread as you browse handicrafts made by locals, each hut adorned with beautiful Christmas decorations making them the ideal festive destination for friends and family.
Suggested read: Magical Christmas Markets
With the Christmas markets running on selected dates, and festive sailings even more so, it's best to book as soon as possible to ensure you secure your place on-board. Christmas markets river cruises always sell out fast so ensure you have booked your sailings as soon as you know where you would want to visit.
Take a look at our latest sailings below and find your perfect Christmas markets river cruise for you. If you can’t find exactly what you are looking for, don’t hesitate to give our Cruise Concierge team a call and they will help you handpick your perfect Christmas Markets voyage.
Munich | Nuremberg | Regensburg | Passau | Dürnstein | Vienna | Budapest
Paris | Rouen | Le Pecq | Paris
Budapest | Bratislava | Vienna | Budapest
Basel | Breisach | Strasbourg | Mannheim | Rüdesheim am Rhein | Koblenz | Cologne | Dordrecht | Cologne | Amsterdam
Bamberg | Würzburg | Heidelberg | Rüdesheim am Rhein | Mainz | Cochem | Rüdesheim am Rhein | Trier | Bernkastel-Kues | Trier
Nuremberg | Bamberg | Würzburg | Miltenberg | Frankfurt
Nuremberg | Regensburg | Passau | Melk | Vienna
Vienna | Melk | Passau | Regensburg | Nuremberg
Budapest | Bratislava | Vienna | Budapest
Zurich | Lucerne | Zurich | Bern | Montreux | Bern | Montreux | Basel | Montreux | Breisach | Kehl | Mannheim | Rüdesheim | Cologne | Rüdesheim | Düsseldorf | Amsterdam
Prague | Budapest | Prague | Budapest | Bratislava | Vienna | Dürnstein | Melk | Passau | Brandstatt | Regensburg
Porto | Régua | Vega de Terron | Pinhão | Régua | Porto
Budapest | Bratislava | Vienna | Budapest
Porto | Entre-os-Rios | Régua | Pinhão | Barca d’Alva | Pinhão | Vega de Terron
Cologne | Rüdesheim | Koblenz | Bonn
Budapest | Bratislava | Vienna | Krems | Linz | Passau
Zurich | Lucerne | Zurich | Bern | Montreux | Bern | Montreux | Basel | Montreux | Breisach | Kehl | Mannheim | Rüdesheim | Cologne | Rüdesheim | Düsseldorf | Amsterdam
Vienna | Budapest | Bratislava | Vienna
Zurich | Lucerne | Zurich | Lucerne | Basel | Breisach | Kehl | Strasbourg | Mannheim | Koblenz | Düsseldorf | Cologne | Amsterdam
Amsterdam | Utrecht | Hellevoetsluis | Gent (Ghent) | Brussel (Bruxelles) | Antwerp | Dordrecht | Kinderdijk | Amsterdam
Prague | Regensburg | Prague | Regensburg | Passau | Schlögen | Dürnstein | Melk | Vienna | Bratislava | Budapest
Basel | Breisach | Strasbourg | Rüdesheim am Rhein | Ludwigshafen | Rüdesheim am Rhein | Lahnstein | Düsseldorf | Amsterdam | Utrecht | Amsterdam
Vienna | Dürnstein | Krems | Budapest | Bratislava | Vienna
Regensburg | Passau | Vienna | Passau | Krems | Vienna | Budapest | Vienna | Budapest
Budapest | Vienna | Krems | Passau | Regensburg
Nuremberg | Bamberg | Würzburg | Miltenberg | Frankfurt
Düsseldorf | Cologne | Rüdesheim | Frankfurt | Koblenz | Düsseldorf
Vilshofen | Passau | Linz | Weissenkirchen | Vienna | Budapest
Budapest | Vienna | Krems | Passau | Regensburg
Paris | Conflans-Sainte-Honorine | Vernon
Prices are subject to change and availability. Prices may vary depending on the airport selected. Promotions are only applicable to select cabin grades, please call for details.
