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.
See Christmas River Cruises See New Year River Cruises See Festive River Cruises
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: River cruising during the winter months
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.
Cologne | Rüdesheim | Koblenz | Bonn
Budapest | Vienna | Melk | Linz | Regensburg | Nuremberg | Bamberg | Würzburg | Miltenberg | Rüdesheim am Rhein | Andernach | Amsterdam
Zurich | Lucerne | Zurich | Bern | Montreux | Bern | Montreux | Basel | Montreux | Breisach | Kehl | Mannheim | Rüdesheim | Cologne | Rüdesheim | Düsseldorf | Amsterdam
Basel | Breisach | Strasbourg | Mannheim | Rüdesheim am Rhein | Koblenz | Cologne | Dordrecht | Cologne | Amsterdam
Lyon | Vienne | Tournon-sur-Rhône | Viviers | Avignon | Arles | Marseille | Arles
Vienna | Melk | Passau | Regensburg | Nuremberg
Passau | Linz | Krems | Vienna | Bratislava | Budapest
Lyon | Vienne | Tournon-sur-Rhône | Viviers | Avignon | Arles | Nice | Arles
Vega de Terron | Barca d’Alva | Pinhão | Régua | Entre-os-Rios | Régua | Entre-os-Rios | Porto
Zurich | Lucerne | Zurich | Lucerne | Basel | Breisach | Kehl | Strasbourg | Mannheim | Koblenz | Düsseldorf | Cologne | Amsterdam
Nuremberg | Regensburg | Passau | Melk | Vienna
Budapest | Bratislava | Vienna | Budapest
Vienna | Melk | Passau | Regensburg | Nuremberg | Bamberg | Würzburg | Miltenberg | Rüdesheim | Speyer | Strasbourg | Breisach | Basel
Paris | Vernon | Conflans-Sainte-Honorine | Paris
Vienna | Melk | Passau | Regensburg | Nuremberg | Bamberg | Würzburg | Miltenberg | Frankfurt
Cologne | Rüdesheim | Koblenz | Cologne
Vienna | Melk | Passau | Regensburg | Nuremberg | Roth | Nuremberg
Vilshofen | Passau | Linz | Spitz | Melk | Vienna | Bratislava | Budapest
Frankfurt | Miltenberg | Würzburg | Bamberg | Nuremberg
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Paris | Rouen | Le Pecq | Paris
Regensburg | Passau | Vienna | Passau | Krems | Vienna | Budapest | Vienna | Budapest
Cologne | Rüdesheim | Koblenz | Cologne
Regensburg | Passau | Vienna | Passau | Krems | Vienna | Budapest | Vienna | Budapest
Frankfurt | Miltenberg | Würzburg | Bamberg | Nuremberg | Regensburg | Passau | Melk | Vienna
Budapest | Bratislava | Vienna | Budapest
Budapest | Vienna | Krems | Passau | Regensburg
Vienna | Linz | Krems | Melk | Bratislava | Vienna
Regensburg | Passau | Vienna | Passau | Krems | Vienna | Budapest | Vienna | Budapest
Vienna | Budapest | Bratislava | Vienna
Trier | Bernkastel-Kues | Cochem | Winningen | Koblenz | Mainz | Mannheim | Speyer | Strasbourg | Basel
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.
