Christmas market river cruises for a memorable 2021 | finder.com
finder.com
US
AU
NZ
UK
CA
SG
More

Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our content.

Christmas market river cruises in Europe

Browse through festive street fairs and participate in holiday traditions.

Stephanie Yip
Stephanie Yip

&

Amy Stoltenberg
Amy Stoltenberg

Updated

Fact checked
Christmas Cruise at Sea

Imagine: You’re sailing down a sparkling river, with castles and silent townships around every bend. Soon you see bright lights and a city overflowing with Christmas cheer. You’ve arrived at your destination and within it, some of the most traditional Christmas markets on the continent.

It’s all part of the Christmas market river cruise experience — enchanting and unforgettable.

What's in this guide?

Top river cruise companies

Top Christmas market river cruise itineraries 2021

salzburg christmas market

Grand Christmas and New Year’s Cruise

Sail south on the Danube, from The Sound of Music locations in Salzburg to Gothic churches and landmark markets along the banks.

  • Cruise length: 13 days
  • Countries visited: Three
  • Cities visited: 10
Check availability
budapest christmas market

Danube Waltz

Depart from illuminated Budapest, the “Paris of the East,” and sail to Bratslava, Vienna, Krems, Linz and Passau.

  • Cruise length: Eight days
  • Countries visited: Four
  • Cities visited: Six
Check availability
prague christmas market

Christmastime on the Danube

Kick off with a culinary tour of the Advent Markets, and bookend your cruise with a stroll through Prague’s colorful christmas markets.

  • Cruise length: Nine days
  • Countries visited: Three
  • Cities visited: Six
Check availability
basel christmas market

Christmastime from Prague to Basel

Leave from Prague to one of the world’s oldest Christmas Market in Nuremberg. Explore Rüdesheim, Breisach and more before docking in Switzerland.

  • Cruise length: 12 days
  • Countries visited: Four
  • Cities visited: Eleven
Check availability
Rhine Christmas Market

Rhine Christmas Markets

Depart from Cologne, Western Germany’s cultural hub, and sail to Mannheim and Mainz, stopping in Strasbourg, France along the way.

  • Cruise length: Five days
  • Countries visited: Twwo/li>
  • Cities visited: Four
Parisian Royal Holiday

Parisian Royal Holiday

The City of Lights is aglow during Christmastime. Go on a festive journey to Versailles, Rouen and Vernon, wandering through markets to ring in Noël.

  • Cruise length: Eight days
  • Countries visited: One
  • Cities visited: Four
European Holiday Markets

European Holiday Markets

From Nuremberg, the Gingerbread Capital of the World, you’ll cruise south through Germany and Austria, stopping at enchanting markets along the Danube.

  • Cruise length: Eight days
  • Countries visited: Two
  • Cities visited: Eight

Top cities with Christmas markets to visit

Budapest. Its main Christmas markets are in Vörösmarty Square and beside the Basilica where you can enjoy Hungarian delicacies and unique handcrafted gifts.

Vienna. Christmas markets fill almost every square in central Vienna. Go ice skating in the huge Rathausplatz market and listen to the choirs on Maria-Theresien-Platz.

Nuremberg. Germany’s most famous Christmas market, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt dates back at least as far as 1628. The market fills the square with 200 stalls with food, hot mulled wine, traditional crafts and gifts.

Mainz. The market in this historic square is a spectacle of lights, food and music, not to mention the 36-foot high Christmas Pyramid and the life-sized, hand-carved crib figurines standing in front of St. Martin’s Cathedral.

See the Top 10 European Christmas Market Tours

The Rhine. The Rhine stretches from the Swiss Alps to the Netherlands, where it flows into the North Sea. Take in the stunning views as you pass cities, villages and castles.

The Danube: Austria and Germany. From Germany’s Black Forest all the way to Vienna, Austria, history flows as deep as the river. Pass the remnants of the Habsburg Empire while sampling regional cuisine and beers.

The Danube: Hungary, Slovakia and Austria. This section of the Danube flows from Eastern to Western Europe, and the transition is fascinating. Experience history, landscapes, cultures and architecture from Budapest to Vienna.

Explore Danube and Rhine river cruises

Top deals on Christmas market cruises

TourRadarTourRadar

Mississippi River cruises starting from $1,562 per person

Last verified

Get deal

Compare flights to Europe

Bottom line

See some of Europe’s most shimmering cities all dressed up and decked out for the holidays on a Christmas river cruise. Browse promo codes, coupons and special travel deals to book your overnight boat ride for less.

Frequently asked questions

More guides on Finder

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.
Go to site