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.
featured cruise
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 14 Dec 2024
Rhine
World-class fleet of contemporary floating boutique hotels
14 Nights
Sailing Date : 21 Nov 2024
Danube, Rhine
Custom-designed ships offer you space to relax and indulge
Ultra-luxury cruising in a class of its own
17 Nights
Sailing Date : 21 Nov 2024
Danube, Rhine
Custom-designed ships offer you space to relax and indulge
Ultra-luxury cruising in a class of its own
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 21 Nov 2024
Rhone
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Up to £1,500 cruise savings per person PLUS Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade PLUS up to €50 Onboard Credit per person
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 21 Nov 2024
Rhine
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Up to £1,500 cruise savings per person PLUS Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade PLUS up to €50 Onboard Credit per person
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 22 Nov 2024
Danube
Custom-designed ships offer you space to relax and indulge
Ultra-luxury cruising in a class of its own
14 Nights
Sailing Date : 22 Nov 2024
Danube, Rhine
Save up to 60% on 2024 European sailings
Luxuriously appointed cabins aboard a 5* river ship
Private home-to-airport transfers
14 Nights
Sailing Date : 23 Nov 2024
Custom-designed ships offer you space to relax and indulge
Ultra-luxury cruising in a class of its own
17 Nights
Sailing Date : 23 Nov 2024
Danube, Rhine
Custom-designed ships offer you space to relax and indulge
Ultra-luxury cruising in a class of its own
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 23 Nov 2024
Douro
World-class fleet of contemporary floating boutique hotels
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 23 Nov 2024
Rhine
Gratuities and a choice of daily excursions are included
Avalon Panorama Suites are thirty percent larger than the industry standard
FREE case of wine with every Avalon booking
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 23 Nov 2024
Douro
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Up to £1,500 cruise savings per person PLUS Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade PLUS up to €50 Onboard Credit per person
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 24 Nov 2024
Douro
Custom-designed ships offer you space to relax and indulge
Ultra-luxury cruising in a class of its own
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 24 Nov 2024
Douro
THE MOST ALL-INCLUSIVE AMENITIES finely tailored to your tastes.
Inspired by their destinations, each ship in the fleet has a uniquely beautiful design
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 25 Nov 2024
Rhine
THE MOST ALL-INCLUSIVE AMENITIES finely tailored to your tastes.
Inspired by their destinations, each ship in the fleet has a uniquely beautiful design
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 25 Nov 2024
Rhine
Custom-designed ships offer you space to relax and indulge
Ultra-luxury cruising in a class of its own
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 25 Nov 2024
Dutch Waterway
THE MOST ALL-INCLUSIVE AMENITIES finely tailored to your tastes.
Inspired by their destinations, each ship in the fleet has a uniquely beautiful design
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 25 Nov 2024
Rhine
THE MOST ALL-INCLUSIVE AMENITIES finely tailored to your tastes.
Inspired by their destinations, each ship in the fleet has a uniquely beautiful design
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 25 Nov 2024
Danube
Gratuities and a choice of daily excursions are included
Avalon Panorama Suites are thirty percent larger than the industry standard
FREE case of wine with every Avalon booking
14 Nights
Sailing Date : 26 Nov 2024
Danube, Rhine
World-class fleet of contemporary floating boutique hotels
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 26 Nov 2024
Rhine
World-class fleet of contemporary floating boutique hotels
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 26 Nov 2024
Douro
Award-Winning Included Dining Experiences
Up to £1,500 cruise savings per person PLUS Complimentary Stateroom Upgrade PLUS up to €50 Onboard Credit per person
Save up to 20% on a range of sailings in 2024 and 2025
4 Nights
Sailing Date : 27 Nov 2024
Danube
World-class fleet of contemporary floating boutique hotels
7 Nights
Sailing Date : 27 Nov 2024
Douro
Gratuities and a choice of daily excursions are included
Avalon Panorama Suites are thirty percent larger than the industry standard
FREE case of wine with every Avalon booking
5 Nights
Sailing Date : 29 Nov 2024
Danube
Gratuities and a choice of daily excursions are included
Avalon Panorama Suites are thirty percent larger than the industry standard
FREE case of wine with every Avalon booking
