What’s more romantic than slowly cruising Europe’s grandest rivers?
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Going on a river cruise during the cold winter months. While cold-weather cruises aren’t nearly as popular as, say, Mediterranean cruises, they offer one major perk: You can take advantage of Europe’s loveliest Christmas markets when you port.
Even better, some cruises are designed to take you to some of the continent’s most celebrated Christmas markets, including those in Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Switzerland, and beyond.
Best river cruises in Europe for Christmas markets from Viking
Christmas Along the Elbe
Learn about holiday traditions along the Elbe as you shop at some of its most colorful, quaint Christmas markets.
- Length: 10 days
- Countries visited: Germany & Czech Republic
- Explore markets in these cities via guided tours: Berlin (start), Potsdam, Wittenberg, Meissen, Dresden, Bad Schandau, & Prague (end)
Christmas on the Main & Moselle
Along with Christmas markets, visit cathedrals and castles that are decked out with holiday flair as you head from France to the Czech Republic.
- Length: 12 days
- Countries visited: France, Germany, & Czech Republic
- Explore markets in these cities, including 10 guided tours: Paris (start), Reims, Trier, Bernkastel, Cochem, Winningen, Mainz, Heidelberg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, & Prague (end)
Christmas on the Rhine & Moselle
Soak up the festive cheer at markets in Paris, Germany, and Switzerland as you explore the Christmas gems of the Alps.
- Length: 12 days
- Countries visited: France, Germany, & Swizterland
- Explore markets in these cities via guided tours, including 10 guided tours: Paris (start), Reims, Trier, Bernkastel, Cochem, Winningen, Koblenz, Mainz, Mannheim, Speyer, Strasbourg, & Basel (end)
Danube Christmas Lights Delight
Take on four festive countries on this shorter route that takes you to some of Europe’s most enchanting valleys and villages.
- Length: 8 days
- Countries visited: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, & Germany
- Explore markets in these cities via guided tours: Budapest (start), Bratislava, Vienna, Krems, Linz, & Passau (end)
Best river cruises in Europe for Christmas markets from Uniworld
Classic Christmas Markets
Keep it simple with this seven-stop Christmas market tour of Germany where you can learn about the origins of some of the coziest holiday traditions.
- Length: 8 days
- Countries visited: Germany
- Explore markets in these cities via guided tours: Nuremberg (start), Bamberg, Kitzingen, Wurzburg, & Frankfurt (end)
Danube Holiday Markets
Take on some of Europe’s most dramatic mountain and valley views as you cruise from one lovely Christmas market to the next.
- Length: 8 days
- Countries visited: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, & Germany
- Explore markets in these cities via guided tours: Budapest (start), Vienna, Krems, Melk, Linz, & Passau (end)
European Holiday Markets
Explore the Christmas markets of Central Europe, where you’ll learn about cultural traditions and history as you explore Germany and Austria.
- Length: 8 days
- Countries visited: Germany & Austria
- Explore markets in these cities via guided tours: Nuremberg (start), Regensburg, Deggendorf, & Vienna (end)
Rhine Holiday Markets
Take on some of the biggest and most well-known Christmas markets in Europe as you stop in some of its most charming cold-weather cities.
- Length: 8 days
- Countries visited: Germany, France, & Switzerland
- Explore markets in these cities via guided tours: Basel (start), Strasbourg, Mannheim, Mainz, & Cologne (end)
Best river cruises in Europe for Christmas markets from Avalon Waterways
Didn’t find what you were looking for from the options listed above? I recommend checking out Avalon Waterways’ dozens of options for Christmas market-focused river cruises in Europe. They offer shorter cruises (five days) or longer options (up to 15 days) and also let you book cruises years in advance.
