Celebrate the Holiday Season With a River Cruise to Europe’s Traditional Christmas Markets
Curated By
Heather Budd
Curator’s statement
My first ever visit to mainland Europe was to Salzburg, Austria, at Christmas — where I learned that there’s no better way to make special holiday memories than to explore the centuries-old Christmas markets in Europe. Stroll through medieval streets under twinkling lights, exploring the seasonal treats on every stall: hot chocolate, spiced gingerbread and, of course, spiced glühwein. It’s a great time to pick up unique handcrafted toys and ornaments, but be sure to save time to tour the magnificent cathedrals, palaces and opera houses! The ideal way to experience traditional Christmas markets is on a luxurious river cruise. It allows you to unpack just once while visiting multiple magical destinations, you’re taken straight to the heart of each city with no wait times to embark or disembark and you can enjoy small-group tours and unique cultural experiences at every stop.
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Things to do in Europe
The hardest part of a river cruise is choosing which river! These are the main choices, offering stops in towns and cities where you can explore traditional markets filled with handmade goods, festive foods and cultural celebrations.
Danube
The classic Christmas river cruise is on the Danube, visiting cities like Vienna, Salzburg and Nuremberg, each offering their own unique Christmas market experience. Vienna’s markets are known for their grand architecture and classical concerts, while Nuremberg's Christmas market is one of the oldest in the world. Be sure to try the classic Spekulatius spiced cookies!
Rhine
A Rhine cruise can offer a lot of countries in a single trip: sail from Amsterdam in the Netherlands, visit Cologne and Koblenz in Germany, take in Strasbourg, France and disembark in Basel, Switzerland. And remember, you unpack and pack just once!
Strasbourg calls itself “The Capital of Christmas” and you’ll see why at dusk: the whole city is illuminated with shimmering lights stretching from building to building, and lighting up the huge Christmas tree on Place Kléber and the magnificent Cathedral Notre Dame. A stunning backdrop to its Christmas market, Christkindelsmärik, the oldest and most famous in France.
Seine
Paris, the City of Lights, gets even more magical as Christmas approaches. At the Marché de Noël Notre Dame, you can browse a range of hand-made gifts and artwork, and perhaps even take part in the celebrations for the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral itself (scheduled to run from December 2024 to June 2025).
A cruise on the Seine can also include the enchanting city of Rouen, where you can lose yourself among half-timbered houses, narrow streets and charming squares. Optional excursions on a Seine river cruise can include Benedictine monasteries, Calvados tasting and a thought-provoking trip to the Normandy Beaches.
Moselle
This smaller river offers access to picturesque towns like Cochem and Trier, where you can enjoy smaller, quaint Christmas markets. Trier is a true hidden gem: Germany’s oldest city, with many impressive Roman ruins and nine UNESCO World Heritage sites. Typically, a Moselle cruise would also include sailing on the Main or Rhine, so you can also take in cities like Würzburg, Strasbourg or Amsterdam.
Rhône
For an unusual take on Christmas river cruises, consider sailing on the Rhône River in Provence, southern France. You'll still find the typical and much-loved Northern European log cabin market stalls, but also more uniquely Provençal festive traditions of lights and illumination.
Time your cruise so that you are in Lyon for the spectacular Fête des Lumières, which takes place around December 8 every year. The facades of the city’s most beautiful buildings are transformed with creative light projections, and the people of Lyon take part by placing candles in their windows and on balconies. You won't see much snow, but you'll make memories that will last a lifetime.
Places to eat & drink in Europe
When visiting European Christmas markets, you can try a variety of foods and drinks, including:
Käsespätzle: A German dish of pasta covered in melted cheese and fried onions, similar to European mac and cheese
Reibekuchen: Potato pancakes
Gebrannte Nüsse: Roasted and candied nuts
Maroni: Roasted chestnuts
Handbrot: Hand-held bread
Champignons: Sauteed mushrooms
Lebkuchen: Gingerbread
Glühwein: A warm mulled wine that's popular at holiday markets in Switzerland
Feuerzangenbowle: A flaming drink
Eierpunsch: Egg punch
Need to know
By their very nature, river cruises mean you will fly home from a different city than you flew into, but I can help with pre-and post-cruise accommodation.
Many river cruises offer optional pre-and post-cruise extensions, giving you extra days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination completely.
It won’t be needed in 2024, but Christmas cruises within the European Union from 2025 may require the advance purchase of the new ETIAS travel authorization for visa-exempt travelers.
Let's talk about customizing this itinerary for you. Or, about other destinations.
Travel Advisor
Heather Budd
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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Europe. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, The Best of Curaçao - Where to Stay, Dine and Play!