Magical cruises to Europe's best Christmas markets
Whether you go to buy gifts, replenish your Yuletide larder or simply to soak up the atmosphere, Europe’s Christmas markets weave a captivating spell.
While snowfall cannot be guaranteed, it is more likely. At the very least you can expect a Christmas-card setting with traditional handmade decorations, along with daytime and evening markets packed with festive flavours and, if you’re lucky, local choirs providing the requisite soundtrack.
It is possible to cruise by river or sea to enjoy Europe’s markets. The advantage with river cruising is the opportunity to visit not just one but several Christmas markets and, as you sail, to see towns and villages decorated for the festive season. The biggest concentration of Christmas markets lies along the banks of the Rhine and the Danube; there are also some on the Main and the Seine – many in Paris itself.
There are still some cruises to choose from, but you’ll have to be quick.
15 of the best Christmas markets in Europe
The Rhine
The highlights: the Rhine Gorge, lined with castles and charming toes-in-the-water towns and villages; imposing Cologne Cathedral; picturesque Strasbourg.
Cruise this river, which weaves through the heart of Germany, and you’ll be able to enjoy German Christmas markets in Koblenz and Cologne on a four-day trip with The River Cruise Line (0844 544 6437; rivercruiseline.co.uk). Its cruises are on board the Lady Anne. Seven days from £799 per person
Choose from seven themed Christmas markets in Cologne, and seven in Düsseldorf, or visit markets in Cologne, Bonn and Koblenz with Saga (0800 096 0079; travel.saga.co.uk), which offers seven-night cruises on Regina Rheni II, departing on December 20. The cruises cost from £1,049 per person including return Eurostar travel and 20 meals (seven breakfasts, six lunches and seven dinners).
Markets in Aachen, Rüdesheim, Heidelberg, Baden-Baden, Strasbourg and Riquewihr feature on an eight-day Basel-to-Cologne cruise offered by luxury US operator Tauck (0800 810 8020; tauck.co.uk). From £2,060 per person.
The Danube
The highlights: a wealth of imperial palaces, Melk’s magnificent 11th-century Benedictine Abbey, capital cities Vienna and Budapest and the scenic Wachau Valley.
With hot punch and chestnut stands, markets and classical concerts, Vienna comes into its own in December. The biggest market is held in front of the imposing City Hall, while the baroque Belvedere Palace makes an equally impressive backdrop for the 40-plus stalls called Christmas Village. It’s a little farther from the centre, but don’t miss the atmospheric, year-round Nachtmarkt for its amazing foodstuffs.
If you’d like an exclusive tour of Frankfurt’s Thurn und Taxis Palace, with a visit to its private Bavarian Christmas Market, Tauck (0800 810 8020; tauck.co.uk) includes both on its eight-day cruise from Nuremberg to Vienna on its ship Savor (from £2,060 per person, excluding flights).
Another Nuremberg cruise, which goes to Budapest, begins with a visit to the world’s largest Christmas market and includes another in medieval Regensburg, and visits the Imperial Schönbrunn Palace with its 60 traditional stalls. Sail on AmaCerto on December 18 or AmaStella on December 20 for seven nights. From £2,045 per person (0808 256 8422; amawaterways.co.uk). See website for more dates.
The Seine
The highlights: the river snakes through Normandy’s rural landscape; cruises start and end in Paris, and also call at Rouen.
The City of Light puts on a spectacular display for the festive season, including the Champs-Élysées illuminations (6pm until 2am) and Christmas Market, stretching from Rond-point to Place de la Concorde’s Ferris wheel. Among the markets is the Branly Promenade near the Eiffel Tower.
See Paris dressed for Christmas on an eight-day Paris to Normandy cruise with Titan (0808 231 4225; titantravel.co.uk). Call for dates and exact prices.
Christmas day cruises
Most markets will have closed by December 23, but on board you can expect seasonal menus and a convivial atmosphere.
Enjoy a private concert in Vienna, a journey on an imperial train and a banquet at Namedy Castle on a 15-day cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam with APT (0800 046 3002; aptouring.co.uk). It is on either the Aria or Concerto. From £4,695 per person, sailing on December 23.
The River Cruise Line (rivercruiseline.co.uk) offers seven-day cruises from £799 to £995 per person for departures on December 23 2018, as well as five-day New Year cruises from £649 per person for departures on December 29 2018 , on board Serenity. The itineraries include visits Koblenz, Bonn Rüdesheim and Cologne.
Avalon Waterways (0800 668 1801; avalonwaterways.com) offers a host of festive “Christmastime river cruises” in December, including along the Danube and the Rhine, travelling through the heart of Germany and Switzerland, as well Amsterdam, Vienna and other Christmas market destinations. See the website for the latest dates.
