Traditional Christmas markets are one of the delights of the festive season as well as a tourist attraction during late November and December. But visiting more than one Yuletide market can be difficult on a single trip unless of course, you go for a Christmas market river cruise.
This option allows you to experience the market festivities in several destinations as well as enjoy an emblematic waterway at a very different time of year. If you like the sound of this unique combination, read on to discover our pick of the best Christmas market river cruises.
A bit of background
Before we choose Europe’s rivers for a Christmas cruise, a word about iconic Christmas markets. They originated in central Europe, particularly in Germany and Switzerland, and the oldest date back centuries. Frankfurt’s Christmas market, for example, first set up its stalls in 1393.
The traditional format consists of wooden-chalet-style stalls, decorated with fir or holly branches and twinkling with fairy lights. The stalls sell handmade arts and crafts, Christmas decorations and festive foodie treats. Most markets open in late November and continue to late December.
Most towns and cities hosting Christmas markets in Europe also offer a wealth of other festive activities such as live music, nativity scenes, funfair attractions and appearances by key players such as St Nicholas or Father Christmas himself. All are decked in Christmas lights.
Christmas market river cruises on the Rhine
With many of Europe’s most iconic festive destinations on its banks, the Rhine is the Christmas market river cruise par excellence. You have several options with varying itineraries covering some or all of the best of Europe’s Christmas markets, including:
Basel Christmas Market
Often overlooked as a Christmas market destination, this Swiss city hosts one of the most atmospheric. Basel also makes a great place to start your festive market cruise.
Don’t miss: Basel Läckerli, a Christmas gingerbread treat that pairs perfectly with local mulled wine.
Colmar Christmas Market
Already a location out of a fairytale, this town in Alsace comes into its own at for a Christmas market cruise with six festive markets. As well as browsing the over 180 stalls, you can go ice skating, listen to children’s choirs singing from canals and visit local wine cellars.
Don’t miss: The arts and crafts created by local artisans on display in the Koifhus, the old customs house and an impressive work of art in itself.
Inspiration for 7-nights of Christmas markets on the Rhine
View our Rhine river cruise options and book your river cruise for this Christmas.
Cologne Christmas Market
Tucked between Bonn and Dusseldorf, this German town comes packed with several Christmas markets, each dedicated to a different theme. ‘Cathedral City’ also has lots of festive events, celebrated at different locations.
Don’t miss: the Christmas Garden in Cologne Zoo.
Frankfurt Christmas Market
Home to one of Europe’s oldest and largest Christmas markets, Frankfurt celebrates the festive season in traditional style with a touch of innovation. Newbies for 2022 include the Pink Market run by the city’s LGBTQ+ community.
Don’t miss: tasting Frankfurt’s signature Bethmännchen, marzipan sweets topped with three almonds and a real Christmas delicacy.
Koblenz Christmas Market
This German city has a privileged location at the point where two mighty rivers, the Moselle and the Rhine, converge. It too celebrates a Christmas market, so large that it extends over six locations in the city centre.
Don’t miss: Koblenz’s glühwein made with white Riesling wine rather than the more traditional red.
Inspiration for 9-nights of Christmas markets on the Rhine
Find your Avalon Christmas river cruise
Mulhouse Christmas Market
This Alsatian city isn’t quite on the Rhine, but a side trip is more than worth it if you’re a connoisseur of the best Christmas markets on river cruises. This festive market showcases the local textile industry with a new design of cloth decorating the façades and streets of the city.
Don’t miss: the bredalas, traditional cakes and biscuits baked only at Christmas.
Inspiration for 4-nights of Christmas markets on the Rhine
Join Riviera’s MS Oscar Wilde on a long weekend
Strasbourg Christmas Market
This city’s Christmas market, known as the Christkindelsmärik, dates back to 1570 and the associated events have turned Strasbourg into the ‘Capital of Christmas’. Over 300 stalls line the streets, lit with tens of thousands of lights and packed with festive entertainment.
Don’t miss: the giant Christmas tree that stands tall in Place Kléber.
Christmas market river cruises on the Seine
The glorious City of Lights is magnific at any time of year and the festive season is nothing short of magical. And where better to enjoy it than on board a river cruise on the Seine? Not only will you have a front seat view of the twinkling lights, but you’ll also have the chance to explore the many Christmas markets in Paris.
The ‘tradition’ of Christmas markets didn’t arrive in the city until the 1990s, but Paris has welcomed them with open arms since then and celebrates dozens. Some take place in the city’s most emblematic spots such as the Jardin des Tuileries, the square in front of Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and the Hôtel de Ville. Most follow the traditional format of wooden chalets selling arts and crafts, gifts and foodie treats while others base their stalls around themes.
Don’t miss: the non-French Christmas markets, such as the English, Japanese and Swedish versions.
How to see the best Parisian Christmas markets on a river cruise
A 3-day cruise on board the MS Botticelli in late November or December gives you the chance to soak up the festive atmosphere in the City of Lights. The CroisiEurope cruise starts and ends in Paris with plenty of time to visit the markets.
And if you want the full smorgasbord of Christmas markets including Paris and taking in the biggest and brightest on the Rhine, take a look at this 18-day festive Scenic river cruise bonanza.
Get ahead and book your Christmas market river cruise
Now you know what a European Christmas is like. And you already know how the festive creeps up out of nowhere, so book your iconic Christmas river cruise sooner rather than later! Take a look at the options on our website, pick the Rhine or Seine, choose your dates and then select your early Christmas present. Bon voyage (and Happy Christmas)! Start with a Rhine river cruise search.
