Top river cruise destinations for Christmas markets
River cruises offer a wonderful opportunity to explore the world, particularly European cities. This summer, searches for "river cruise" surged by 70% compared to last year, according to Google Trends. However, whilst river cruises are a popular option for those looking for an extraordinary summer getaway, they are also a great choice if you’re searching for a festive escape.
There are an abundance of Christmas markets across Europe to choose from, offering a variety of festive activities and experiences. So why not opt for a winter river cruise that gives you the opportunity to enjoy these, whilst sailing along some of the world’s most picturesque rivers?
Travel experts at Iglu Cruise have assessed and ranked popular river cruise port cities based on their Christmas markets, to help you plan your dream getaway. Their ranking considers factors such as proximity to the cruise port, market size, popularity, social media presence and online reviews. The cities were then awarded a score out of a possible 50, accordingly.
Top 10 Ranked River Cruise Ports for Christmas Markets:
Contents:
- Cologne, Germany
- Vienna, Austria
- Strasbourg, France
- Budapest, Hungary
- Regensburg, Germany
- Düsseldorf, Germany
- Nuremberg, Germany
- Bratislava, Slovakia
- Lyon, France
- Koblenz, Germany
Cologne, Germany
Score: 43 out of 50
Cologne is the fourth-largest city in Germany and is situated on the River Rhine. It is famous for its Gothic cathedral and is home to the original Eau de Cologne.
The Christmas markets in Cologne are positioned with views of this famous cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which was once the tallest building in the world. During the festive season, the old town is transformed into a festive wonderland and features Germany’s largest open-air ice rink.
Top Rated Factors
Proximity: The Christmas market is conveniently located within a 5-10 minute walk from the cruise port, ensuring easy access even for those with limited time.
Reviews: Cologne's Christmas markets are highly rated on Tripadvisor and are a very popular festive destination. They attract approximately 4 million visitors each year, with around 400 stalls collectively offering a wide range of goods.
Ready to explore the magical Cologne Christmas Markets? Find your perfect river cruise to Cologne here.
Vienna, Austria
Score: 39 out of 50
Vienna is the capital city of Austria and is often named “The City of Music” as it was home to various famous composers, including Mozart, Strauss, Haydn and Beethoven. It sits on the River Danube, Europe’s second-largest river, and houses numerous palaces, including the Schönbrunn Palace and the Belvedere Palace. Vienna has the region's largest Christmas market with 500 stalls that are beautifully positioned by the illuminated City Hall and an ice rink winding through the park.
Top Rated Factors
Social Score: Vienna is a must-visit for a festive river cruise and is highly popular with 26,700 tags on Instagram.
Reviews: Vienna Christmas Market has great Tripadvisor reviews; tourists enjoy the great selection of food and stalls as well as the “gorgeous backdrop of the city hall lit up”.
To truly experience the spectacle of the Vienna Christmas Markets, check out river cruises heading to Vienna here.
Strasbourg, France
Score: 35 out of 50
Strasbourg is a city in eastern France, close to the border of Germany. Due to its location, it often sees a unique blend of French and German influences and sits on the Ill River, which flows into the nearby Rhine River. Known by locals as the "Capital of Christmas," the Christmas markets in Strasbourg date back to 1570 and are the oldest in France. The markets are set against the impressive cathedral and feature a massive Christmas tree in The Grand Sapin, the largest square and the heart of the festival.
Top Rated Factors
Social Score: Strasbourg's Christmas market is exceptionally popular, both in person and on social media, boasting over 36,700 Instagram hashtags and 964 TikTok hashtags.
Popularity: The market's 300 stalls and 3.4 million annual visitors highlight its undeniable and widespread appeal.
See the Strasbourg Christmas Markets by river cruise. Browse Strasbourg itineraries here.
Budapest, Hungary
Score: 30 out of 50
Hungary's capital, Budapest, is divided by the River Danube into two distinct areas, Buda and Pest. A river cruise offers incredible views of the Hungarian Parliament Building and the opportunity to experience the city’s abundance of grand architecture, thermal baths, as well as the famous ruin bars. The Christmas markets showcase an ice-skating rink and a stunning 3D light projection show on the city’s Basilica's facade each evening.
Top Rated Factors
Proximity: The market is conveniently located just 300-500 metres from the river cruise port, making it a quick 10-15 minute walk from disembarkation.
Social Score: The markets have a strong social media presence, featuring 14,100 Instagram tags. While popular, attracting 800,000 annual visitors, it maintains a manageable crowd, ensuring an enjoyable experience without being overly busy.
The enchanting Budapest Christmas Markets await! Discover the effortless way to get there, check out a river cruise itinerary to Budapest here.
Regensburg, Germany
Score: 28 out of 50
Regensburg is a historic city in Bavaria, Germany, located on the Danube River at its northernmost point, where it is joined by the rivers Naab and Regen. The city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006, boasting a medieval centre, cobblestone streets and ancient architecture. The Regensburg Christmas markets are renowned as Germany's most beautiful, and some are even illuminated by torches, candles and open fire pits.
Top Rated Factors
Proximity: Regensburg's Christmas markets, featuring 250-300 stalls, are conveniently located 500-800 metres from the river cruise port.
Popularity: The market offers a diverse array of goods for the approximately 2 million visitors it attracts annually.
Want to see the beautiful Regensburg Christmas Markets? You can check out a river cruise to Regensburg right here.
Düsseldorf, Germany
Score: 27 out of 50
Düsseldorf is the capital of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and is situated on the River Rhine. It’s also the fashion capital of Germany and is known for having many stylish bars in the compact area of the old town. The Christmas markets in Düsseldorf are set in front of the Town Hall as well as the famous Old Town Market, where the stalls resemble the historic burgher houses of the city. There's also the Roncalli's Weihnachtspromenade, which is conveniently located along the Rhine River promenade, offering easy access for river cruise guests.
Top Rated Factors
Popularity: These popular Christmas markets, which attract approximately 3 million visitors annually, feature 200 stalls and offer a diverse selection of goods and festive treats.
Proximity: Many stalls are along the river promenade, and the main stalls are just a 10–15 minute walk from the cruise port, offering quick access to the markets from a river cruise.
If the Düsseldorf Christmas Markets are calling your name, a river cruise there might be the perfect, relaxing way to go. Take a look at the itineraries here.
Nuremberg, Germany
Score: 27 out of 50
Nuremberg is the second-largest city in Bavaria, Germany. It is primarily located on the Pegnitz River but also sits on the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, which is a manmade waterway connecting all of the rivers and nearby seas. Nuremberg’s Christmas markets are known as "the little city of wood and cloth" and are famously home to 180 traditional red-and-white striped stalls. The market is officially opened by the ‘Christkind’, a young woman chosen every two years to serve as the market's spokesperson.
Top Rated Factors
Reviews: Its popularity is reflected in its high ratings on Tripadvisor, with tourists admiring the traditional atmosphere and great food and drink, making it a must-visit destination for holiday enthusiasts.
Popularity: Nuremberg Christmas markets draw in 2 million visitors a year, highlighting its brilliant reputation.
Want to see the beautiful Nuremberg Christmas Markets? You can check out a river cruise to Nuremberg right here.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Score: 26 out of 50
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and is situated on the Danube River, overlooking the grand Bratislava Castle. It’s known for its futuristic-looking UFO bridge (officially known as the SNP Bridge), which features a flying-saucer-shaped observation deck and restaurant high above the Danube. The Christmas markets in Bratislava feature the largest Christmas tree in the city, with an open-air ice skating rink and a "Christmas Forest," showcasing trees decorated by local schools.
Top Rated Factors
Proximity: A key advantage is their excellent accessibility, located just a 5-10 minute walk from the river cruise port, allowing visitors to quickly enjoy the festive atmosphere when exploring ashore.
Reviews: Based on Google reviews, Bratislava Christmas Markets are very popular, with tourists highlighting the cosiness and delicious aromas drifting through the markets.
Thinking about seeing the Bratislava Christmas Markets this year? River cruising offers a wonderfully smooth journey right to the heart of the festive fun. See the Bratislava options here.
Lyon, France
Score: 23 out of 50
Lyon is the third-largest city in France and is situated at the confluence of the River Rhône and the River Saône. Renowned as France's gastronomic capital, it is famous for its traditional, hearty cuisine served in local restaurants called "bouchons”. This is also reflected in its Christmas markets, which emphasise high-quality regional delicacies such as tartiflette, pink pralines and vin chaud (mulled wine).
A major highlight is its close proximity to the world-famous Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights), which attracts millions to the city and is held from 5th to 8th December. Visiting during these four days allows you to combine the Christmas market with artistic light projections and installations on monuments and buildings.
Top Rated Factors
Proximity: Guests can easily reach the market from their river cruise ship, as it’s only a 10-20 minute walk away.
Reviews: Online reviews highly recommend Lyon Christmas Markets, describing them as beautiful and "very well done," with an abundance of food options. It's considered a must-visit destination in December.
If you're dreaming of a stress-free trip to Lyon Christmas Markets, a river cruise offers a delightful solution. Take a look at the Lyon cruise options available here.
Koblenz, Germany
Score: 20 out of 50
Koblenz is a city in Germany renowned for its dramatic scenery. It lies in a unique location at the "German Corner" where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. The Ehrenbreitstein Fortress towers at 118 metres high and can be accessed via a cable car that runs over the River Rhine. Half-timbered houses surround the Christmas markets in Koblenz, and the town hall’s roof transforms into a giant advent calendar. A decorative Christmas windmill also features there, too.
Top Rated Factor
Proximity: Koblenz offers exceptional accessibility for river cruise passengers, with its main Christmas market just a 10-minute walk from the port.
Size: While not exceptionally large, it boasts 130 stalls, offering ample opportunity to enjoy the festive atmosphere.
For a truly lovely visit to the renowned Koblenz Christmas Markets, why not consider a relaxing river cruise? You can explore the possibilities for a Koblenz itinerary right here.
Ready to embark on a festive adventure?
If you're looking for your next festive adventure, check out our river cruises here. Imagine gliding past twinkling Christmas markets and snow-dusted castles in Europe. Or for some winter sun, why not check out our Caribbean cruise itineraries here.
We offer a variety of cruise types that cater to all, including all-inclusive cruises, family cruises, luxury cruises, river cruises and more. Book your next adventure with us today and look forward to a holiday of a lifetime.