6 Festive trips that will take you to the best Christmas markets in Europe

Are you dreaming of a picturesque Christmas getaway?  

It’s no secret that some of the world’s most beautiful Christmas markets can be found in Europe. But, with so many markets to choose from, how can you be sure you’re getting the most out of a European Christmas market vacation? Thanks to cruises and guided tours, you can explore European markets filled with Yuletide cheer.  

Whether you’re looking for a last-minute Christmas getaway, or you’re planning next year’s big holiday adventure, here are six festive trips that will take you to the best Christmas markets in Europe.  

Viking – Christmas on the Rhine 

Explore all the yuletide festivities that the Rhine River has to offer with an eight-day cruise with Viking. Viking’s Christmas on the Rhine cruise takes you from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to Basel, Switzerland.  

In Cologne, Germany, you’ll find markets that sprawl along the city streets, featuring red wooden stalls with locally made goods. While you peruse the goods and admire the city’s decorations, be sure to sample Spekulatius, a spiced Christmas cookie traditionally eaten during the holidays.  

For wine connoisseurs who love Christmas, Koblenz is a can’t-miss stop along the Rhine River. Explore the region's rich wine-making history with a warm mug of gluhwein, a German mulled wine that will warm you as you wander the market stalls surrounding the archangel fountain.  

While In Rüdesheim you will visit the Christmas Market of Nations. This market features over 120 vendors and allows you to explore holiday traditions and foods from 20 countries. Don't forget to try Rüdesheim's favourite coffee, made with locally distilled Asbach Uralt Brandy.  

For all the gifts you’ll need, enjoy Mannheim, Germany’s Christmas market. Here, you will find everything from local delicacies to hand-carved toys and soft cashmere scarves, making it easy to find something for everyone on your list.  

Explore one of Europe’s most famous festive markets in Strasbourg. Considered the Christmas capital of France, Strasbourg’s Christmas market boasts more than 300 wooden chalets that are decorated with thousands of shimmering lights. Whether you’re in the market for Christmas gifts for your loved ones—or yourself—or just looking to take in the festivities, Strasbourg is the perfect Christmas market destination.  

• Price: From $3,999 per person 

• Days: 8 days 

• Countries: Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands 

• Trip type: Cruise 

Trafalgar – Christmas markets of Austria, Germany and Switzerland 

Explore eight cities across four countries with Trafalgar’s Christmas markets of Austria, Germany and Switzerland tour. Fill your holidays with Christmas cheer, and traditions at iconic Christkindlmarkts—the German word for Christmas markets—and cities famous for their holiday festivities.  

See Vienna, known for markets that are often featured in holiday movies. As you explore the Austrian capital, you’ll see regal palaces and cathedrals. Take in the sites along the Danube River, and marvel at how the city lights up at night with holiday lights and decorations. With Trafalgar, you’ll get to explore the Christkindlmarkt, the perfect place to find holiday gifts and souvenirs. Don't forget to enjoy a tasty gingerbread and a mug of Gluhwein.  

In Munich, Germany, you’ll get the chance to embrace Advent traditions in Munich’s old town. Advent celebrates the lead-up to Christmas and is dotted with traditions that bring people together over the holidays. You’ll get to see all that the cities Marienplatz has to offer, including the Town Hall and the Rathaus-Glockenspiel, a mechanical clock in the heart of Marienplatz which features life-sized characters that reenact Munich’s history.  

Enjoy the Munchner Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz, whose roots date back to the 14th century. This Christmas market is considered the original Munich Christmas market, making it the perfect place to soak up the traditions of a Bavarian Christmas.  

For a true Swiss Christmas experience, Trafalgar brings you to Lucerne. Marvel at the medieval architecture in this Alpine town as it becomes a city of lights during the holiday season. In the heart of Lucerne’s old town, you’ll discover the Christmas Market at Franziskanerplatz. With traditional wooden stalls that offer treats like Gluhwein and gifts. In the centre of the plaza is the Franziskaner fountain, decorated with an advent wreath more than three meters in diameter, and four-meter-tall candles.  

• Price: From $3,578 per person 

• Days: 8 days 

• Countries: Austria, Germany and Switzerland 

• Trip type: Guided tour 

Ama Waterways – Iconic Christmas Markets 

Set sail on the Danube River to mesmerizing Christmas markets in historic towns and cities with Ama Waterways’ Iconic Christmas Markets cruise. Feel like you have stepped back in time as you walk cobblestone streets decorated with Christmas Trees and dazzling lights as you sail from Nuremberg, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary. 

Explore Nuremberg's historic streets and the Imperial Castle in the city’s historic centre. You’ll even see local markets as you tour the city. For Christmas lovers, the highlight of Nuremberg is the Christkindlmarkt, one of the world’s largest and most famous Christmas markets. Located in Nuremberg’s Hauptmarkt this Christmas market’s origin dates to the 17th century and offers food and gifts that are rich with Bavarian culture. Be sure to try one of Nuremberg’s famous bratwursts or satisfy your sweet tooth with Spekulatis cookies and gingerbread.  

In Regensburg, you’ll visit one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and romantic Christmas Markets at Thurn and Taxis. Held in the courtyard of Saint Emmeram’s Palace, the residence of the Thurn and Taxis family, this romantic Christmas market features live music and Christmas stories and gives marketgoers a chance to watch as the arts and crafts are created by traditional artisans. 

Visit Budapest and explore both sides of the city, which is divided by the Danube River. Visit Vorosmarty Square, Budapest’s largest and longest-running Christmas market. This market offers handmade gifts from local artisans, a grand Christmas tree, traditional holiday sweet treats, and mulled wine.  

• Price: From $3,823 per person 

• Days: 8 days 

• Countries: Austria, Germany, and Hungary 

• Trip type: Cruise 

Insight – Alpine Christmas Markets 

Explore all that the Alps have to offer with an Alpine Christmas Markets nine-day guided tour from Insight Vacations. See holiday markets and charming Alpine towns as they come to life, decorated for the holidays.  

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Salzburg’s Christkindlmarkt at the Dom-and Residenzplatz square. While the market itself is celebrating 50 years, the market’s origins can be traced to the 15th Century, making it one of the oldest Advent Markets. Enjoy a Gluhwein tasting at the market with a local winemaker and learn all about this traditional holiday wine.  

Enjoy a day trip to Freiburg, a university city that transforms into a Christmas wonderland each holiday season. Explore the city’s medieval old town a be sure to peruse the colourful stalls of gifts and foods traditional to Germany’s Black Forest Region. The market offers candle-making workshops and even a 12-meter-tall antique Ferris wheel.  

In Zurich, you’ll visit Europe’s biggest indoor Christmas market, which is held in the city’s main train station. Despite being indoors, the Zurich Christmas market features over 160 wooden chalets with local artisans.  

• Price: From $4,004 per person 

• Days: 9 days 

• Countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France 

• Trip type: Guided tour 

Viking – Christmas on the Main and Moselle 

Viking’s Christmas on the Main and Moselle allows you to sail two of Europe's Iconic rivers during the holiday season. On this 12-day river cruise, you will visit castles and cathedrals decorated for the holidays and explore Christmas markets featuring local treats as the scents of gluhwein and gingerbread fill the air.  

Venture to the heart of France’s Champagne region to Reims. Here, you can sample authentic champagne while you wander through one of France’s largest Christmas markets. Over 140 market stalls can be found in the city centre, along the Promenades Jean-Louis Schneier. You will also find craftsmen in the court of the Palace of Tau.  

The medieval city of Trier, Germany, has a rich history. Here you can see cathedrals built during the Holy Roman Empire, like the Trier Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Germany. The Trier Cathedral serves as the backdrop of the medieval Main Market. At the Trier Christmas Market, you’ll find handcrafted Christmas decorations and Germany’s Mulled Wine Queen. The Mulled Wine Queen is the ambassador of the winzergluhwein, made at the steep vineyards that line the Moselle River.  

During the winter months, Cochem, Germany, is transformed into a winter wonderland. The town’s squares and narrow alleyways are decorated with lights, and vendors occupy stalls displaying locally made crafts and delicacies. Try some Riesling stollen, a German Christmas bread, and yeast dumplings while you wander the Old Town.  

In Wurzburg, visit the Advent Market in the old town. Sample some of the delicious local treats while you watch artisans create holiday gifts and decorations.  

• Price: From $4,699 per person 

• Days: 10 days 

• Countries: France, Germany, Czech Republic 

• Trip type: Cruise 

Trafalgar – German Christmas Markets 

See all that Germany’s Christmas markets have to offer with Trafalgar's eight-day German Christmas Markets tour.  

Explore the Eisenach Christmas market, held in the Wartburg Castle. Wander through the stalls as the aroma of Gluhwein and the sounds of sizzling bratwursts fill your senses.  

You’ll also explore Erfurt’s medieval market. Enjoy schnitzel, egg punch and gingerbread as you wander the market. You’ll also see the market’s Ferris wheel and Merchants Bridge, the longest inhabited bridge in Europe.  

In Dresden, you’ll explore the city’s Striezelmarkt, Germany’s oldest Christmas market. Here, you can find handcrafted decorations and listen to traditional Christmas carols as you admire the dazzling lights.  

For the foodies who love Christmas, you’ll love exploring Leipzig’s Christmas Market. Known for its culinary delights, Leipzig’s Christmas market is one of the most beautiful markets in Germany. With a history that dates to 1458, the Leipzig Christmas market is also one of Germany’s oldest markets. The market is in the city’s market square and features around 300 stalls and vendors.  

• Price: From $2,948 per person 

• Days: 8 days 

• Countries: Germany  

• Trip type: Guided tour 

See the best Christmas markets in Europe 

Book an appointment with a CAA Travel Consultant; they'll help you find the perfect festive getaway in Europe.