Picture twinkling lights reflected on the Danube River as you sail into port, steps away from the merriment of a festive Christmas market. European Christmas markets have been a tradition since the Middle Ages. Market stalls decked in garland and ornaments beckon visitors with a cozy atmosphere and delicious food and drink. There are thousands of Christmas markets in Europe. Rather than cobbling together an itinerary — and conducting all the research that requires — a river cruise makes planning easy. I had my first taste of European Christmas markets on Viking’s Danube Christmas Delights, an eight-day river cruise that stops in six places — Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Linz, Krems, and Passau — in four countries. Since the ship mainly traveled at night, I woke up in a new port each day. Adding to the holiday cheer, there was nightly entertainment on board too, from Christmas caroling to a performance by the Vienna Boys’ Choir. Viking is not the only cruise line that sails the Danube during the festive season. Ama Waterways, Avalon Waterways, and Uniworld, among others, offer similar itineraries and market excursions.
One trip, many markets
Most cities have multiple markets located in the plazas or squares. You can explore them at your own pace, ask the cruise director for guidance, or sign up for an excursion organized by the ship. In Vienna, I signed up for an excursion that focused on the the city’s architecture and its markets, including Christkindlmarkt near St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and another Christmas market around Maria Theresien Platz.
A view of Christkindlmarkt at Vienna’s City Hall on Dec. 14, 2023. Saliha Simsir Kazak | Anadolu | Getty Images
Later, I explored the Belvedere Market and the pedestrian shopping area near Stephansplatz, which had gorgeous outdoor lights that looked like chandeliers. The historic settings of these markets are as much a part of the experience as the decor, food and shopping. Imagine strolling through Vienna’s Schöbrunn Market with the city’s Baroque palace as the backdrop, for example. The markets are extraordinarily beautiful at night too. However, to avoid crowds, the best time to shop is when the markets first open. The closer your travel dates are to Christmas, the busier the markets will be. And, of course, weekends are more crowded than weekdays.
Markets at each stop
Budapest has several markets on
Seeing them via a river cruise
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