European Christmas Market River Cruise Tips

I just returned from my first Christmas Market River cruise in Germany. The word I heard repeatedly on this trip was “DREAMY”!🧚 A European Christmas Market River Cruise is the easiest and least stressful way to experience the European Christmas Markets. We sailed on AmaWaterways and chose the “Treasures of the Main & Rhine Rivers” itinerary. The accommodation, food, boat, and the itinerary were all amazing!

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY FAVORITE TRAVEL ACCESSORIES

*This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through the provided link, we'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support!

European Christmas Markets

Christmas markets in Europe date back to the Late Middle Ages. The tradition is believed to have originated in Germany, with the first recorded market taking place in Dresden in 1434, followed by Vienna in 1298. These markets initially served as a way for people to stock up on food and supplies for the winter months, as well as to celebrate the festive season. Over time, Christmas markets evolved into more elaborate affairs, featuring festive decorations, handmade crafts, and food. During the 19th century, Christmas markets spread throughout Europe, becoming especially popular in countries like Austria, Switzerland, France, and the Czech Republic. Each region developed its unique traditions and specialties, from gingerbread cookies in Nuremberg to glass ornaments in Prague. Today, Christmas markets continue to be a beloved tradition across Europe, attracting millions of visitors each year.

The season usually starts around November 25 and lasts until December 24th. Some booths only take cash, so make sure you have enough local currency. If you see something you like, I learned you just need to buy it so you don’t miss out. You might not see the exact item at other markets.

Start by researching river cruise companies and itineraries to find which one suits you best. The two rivers that visit the most Christmas Markets are the Rhine and the Upper Danube. Select a river cruise itinerary that includes stops at the Christmas markets you want to visit.

What to Pack

Pack comfortable clothing for shore excursions. Remember that you can use the onboard laundry service. On our cruise people dressed more casually. But you might want to bring a nice outfit for the Chef's or Captain's dinner. December can be cold, so you’ll want to bring a good waterproof coat, gloves, and a hat for exploring the markets and cities.

Check out My EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKET PACKING GUIDE

If you plan on doing a lot of shopping you might want to consider taking an empty suitcase with some bubble wrap. I brought my carry-on bag so I didn’t have a lot of room for souvenirs. I purchased a cuckoo clock and shipped it home. I also purchased a nativity that I was able to fit in my bag along with small Christmas ornaments. I barely got everything to fit! My friends ran out of room in their bags, so once we arrived in Amsterdam we headed to TJ Maxx (TK Maxx) to find large roller bags.

We cruised on AMAPrima

It accommodates 162 passengers and has 81 staterooms. We booked a Twin Balcony room and enjoyed sitting on the balcony while cruising down the Rhine. It has a heated pool and a fitness center that we never used. 🤣 A hair salon is available if you’d like a fancy updo for the Captain’s Dinner. They also offer massage services, I did get a massage and it was fabulous. We also enjoyed the Christmas decorations on board. They had a few Christmas trees along with a Christmas wreath on each door.

Excursions

All of the excursions on our river cruise were included in the price of our trip. We were given a few different tours to choose from in each city and they divided us into smaller groups for the tours. After our tours, we had time to explore the city and visit the Christmas markets on our own.

Bikes

If you want to explore any of the towns by bike while docked, AmaWaterways has bicycles on board for you to use. In Rudeshiem we took them on the Rhine and had a fabulous/cold 🚴🥶 ride.

Amenities

The boat offers free wifi, and if you’ve forgotten anything the reception desk has different items you can borrow. They also put two umbrellas in each room. Another nice touch was the glass water bottles and chocolates left in our room. When we left for excursions they offered each of us a water to take with us. The staterooms are equipped with a hairdryer and toiletries, including soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion.

Gifts

We received Christmas gifts from AmaWaterways during our cruise. They gave us beautiful red scarves and chocolate Santas that were left outside our door. This was such a nice added touch!

Food

The meal options change daily, and menus typically reflect the region in which the ship is traveling. We ordered off the menu in the main restaurant and the food was so yummy! Every lunch and dinner includes unlimited complimentary fine wines, beer, and soft drinks. I don’t drink alcohol but luckily they had Diet Coke.😆

activities

The staff led fun activities like Christmas caroling and tree trimming in the evenings. They had holiday-themed workshops and gingerbread decorating contests. We even had a visit from Santa! We enjoyed the entertainment and one evening danced to Neil Diamond songs sung by a local German man. You can also attend informational sessions and lectures on board to gain insights into the destinations you're visiting.

Itinerary

Pre-cruise

I recommend arriving a few days early to unwind and get over jet lag. This will give you time to explore the city before you depart. All of the cruise companies have “pre-cruise" add-ons and post-cruise extensions. These itineraries include transportation to and from the ship and to the hotel. They also include city tours. Or, you can arrive early and spend time on your own like we did. We visited Salzburg and Munich before boarding our AmaWaterways River Cruise in Nuremberg.

Munich

There are over 20 Christmas markets in Munich. The Christmas Market in Marienplatz starts November 27-December 24th. The main square transforms into a winter wonderland with a large Christmas tree and charming stalls offering handmade crafts, ornaments, and festive treats.

Click here to learn about our visit to Munich.

Salzburg

We did a day trip to Salzburg, Austria, and visited the “Sound of Music” movie sites. We also visited the Christmas Market and loved it!

Click here to learn more about our visit to Salzburg

Day 1: Nuremberg

Our River cruise began in Nuremberg, Germany. We were planning on taking the train from Munich to Nuremberg (1 hr 10 min) but ended up having our tour guide who took us to Salzburg drive us to Nuremberg (1 hour 30 min drive). He picked us up from our hotel in Munich and then drove us to our boat where we dropped off our bags. He then took us to the center of Nuremberg. We spent the day here before taking a taxi back to the boat.

Nuremberg Christmas Market

The Nuremberg Christmas Market, or Nurnberger Christkindlesmarkt, is one of the most famous and traditional Christmas markets in Germany. Set in the picturesque Old Town, it dates back to the 16th century and is known for its festive atmosphere, wooden stalls selling handmade crafts and ornaments, and delicious local treats like Nuremberg sausages, gingerbread (Lebkuchen), and mulled wine (Gluhwein). The highlight of the market is the opening ceremony, where the Christkind, a traditional Christmas gift-bringer in German-speaking countries, officially opens the market. This market didn’t open until the day after we left. It was all set up but it’s important to check the starting dates for the Christmas Markets since they are all different.

Click here to learn more about Nuremberg

River cruise Water Levels

Our river cruise ended up leaving a few hours early since the water levels were quickly rising. This is something to beware of when taking a river cruise. Our cruise ended up making all of our stops but river cruises that left after us were affected and they had to transfer people from one boat to another to make the most of the situation. It’s important to know you can be affected by the water levels when taking a river cruise!

Day 2: Bamberg

Bamberg was one of my favorite stops on our river cruise. Visiting Bamburg during the Christmas season is magical! The town comes alive with festive decorations and its dreamy Christmas Market. It’s a smaller market which is why I loved it so much. As we entered Bamberg’s charming Old Town, the sky began casting down delicate flakes, as if nature itself had decided to add a touch of winter's magic to the pages of the Bamberg Fairytale! It took only moments for me to fall in love with its cobblestone streets full of authentic charm.🧚 It was such a magical day! We also found some great shops in Bamberg that had the best Christmas shopping.

Click here to find out what we did in Bamberg.

Day 3: Wurzburg (Rothenburg)

We signed up for the Rothenburg excursion while in Wurzburg. Visiting during the holidays is about as magical as it gets! Its well-preserved medieval architecture takes you on a journey back in time, leaving you with fairytale moments as you wander through cobblestone streets. Rothenburg ob der Tauber has inspired Disney movies and theme parks. You’ll find great restaurants, unique museums, and plenty of shops, including a Christmas store/museum.

Rothenburg Christmas Market

One of the biggest draws when visiting Rothenburg in the winter is the Rothenburg Christmas Market. Rothenburg transforms into a Christmas wonderland with a large Christmas tree in the center of town, and stalls selling local crafts and traditional food and drink. But the real gem is the town of Rothenburg itself, it looks like it’s been transplanted right out of a wintry fairytale, and makes the best backdrops for a Christmas market.

Click here to learn more about Rothenburg

Day 4: Wertheim (Miltenberg)

In Wertheim, we chose the Miltenberg excursion. It’s a charming town on the Main River, a small Franconian town, and has less than 10 thousand residents. Miltenberg is called "the Pearl of the Main", and is one of the German towns that didn’t need to be reconstructed after World War II.

Christmas Market

The Kerstmarkt Miltenberg is a smaller market with dozens of decorated stalls selling Christmas decorations, carved wooden toys, and its popular Apple Streusel Kuchen (apple crumb cake). You’ll find colorful window displays and sparkling lights. Miltenberg is a beautiful medieval town with historic charm… We loved our day in Miltenberg!

Click here to see what we did in Miltenberg

Day 5: Rudesheim

This is a picturesque town nestled along the Rhine River. We loved the charming streets, terraced vineyards, castles, and timbered architecture.

Before our excursion, we took a cold bike ride along the Rhine. 🥶 But it was so beautiful! After our bike ride, we took the cable car from the old town to the Niederwald Monument. The cable car takes you over vineyards and gives you panoramic views of the region. Don’t miss it, the views are spectacular.

Rudesheim’s Christmas Market

This was one of my favorite markets on our Christmas River cruise. It’s a smaller Christmas Market and not as crowded as others we visited. Rudesheim’s Christmas Market features festive stalls with twinkling lights and seasonal decorations. The market is set against the backdrop of the charming old town and offers a cozy atmosphere.

I bought my cuckoo clock in Rudesheim… one of my favorite souvenirs! 🙌 I had it shipped back home and it arrived a day before me. The clocks are made in the Black Forest region of Germany by expert craftsmen who carve each Cuckoo clock.

Click here to learn more about Rudesheim

Sailing the Rhine River

One of the highlights of our river cruise was the 3-hour sail along the Rhine River. Our activity director gave information about the castles, villages, and vineyards on each side of the river.

We passed by the Lorelei, a large rock on the bank of the Rhine River. The Lorelei Rock is a famous steep slate rock formation on the bank of the Rhine River in Germany. It's located near St. Goarshausen in the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rock is steeped in legend and folklore, with tales of a beautiful siren named Lorelei who, according to myth, lured sailors to their doom with her mesmerizing singing. The Lorelei rock has inspired numerous poems, songs, and works of art over the centuries, and it remains a popular tourist attraction today, offering stunning views of the Rhine River and the surrounding landscape.

Lahnstein

We stopped in Lahnstein in the evening for a tour of the Burg Lahneck Castle. It’s a beautiful medieval castle atop a hill overlooking the scenic Rhine River and dates back to the 13th century. It has served as a fortress, a residence for nobility, and even a prison.

Day 6: Cologne

Nowhere is the holiday spirit more alive than in the charming city of Cologne, Germany. With its cobblestone streets and twinkling lights, Cologne transforms into a winter wonderland thanks to its magical Christmas markets.

There are 7 Christmas markets in Cologne, and each has a different theme. I loved how these themes were carried into the decorations, food, and even the souvenir mugs. The souvenir mugs are a big deal… each Christmas Market has a different mug, which makes for a nice souvenir to take home. You pay a deposit for the mug and pay for your drink. If you don’t want to save your mug you can return it and get your deposit (2-3 euros) back. If you plan on visiting all the markets, get an early start and come hungry!

Click here to learn about Cologne’s 7 Christmas Markets

Day 7 & 8: Amsterdam

Our AmaWaterways River cruise ended in Amsterdam. We spent three days here before returning home. We visited Amsterdam for two days. The first day you arrive in Amsterdam you stay on the boat and pick an excursion. After our excursion, we had the rest of the day to explore Amsterdam on our own before returning to our boat.

You won’t find Christmas Markets in Amsterdam but you will find Christmas decorations throughout the city. We enjoyed the Amsterdam Light Festival Boat Tour. It was so cool to see the city illuminated at night!

On day three we hired a guide to take us outside of Amsterdam to Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans. Don’t miss visiting… we loved them both!

Click here to learn more about what we did in Amsterdam

I hope these tips help you make the most of your Christmas market river cruise. Enjoy the holiday season on the waterways of Europe!