Best Rhine River German Christmas Market Cruises
By Boat to Weihnachtsmärkte in Cologne, Frankfurt, and Heidelberg
Sep 26, 2008
Riverboat cruises on the Rhine (Rhein) River is a popular way to see some of the most famous parts of Germany. The number of cruises is largest in summer but cruises are increasingly available year round with visits to advent Christmas markets adding significant romantic appeal to winter-time cruises.
Routing of Rhine River Christmas Market Cruises
The most beautiful part of the Rhine Valley is the romantic, UNESCO World Cultural Heritage-listed Middle Rhine (Mittelrhein) between Rüdesheim and Koblenz. This part of the valley is the narrowest with the steepest slopes and has a castle or castle ruin virtually every second mile or so. Not surprisingly, this part of the Rhine is included in most cruises with the Christmas markets in Rüdesheim and Koblenz popular stops in addition to passing by the famous Lorelei Rock.
The majority of Rhine River Christmas market cruises depart from Cologne (Köln) with many making return trips either up or down river. Upriver to Rüdesheim is most popular but some cruises are also available downriver to Amsterdam. Cruises can be as short as two nights but three or four nights are more common.
Frankfurt, a short cruise up the Main River from the Rhine, is also a popular departure port for Christmas-time river cruises. Cruises from here go either downriver to Koblenz or upriver to Heidelberg on the Neckar with its most romantic old town, university, and castle. Cruises are typically three nights.
- Germany’s largest Christmas market is in the heart of Frankfurt’s old town. Further smaller markets are set up conveniently for travelers in both Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) and the Hauptbahnhof (Main Train Station).
Longer Rhine River Christmas Time Cruises
Two to four night cruises to visit German Christmas markets along the Rhine and its tributaries are mostly aimed at European travelers – the German domestic cruise market is massive. However, it is also a pleasant way for non-European travelers to experience a river cruise without having to commit to a full, cruise-only holiday.
Many non-European travelers prefer longer cruises for the convenience of having to unpack only once, having transportation and meals all included, and in a time of uncertain exchange rates being able to lock in most costs weeks and even months prior to departure. Although the European river cruise season is increasingly longer, the number of cruises available in winter is still far fewer than in summer.
Longer cruises are generally aimed at the higher end of the luxury market. Amadeus Waterways and Viking River Cruises both have week-long cruises to see Christmas markets along the Rhine and may also include tributaries such as the Mosel (Cochem and Trier) and the Main (Frankfurt) with pre- and post-cruise arrangements available in interesting cities such as Paris and Prague.
- The Danube (Donau) is an alternative cruise river to see Christmas markets with cruises here often including both German and Austrian stops and sometimes continuing downriver to Budapest too. See also general tips on savings when booking Christmas market river cruises.
 |
 |
 |
