If you want to do something a little different this year, then how about visiting Europe for Christmas?
Visiting Europe during late November or December means seeing some of the continent’s most beautiful cities in all their illuminated, twinkling finery and you may also discover the best European Christmas market along the way.
Why shop online or at the usual stores in town when you could shop in the best European cities for Christmas gifts that are truly unique?
Just imagine – sipping a glass of mulled wine while witnessing all the fun of the fair in Lucerne, or touring the Black Forest before finding out what a Bavarian Christmas entails.
Perhaps you’d like to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace before heading to Bath for Christmas via the rolling green landscape of the Cotswolds.
How about buying Swiss chocolate direct from the producer, riding a horse-drawn carriage in Austria or seeing the glockenspiel in Munich’s main square?
All this and much more awaits when you book one of these European Christmas market tours.
Taking an organised tour removes all the legwork from organising your trip – so you can focus on fun. And, of course, your Christmas gift list.
If you want to find the best Christmas market river cruise for 2024 or the top tour by coach for 2024, then this guide makes life easy. We’ve listed all our recommended tours, so you can compare them before making an informed choice about which to take.
It doesn’t matter where you’re from: America, Australia, Asia or even Europe – the best Christmas markets await. Let’s dive on in.
Here are eight of the best European Christmas market tours and cruises.
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What's in this Article
Quick Summary of European Christmas Tours and Cruises Covered in This Guide
Top European Christmas Market Tours and River Cruises for 2024
Christmas Markets of Germany
Tour operator: Insight Vacations
Our verdict: Best winter tour of Germany
Some of the best European Christmas markets can be found in Germany – and this tour takes in a number of them. Beginning in Berlin, along the way you’ll visit the destinations of Leipzig, Dresden, Nuremberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber before ending your journey in Munich.
The fully guided trip includes city tours, seeing the remains of the Berlin Wall, tastings of local food and drinks like mulled wine and stollen, discovering the German Christmas pyramids tradition, celebrating in Munich and of course visiting glittering festive markets.
Travel via a luxury air conditioned coach with WiFi is included throughout, though you’ll need to book your own flights. You can either opt for an ‘open jaw ticket’ into Berlin and out of Munich, or take the train between them at the start or end of the trip. This takes around four hours.
- Tour highlights: Berlin – Leipzig – Dresden – Nuremberg – Rothenburg ob der Tauber – Munich
- Tour length: 8 days
- Maximum group size: 40
- Start/end point/s: Berlin to Munich
- Departure dates: November & December
- Accommodation style/rating: 3 or 4* hotels
> Click here for details, prices & availability
Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany & Switzerland
Tour operator: Trafalgar
Our verdict: Best European Christmas markets tour
This tour will whisk from Vienna to Zurich, taking in a range of cities so you can shop for Christmas in Europe. Your trip begins in Vienna, Austria and you’ll visit Germany en route before ending the tour in Zurich, Switzerland.
During this eight day tour you’ll be able to sample Glühwein in Switzerland, Austria and Germany. You can also find out what a Bavarian Christmas involves in Oberammergau and see the glockenspiel in Marienplatz, Munich. Sampling local foods such as bratwurst and shopping for unique gifts at various winter markets is also a key highlight.
Air conditioned coach travel in a group of up to 50 is included. Flights are not covered, so you’ll need to book your own. An ‘open jaw’ or two single tickets may take you into Vienna and out of Munich, or you could take the train between them. This journey would take around ten hours.
- Tour highlights: Vienna – Munich – Innsbruck – Lucerne – Zurich
- Tour length: 8 days
- Maximum group size: 50
- Start/end point/s: Vienna to Zurich
- Departure dates: November & December
- Accommodation style/rating: 3 or 4* hotels
> Click here for details, prices & availability
Alpine Christmas Markets
Tour operator: Insight Vacations
Our verdict: Best mountains, lakes, forests & cities tour
If you want to see beyond the cities, discover more than the best European Christmas market with this tour that also takes in stunning Alpine scenery. While you travel, you’ll experience winter life in Munich, by Lake Chiemsee and in Innsbruck.
You’ll also explore the Black Forest, visit Freiburg and Strasbourg, and end in the Swiss city of Zurich.
Optional activities to take part in include feasting medieval style or riding a horse-drawn carriage in Austria, sampling Lebkuchen and Glühwein in Germany and shopping at the largest covered Christmas market in Europe in France.
This trip begins in Munich, Germany and ends in Zurich, Switzerland. If you’re not travelling elsewhere before or after, you could fly into one city and out of the other, or take a three-and-a-half hour train ride between the two.
- Tour highlights: Munich – Innsbruck – Black Forest – Freiburg – Zurich
- Tour length: 9 days
- Maximum group size: 24 for the small group tour option
- Start/end point/s: Munich to Zurich
- Departure dates: November & December
- Accommodation style/rating: 3 or 4* hotels
> Click here for details, prices & availability
Christmas in Central Europe
Tour operator: G Adventures
Our verdict: Best central European winter tour
This small group tour has a more personal feel than when you’re part of a bigger crowd, yet it’s just as affordable as some trips involving larger groups. There’s also added flexibility because you can start in Vienna and finish in Berlin or travel in the opposite direction. With this trip, you can enjoy a European Christmas your own way.
Guided tours and market visits in Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Nuremberg and Berlin are included, and you’ll also have free time in each place to spend as you wish. Travel for this tour is by train, private vehicle and on foot.
- Tour highlights: Vienna – Salzburg – Munich – Nuremberg – Berlin
- Tour length: 7 days
- Maximum group size: 18
- Start/end point/s: Vienna to Berlin (or vice versa*)
- Departure dates: November & December
- Accommodation style/rating: 3 or 4* hotels
> Click here for details, prices & availability
*This itinerary is also available in reverse. > Click here to view the Berlin to Vienna option.
English Christmas Markets
Tour operator: Back-Roads Touring
Our verdict: Best winter tour of southern England
If it’s the UK you want to visit, this tour around the best Christmas markets in southern England might just tick the right boxes. You’ll start in London’s Kew Gardens before visiting Cirencester, Stratford-upon-Avon, the Cotswolds, Bath, Winchester and Hampton Court Palace.
Some of the finest European Christmas destinations can be found in the UK, but that’s not all you get with this tour. Shakespeare’s birthplace, the ancient honey stone buildings of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the historic cities of Bath and Winchester also await.
To cap it all, you can also see a royal palace in all its festive finery.
This tour starts and ends in London, making it the perfect round trip tour.
- Tour highlights: London – Stratford-upon-Avon – Cotswolds – Bath – Winchester
- Tour length: 7 days
- Maximum group size: 18
- Start/end point/s: London
- Departure dates: December
- Accommodation style/rating: 3 or 4* hotels
> Click here for details, prices & availability
Winter Wonderland
Tour operator: Insight Vacations
Our verdict: Best whistle-stop winter tour of Europe
Also operated by Insight Vacations, this tour takes in three countries – Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Beginning with a welcome dinner and ending back in Frankfurt, this tour allows you to see the Alps, a range of historic European cities and of course plenty of wonderful countryside.
Between Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Munich you’ll even travel via parts of the Romantic Road.
Must-dos as you travel include sampling a stein of beer at Hofbräuhaus in Munich, seeing Mozart’s birthplace, visiting the Swarovski crystal factory, taking a cable car trip in Lucerne and sampling authentic, freshly-baked Lebkuchen or stollen at the markets.
- Tour highlights: Rothenburg ob der Tauber – Munich – Salzburg – Innsbruck – Lucerne
- Tour length: 9 days
- Maximum group size: 40
- Start/end point/s: Frankfurt am Main
- Departure dates: November & December
- Accommodation style/rating: 3 or 4* hotels
> Click here for details, prices & availability
Rhine Christmas Markets with Switzerland and Strasbourg
Tour operator: Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Our verdict: Best European winter tour by boat
A fact worth knowing when you’re planning to head to Europe is that the best Christmas destinations don’t have to be toured by coach, train or car. You can also take to the water to see Switzerland, France and Germany, and visit Amsterdam. This trip involves travel by lake and river, so there’s no need to worry about stormy waters.
This 12 day tour packs a lot in, yet there’s also time to explore all the destinations at your leisure. Commencing with a walking tour in Zurich, you’ll then travel to Bern and Gstaad before arriving for two nights by the lake in Montreux on the Swiss Riviera.
The tour continues with visits to Basel, one of the biggest Christmas markets in Strasbourg and the German spa town of Baden Baden. Cologne is the last stop before the trip ends in Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
- Tour highlights: Zurich – Lucerne – Montreux – Strasbourg – Baden-Baden – Cologne – Amsterdam
- Tour length: 9 days
- Maximum group size: (163 on ship)
- Start/end point/s: Zurich to Amsterdam
- Departure dates: December
- Accommodation style/rating: on board, plus 3 or 4* hotels
> Click here for details, prices & availability
Christmas Markets on the Rhine
Tour operator: Emerald Cruises
Our verdict: Best romantic river tour
Experience magical Christmas markets on this Rhine cruise and tour. You’ll hop on board in Amsterdam before cruising along the Rhine to Basel and will end the trip 11 days later in Zurich. En route you’ll visit fairytale towns in Germany and France.
The German towns of Cologne and Koblenz are two of the first destinations on this cruise.
Stunning Strasbourg in France is another stop, where the city will be all dressed up for Christmas. By day five, you’ll be sailing through the Rhine Gorge to end your first week with visits to Cologne and Amsterdam.
After seven nights onboard the Emerald Sun or Emerald Sky, you’ll be transferred by coach from Basel to Lucerne for two nights in this attractive, medieval Swiss city.
The final night of your trip will be spent in Zurich where you have the chance to visit numerous Christmas markets.
- Tour highlights: Amsterdam – Cologne – Koblenz – Heidelberg – Strasbourg – Breisach – Basel
- Tour length: 8 days
- Maximum group size: 182 (on ship)
- Start/end point/s: Amsterdam to Basel
- Departure dates: November & December
- Accommodation style/rating: on board
> Click here for details, prices & availability
Why book a guided tour of Europe?
Many travellers prefer guided tours for various reasons. Often it’s the most cost and time effective way to see the places you want to visit. The tour operator will take care of travel, hotel bookings and local trips, so you don’t have to.
For first-timers in particular a guided trip can be the simplest option. It’s also perfect for solo travellers who don’t want to go it all alone – and you’re likely to meet new people along the way.
Your tour guide can advise on and look after all sorts of issues or queries that might crop up while you travel. They will generally have good local knowledge, and can help you out whether you want to uncover a city’s secrets or know whether or not to add a tip.
Taking a tour can also help you to budget, as major costs like transport and hotels are already covered. Visiting a number of destinations means you can choose those you’d like to spend more time in on future trips, too!
What to look for when choosing a European Christmas Markets tour
Here are some things to look for when picking out the right tour for you.
Sightseeing & excursions
What sort of guided walking tours or organised trips to places you want to see are included? Will any extras be payable once you’re there?
Visit vs drive by
Check the wording carefully if you want to spend time at a particular place. Does the tour include a sighting en route without a stop, or several hours or even nights in the destination?
Hotel ratings
What standard of hotel is included? If you’re used to four and five star luxury, then you may not be content with a two star property some way out of town, for example.
Meals
Typically a tour might include breakfast every day, but lunch or dinner on selected days only. Check carefully so you can budget accordingly!
Optional extras
If certain activities or attractions are listed – or suggested – on the itinerary, is entry to these included? How about any travel required to get there and back?
Free time
Lots of free time means you can explore at will. With a packed itinerary, there may not be time to see or do all you’d like to. How much time you want to spend exploring on your own steam really is a matter of personal preference.
Fast or slow pace
Does the pace of the tour suit you? If long, leisurely lie-ins are a favourite feature of your vacations and holidays, then don’t choose a tour that involves early starts every single day!
Best European Christmas Market Tours and Cruises | Final thoughts
If you want to tour Europe the easy way during winter, one of the above tours should hopefully suit you down to the ground!
When you are ready to book, do make sure you’re getting the best deal. Tour Radar is our favourite tour booking platform as they often offer special deals and discounts. You can access their site directly via the links supplied above.
For more European Christmas vacation ideas take a look at this page. The following articles offer suggestions for specific destinations:
