Danube Christmas Market River Cruises on AmaWaterways
Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
One of the hottest trends in European River Cruises is the 2021 Christmas Markets cruises on AmaWaterways.
If you love Christmas and want to celebrate the magic of this special holiday season in Europe, there is no better place than on a river cruise.
We have been on 6 river cruises during the Christmas market season and they are fabulous! There are two main routes that offer the best experiences to celebrate the season where most of our Christmas traditions originated.
The two rivers to visit the most Christmas Markets are the Rhine and the Upper Danube. So, let’s explore the Danube routes together and learn about Christmas Markets.
Next week I will write about the Rhine River route.
A quick piece of advice—they are selling briskly—my guess is folks are tired of not traveling from the pandemic and November and December of 2021 seems likely to be a time that travel can resume safely.
What are Christmas Markets?
In Europe, many squares are used for various street markets. At Christmas time, these squares are transformed into one unique blaze of color, goods and foods from small vendors.
It is a social gathering where hot mulled wine, beer and street food and all seem to get along as they browse the various vendors.
Christmas markets date back to 1300 or so and started in Germany, Austria and the eastern portion of France. The season usually starts about November 25 and lasts until 23 or 24 December, roughly following the Advent 4 week season.
Even for a person like me who does not really like shopping, this is so much fun that everyone should try this at least once. Unlike American Malls, this is not combat shopping and crowds of hassled folks; this is a gathering of folks socializing with food and drink, music, and buying gifts at a much gentler pace.
Seeing the decorations alone is worth the trip but many booths have handmade items that are unique and priceless. Most sell only on cash, so make sure you have enough local currency to get your purchases.
And, as we have learned though our own mistakes, if you see something you like, buy it or you will often miss out. Most markets open around 10:00 AM and close around 9:00 PM but it varies a lot and it is not uncommon for booths to close down for short periods to take a break or get something to eat or an owner to take a day off and not open their booth.
Some of the treasures Anne has found at the Christmas markets on our mantle
Anne’s Christmas mug collection
As long as you dress warmly, these markets offer a cultural experience second to none—it is an adventure not to be missed!
The Upper Danube Route Overview
This route is the most popular river cruise in all Europe. It usually starts in Nuremberg or Vilshofen and ends in Budapest, Hungary. Ports of call include Regensburg, Passau, Melk, and Vienna.
Many folks start their trip with a stay in Prague in a pre-cruise for a couple of nights, then enjoy the cruise and stay a couple of extra nights in Budapest.
If you sail this route, you will usually get to visit 4 countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungry), 2 or 3 capital cities (Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest), castles, Abbeys, wine-sloped terraces and even quaint villages--it is a great voyage!
Sailing to the capital cities is wonderful, it is not the only good reason to sail this route. The other highlights include sailing the Wachau Valley, perhaps a visit to Salzburg, Austria and the 900 year old Melk Abbey.
Nuremberg, Germany
The old walled city of Nuremberg is one of my favorite places in all Germany. It has an impressive castle, is crisscrossed by a river and has some cool old buildings. The central market square, with its, beautiful fountain, is another great place to see and this square hosts one of the largest Christmas markets in Germany.
It is famous for its many Christmas markets—we have visited several times and love the hustle and bustle of the season.
The top of the many stalls in Nuremberg
Regensburg, Germany
The town of Regensburg is located on the northern most point of the Danube River. It started out as a Roman town, has a medieval stone bridge the crusaders crossed on their way to the Holy Wars (which is guarded by an impressive watch tower), and has a good old town area. Anne’s favorite hat maker is here, so we find this one of our favorite Bavarian towns.
The Christmas markets are awesome—there are at least 3 or 4 but our favorite is the Thurn and Taxis—it is an old fashion market, with blazing fire pits and has an entrance fee which AmaWaterways includes in your voyage. It is romantic and has some very good quality goods for sale.
Anne and Hank with the owner of the Hat King with our new hats in 2019
Passau, Germany
Built on a tapering peninsula of land, the old town portion of Passau is located right at the German and Austrian borders. Three rivers join here—the Danube, the Inn, and the Ilz. On the high left bank of the Danube (sailing downstream), a fortress dating back to the 1400’s, overlooks the old city center. There are several impressive churches worth a visit.
There is one really good Christmas market in the main square—Anne found some great gifts on a recent trip.
Melk and Dürnstein, Austria
Melk is famous for its impressive, huge abbey and collection of rare books and manuscripts. The abbey was initially built in the 11th century and has been updated several times, and the last major improvements to this baroque structure were completed from 1702 to 1736.
There is a small market in Melk but we enjoyed it—we watched a blacksmith work on handmade gifts.
Later as you cruise through the one of the great scenic waterways of Europe, the Wachau Valley, you will arrive in the charming village of Dürnstein (about 600 population). The blue tower of the Abbey, the cute little shops and the castle ruins on the hillside (where Richard Lionhearted was held in prison for ransom), make this a favorite of many river cruisers. It is so small there are not any real booths for Christmas but the shops often have special Christmas items
The Wachau Valley
The Wachau Valley has to be the one of the best segments for just enjoying the upper Danube. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so there are no bridges to interrupt the views. Unlike the Rhine River Gorge, with castles dotting almost every hill, the region has only three or four great castles. But the quaint villages, sometimes dominated by a fortified church complex, and the steep vineyards provide a relaxing and fun sailing experience—the castles are not missed.
Vienna
Vienna is the capital city of Austria (it once the capital city of the Austro-Hungarian Empire), is a city of impressive palaces, great museums and good food. It is also known as home for the great composers of classical music and many go to concerts in Vienna while on their cruise.
There are several great markets here but the two best are at the Rathaus (town hall) and the famous summer palace of the Hapsburgs—Schönbrunn Palace. There are lots of booths in each market—you won’t go away disappointed!
Rathaus in Vienna
The Palace decorated for Christmas
More decorations
Bratislava
The capital city of Slovakia is a fun place to visit. Located at the border of Austria and Hungary, this is a newer country (it declared independence in 1993) in Europe.
For much of its history, it was in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and then a part of the Czechoslovakia. The symbol of Bratislava is the fortress that overlooks the city. It is also known for its whimsical bronze figures, which delight cruisers in the old town area.
The old town area has a great Christmas market and there are also a good one in the new town area.
The new town area
The old town area
Budapest
By far the most impressive city on the Danube, Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is a town we love to visit. It is really two towns—the high town of Buda that overlooks the banks of the Danube and Pest on the flat land. They are united by several bridges but the Chain Bridge is the most important and is a symbol of the city.
Both sides have some awesome structures—among them Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion (Buda side) and the Parliament building (Pest side). Once you visit, you will want to come back.
The best Christmas markets are on the Pest side—a highlight is the food, especially the funnel cakes baked over a charcoal fire.
Funnel cakes—awesome!
Basket booth in Budapest
Two Great Side Trips
Along this route, there are two great cities that are optional trips on some lines or can be included. They are not actually on the Upper Danube but are easily accessible by coach (bus) during your Danube cruise. Both are awesome, so let’s see what it might be like to visit both Salzburg, Austria and Cesky Krumlov.
Here are two great photos, which may make you want to include these two medieval towns as an addition to your cruise. Both have good Christmas markets but the Salzburg one is larger with more booths.
Salzburg fountain
Cesky Krumlov small market
My Final Thoughts
Christmas on the Danube—awesome!
What an experience—the Danube River is awesome and deserves to be sailed by you—it is the best way to see this area of Europe. This river will give you views and experiences you will never forget.
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HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 48 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:
AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent
