Christmas markets you can visit from a cruise

by Cathy Winston

As temperatures soar, the last thing you'll be thinking about are Christmas markets, but it is the best time to plan some frosty festive fun. And if you're struggling to choose between Europe's tempting cities, a cruise can whisk you between several in one trip.

As a bonus, you can leave purchases in your cabin at each stop — if you're on an ocean cruise you might get to admire the Northern Lights, or if you're on a river cruise you'll discover some of Europe's loveliest scenery and most fascinating cities.

Here's our pick of the best Christmas markets you can visit along the way.

Combine your Christmas shopping with an ocean cruise

There are many lovely Christmas markets in walking distance from a cruise ship visiting Scandinavia and Germany on a Christmas cruise — here's a few of our favourites.

Tivoli Market, Copenhagen

Where is it? Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens transform into a winter wonderland with market stalls amid the usual rides and attractions, alongside the city's other traditional markets at Højbro Plads, and the Hans Christian Andersen market at Nytorv.

When is it? November–January (paid entry)

Best for? More than 70,000 baubles hang on 1,000 Christmas trees, with thousands of twinkling lights around the market. Knitted and leather goods are particularly good, but try a few aebleskiver too, similar to doughnut holes dipped in jam and icing sugar; Tivoli sells almost 1.5 million kilos at Christmas.

Don't miss! Colourful Nyhavn, once one of the city's most important harbours — there are usually festive stalls here, too.

Rest stop? The Torvehallerne food market has everything from coffee and botanical drinks to specialities from all over the world.

Bergen, Norway

Where is it? The Christmas market transforms Festplassen in the heart of Bergen, Norway, with a Ferris wheel, carousel and stalls both indoors and out.

When is it? November–December

Best for? Bergen is home to the largest gingerbread town in the world, known as Pepperkakebyen, with mini houses and other buildings created by locals to make the city. You'll also find traditional crafts and decorations, including knitwear and glass baubles, all to a soundtrack of traditional Norwegian carols, plus warming bowls of fish soup.

Don't miss! The funicular ride to the top of Mount Floyen to soak up the views down over Bergen at Christmas — a true winter wonderland.

Rest stop? One of the waterfront cafes in the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district with its colourful 17th century wooden houses and three-storey Christmas shop, Julehuset, or hot chocolate at Fjåk chocolate shop & café on Skostredet, where you can choose your own perfect cocoa mix.

Enjoy perfect present-buying opportunities on a river cruise

The hop on, hop off nature of river cruising makes a trip to one of the many Christmas markets in Northern Europe not just easy but a must!

Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt

Where is it? The Christmas market in the Bavarian city of Nuremberg is one of the oldest in the world, dating from the early 17th century. Set in the Hauptplatz, the city also hosts several others such as the Sister Cities market.

When is it? November–December

Best for? Food, food and more food, including Nuremberg's bratwurst and lebkuchen (gingerbread). Look out for traditional crafts, too, including Zwetschgenmännle — little figures made from dried prunes. The Sister Cities market sells items from Nuremberg's twinned cities, including Venice but also locations in the Middle East, Africa and Central America.

Don't miss! Explore a darker chapter of city history at the Memorium Nuremberg Trials exhibition in the Nuremberg Palace of Justice, where key members of the Nazi party were tried after the Second World War.

Rest stop? The Feuerzangenbowle village where you can sample a drink produced from a rum-soaked sugarloaf that's set alight to drip into mugs of mulled wine, or in this case, into a giant 3.4m high cauldron capable of holding 9,000 litres.

Market of Hearts, Cologne

Where is it? Germany's fourth largest city, Cologne is home to a string of Christmas markets linked by a special festive train. The main one is the Market of Hearts in the shadow of the Gothic Cathedral, but you'll also find the Market of Angels in Neumarkt Square and the 'Gnome market' at the Alter Markt and Heumarkt.

When is it? November–December. The 'Gnome market' is from November–January.

Best for? Traditional wood carvings and crafts including ornaments but also lovely artwork — perfect as housewarming gifts or more individual presents for friends and loved ones. It's also one of the best places in Germany to buy mulled wine mugs, with a dozen designs across the city's markets.

Don't miss! Save time to visit the Farina House Fragrance Museum, telling the story of eau de cologne, invented here in the early 18th century.

Rest stop? Café Riese on Schildergasse, which makes waffles in the shape of the cathedral.

Mainz WinterZeit

Where is it? Mainz, on the Rhine near Frankfurt, can trace its history back over 2,000 years and you'll find several markets including at the courtyard of the Elector's Palace, the Schillerplatz and in front of the cathedral in the old town.

When is it? November–December

Best for? Local beeswax candles and flavoured honey — perfect gifts for friends and family. You'll also find beeswax hand cream along with woollen goods, ornaments and paper star lights, plus Christmas pyramids and miniature versions of the imposing structure at the market entrance, with its intricate wooden figurines.

Don't miss! Mainz Cathedral — dating back over 1,000 years, and rebuilt several times, seven monarchs were crowned here over the centuries. Look out for the huge ornate tombs of the archbishops of Mainz and stained glass windows created by Marc Chagall.

Rest stop? One of the traditional wine taverns, or weinstuben. Weinhaus Wilhelmi is the oldest, with traditional dishes and wonderful local wines.

Rüdesheim Christmas Market of Nations

Where is it? The historic town of Rüdesheim on the river Rhine flourished as a wine-trading centre in medieval times. Its Christmas market runs from the Marktplatz along pretty Drosselgasse, with its cobbles and half-timbered buildings.

When is it? November–December

Best for? Finding something a bit different, with more than 20 nations from three continents represented here. It's great for picking up stocking fillers for younger kids, as well as something a little quirkier for teens. You'll also find Christmas decorations galore.

Don't miss! The Niederwald Monument, commemorating Germany's victory in the Franco-Prussia War and the creation of the German Empire. A cable car whisks you up to the imposing monument, with wonderful views over the Rhine and the surrounding vineyards.

Rest stop? Art Café on Drosselgasse, one of several tempting places along the street serving Rüdesheimer Kaffee, made with local brandy and whipped cream.

Marché de Noël in Strasbourg

Where is it? The capital of Alsace, Strasbourg has a string of markets with more than 300 chalets across the city — Place de la Cathédrale, Place du Château, and Marché-aux-Poissons are just a few.

When is it? November–December

Best for? Self-proclaimed capital of Christmas and home to France's oldest Christmas market, you'll find local ceramics, wooden toys, handcrafted, decorative metal bookmarks, Christmas tea and traditional Alsatian Christmas biscuits, bredele. For a unique gift for a hard-to-buy-for spouse, the pop-up OZ fair showcases 50 individual artisans making glass, jewellery, fashion and furniture.

Don't miss! Petite France, set on the river Ill, with a string of bridges crossing the water and half-timbered houses lining the streets. It's spectacularly pretty.

Rest stop? Au Fond du Jardin, a tea room by the Gothic cathedral, where the madeleines are like miniature works of art.

Christkindlmärkt, Vienna

Where is it? Discover more than a dozen Christmas markets in the Austrian capital; the Wiener Weihnachtstraum by the City Hall is among the biggest, other unmissable locations include Am Hof, the Belvedere Palace and the Schönbrunn Palace.

When is it? November–January. Belvedere market is from November–December. Schönbrunn Palace market is from November–January

Best for? Sustainable and organic products are a big focus at the main market on Rathausplatz, from food to decorations. Find fantastic kitchenware at Schönbrunn and Am Hof, including engraved rolling pins and quirky cookie cutters — ideal for keen bakers, those setting up home, and kids alike. Schönbrunn even has a DIY woodworking stall where you can create your own memento.

Don't miss! Vienna's incomparable artworks — the Belvedere Palace is unmissable if you love Klimt, while the Kunsthistorisches Museum houses world-class art.

Rest stop? The city's café culture is famous, especially on the Ringstrasse — elegant, gilded Café Central is arguably the loveliest, visited by artists, writers and revolutionaries over the years.

Budapest Christmas markets

Where is it? You might not associate Hungary with Christmas markets, but Budapest has several great ones including the Advent at the Basilica Market by St Stephen's Basilica and on Vörösmarty Square.

When is it? November–January

Best for? Budapest has an impressive array of ceramics, including all types of homeware but also ceramic flowers, for a twist on the traditional bouquet — a lovely gift. There's also a wide choice of artworks to buy, jewellery, hand-knitted woollen accessories, ornaments and stocking fillers. Enjoy a traditional chimney cake — sugary columns of dough filled or dusted with sweet toppings.

Don't miss! The city's thermal baths; warm up at one of several locations including the huge Szechenyi Baths, with 15 indoor pools and three outdoor.

Rest stop? The fabulously ornate New York Café, with its chandeliers, gilded décor and red velvet seats, once the haunt of artists and aristocrats.

Experience these festive delights

Join our Northern Lights and Festive Delights ocean cruise, or one of our Christmas river cruises: Christmas Markets of the Main: Nuremberg to Würzburg; Christmas Markets of the Rhine: Mainz to Düsseldorf or Christmas Markets of the Danube: Vienna to Budapest.