The illuminations of Budapest- The winter landscape surrounding the Danube
- Bratislava’s Christmas Market
- Vienna’s Christmas Market
Christmas Markets of the Danube 2026: Budapest to Vienna
The Danube
from
£1,424 per person
5 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £24 if not requiredHow our discounts work
Read moreHow our discounts work
On all cruises we set aside a number of cabins within each level at a discounted fare, with the highest discount of 35% for ocean cruises and 25% for river cruises available on selected levels. These cabins are sold on a first come, first served basis. As cabins are sold, the discount begins to reduce, and continues to reduce until those selected cabins are sold.
This means that the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a greater discount. Our price panels clearly show the full cruise price, along with the current discount fare.
Please note: During busy periods for holiday bookings, the early booking discount can reduce rapidly. We recommend that you book early to benefit from the best booking discounts and to secure your preferred cabin.
When promoting new cruises for the first time, we contact customers on our Advanced Registration list first, allowing then to secure the cabin of their choice and benefit from the best savings. Our brochures are then sent out to loyalty club members first, followed by past cruise goers and then everyone else.
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New
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Return UK travel service
Visit the markets of Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna
Browse stalls laden with tempting treats and local handicrafts at leisure as you experience the festive atmosphere at some of the most popular Christmas markets in Europe on this all-inclusive Danube river cruise in 2026. Visit Budapest where Vörösmarty Square hosts the city’s oldest and largest Christmas market and then spend a relaxing day on board Spirit of the Danube en route to Bratislava. Here, the Christmas market is usually held at the Main Square and Hviezdoslav Square, and numerous stalls sit against a scenic backdrop of historic buildings. Continue overnight to Vienna to visit the square in front of the City Hall, which is turned into a Christmas Advent market with a huge Christmas tree dominating the space. This festive river cruise to Europe is the perfect prelude to Christmas, with the opportunity to do some last-minute Christmas shopping.
Included excursion in every port
Itinerary
Spirit of the Danube
Travel to Budapest and embark Spirit of the Danube.
Budapest is a city made up of two parts: Buda and Pest, built on opposite banks of the Danube. The cities have been officially united since 1873, but they are still very different in character. Buda is the older and more graceful, with its cobbled streets, medieval architecture and UNESCO-listed Buda Castle, while Pest is the administrative and commercial centre, with wide avenues and 19th-century public buildings.
Included visit
Walk to Vörösmarty Square where you can explore the city’s oldest and largest Christmas market independently. Numerous food merchants and craft vendors sell their wares here and the venue is popular with Hungarian musicians who can often be heard entertaining the shoppers.
Optional excursion
This optional sightseeing tour by coach, reveals some of the highlights of Budapest and includes a short stop at the local Basilica.
Depart Budapest,0600.
Scenic cruising, Danube Bend.
Enjoy a leisurely day cruising the Danube River, passing through the scenic Danube Bend this morning.
Arrive 0100. Depart 2200.
Arrive this morning in Slovakia’s capital where you can walk into the city to explore streets adorned with twinkling lights and Christmas trees.
Included visit
Visit the city’s Christmas market, usually held at the Main Square and Hviezdoslav Square, which has many stalls laden with tempting goodies for you to browse independently. Perhaps treat yourself to a mug of mead or steaming mulled wine while enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Optional excursion
Step aboard the Bratislava Land Train with a local guide, for a sightseeing adventure around the Slovakian capital. The journey will take you past the Slovak Philharmonic Hall, through to one of the oldest local theatres, the Slovak National Theatre, and around the historic Old Town to Bratislava Castle.
Arrive 0800.
Vienna is the capital of Austria: home to the waltz, coffee houses, the Prater wheel and one of the world’s finest opera houses. It is the city where Marie Antoinette grew up and where Mozart died, and for 600 years was the centre of the Hapsburg Empire. The Spittelberg quarter in the Neubau district is home to Biedermeier-style buildings occupied by bars and restaurants.
Sail overnight.
Included visit
Take our complimentary transfer service into the city, where highlights include the Ringstrasse and Opera House, and head to the Krippenmarkt, December market, to browse the stalls independently. Various art ware, silver jewellery, enamel and ceramics can be purchased here.
Optional excursion
Enjoy a classical music concert at one of Vienna’s palaces.
Disembark Spirit of the Danube and begin the return journey to the UK.
Including...
All Inclusive†
Cruise Director
Plus…
- Drinks reception and Gala dinner
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
- All gratuities on board
- Return flights and transfers
Included excursion in every port
Find out more about when excursions are available to book.
Interactive maps and audio headsets are available for independent exploration.
†The included drinks are available on board from 9am to midnight and include non-branded alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Excludes branded spirits.
from
£1,424 per person
5 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £24 if not requiredHow our discounts work
Read moreHow our discounts work
On all cruises we set aside a number of cabins within each level at a discounted fare, with the highest discount of 35% for ocean cruises and 25% for river cruises available on selected levels. These cabins are sold on a first come, first served basis. As cabins are sold, the discount begins to reduce, and continues to reduce until those selected cabins are sold.
This means that the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a greater discount. Our price panels clearly show the full cruise price, along with the current discount fare.
Please note: During busy periods for holiday bookings, the early booking discount can reduce rapidly. We recommend that you book early to benefit from the best booking discounts and to secure your preferred cabin.
When promoting new cruises for the first time, we contact customers on our Advanced Registration list first, allowing then to secure the cabin of their choice and benefit from the best savings. Our brochures are then sent out to loyalty club members first, followed by past cruise goers and then everyone else.
from
£1,424 per person
5 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £24 if not requiredHow our discounts work
Read moreHow our discounts work
On all cruises we set aside a number of cabins within each level at a discounted fare, with the highest discount of 35% for ocean cruises and 25% for river cruises available on selected levels. These cabins are sold on a first come, first served basis. As cabins are sold, the discount begins to reduce, and continues to reduce until those selected cabins are sold.
This means that the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a greater discount. Our price panels clearly show the full cruise price, along with the current discount fare.
Please note: During busy periods for holiday bookings, the early booking discount can reduce rapidly. We recommend that you book early to benefit from the best booking discounts and to secure your preferred cabin.
When promoting new cruises for the first time, we contact customers on our Advanced Registration list first, allowing then to secure the cabin of their choice and benefit from the best savings. Our brochures are then sent out to loyalty club members first, followed by past cruise goers and then everyone else.