Magical Christmas Markets
of Germany

Yes. Sailings run both Nuremberg to Frankfurt and Frankfurt to Nuremberg, with six departures across November and December 2027. The main practical difference is your arrival and departure airports, and which end of the itinerary you experience first. If Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is the market you’re most excited about, the Nuremberg-to-Frankfurt direction opens with it.

Germany’s markets are widely considered the oldest and most deeply rooted in Europe, with traditions dating back to the late Middle Ages in cities like Nuremberg and Frankfurt. Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt has been held in the city’s main square since at least the 17th century, and the customs around it, including the Christkind opening ceremony, are specific to the city rather than generic seasonal decoration. Each market on this itinerary has its own character: Bamberg’s is intimate and set against a UNESCO medieval backdrop, Rothenburg’s suits the walled town it sits in, and Frankfurt’s is one of the largest in the country. The cumulative effect of visiting several in a single week is quite something.

Each port brings its own specialities. In Bamberg, the Tastes of Bamberg excursion on day two covers smoked beer and traditional pastries. In Wertheim on day four, the pretzel-making workshop at a local bakery is a hands-on way to engage with one of Germany’s most enduring food traditions. In Rudesheim on day five, the gondola excursion includes a regional wine tasting from the Rheingau vineyards. Frankfurt on day seven has the Kleinmarkthalle food hall visit, one of the city’s most celebrated covered markets, with a tasting included.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a medieval walled town in Bavaria, widely regarded as Germany’s best-preserved example of a walled town from that period. Its cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses and intact town walls look much as they would have in the 16th century. The Christmas market there has a strong reputation, set against the medieval architecture in a way that few markets in Germany can match. The day trip is offered as an alternative to staying in Wurzburg on day three, so you’d be choosing between Rothenburg’s atmosphere and Wurzburg’s Residenz Palace and its own market. Both are excellent options.

No. UK citizens can visit Germany without a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. From 2025, UK travellers need to register with ETIAS before entering Schengen countries, Germany included.