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🎄 Advent on the Rhine · November – December

Christmas market
Cruise Rhine –
Advent on the water

When the Christmas markets on the banks of the Rhine light up and the cathedral shines in candlelight, the most magical season for a Rhine cruise begins.

From €19Advent day tours
Nov–DecAdvent season
3 citiesWith Christmas markets
Advent on the Rhine

The most beautiful Christmas market tours

The Rhine in Advent is a different river. The towns on the shore glow with warm lights, the aroma of mulled wine is in the air, and a boat trip offers a unique perspective on illuminated cathedrals and festively decorated waterfront promenades.

Cologne Christmas market Rhine evening boat trip cathedral
🎄 Cologne · Recommendation
Cologne · Advent

Cologne evening cruise in Advent

Cologne Cathedral in Advent is one of the most impressive sights on the Rhine. The evening cruise offers two hours on the illuminated Rhine - with the illuminated cathedral as a constant backdrop. Book early: This tour is often fully booked during Advent.

  • Cathedral in Advent and Christmas market on the banks of the Rhine
  • Illuminated Hohenzollern Bridge and old town
  • 2 hours on the Abendrhein
29€ per person
★★★★★
4.4 · 801 move.
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Cologne Rhine boat trip Christmas market day trip
Cologne · day trip
Cologne · 1 hour

Cologne: 1 hour Rhine boat trip in Advent

The cheaper Advent alternative: An hour on the Cologne Rhine, cathedral and old town in the winter light. Ideal for short visitors and for anyone who would like to explore the Christmas market afterwards.

  • Compact: 1 hour, followed by Christmas market
  • Cathedral and old town in winter light
  • Cheapest Cologne Advent experience
19€ per person
★★★★★
4.5 · 758 move.
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Koblenz Christmas Market Castle Tour Rhine Winter
Koblenz · Advent
Koblenz · Castle tour in winter

Koblenz: Rhine Valley boat tour in Advent

Koblenz has one of the most beautiful German Christmas markets - right on the Deutsches Eck between the Rhine and the Moselle. The castle tour also offers the only castle panorama in the Middle Rhine in winter light.

  • Deutsches Eck in Advent lights
  • Ehrenbreitstein Fortress in winter light
  • Christmas market at Deutsches Eck – right next to it
19€ per person
★★★★★
4.6
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Advent Guide

Rhine in Advent –
what you need to know

When do the Christmas markets take place?

Most Rhine Christmas markets open at the end of November (often the last weekend in November) and end on December 23rd or 24th. The Cologne Christmas market at the cathedral is one of the oldest and best-known in Germany. Koblenz has several markets, including the romantic one at Deutsches Eck.

Multi-day Christmas market cruises

Providers like Viking River Cruises, A-ROSA and Phoenix Reisen offer multi-day Christmas market cruises on the Rhine - typically 5-7 nights, with daily trips to various markets. These tours are fully booked early: booking recommended now for 2026.

Why book a Christmas market cruise?

A cruise allows you to visit several markets without the hassle of parking, traffic jams or searching for a hotel. The ship is your hotel - and continues to the next city at night. Particularly popular: the route Cologne–Koblenz–Rüdesheim–Strasbourg with five different markets in one week.

⚠️ Book early!

Advent tours on the Rhine are among the best booked tours of the entire year. We recommend booking by October at the latest - especially for weekends in Advent.

Secure Cologne Advent now →
🎄 Christmas market tip

Combination: Rhine boat trip in the morning, Christmas market on the bank in the afternoon. In Cologne: The ship docks at the Frankenwerft, right next to the cathedral Christmas market.

Similar topics

More experiences on the Rhine

🏛️
All Cologne tours
Three Rhine tours from Cologne – day trip, skyline tour and evening cruise. Cologne in Advent is special.
View Cologne tours →
🏰
Koblenz in winter
The Christmas market at Deutsches Eck is one of the most romantic in Germany - with the Rhine and castle panorama.
Koblenz tours →
🎆
New Year's Eve on the Rhine
Fireworks over the river, champagne on deck – New Year’s Eve on the Rhine is the most exclusive annual experience.
New Year's Eve tours →
Frequently asked questions

Advent on the Rhine – your questions

Do Rhine ships sail in winter?+
Day tours in Cologne, Koblenz and Bonn run regularly during Advent - often with special Christmas timetables. Outside the Advent season (January-March), boat trips are restricted. Check availability directly when booking.
Which city has the best Rhine Christmas market?+
Cologne has the most famous Christmas market in Germany – right next to the cathedral. Koblenz has the most romantic one - on the Deutsches Eck between the Rhine and the Moselle. Rüdesheim has the coziest one – in the narrow Drosselgasse. All three are worth a visit.
Are there multi-day Christmas market cruises?+
Yes - Viking, A-ROSA and Phoenix offer multi-day Advent cruises, often 5-7 nights on the Cologne-Koblenz-Mainz-Strasbourg route. Including trips to several Christmas markets. Booking recommended at least 6 months in advance.
When should I book for 2026?+
For day tours: until October 2026. For weekend tours in Advent: no later than August 2026. For multi-day cruises: as early as possible - ideally now, as the most popular departures are often fully booked a year in advance.
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