Christmas Trips · GERMANY CHRISTMAS TOURS
This is where the whole format was invented, and the markets still shut on the 23rd. These 15 cover the Rhine cruises, the market walks and the Glühwein rounds, priced and clear about opening dates.
Spend 90 minutes cruising Cologne’s Rhine aboard a warm panorama boat with live festive music, table service, and views of Cologne Cathedral, Groß St. Martin, and the crane houses. Buy Glühwein, hot chocolate, coffee, drinks, and snacks as you sail.
“It was relaxed, the music was festive and got us in the Christmas mood. Crew on board were friendly and welcoming.”
Cruise Leipzig’s harbor and western canals for 60 minutes with mulled wine or hot tea, cookies, blankets, and a German-speaking guide. You’ll pass the Baedeker villa, Palmengartenwehr, Buntgarnwerke, and Karl Heine Canal, with some departures led by the lively skipper Uwe.
“Sehr unterhaltsame Tour mit einem gut gelaunten, anekdotensprudelnden Bootsführer. Unbedingt empfehlenswert.”
Take a 50-minute winter cruise from Heidelberg’s Neckar pier, passing the Old Bridge, Heidelberg Castle, Neuenheim, Philosophers’ Walk, and Wieblingen Weir Bridge. Your ticket includes one cup of mulled wine or a non-alcoholic version. Choose the open upper deck or a heated indoor seat.
Start at Neumarkt and follow a German-speaking guide through Dresden’s Christmas markets and Old Town sights, including the Frauenkirche, Fürstenzug, Royal Palace, Semper Opera, Zwinger, and Striezelmarkt. You’ll taste Dresden Stollen and mulled wine while learning about Saxon holiday customs.
Walk Munich’s Old Town with a small group, visiting markets at Stachus, Marienplatz, the Residenz, and Odeonsplatz. Guides such as Thomas, Leon, Elizabeth, Maria, and Emmet share Christmas customs, local history, and tips on what to eat, drink, and revisit.
“Had the best time on our Christmas market tour. We walked through the city center and several different Christmas markets. Our guide was fun and knowledgable. If you are in Munich to see Christmas markets, I highly recommend this tour.”
Spend three to four hours with an English-speaking guide visiting Munich’s Marienplatz, Residenz, Wittelsbacherplatz, and Theresienwiese markets. Sample glühwein, mulled beer, festive snacks, and local traditions in a group capped at 15 people. Guides such as Victoria, Katrina, and Lockie have earned warm praise.
“Great guide! Wonderful time seeing the Christmas markets and trying out all the food and drinks. The tour guide provided great suggestions. A must do when in Munich!”
Join Schwarzwald drag queen Betty BBQ for a 60 to 70 minute Christmas walk through Freiburg. Expect comedy, city stories, festive gossip, and Betty’s trademark Schallala rather than a traditional history tour. The experience is for adults, conducted in German, and held outdoors in all weather.
“Schöner Spaziergang durch das winterlich beleuchtete Freiburg mit Betty BBQ. Er/Sie konnte uns interessante Anekdoten über Freiburg erzählen und hat Stimmung in die Gruppe gebracht”
Meet your English- or German-speaking guide beside Münster’s City Hall for a one-hour private rickshaw ride through six Christmas markets. Stay warm under a blanket, sip mulled wine, listen to optional music, and shape the tour around sightseeing, history, or local recommendations.
“Very fun way to drive around town, see some highlights and hear about the history”
Spend about three hours walking Munich’s central Christmas markets with guides such as Patrick, Kevin, Iain, Liam, or Daniel. Taste seasonal sausages, pastries, sweets, pizza-style snacks, and alcoholic drinks while hearing stories about Munich’s churches, palaces, wartime scars, and local legends.
“Kevin was an amazing tour guide. I had a wonderful time trying new German Christmas foods and of course the wine!”
Follow an English-speaking guide through Munich’s Old Town Christmas markets, from Marienplatz to the Medieval Market and the Residenz courtyard. You’ll learn the story behind German Advent customs, sample seasonal food and drinks, and may meet guide Leon, praised for his warm approach.
“Learning anout the Christmas markets at the beginning of our trip was great, so we knew where to go during the rest of our stay.”
Meet under Lübeck’s Holsten Gate for a 90-minute outdoor tour through the old town and Christmas market. A costumed guide may appear as merchant’s wife Veckinchusen, a Hanseatic merchant, or Dr. Grabow from Buddenbrooks, sharing Advent customs and local legends in German.
You’ll spend two hours on a heated boat from Rüdesheim, passing Rhine castles while a Christmas program brings seasonal stories and medieval traditions to life. Saturday sailings feature Christmas tales, while Sunday trips add St. Nicholas, balloon art, songs, and stories. Food and drinks cost extra.
“Very nice with the narrator. Service also very good.”
Join a 60 to 70 minute German-language cruise on Lake Cospuden aboard the heated passenger ship Cospuden. You’ll hear about the lake and nearby area, listen to Christmas music, and buy mulled wine, punch, cake, sausages, or pretzels. Blankets are available, but food and drinks cost extra.
“Super entspannt super nettes Personal war einen Ausflug wert”
Walk Dresden’s old center with local guides such as Doris or Laura Park, from Schlossplatz and the Zwinger to the Fürstenzug and Striezelmarkt. You’ll hear clear stories from medieval Dresden through World War II, then get tips on Glühwein, local food, and wine.
“Doris was amazing! Extremely knowledgable and very humorous. Perfect English. Happy to answer questions. I had walked around looking at the building and googled information about them, but didnt appreciate much of it before this tour!”
Spend two hours walking Nuremberg’s Christmas markets with an English or German guide. Taste sausages, Lebkuchen, and hot wine, then visit the Children’s, International, and Partner Cities markets. Guides such as Claudia, Martina, and Justina add local history and practical market tips.
“Our guide, Martina, was very professional and knowledgeable. She told us about the history of the market, how things came to be, and how some things are still continued to this day. The food and drink options were delicious! We saw many unique items that we hadn't seen at other Christmas Markets within other German cities. We would recommend this tour!”
Pick a market, a lights run or a night in the snow.
