Germany/France
Christmas Markets in Breisach & Colmar
Breisach is the river port for Colmar, whose Petite Venise canals host five Christmas markets in a half-timbered Alsatian old town.
Famous for
Gateway to Alsace — Breisach is the river port for Colmar's fairy-tale canals and markets.
Looking for a 2026 Christmas sailing that visits Breisach & Colmar?
Start with the 2026 itineraries we checked, then let an advisor reconfirm the cabin and fare.
About the Breisach & Colmar markets
Breisach is the Rhine port for Colmar — the most fairy-tale town in Alsace. Colmar's Petite Venise district, with half-timbered houses lining flower-lined canals, hosts five distinct Christmas markets: the Indoor Market (for artisan crafts), the Old Town market, the Petite Venise market, the Koïfhus market, and the Place Jeanne d'Arc market. Breisach itself has a small market and is the embarkation point for ships that turn around here at the southern end of the Rhine gorge. The Alsace wine route (Eguisheim, Riquewihr) is a short excursion away.
What to eat
- ❄ Tarte flambée
- ❄ Choucroute
- ❄ Bredele
- ❄ Foie gras
What to drink
- ❄ Vin chaud
- ❄ Alsace Riesling
- ❄ Gewürztraminer
Crafts & gifts
- ❄ Alsatian pottery
- ❄ Glass ornaments
- ❄ Wooden toys
Dates & vibe
Typical season: Late Nov – Dec 30
Dates differ by market and year. Confirm the opening calendar for the day your ship visits; festive lights do not mean the stalls are still open.
Vibe: Fairy-tale Alsatian — half-timbered canals and five distinct markets.
Highlights
Local tip
Take the ship's excursion to Eguisheim — voted France's favorite village, with concentric streets of half-timbered houses.
Other markets you might like
Germany
Cologne
Several themed Christmas markets fill Cologne's center, anchored by the Cathedral Market and Heinzel's Winter Fairytale in the Old Town.
Typical season: Late Nov – Dec 23
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Nuremberg
The Christkindlesmarkt is one of Europe's best-known Christmas markets, centered on Nuremberg's Hauptmarkt and documented since the 1600s.
Typical season: Late Nov – Dec 24
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Vienna
Vienna hosts many distinct Christmas markets, from the large Rathausplatz and palace setting at Schönbrunn to the intimate lanes of Spittelberg.
Typical season: Mid-Nov – Dec 26
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Budapest
Budapest's Vörösmarty Square and Advent Basilica markets anchor a dramatic Danube finale, with the illuminated Parliament and riverfront adding a separate evening highlight.
Typical season: Mid-Nov – Jan 1
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