Danube Christmas Delights: Festive Adventure with Viking Cruises

We recently returned from a week-long journey on the Danube Christmas Delights river cruise with Viking Cruises. Our adventure began in Budapest, Hungary, and ended in Passau, Germany, taking us through must-see destinations like Vienna, Bratislava, and Český Krumlov.

If you’re a fan of all things Christmas like we are you’ve probably dreamed of exploring Christmas markets. And trust us when we tell you a river cruise is the way to do it! With a river cruise you can move effortlessly from one place to another without the hassle of packing and unpacking.

And when you choose a company like Viking for your cruise experience you’ll enjoy amazing perks. For example, they offer one complimentary excursion at each port, so you never find yourself with nothing to do in a new destination. If you’re contemplating embarking on a river cruise with Viking, take this as your sign.

Highlights of our journey aboard the Viking Vilhjalm

The ship was launched in 2016 and has room for 190 passengers. Its design showcases Scandinavian influence, with a pleasing array of neutral colors and clean lines. The cabins are spacious and offer ample storage space. 

Onboard you’ll find amenities such as a cozy library equipped with two computers and complimentary WiFi, a lounge bar, and a sun deck. The middle deck features the restaurant where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Each day the menu reflects the current destination, and also has classic dishes available at all times. If you prefer, meals can also be enjoyed on the Aquavit Terrace. Lunch and dinner include beer, wine, and soft drinks at no cost, while coffee, tea, and water are available throughout the day. It’s worth noting that all Viking Cruises are exclusively for adults aged 18 years or older.

Day 1 – Budapest Arrival & Embarkation

Whether you’ve arranged your airfare through Viking or made your own travel arrangements to reach the ship this is the day of your arrival. The embarkation process is smooth and efficient.  Upon arrival, the ship’s crew offers a warm welcome and takes care of your luggage, which will be promptly delivered to your stateroom. If your room is ready when you visit reception they will provide you with the key right away.

The rooms should be accessible after 4 pm. If you arrive early, feel free to drop off your bags, relax on the ship, grab a meal or a drink, or even explore Budapest.

Day 2 – Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, with a rich history, stunning architecture, and a delightful culinary scene. While Budapest is definitely worth a longer visit, spending 1.5 days is just enough time to get a feel for the city, see some of the main highlights, and of course, experience the Christmas magic.

Highlights of Budapest

Go on the included excursion Panoramic Budapest. The bus picks you up at the ship and takes you through Budapest to see its main highlights. It’s a fantastic way to experience the city, and you can hop off the bus anytime to explore on your own.

Have lunch or a cup of coffee at New York Cafe. It’s named the most beautiful cafe in the world for a reason—while you’re there, it feels like you’re drinking coffee in a palace or a museum. But beware, you might have to stand in line to get in; this place is quite popular!

Visit the Fisherman’s Bastion. Note that if you’re going on the included excursion, you will stop there with the tour group. However, if the morning promises to be clear, we recommend grabbing a taxi and heading there for sunrise. Fewer people and breathtaking views of the sun rising over the Pest side of the city will make it very much worth it.

Check out local coffee shops. There are so many lovely coffee spots in Budapest. Our favorites from this visit were 4minutes Cafe and Lui!

Next make your way to the Hungarian Parliament Building, which is truly one of the most stunning architectural marvels worldwide. If you have an interest in architecture don’t miss out on touring the inside of the building as well.

Visit the Christmas markets. There are two main Christmas markets in Budapest–one on Vorosmarty Square and the other near St. Stephen’s Basilica. Both of these markets offer a variety of vendors selling handmade crafts, souvenirs, local delicacies, and treats. Don’t forget to indulge in their chimney cakes—they are absolutely delicious!

Enjoy the lights on Fashion Street (Deák Ferenc Street). During the holiday season, the whole street is decorated with festive lights and installations. Whether you go to do a bit of shopping or just to enjoy the holiday views, Fashion Street is definitely worth a visit.

Enjoy a nighttime view of Budapest. While sailing away from the city, make sure to head to the sun deck to enjoy the stunning views of the Parliament Building and Buda Castle lit up. Such a magnificent way to set sail on the Danube River!

Day 3 – Bratislava, Slovakia

We sailed half the day and reached Bratislava in the afternoon. With no expectations, Bratislava turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. The included walking tour in the old town revealed the city’s charm and the festive Christmas atmosphere. 

Highlights of Bratislava

The included excursion, Bratislava’s Christmas Market & Organ Concert, is a great way to get acquainted with the city. You’ll stroll through the old town, visit the Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral, and listen to an organ concert featuring festive carols. Afterward, you will visit the Christmas market where you can enjoy lots of delicious treats.

Explore the Bratislava Christmas market on your own. The main focus of this market is food and beverages, so prepare to eat and drink a lot!

Tip: Head to the top of the Old Town Hall Tower for an amazing view of the Christmas market from above.

Since the ship won’t depart until after 9 pm, you’ll have plenty of time to make the most of your evening in Bratislava. Therefore we highly recommend booking the optional excursion, Bratislava Beer Tasting & Dinner.

This fantastic excursion will take you to charming pubs where you can experience and savor local beers. To top it off the evening will conclude with a dinner at Bratislava Flagship restaurant, which is housed in a historic theater and specializes in traditional Slovak cuisine, along with their own brewed beers.

Day 4 – Vienna, Austria

Visiting Vienna during December is truly magical as the entire city transforms into a fairytale atmosphere with its beautiful Christmas markets, decorated streets, cozy cafes, fascinating museums, and so much more.

Keep in mind that Vienna is very large and it’s practically impossible to explore everything in one day! However, with careful planning you can maximize your time there and cover a lot of highlights. Just be aware that as the holidays approach Vienna tends to become busier. Therefore expect popular places to be crowded, and consider making reservations in advance.

Highlights of Vienna

Go on the Panoramic Vienna & Christmas Market excursion that’s included with your cruise. It’s the easiest way to get from the ship to the center of Vienna and see some of the city highlights with a tour guide. After the tour, you’ll have plenty of time to explore on your own.

Grab some coffee! Our favorite spot was Fenster Cafe, which serves coffee in a waffle cone—such a fun concept! We also recommend checking out Jonas Reindl Coffee Roasters, a lovely specialty coffee shop.

Have lunch at Kleines Cafe, a tiny spot with a cozy interior and some outdoor seating. Fun fact: this coffee shop was one of the film locations in the movie Before Sunrise!

Spot the festive red bow at Popp & Kretschmer Mode, and don’t forget an obligatory pic of it!

And, of course, the most important thing and the reason we wanted to see Vienna at Christmas time in the first place—the Wiener Christkindlmarkt decked out with lights and fun installations. Just magical!

Day 5 – Krems, Austria, and Scenic Sailing in Wachau Valley

On Day 5, spend your morning in the charming town of Krems surrounded by scenic hills and vineyards. Join a bus tour for an adventure to Göttweig Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Trust us, it’s an excursion you won’t want to skip!

This ancient monastery, standing since 1083, sits atop Göttweiger Berg hill, treating you to breathtaking panoramic views of the Danube Valley. Step inside, and you’ll be welcomed by the majestic Imperial Staircase leading to the Imperial Hall, where you’ll see a beautiful fresco painted by Paul Troger in 1739.

But that’s not all! Göttweig Abbey also produces delicious apricot products and wine, and you’ll get to try them! If you fancy, you can grab some to take home—it’s a lovely gift idea.

The ship departs Krems in the afternoon, and the rest of the day is dedicated to sailing through the picturesque Wachau Valley. Whether you prefer a cup of tea at the Aquavit Terrace, or just lounging on your stateroom balcony, it’s time to soak in the views!

This scenic sailing is undeniably one of the highlights of the cruise. Picture yourself leaning back, sipping a glass of champagne, and watching the world drift by. It’s so relaxing! 

Day 6 – Linz, Austria & Český Krumlov, The Czech Republic

Our next destination was Linz, Austria, the capital of Upper Austria. However, we didn’t have time to explore Linz that day since we opted for an exciting full-day excursion to Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic (more about that below).

If you choose to stay in Linz, Viking offers a walking tour of the city combined with a Christmas market tour. We weren’t able to join the tour, but we did have some time to pop into the Christmas market, and it was lovely. Viking even provided us with drink vouchers so we could savor some hot chocolate, mulled wine, and other hot beverages.

The optional excursion to Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic was absolutely the highlight of the trip! We didn’t know much about it beforehand, and it surprised us with its medieval charm. It truly felt like stumbling upon a hidden gem.

Český Krumlov’s old town has earned recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It looks as though it came straight out of a fairytale with its 14th century architecture and maze-like streets. The tour will take you to some of the attractions in the old town, provide a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, and offer free time to wander and discover on your own.

We enjoyed exploring the town’s small but very cute Christmas market, getting lost in the streets, and finding cute stores and cafes. We even found an old telephone booth turned into a mini public library. How adorable is that?!

Day 7 – Passau, Germany

Our awesome week-long cruise along the Danube River wrapped up in Passau, also known as the City of Three Rivers, because it sits where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers meet.

In Passau, the ship docks very close to the old town center, so you can easily hop off to explore and then stroll back whenever you feel like it.

The town itself is adorable, with its narrow cobblestone streets, cool historic buildings, cute cafes, and charming shops. The highlight of our day: the Christmas market. It has a beautiful setup with a Christmas tree right in the middle. Wander around, grab some tasty food, and find some unique gifts in this lovely spot. Passau is a holiday dream!

Highlights of Passau

Saint Stephen’s Cathedral—a baroque cathedral that houses the world’s largest cathedral organ.

Make a pit stop at Das Hornsteiner for a hot cup of coffee and some delicious Bavarian pretzels. It’s the perfect spot to relax after exploring Passau.

Spend the evening at Passau Christmas Market, located right in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

conclusion

In conclusion, our Danube Christmas Delights adventure with Viking Cruises was nothing short of magical. Cruising through Europe’s heart, from Budapest to Passau on the Viking Vilhjalm, was a festive treat. If you’re thinking of a hassle-free Christmas adventure with a mix of sightseeing and relaxation, go for the Danube Christmas Delights river cruise with Viking Cruises. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the season’s magic and create lasting memories.