7 nights on the Danube · Nuremberg to Budapest or Budapest to Nuremberg · from A$5,297 pp
Iconic Christmas Markets is a 7-night AmaWaterways river cruise on the Danube, in both directions (Nuremberg to Budapest, or Budapest to Nuremberg), on AmaBella, AmaLea, AmaMora, AmaReina, AmaSonata or AmaVerde. There are 46 departures between November 2026 and December 2028, from A$5,297 per person twin share in a Window stateroom, cruise only, with port charges and gratuities included.
One of the Danube's most beloved holiday itineraries gathers the region's best-known Christmas markets into a single festive week. Nuremberg's world-famous Christkindlesmarkt and Vienna's glittering Rathausplatz each carry their own seasonal warmth and centuries-old tradition.
| Length | 7 nights |
|---|---|
| River | Danube |
| Starts and ends | Nuremberg to Budapest; Budapest to Nuremberg |
| Countries | Germany, Austria and Hungary |
| Ships | AmaBella, AmaLea, AmaMora, AmaReina, AmaSonata, AmaVerde |
| Departures | 46, 25 Nov 2026 to 18 Dec 2028 |
| From | A$5,297 pp, Window |
Itinerary and fares from AmaWaterways, checked 2 November at 7:29am.
| Day | Where | The day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nuremberg, Germany | Nuremberg welcomes you with one-of-a-kind holiday charm |
| 2 | Nuremberg, Germany | Cobblestone paths, castle views, and holiday delights |
| 3 | Regensburg, Germany | Regensburg enchants with medieval streets and iconic Christmas markets |
| 4 | Passau, Germany | Vienna and Salzburg glow with their historic heritage and holiday charm |
| 5 | Melk, Austria | Melk Abbey glows with history and Baroque artistry |
| 6 | Vienna, Austria | From Opera House grandeur to Schönbrunn’s holiday magic |
| 7 | Budapest, Hungary | Budapest blends fairytale architecture with festive cheer |
| 8 | Budapest, Hungary | Begin your journey home |
As published by AmaWaterways, in one direction; the reverse sailings visit the same places the other way round. Excursions and timings can change with river levels and local conditions.
Every departure we list, with the lowest fare in each stateroom type, per person for two sharing, in Australian dollars, cruise only, with port charges and gratuities included, as listed by AmaWaterways on 2 November at 7:29am. Press Quote on a date and a specialist confirms what is open and the price for two before you pay.
| Departs | Ship | Window | Balcony | Suite | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Nov 2026Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaReina | A$6,700 | A$8,947 | A$12,696 | |
| 25 Nov 2026Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaSonata | A$8,199 | A$10,446 | A$14,195 | |
| 28 Nov 2026Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaLea | A$8,199 | A$9,847 | A$14,195 | |
| 2 Dec 2026Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaSonata | A$8,499 | A$10,746 | A$14,495 | |
| 5 Dec 2026Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaLea | A$8,499 | A$10,147 | A$14,495 | |
| 5 Dec 2026Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaMora | A$8,499 | A$10,147 | A$14,495 | |
| 7 Dec 2026Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaVerde | A$8,499 | A$10,746 | A$14,495 | |
| 9 Dec 2026Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaReina | A$8,499 | A$10,746 | A$14,495 | |
| 9 Dec 2026Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaSonata | A$8,499 | A$10,746 | A$14,495 | |
| 12 Dec 2026Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaLea | A$8,049 | A$9,697 | A$14,045 | |
| 14 Dec 2026Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaVerde | A$6,849 | A$9,096 | A$12,845 | |
| 16 Dec 2026Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaReina | A$6,849 | A$9,096 | A$12,845 | |
| 16 Dec 2026Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaSonata | A$6,849 | A$9,096 | A$12,845 | |
| 19 Dec 2026Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaLea | A$6,849 | A$8,497 | A$12,845 |
| Departs | Ship | Window | Balcony | Suite | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Nov 2027Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaReina | A$6,623 | A$8,924 | A$12,665 | |
| 27 Nov 2027Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaLea | A$7,517 | A$9,242 | A$13,559 | |
| 27 Nov 2027Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaMora | A$7,517 | A$9,242 | A$13,559 | |
| 29 Nov 2027Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaBella | A$8,092 | A$10,393 | A$14,134 | |
| 1 Dec 2027Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaSonata | A$8,524 | A$10,825 | A$14,566 | |
| 4 Dec 2027Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaMora | A$8,236 | A$9,961 | A$14,278 | |
| 8 Dec 2027Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaReina | A$7,517 | A$9,818 | A$13,559 | |
| 8 Dec 2027Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaSonata | A$7,804 | A$10,105 | A$13,846 | |
| 11 Dec 2027Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaLea | A$6,373 | A$8,098 | A$12,415 | |
| 11 Dec 2027Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaMora | A$7,517 | A$9,242 | A$13,559 | |
| 13 Dec 2027Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaBella | A$5,941 | A$8,242 | A$11,983 | |
| 13 Dec 2027Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaVerde | A$7,229 | A$9,530 | A$13,271 | |
| 15 Dec 2027Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaReina | A$6,591 | A$8,892 | A$12,633 | |
| 15 Dec 2027Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaSonata | A$7,229 | A$9,530 | A$13,271 | |
| 20 Dec 2027Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaBella | A$5,297 | A$7,598 | A$11,339 | |
| 20 Dec 2027Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaVerde | A$5,297 | A$7,598 | A$11,339 |
| Departs | Ship | Window | Balcony | Suite | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Nov 2028Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaReina | A$6,263 | A$8,564 | A$12,305 | |
| 25 Nov 2028Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaLea | A$6,407 | A$8,132 | A$12,449 | |
| 25 Nov 2028Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaMora | A$6,263 | A$7,988 | A$12,305 | |
| 27 Nov 2028Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaBella | A$6,551 | A$8,852 | A$12,593 | |
| 27 Nov 2028Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaVerde | A$6,551 | A$8,852 | A$12,593 | |
| 29 Nov 2028Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaSonata | A$6,551 | A$8,852 | A$12,593 | |
| 2 Dec 2028Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaMora | A$6,551 | A$8,276 | A$12,593 | |
| 4 Dec 2028Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaBella | A$6,407 | A$8,708 | A$12,449 | |
| 9 Dec 2028Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaLea | A$6,407 | A$8,132 | A$12,449 | |
| 11 Dec 2028Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaBella | A$6,119 | A$8,420 | A$12,161 | |
| 11 Dec 2028Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaVerde | A$6,119 | A$8,420 | A$12,161 | |
| 13 Dec 2028Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaReina | A$6,119 | A$8,420 | A$12,161 | |
| 13 Dec 2028Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaSonata | A$6,119 | A$8,420 | A$12,161 | |
| 16 Dec 2028Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaLea | A$6,263 | A$7,988 | A$12,305 | |
| 18 Dec 2028Budapest to Nuremberg | AmaBella | A$5,975 | A$8,276 | A$12,017 | |
| 18 Dec 2028Nuremberg to Budapest | AmaVerde | A$5,975 | A$8,276 | A$12,017 |
The lowest fare in each stateroom type across the departures above, per person twin share. Each type has several categories by deck and size; we quote the one you prefer.
AmaWaterways covers the dining, the guided excursions and the bikes. Drinks come with lunch and dinner and at the nightly cocktail hour, rather than all day.
From A$5,297 per person, twin share (A$10,594 for two), in a Window stateroom. By stateroom type: Window from A$5,297, Balcony from A$7,598, Suite from A$11,339. Fares are in Australian dollars, cruise only, with port charges and gratuities included, as listed by AmaWaterways on 2 November at 7:29am. They differ by date, so the table of departures above has each one.
46 times between 25 Nov 2026 and 18 Dec 2028: 14 departures in 2026, 16 departures in 2027, 16 departures in 2028.
It sails both ways: Nuremberg to Budapest, and Budapest to Nuremberg. The places are the same each way, in the reverse order. Each departure in the table shows its direction.
AmaBella, AmaLea, AmaMora, AmaReina, AmaSonata and AmaVerde, depending on the date. Every AmaWaterways ship is small, most carrying fewer than 200 guests, with twin-balcony staterooms above the Window category.
All meals on board, with wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, guided excursions in most places you stop, Wi-Fi, port charges and gratuities, and bicycles to borrow. Flights, travel insurance, visas and premium drinks are extra.
Choose a date in the table and press Quote, or send the form with any date. A AmaWaterways specialist replies with the staterooms open on your date and the price for two in Australian dollars, before you pay anything. Or call us on 1300 214 840.
Share your details for a personalised quote.
Enquiring about: AmaWaterways, Iconic Christmas Markets, 7 nights, any date
No obligation, and no charge for the enquiry. We’ll only contact you about this sailing unless you ask us to look at others.
These dates don’t suit? Say so in the box above - we can help you find the best sailing for your next holiday, or build a full Easy Quote.