Contemplative Advent on the Danube

The towns and cities along the Danube are already getting in the mood for Christmas with contemplative Advent markets, Advent concerts and children's programs. When the smell of gingerbread, chestnuts, cinnamon and mulled wine wafts through the Danube regions, you know that the most contemplative time of the year is just around the corner. We show you the most beautiful pre-Christmas experiences in the five Danube regions.

Are you looking for an extraordinary Christmas market in Bavaria? Here you will find a large selection of Christmas markets throughout Bavaria and Eastern Bavaria: romantically located on an island, in the Christmas illuminated castle garden or hidden in a forest clearing. Lovely gift ideas and Bavarian specialties are also waiting for you.

Towards the end of the year, it gets quiet in the Danube Valley in Upper Austria. Ideal to get in the mood for the Christmas season at Advent markets or to enjoy the quietest time of the year on board a Danube boat. Numerous Advent and Christmas markets, exhibitions as well as concerts in the Bavarian-Upper Austrian Danube communities invite you to linger away from the hustle and bustle. Linz, the UNESCO City of Media Arts, offers visitors atmospheric Christmas markets and a festively illuminated shopping street.

The World Heritage Site provides a special stage for the Wachau Advent and its Advent markets, excursions and concerts. There, where in summer vineyards and orchards bloom in full splendor, nature and man like to take a break in winter. The castles (Rossatz, Spitz), monasteries (Melk, Göttweig) and castle ruins (Dürnstein, Aggstein) in the midst of the spectacular landscape let you relax and get in the mood for Christmas. On a wintry boat trip you glide past the pre-Christmas enchanted beauties on the Danube.

After the autumn, full of cultural program or delicious gastronomy comes the most romantic time in the city. Cool weather or snow are no obstacle for visitors to fill the streets or squares. In November and December these are transformed into ice skating rinks, traditional Christmas markets and decorated avenues. Bratislava wishes you a happy and joyful Christmas.

The Hungarian capital Budapest is lively and beautiful all year round, but holds a very special charm in winter, especially during the Christmas season. The streets are full of radiant light at this time of year. The enticing scent of roasted chestnuts, cinnamon tree sticks and mulled wine fills the air as Budapestites head outside to discover their city's many wonderful markets, cultural events and other exciting attractions.