Best Christmas Markets of Europe: Bucharest to Budapest
Best Christmas Markets of Europe: Bucharest to Budapest
15 Days Starting in Bucharest, Romania and ending in Budapest, Hungary
Visiting: Bucharest, Sibiu, Sighisoara, Brasov, Sinaia, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest
Tour operator:
Tour code:
XM6
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
25 - 30
Age range:
0-0
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Embark on a magical journey through the heart of Europe with the "Best Christmas Markets of Europe: Bucharest to Budapest" tour. This enchanting adventure takes you through Romania, Germany, Austria, and Hungary, immersing you in the festive spirit of the continent's most charming cities. Begin in Bucharest, exploring its vibrant Christmas markets and the ancient Cozia Monastery. Discover the medieval allure of Sibiu and the legendary Bran Castle. Experience the cultural richness of Munich, the musical charm of Salzburg, and the imperial grandeur of Vienna. Conclude your journey in Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube.' With expert guides, comfortable accommodations, and seamless transportation, this tour offers a hassle-free way to experience Europe's most iconic Christmas markets and historical sites. Enjoy 14 breakfasts, 4-star hotel stays, and the convenience of an air-conditioned coach and flight from Bucharest to Munich. Unwrap the magic of a European Christmas with this unforgettable tour.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Bucharest
Location: Bucharest
Accommodation Name: Hotel Mercure Unirii – 4 Star
Welcome to Bucharest! At the airport, keep an eye out for the Travel Talk sign for your transfer to the hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring the city at your leisure. In the evening, attend a welcome meeting with your fellow travelers to get to know each other and go over the itinerary for the next few days.
Day 2 : Bucharest City Tour
Location: Bucharest
Accommodation Name: Hotel Mercure Unirii – 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, take a guided tour of Bucharest to see the city’s main sights, such as the Palace of the Parliament and the National Village Museum. In the afternoon, visit Bucharest’s Christmas markets, such as the one in the Old Town, to sample local food and drink and pick up some souvenirs.
Day 3 : Cozia Monastery, Sibiu Old Town & Christmas Market
Location: Sibiu
Accommodation Name: Mercure Airport Hotel – 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel to Cozia Monastery in the morning, an ancient and beautiful Orthodox monastery. After a tour, continue to Sibiu and explore the charming Old Town with a guide, including the famous Christmas market. Enjoy the festive atmosphere and taste local food and drinks.
Day 4 : Rasinari Tram, Sibiu
Location: Sibiu
Accommodation Name: Mercure Airport Hotel – 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Ride the Rasinari Tram to the village of Rasinari, where you can visit a local museum and learn about traditional life in the area. Return to Sibiu for more time in the Christmas market or to explore other parts of the city.
Day 5 : Sighisoara, Brasov City Tour & Christmas Market
Location: Sighisoara
Accommodation Name: Hotel Cubix – 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Visit the medieval city of Sighisoara, birthplace of Vlad the Impaler (also known as Dracula). Take a walking tour of the town, including the Clock Tower Museum, and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, travel to Brasov for a city tour and visit the Christmas market in the evening.
Day 6 : Bran Castle, Brasov
Location: Brasov
Accommodation Name: Hotel Cubix – 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Visit the famous Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle, and learn about the history and legends associated with it. Return to Brasov for some free time in the afternoon to explore the city or do some Christmas shopping.
Day 7 : Sinaia, Peles Castle, Bucharest
Location: Sinaia
Accommodation Name: Hotel Mercure Unirii – 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle, a beautiful Neo-Renaissance palace built in the late 1800s. After the tour, return to Bucharest for some final Christmas market shopping and sightseeing.
Day 8 : Bucharest, Munich ( By Flight )
Location: Munich
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Munchen Sud or Tulip Inn Munchecn Messe – 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Are you ready to say goodbye to Romania and fly to Munich, Germany’s third-largest city? Munich is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and world-famous Oktoberfest. Upon arrival enjoy some free time to explore the city’s famous landmarks, including Marienplatz, the Viktualienmarkt, and the Englischer Garten.
Day 9 : Munich
Location: Munich
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Munchen Sud or Tulip Inn Munchecn Messe – 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start your day with a visit to the Frauenkirche, Munich’s iconic cathedral, to kick off your orientation walk of this famed town. Explore the city’s famous Christmas markets including the Christkindlmarkt in Marienplatz and the medieval market at Wittelsbacher Platz. Enjoy a traditional Bavarian lunch and explore the markets at your own apce. In the evening, take a walk through the Schwabing neighborhood and enjoy some local food and drinks.
Day 10 : Munich-Salzburg
Location: Salzburg
Accommodation Name: Austria Trend Hotel Salzburg Messe or B&B Hotel Salzburg Nord – 3 star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel southeast into Austria to Salzburg today. On arrival, check in to your hotel and then head out into the city for an orientation walk with your leader. The city will captivate with its history, cobblestone lanes, bubbling river and charmingly kitsch atmosphere. In the late afternoon, visit the atmospheric Christmas market in Cathedral Square, where the smells of gluehwein, roasted chestnuts, toasted almonds and cinnamon brushed baked apples waft through the marketplace and traditional Salzburg choirs fill the air. Later on, jump in to a cable car and reach the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the city’s most visible landmark. This fully preserved castle hosts a small, intimate Christmas market and if you’re lucky, Christmas themed live music.
Day 11 : Salzburg
Location: Salzburg
Accommodation Name: Austria Trend Hotel Salzburg Messe or B&B Hotel Salzburg Nord – 3 star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is a day for you to freely explore Salzburg and its nearby regions. You may consider taking a trip to the salt mine located in Berchtesgaden, which can be found in the German Alps. Alternatively, you can immerse yourself in the world of the von Trapp family from the classic film “The Sound of Music” by visiting the famous filming locations such as Mirabell Gardens, Pegasus Fountain, Leopoldskron Palace, and Hellbrunn Palace. In the evening, you could return to the bustling Christmas markets to revel in the festive ambiance a bit longer.
Day 12 : Salzburg, Vienna
Location: Vienna
Accommodation Name: Eventhotel Pyramide or Austria Trend Hotel Ananas – 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Once you arrive in Vienna today, take part in a guided walking tour led by your guide. During the tour, you will get to see magnificent buildings, parks, and monuments that pay homage to celebrated composers and notable historical figures. During your leisure time, consider visiting the stunning Hofburg Palace or the Leopold Museum, or you can take in stunning city views from the top of the Prater Ferris Wheel. Later in the day, make your way to the Christmas markets located in front of the City Hall. There, you can peruse the various stalls, indulge in some delicious freshly baked cinnamon biscuits, and enjoy a warm cup of Christmas punch.
Day 13 : Vienna
Location: Vienna
Accommodation Name: Eventhotel Pyramide or Austria Trend Hotel Ananas – 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
You have a full day to spend exploring Vienna, so why not consider visiting Schoenbrunn Palace, personally designed by Empress Maria Theresa? While the gardens are open to all visitors free of charge, there is a fee for entering the palace and taking tours. To avoid lengthy queues, it’s recommended to book your tickets in advance through schoenbrunn.at. Return to the sparkling Christmas markets in the afternoon, with more than 12 Christmas markets scattered throughout the city, you’re bound to discover the perfect holiday gift!
Day 14 : Vienna-Bratislava-Budapest
Location: Vienna
Accommodation Name: Hotel City Inn or Novotel Budapest City – 4 Star
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel from Vienna to Bratislava today, where you’ll have a few hours to explore the Slovakian capital on your own. Stroll along the Danube promenade, visit the Bratislava Castle, or try some traditional Slovakian food. In the afternoon, continue on to Budapest, known as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’. After a short orientation walk around the city, it’s time to visit the Christmas markets.
Day 15 : Budapest
Location: Budapest
Meals Included: Breakfast
Check out of your accommodation and say goodbye to your fellow travelers. If you have some extra time, you may want to visit some of Budapest’s other attractions, such as the Fisherman’s Bastion or the Hungarian National Museum. Alternatively, you could head back to the Christmas markets to pick up any last-minute souvenirs or indulge in some more traditional Hungarian food and drink. When it’s time to depart, your tour leader will be on hand to offer any assistance with transport arrangements or recommendations for further travel in the region.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 star hotels
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Meals
14 Breakfasts
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Transportation
Air-conditioned coach or mini-bus
Flight from Bucharest to Munich -
Tour Guiding
Services of experienced Travel Talk local guides licenced by the Ministry of Tourism
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Airport Transfer(s)
Arrival airport transfer from Bucharest Airport to the hotel on day 1
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Free Wi-Fi
Complimentary hotel Wi-Fi access (where available)
What's Not Included
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Any flights not mentioned above
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Travel Insurance
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Meals not stated above
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Items of a personal nature
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Tips and gestures
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Entrance fees to the sights and museums
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Optional activities
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Other services not stated in the itinerary
Add Ons
Local Payment: £0
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with air-conditioned coaches or mini-buses, and enjoy a flight from Bucharest to Munich. Arrival airport transfer from Bucharest Airport to the hotel is included, ensuring a seamless start to your festive adventure.
Accommodation
Stay in luxurious 4-star hotels throughout your journey, including Hotel Mercure Unirii, Hotel Golden Tulip Ana Tower, and Holiday Inn Munchen Sud, ensuring comfort and relaxation after a day of exploring Europe's enchanting Christmas markets.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides accommodation in 4-star hotels throughout the journey.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes 14 breakfasts as part of the package.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
Transportation is provided by an air-conditioned coach or mini-bus, and there is a flight from Bucharest to Munich included.
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Is there an airport transfer included in the tour?
Yes, an arrival airport transfer from Bucharest Airport to the hotel is included on day 1.
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Will there be a tour guide during the trip?
Yes, the services of experienced Travel Talk local guides licensed by the Ministry of Tourism are included.
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Is Wi-Fi available during the tour?
Complimentary hotel Wi-Fi access is available where possible.
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What activities are included in the Bucharest city tour?
The Bucharest city tour includes visits to the Palace of the Parliament and the National Village Museum, as well as exploring the Christmas markets in the Old Town.
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What can I expect to see at the Cozia Monastery?
Cozia Monastery is an ancient and beautiful Orthodox monastery that you will tour in the morning.
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What is special about the Christmas market in Salzburg?
The Christmas market in Salzburg is located in Cathedral Square, where you can enjoy the smells of gluehwein, roasted chestnuts, and traditional Salzburg choirs. There is also a small, intimate Christmas market at the Hohensalzburg Fortress.
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What are some optional activities available in Munich?
Optional activities in Munich include a tour of the Allianz Arena FC Bayern Museum and a Bavarian dinner night at Hofbrauhaus.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
There are always single travellers on our tours. If you don't mind being roomed with another single traveller of the same gender, then you do not need to pay a single supplement, however, this excludes all of our North American tours where the sharing option for a solo traveller is not available, and the single supplement must be applied if you are travelling alone. The single supplement is for travellers who would like to stay in a private room for the duration of the tour. PLEASE NOTE: The single private option is not always available, especially for sailing tours and camping.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Our tours are suitable for any traveller above 18 years old. The majority of Travel Talkers are from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada or Europe, however we always have travellers from all over the world. What brings them together is a passion for travel, discovering authentic cultures and experiencing unique adventures with like-minded travellers.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Travel Talk, we believe that travel is a force for good and show our support through various initiatives and charity organizations, as well as keeping the principals of responsible and sustainable travel at the core of our ethos. These values are engrained in our business culture and the design of our trips just the same. Together with our guests, we strive to make a positive impact on local p
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 20 years
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Friday - Friday
Dec 05, 2025 - Dec 19, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Travel Talk Tours allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 61 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Travel Talk Tours requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel talk tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 85% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.