13 Best Places to Visit in Europe in the Fall
These stunning autumn destinations are some of the best places to visit in Europe in the fall for natural beauty, culture, and fewer crowds.
Europe in the fall is one of the travel world’s best-kept secrets—an intoxicating blend of golden light, crisp air, harvest festivals, and far fewer crowds than the high-summer surge. As someone who lives in Italy and has spent most of my life exploring the continent’s corners—through snowstorms, spring blooms, beachy summers, and everything in between—there’s just something about autumn that feels undeniably special.
Wherever you visit in Europe, fall brings a quiet kind of magic. Cities become more walkable, countryside roads more scenic, and there’s a cozy, contemplative pace to travel that’s hard to match.
In this guide, I’ve curated some of the best places to visit in Europe in the fall—a mix of classic and under-the-radar destinations that truly come alive between September and November. From food-filled road trips to foliage-drenched hikes, these are the places worth planning your next shoulder-season escape around.
15 Best Places to Visit in Europe in the Fall
1. The Dolomites, Italy
There’s something almost otherworldly about the Dolomites in the fall—when the summer crowds have long dispersed and the jagged limestone peaks stand tall against a backdrop of blazing orange larches and piercing blue skies.
It’s quieter, more contemplative, and honestly more beautiful than in peak season. Autumn brings a painter’s palette to the valleys of Val Gardena and Alta Badia, where every hiking trail feels like a secret.
The weather stays crisp but pleasant through early to mid-October, perfect for panoramic hikes like the Seceda ridgeline or Tre Cime di Lavaredo without dodging trekking poles. Refugios (mountain huts) start to shutter for winter, but a few remain open, offering steaming bowls of speck dumplings and hot chocolate with views that feel earned.
For an easier adventure, take the cable car up to Alpe di Siusi—the largest alpine meadow in Europe—where gentle trails wind through rolling golden pastures with postcard views at every turn.
Pair your days with cozy evenings in mountain lodges, spa time in Ortisei, or even a scenic drive through the Great Dolomites Road, which feels like Italy’s version of a fall foliage safari.
2. Piedmont, Italy
Piedmont is where Italy quietly flexes its autumnal charm—and as someone who lives in Italy, I can confidently say it’s one of the country’s most underrated fall escapes.
Come October, the rolling hills of the Langhe and Monferrato regions turn golden and rust-red, vineyards shimmer with color, and the air carries the earthy scent of truffles. This is truffle season, after all, and Alba—the white truffle capital of the world—comes alive with markets, tastings, and cozy restaurants serving tajarin pasta drowned in fragrant shavings.
But Piedmont isn’t just for foodies; it’s for anyone who wants to slow down. Think misty mornings in medieval hill towns like La Morra and Neive, afternoon drives through vineyard-laced roads, and sunset glasses of Barolo or Barbaresco overlooking vine-covered valleys. It’s a deeply sensory experience—saturated in flavor, color, and calm.
3. Alsace, France
Alsace, nestled between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine, is one of the best autumn destinations in Europe—a region where fall feels like it was designed by a set decorator with a penchant for wine and whimsy.
In October, the vine-covered hills blaze gold and crimson, and villages like Eguisheim, Riquewihr, and Colmar look straight out of a storybook, their half-timbered houses draped in ivy and set against crisp blue skies. It’s the perfect season for slow drives along the Route des Vins d’Alsace, punctuated by wine tastings, tarte flambée lunches, and strolls through quiet medieval streets.
And if you fall under Alsace’s spell (which you will), it’s worth knowing this region doesn’t lose its magic once the leaves drop—Alsace also happens to be one of Europe’s most iconic Christmas destinations, with Colmar and Strasbourg hosting some of the most atmospheric Christmas markets on the continent.
Think: twinkling lights, mulled wine, and gingerbread-scented lanes right where the vineyards stood golden just weeks before.
4. Lake Bled & Triglav National Park, Slovenia
Lake Bled and Triglav National Park in Slovenia deserve a top spot among the best fall destinations in Europe, especially if you’re craving dramatic nature scenes with a side of serenity.
In autumn, the forests around the lake and throughout the Julian Alps erupt in fiery hues of orange, gold, and deep red, reflecting perfectly in the glassy waters of Bled’s iconic lake—complete with that fairytale island and its lone church.
The crowds thin out considerably after summer, giving the whole area a calm, enchanted quality that’s perfect for slow, scenic hikes or simply sipping coffee with a view.
Just beyond Bled, Triglav National Park is a hiker’s paradise in fall—think alpine trails strewn with fallen leaves, hidden waterfalls, and panoramic lookouts that feel like well-kept secrets. For a quieter alternative to the Alps or the Dolomites, this pocket of Slovenia blends epic landscapes with Central European charm, all without the chaos.
5. Prague & South Bohemia, Czech Republic
Prague and the rolling hills of South Bohemia offer a slower, more atmospheric side of Central Europe in autumn. With the summer crowds gone, Prague’s gothic skyline and baroque streets take on a dreamlike quality, especially when framed by golden leaves and soft, misty mornings.
Wander through the quieter corners of Malá Strana, watch the sun set behind Prague Castle from Letná Park, and warm up with a cup of svařák (Czech mulled wine) from a local stand.
A few hours south, Český Krumlov feels like it was built for fall—its castle-topped old town wrapped in foliage and hugged by the winding Vltava River. With forested walks, riverside taverns, and medieval charm around every bend, this region is hands-down one of the best places in Europe in October.
Plan your Trip:
6. The Scottish Highlands, Scotland
The Scottish Highlands in autumn are nothing short of cinematic. As summer fades, the landscape transforms into a moody patchwork of burnt orange moors, golden bracken, and deep green pines, all under skies that shift from slate grey to glowing amber in minutes.
October is an especially magical time—quiet trails wind through Glen Coe and the Cairngorms, red deer roam the hills during rutting season, and lochs reflect the changing trees like mirrors.
It’s the kind of place where you can spend the day hiking dramatic ridgelines or exploring castles wrapped in fog, then retreat to a stone cottage for a fireside whisky and a hearty bowl of Cullen skink.
With fewer tourists, cooler weather, and a palpable sense of wilderness, the Highlands offer an unforgettable, soul-stirring escape – easily one of the best places to Visit in Europe in the fall.
7. The Basque Country, Spain
The Basque Country is where Spain does fall differently—think lush green hills, colorful forests, and a culinary scene that’s practically a religion.
Inland towns like Vitoria-Gasteiz and the landscapes of Gorbeia Natural Park come alive in October, with crisp air, changing leaves, and fewer tourists than the ever-popular coastline. It’s harvest season in nearby La Rioja, just a short drive away, making this a prime time for vineyard visits, wine tastings, and long lunches that stretch into golden afternoons.
Add to that the Basque flair for food—whether it’s pintxos in a cozy tavern or elevated tasting menus in Michelin-starred spots—and you’ve got a recipe for the perfect offbeat autumn escape. It’s easily one of the best places to travel in Europe in the fall if you’re after flavor, foliage, and something just a little more underrated.
8. Bavaria, Germany
Bavaria in the fall feels like walking through a real-life storybook, where castles peek through misty forests and alpine villages glow under a canopy of golden leaves.
The air is crisp, the beer is still flowing post-Oktoberfest, and the crowds have thinned just enough to let you enjoy places like Neuschwanstein Castle or Königssee in near solitude. It’s one of the best European autumn destinations, especially for travelers who crave both natural beauty and fairy-tale charm.
Take a drive along the German Alpine Road, wander through the foothills of the Bavarian Alps, or warm up with a slice of Apfelstrudel in a cozy wood-beamed café. Whether you’re hiking through Berchtesgaden National Park or exploring Munich’s leafy parks, Bavaria offers a rich, romantic take on fall.
9. Budapest, Hungary
One of the best cities in Europe to visit in October, Budapest strikes that perfect balance between old-world grandeur and cozy autumn charm. The city’s iconic landmarks—Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, the Chain Bridge—glow even warmer when framed by fall foliage and golden-hour light.
Strolls along the Danube are crisper, quieter, and more atmospheric, and the city’s famous thermal baths—like Széchenyi or Gellért—feel especially indulgent as temperatures begin to dip. Come evening, ruin bars in the Jewish Quarter buzz with life, and traditional cafés serve up goulash and chimney cake with a side of nostalgia.
But, much like Alsace, the magic doesn’t end when fall does—Budapest transitions beautifully into winter, with Christmas markets, outdoor skating rinks, and thermal spas that steam against the cold. It’s a city that truly thrives in the off-season.
10. Transylvania, Romania
I get the impression that Transylvania is one of those places that lives in your imagination long before you ever visit—misty forests, medieval towns, and the lingering scent of folklore in the air—and a road trip through this region in fall is seriously on my bucket list.
The countryside turns cinematic in October, with fiery foliage blanketing the Carpathian Mountains and villages like Sibiu, Brașov, and Sighișoara glowing in the soft, golden light. There’s something undeniably atmospheric about driving winding roads past gothic castles (yes, including Bran), fortified churches, and vast, open landscapes where time seems to slow.
It’s not just about Dracula lore—though the spooky season vibes are very real—but about discovering a quieter, wilder corner of Europe that’s rich in tradition, charm, and unpolished beauty. Transylvania in the fall feels like a secret whispered by the wind, and I, for one, am ready to chase it.
11. The Cotswolds, England
The Cotswolds in autumn are pure English countryside poetry—golden-stone villages tucked among rolling hills, narrow lanes lined with coppery trees, and a gentle, timeless atmosphere that invites you to slow down.
As summer fades, towns like Bibury, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Castle Combe take on an even more romantic hue, their honey-hued buildings warmed by soft autumn light and trailing vines turning brilliant shades of red and orange. It’s the perfect season for fireside pub lunches, muddy countryside walks with wellies, and browsing antiques in sleepy market towns.
Whether you’re exploring manor gardens brushed with morning mist or sipping tea in a thatched-roof tearoom, the Cotswolds offer an irresistibly cozy and cinematic take on fall.
Plan your Trip:
16 Best Villages to Visit in the Cotswolds
12. Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany in October is a masterclass in slow, sensory travel. The summer heat has mellowed, the hills are brushed in shades of ochre and burnt sienna, and the grapevines—just after harvest—turn golden under the soft autumn sun.
It’s one of the best places in Europe in October if you want to pair cultural depth with countryside serenity. Wander the cobbled streets of Siena or Montepulciano without the crowds, or lose yourself in the rolling landscapes of the Val d’Orcia, where every bend in the road reveals another postcard-perfect view.
Fall is also prime season for olive oil pressing, chestnut festivals, and of course, wine—this is Brunello and Chianti country, after all. Tuscany’s rhythm slows just enough in autumn to let you really savor it.
Plan your Trip:
Where to Stay in Siena, Italy: Best Hotels In and Around
12 Top Places to Eat in and Around Siena
The Ultimate Guide to Pienza, Italy
3 Days in Florence Itinerary for First-Timers
13. The Julian Alps, Austria
Tucked away in the northeastern corner of Austria, the Julian Alps are an underrated slice of alpine magic—and one of those truly great places to visit in the fall.
As September slides into October, the forests that blanket the mountains shift into a fiery spectrum of red, orange, and gold, while the higher peaks start to collect a dusting of snow. It’s a sweet spot between seasons, where you can still hike through tranquil valleys, kayak across glassy lakes, and cozy up in mountain huts serving hearty Austrian fare.
Towns like Bad Gastein and the surrounding Hohe Tauern National Park offer the kind of off-the-beaten-path charm that feels both rugged and refined. It’s alpine Austria without the crowds or the ski rush—a peaceful, picturesque pause before winter sets in.
Which of these best places to visit in Europe in the fall will you be heading to? Have any questions or comments about your trip? Let me know in the box below.
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