Best Places in Europe to Visit in Autumn

It might be getting chillier, but that doesn't mean your travel plans should stop here! Here's our best places in Europe to visit this Autumn...

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  • 15 September 2022
  • • 9 min read

Autumn is fast approaching and we couldn’t be happier. Whilst we’re sad to wave goodbye to the summer heatwave, there’s nothing like autumn in Europe. Tree-lined streets turn orange, cosy coffee shops and pubs become our go-to hangouts and conkers begin to fall. Autumn is one of the prettiest times to come to Europe - so we’ve rounded up the most beautiful cities to get all our autumn feels…

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BRUGES

Autumn is the best time to visit Bruges. The summer crowds die down after peak season and the fairytale city be

comes a peaceful paradise. The quaint medieval landscape really shines during September and October when the leaves turn orange to complement the gingerbread-like houses and the city is quieter. Bruges lends itself well for Autumn. Think crisp Autumn walks around the lake, cosy Belgian bar experiences, fresh hot waffles, boating down the canals and all the chocolate you can eat. Cobbled streets, horse drawn carriages and small brick bridges never look better than in the autumn months...

Our Top Autumn Spots:

  • Minnewater Lake

  • De Garre

  • Windmills

  • The Bauhaus Beer Bar

  • Béguinage

  • The Old Chocolate House (for a cup of hot chocolate)

Thinking about planning an autumn break in Bruges after reading this? Check out 


PARIS

The city of romance is amazing during the summer months, however, we believe autumn is the time of year that really makes Paris stand out. Wrap up warm as the end of year chill begins to settle and spend the day wandering the city’s hidden avenues and auburn tree-lined parks, soaking in everything the city has to offer while enjoying the beauty of it all in autumn. Make the most

of being able to experience the city like a true Parisian, as the crowds of tourists have dispersed and the streets feel more authentic (plus the queue for Le Louvre won’t be miles long!). Rest in Paris’ quaint little cafes with a coffee in one hand and a freshly baked croissant in the other. Autumn in Paris is bliss!

Our Top Autumn Spots:

  • Palais-Royal Gardens

  • Cafe Angelina

  • The Eiffel Tower

  • View from Arc de Triomphe

  • Montmartre

  • Jardin des Tuileries

  • Du Pain Et Des Idees

Check out our itinerary on 


LONDON

Did you know that 50% of Greater London is green space? The city’s parks and gardens breathe life into London

during autumn. The fast-paced city slows down a little and the city’s open spaces where you can enjoy pleasant walks around the Royal parks, days out to the nearby countryside and admire the pretty tree-lined streets perched against opulent white houses. The several sheltered rooftop bars with heaters become the local hangouts and underground bars come alive - the nightlife buzz never stops when summer ends.

London does autumn comfort food better than most cities. Cosy London pubs, , piping hot , Shepherd’s pie, heart-warming desserts and some of the best hot chocolate in England. The list is endless.

The thing about London that makes it so unique is the countless . Being a main hub in Europe, you can’t run out of places to explore (even when it’s raining) - and there’s always something new to discover. That’s why London is so amazing to visit whatever season you come. Autumn has to be our favourite time to be in the city though - here’s why…

Our Top Autumn spots:

  • London Pubs

  • Kew Gardens

  • Primrose Hill

  • Fortnum and Mason

  • Kynance Mews

  • Pergola Olympia, Pergola Paddington

  • Richmond Park (to see the deer)

  • Rococo Chocolates

Want more? Check out our guide on 


COPENHAGEN

The one thing about Copenhagen that lends itself so well to the colder, wetter months is Danish ‘hygge’, and it’s everywhere. The word refers to that cosy feeling of comfort and warmth that you’ll soon discover whilst sipping a hot cup of coffee with a Danish pastry in one of the city's , or drinking a pint in a traditional pub with friends in the centre of town. Autumn in Copenha

gen is the ideal time to experience it! The trees and green spaces begin to match the oranges and yellows of Nyhavn and the rest of its brightly coloured buildings, giving the entire city a totally ‘hygge’ type feel. Nothing will beat the comfort of Copenhagen once the chill begins to settle this autumn.

Our Top Autumn Spots:

  • Assistens Cemetery

  • CUB Coffee Bar

  • Tivoli Gardens

  • Grod Porridge Cafe

  • Nyhavn

  • Botanical Gardens

Heading to the Danish capital? Here are the best while you're there


PRAGUE

When the months fade into autumn, Prague’s visitors become more and more sparse, airfares become cheaper and cheaper and the city’s atmosphere is even more charming. The autumn air is fresh but not fre

ezing as it is in winter, so you can enjoy wandering the cobbled streets feeling cool but cosy in your outdoor gear. The early autumn mornings begin to bring out a different side of Prague which sticks around until the spring comes around next year. Get up for an early morning stroll through the sunrise mist, before the autumn sunshine rears its head later on - the sight of Prague covered in a layer of mysterious fog is one of the most enchanting things you don’t want to miss about the city in autumn.

Our top autumn spots:

  • Charles Bridge

  • Petrin Hill

  • Prague Castle

  • U Sedmi Švábů cellar bar

  • Letna Park (for panoramic views of the city)


AMSTERDAM

One of the most magical times to visit the Dutch capital is autumn time. From September through to November the city’s countless canals and vast parks are transformed by an orange autumn glow and a thick blanket of golden leaves. In true Dutch style, head to one of the cosy bars or Dutch pubs during autumn and some of the Dutch classics can really warm you up in autumn: Hot dogs, Dutch apple pie (Appeltaart), Bitterballen and Poffertjes.

Spend an afternoon in one of the famed museums, stroll Vondelpark or hire a bike and cycle along the canals.

Our Top Autumn Spots:

  • Van Gogh Museum

  • Vondelpark

  • Anne Frank House

  • Nine Streets shopping

  • Foodhallen (indoor street food market)

  • De Ballen Bar

Here’s where to get the 


BERLIN

Pack a couple of sweaters and make the most of the German capital this autumn. The city’s countless museums can be explored stress-free without the pushing and shoving of thousands of other tourists - something you would do well to avoid during the summer months! Autumn lends itself perfectly in Berlin for taking long strolls in parks such as Viktoriapark or Tiergarten. Make sure to climb up the Victory column which overlooks a sea of green in the summer, but an incredible mix of reds and oranges during the autumn, surely one of the highlights of the season. The Festival of Lights, Berlin Oktoberfest and the general ambience of autumn in the German capital create a buzz of energy like nowhere else!

Our Top Autumn Spots:

  • Grunewald

  • Festival of Lights (October)

  • Victory Column

  • Tiergarten

  • Museum Island

Need a bed in Berlin? Check out 


EDINBURGH

The Scottish capital is made for autumn walks and long lazy afternoons eating and drinking. Hike up Arthur’s Seat and breathe in the fresh autumn air. Stroll through the medieval Old Town down narrow cobbled alleys and stretching pathways. Sit in a traditional Scottish pub and try some mouth-watering local delicacies or a taste of whiskey. Indulge in the Autumn harvest at Edinburgh’s Farmer's markets. The things to do for autumn’s arrival are plentiful. When Halloween arrives, why not get your spooks at the Edinburgh Dungeons - or take the Potter Trail and discover JK Rowling’s top places for inspiration for her books? The little student city comes to life at night where the underground bars expose you to a drinking scene like never before. Autumn is less busy in Edinburgh than in the summer so you’ll miss all the crowds and museum queues too!

Our Top Autumn Spots:

  • Edinburgh Castle

  • Edinburgh’s Oktoberfest in Princes Street Gardens

  • Dean Village

  • The Halfway House (to try some haggis)

  • Hoot the Redeemer (underground bar)

  • Royal Botanical Gardens

  • Stockbridge Market

  • Scottish National Galleries

  • Arthur’s Seat

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BUDAPEST

Budapest makes for the ideal autumn break. The mysteriously misty yet sunny days and the stunning parks littered with gold and red leaves mean that every step you take around the city is magic. Warm up during an alfresco dip in the city’s steaming thermal baths, explore the fascinating and far less crowded underground attractions and sample some of Hungary’s most delicious treats at the foodie festivals that happen all through the season. There’s so much going on and so many beautiful photo opportunities to take that you might just find that you’ll never want to leave.

Our Top Autumn spots:

  • Ecseri Flea Market

  • ELTE Botanical Gardens

  • Margaret Island

  • Széchenyi Baths

  • Castle Hill


MUNICH

The capital of Bavaria is perfect for a short autumn city break. Munich is like nowhere else in the world: centuries-old buildings and numerous museums to explore, so many beer halls to discover, tasty local German food to enjoy and a culture so rich that you’ll be wishing you were born in Bavaria. Autumn is the prime time to admire the lakes that surround the city, see the pretty colourful trees turn orange and make use of Munich’s many saunas. The colours that autumn brings to Munich are stunning. Explore little Bavarian villages close to Munich, admire the amazing architecture - and if you’re visiting in September expect the capital to be packed for Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest is the biggest event in Europe’s autumn calendar and we cannot wait. Expect steins upon steins upon steins. If you’re coming for the world’s biggest and best beer festival, get your lederhosen on and don’t forget to line your stomachs.

Out Top Autumn Spots:

  • Oktoberfest

  • Hofbräuhaus (the oldest beer hall serving up juicy German sausages)

  • Müller'schen Volksbad sauna

  • Schloss Nymphenburg (palace park and gardens)Viktualienmarkt (to see the pumpkins)

  • Bavarian architecture

Here’s our guide on 

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