Last Updated on: 11th November 2024, 08:11 am
Early fall is one of my favorite times of year to travel to new places.
Europe is my first choice. That’s easy, as I live in an European country, so I’m only a few hours away from many beautiful landmarks.
Main Topics of Fall for Europe: Your Ultimate Autumn Bucket List
Why Europe?
The magic of autumn in Europe is hard to describe.
The climate is mild in most countries, making walking a pleasurable activity.
Cities that have been extremely hot during summer are now perfect in terms of daytime temperatures.
Kids are back to school, hence the number of tourist families is much smaller than during summer.
Fewer tourists means lower prices and more hotel rooms and apartments available.
These are only a few reasons why fall is the perfect time to visit Europe.
Keep reading to find out why Europe is such a great idea for your next autumn trip.
Scenic Destinations
Hillside and lower mountain areas dress up in colorful foliage that makes photos look awesome.
I had a hard time picking the top 5 fall destinations in Europe, but here they are!
1. Tuscan Countryside, Italy
Also known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Tuscany is one of the most amazing places in Europe in terms of both architecture and natural landscapes.
If you’re into visiting cities, check out my article about spending 4 days in Florence.
If you intend to commute across Tuscany, check out this Tuscany tour from Florence with lunch and wine tasting at a winery.
This tour also includes visits to Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano.
Tuscany is always a good idea. I took this photo during my visit to Boboli Gardens in Florence
Also read: How to spend one day in Capri to see whether you can add this to your Europe itinerary.
2. Bavaria, Germany
Bavaria, Germany’s largest state, transforms into a breathtaking autumn wonderland as the season changes.
Rolling hills adorned with colorful foliage create a wonderful scenery for the region’s fairytale castles, such as Neuschwanstein.
Charming villages like Rothenburg ob der Tauber dress up in with fall colors. Half-timbered houses get framed by trees in vibrant shades of red and orange.
Click here to book a Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace all-inclusive day trip from Munich.
The crisp air carries the aroma of hearty Bavarian cuisine, with seasonal specialties like pumpkin soup and onion tart tempting visitors at local markets.
Munich’s world-famous Oktoberfest adds a lively cultural dimension, filling the air with music, laughter, and the clinking of beer steins.
Whether you’re hiking in the Bavarian Alps, strolling through the English Garden in Munich, or driving along the scenic Romantic Road, Bavaria offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich traditions, and autumn charm.
3. Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands in autumn are a tapestry of breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
Click here to book a full day trip from Edinburgh to the Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness, and Glencoe.
As the autumn gets older, the rugged landscape transforms into a vibrant canvas of russet, gold, and crimson, with the rolling hills taking on a deep purple shade.
This is the perfect time for outdoor enthusiasts to explore the numerous hiking trails, with reduced midgie populations and ideal conditions for spotting wildlife.
Cozy pubs in charming villages like Pitlochry and Fort Augustus offer warm refuges, serving hearty local fare and fine Scotch whiskies.
Whether you’re photographing the golden larches around Loch Tummel, visiting historic castles framed by autumnal foliage, or simply soaking in the Glencoe’s beauty, the Scottish Highlands in fall offer a magical experience that captures the essence of Scotland’s wild and romantic spirit.
Image by Nigel Scott from Pixabay
4. The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s spectacular coastal route that stretches 2,500 km along the western shores of the island, is a great landmark any given season. The fall makes it special, though, thanks to the lovely autumnal hues of the foliage.
Click here to book a 13-hour tour that includes the Cliffs of Moher, the Wild Atlantic Way and Galway City. This tour starts and ends in Dublin.
Sites like the Cliffs of Moher or the Ring of Kerry that are extremely crowded during the high season are now almost deserted.
Read my article about the best things to do in Killarney to learn how to visit the Ring of Kerry.
Autumn storms lashing against the coastline create an exhilarating atmosphere, perfect for storm watching from cozy seaside pubs.
The season brings vibrant festivals celebrating everything from seafood to traditional music. Many pubs attract visitors with live music and special offers.
Milder temperatures make for ideal conditions to explore charming coastal villages, hike scenic trails, or surf world-class waves.
With its ever-changing light, moody skies, and landscapes painted in fall colors, the Wild Atlantic Way in autumn offers a profound connection to Ireland’s untamed natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
Jaunting car in Killarney
5. Transylvania, Romania
Transylvania is one of the most instagrammable regions of Romania, particularly during the autumn.
Click here to book a half-day tour from Brasov to Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle) and Rasnov Fortress.
Snowy winters are also great for landscape photography. However, the fall paints the hills in hundreds of shades of red, orange, yellow and green, creating a magical scenery.
Click here to check out this 7-day Halloween tour of Transylvania, Romania.
Read my article about visiting Transylvania to see how to get there and how to get around.
One of the fortified churches in Transylvania
Cultural Experiences
Autumn is the time when everybody in Europe is eager to quench their thirst for cultural experiences.
Here are a few such events worth adding to your bucket list.
1. Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
Oktoberfest, the world’s largest Volksfest, is Munich’s celebrated autumn tradition that began in 1810 as a royal wedding celebration.
Held annually for 16-18 days from mid-September to early October on the Theresienwiese (locally known as “Wiesn”), it attracts over 6 million visitors worldwide.
Click here to book a Munich and Oktoberfest tour with a reserved beer tent table.
The festival showcases Bavarian culture, with participants often donning traditional attire – Lederhosen for men and Dirndl for women.
The culinary experience is equally important, featuring Bavarian specialties like Hendl (roast chicken), Schweinebraten (roast pork), various Würstl (sausages), and Brezen (pretzels).
Beyond food and drink, Oktoberfest offers games, rides and a traditional parade that celebrates the Bavarian heritage.
Image by Hans Lohrmann from Pixabay
2. Truffle hunting in Italy or Croatia
Italy and Croatia are two of the countries where you can go truffle hunting.
While not exactly a cultural experience, this is a great opportunity to have some fun and to taste wine and truffles with local pasta and cheese.
Click here to see more details and to book a truffle hunting adventure from Verona, Italy.
The Alba white truffle festival is another cool event you might want to attend.
For a truffle hunt experience in Alba, check out this link.
If you prefer Croatia, check out this tour.
3. Wine harvest festivals in France
Wine harvest (la vendange) is big in France.
In order to make the most out of your Europe holiday, you can book this day trip to Champagne from Paris.
You’ll discover the pleasures and history of Champagne on this full-day winery tour from Paris.
You’ll visit two different winemakers to learn about the growing, harvesting, and bottling process, and sample different types of Champagne.
You’ll see the resting place of Dom Pérignon, the monk who developed the French bubbly wine we all love so much.
Offering a generous array of Champagne tastings, this small-group tour is exactly what you need to gain a better understanding of wine tasting and of the wine making process.
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
4. Halloween at Bran Castle, Romania
Located in Transylvania, Romania, Bran Castle is famous for being the residence of Count Dracula.
This makes it the perfect place to spend the Halloween.
Click here to check out this 7-day Halloween tour of Transylvania, Romania.
You’ll start your tour in Bucharest, you’ll visit Sibiu, Hunedoara, Cluj Napoca, Biertan, Bran and Brasov.
You’ll visit Bran Castle by night for the Halloween party. On your way back to Bucharest you’ll visit Peles castle in Sinaia, and the Snagov Monastery.
This is a great idea for an autumn Europe trip.
Bran Castle by night – Would you say Dracula was home when I took this picture?
Outdoor Adventures
Fall is the ideal season to spend time outdoors. Here are a few ideas of outdoor adventures for your fall trip to Europe.
1. Hiking in the Swiss Alps
The magic of the Swiss Alps is hard to describe. You need to see it.
Whether you choose to hike on your own or to join organized hiking trips, the experience will be exciting and rewarding.
Check out this Grindelwald-Scheidegg-Lauterbrunnen Small Group Tour, for instance.
You’ll start from Interlaken, journeying by train to the enchanting village of Grindelwald.
After visiting this lovely village, you’ll take the cogwheel train to Kleine Scheidegg. The panoramic views to Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, the charming scenery around Wengen, and the iconic Staubbach waterfall are all part of your bucket list.
Image by Tim Ulrich from Pixabay
2. Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia is very hot during summer. This is why you’d better visit it in the autumn, preferably in October or November.
The fairy chimneys and the valleys look much better when viewed from a hot air balloon.
Click here to check out one of these hot air balloon rides over the villages of Cappadocia.
Expect to wake up very early for the sunrise, but rest assured you’re going to be happy for choosing this experience.
Image by Timur Kozmenko from Pixabay
3. Northern Lights hunt in Rovaniemi, Finland
Rovaniemi, in Finland, is one of the favorite destinations for families with children.
While visiting Santa Claus may not be that exciting for adults, hunting the Northern Lights would surely kindle their interest.
Check out this Lapland road trip. This is a private tour with a maximum of 8 participants.
Their Aurora guides use the best weather reports, cameras and lenses. Your tour’s duration may vary between 2 to 8 hours depending how fast the magical lights would become visible. Professional photos are delivered to your email within 24 hours.
This is a free flexible ticket service. Which means if its 100% cloudy all over the Lapland and their range is not enough to find a clear sky, they are able to move your booking 1 day later or earlier for a better Northern Lights weather. They use special paid services for clouds and solar weather reports. Their guides are well trained Aurora Hunters. Nobody can guarantee a natural phenomenon but they try their best to almost guarantee it. Their team had an amazing 86% catching rate last season.
4. Santorini catamaran cruise, Greece
Santorini is always packed with tourists. During summer it is very hard to book a seat on a cruise to explore its coastline and the volcanic islands nearby.
October is the perfect month to enjoy this Santorini catamaran cruise among many other cool activities and experiences.
When booking this cruise, you can choose between daytime and sunset bookings: Both allow you to travel with an intimate group of 20 or fewer fellow passengers.
Snorkel equipment is available for swim stops, and you’ll enjoy a buffet lunch or dinner washed down with local white wine and soft drinks—as well as swimming to the Santorini Hot Springs.
I’d choose the sunset cruise, in order to take some photos at the golden hour.
Also read this article about the best Santorini shore excursions for cruise passengers.
A relaxing Santorini phone wallpaper you can fownload and use for free
Whatever your preferences, remember that Europe in the fall has at least a couple of experiences you’re going to love.
Pick your cities wisely. With a little planning, you can put together a Europe city hopping trip.
- How To Go to Pompeii from Naples: A Complete Transportation Guide - November 12, 2024
- Things To Do in Capri for a Day - October 31, 2024
- Fall for Europe: Your Ultimate Autumn Bucket List - October 3, 2024
