10 Best European Autumn Destinations For a Cosy Trip

This post lists 10 best European autumn destinations.

Autumn in Europe is a magical time when landscapes transform into vibrant displays of golden, red, and orange hues. If you’re a traveler seeking breathtaking fall scenery, Europe offers some of the best destinations to witness this natural spectacle. Here’s a list of 10 must-visit places in Europe for the ultimate autumn foliage experience. Have you been to any? Let us know in the comments if you have any tips for other European autumn destinations!

1. Bavaria, Germany

• Why Visit: Bavaria is known for its rolling hills, castles, and forests that light up in shades of gold during the autumn months. Although you can easily get around by train, I’d highly recommend hiring a car and driving around stopping at pretty spots (there are so many!)
• Best Spots: Visit Neuschwanstein Castle and the Bavarian Alps for postcard-perfect autumn views. By public transport, you can get to Neuschwanstein from Munich by taking a train to Füssen which is a destination in itself – a fairytale-like town with cafes serving delicious cakes as well as a Gothic castle, Hohes Schloss, which houses a regional art museum. The museum of St. Mang’s abbey showcases Füssen’s violin- and lute-making industry. You can either take a bus to the castle or walk. The walk takes about an hour and a quarter and the bus (routes 71 or 73) takes you to the bottom of the castle in about 5-10min but you still have to walk up. There’s a castle bus taking people up and down if walking uphill is not your thing.
  For ease, if you don’t want to have to deal with local transport, you can simply book a tour with the likes of Viator or GetYourGuide.

2. Black Forest, Germany

• Why Visit: The Black Forest is one of Europe’s most famous regions for fall foliage, with dense forests that turn into a sea of color. I drove around in last autumn when I caught an unusual spell of summer right in the middle of November and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. Even if we were driving a British car scared to death we couldn’t see cars coming through those narrow winding roads! 😅
• Best Spots: Take a drive through the scenic Schwarzwaldhochstraße for stunning panoramic views.

3. Lake Bled, Slovenia

• Why Visit: Lake Bled in Slovenia is a dream destination year-round but its autumn colours paired with the lake’s crystal waters are unforgettable.
• Best Spots: Walk around the lake and hike up to Bled Castle for the best views.

4. The French Alps, France

• Why Visit: The French Alps offer dramatic scenery and, in autumn, the valleys and mountains are awash with colour for beautiful, cosy hikes.
• Best Spots: Chamonix is a perfect location to experience autumn in the Alps while also close enough to beautiful Annecy, one of France’s most charming towns also home to the beautiful turquoise waters of Lac d’Annecy.

5. Tuscany, Italy

• Why Visit: Tuscany in autumn is less crowded and the region’s vineyards and olive groves turn into a patchwork of warm autumn shades.
• Best Spots: Visit Chianti and Val d’Orcia for iconic Tuscan landscapes, fall harvest festivals and, obviously, some of the world’s most indulgent dishes and wines – talk about the perfect autumn comfort foods!

6. Bohemian Switzerland, Czechia

• Why Visit: This lesser-known region is perfect for fall hikes with stunning rock formations and forests ablaze with autumn colours.
• Best Spots: Hike the Pravčická Gate and enjoy views of the sandstone towers amidst the colourful forest.

7. The Scottish Highlands, Scotland

• Why Visit: Scotland’s Highlands are a rugged and wild landscape, but autumn brings a rich palette of browns, oranges, and yellows to the moors and forests. To be honest, Scotland as a whole is a stunning destination for all-year round and its capital city of Edinburgh is the perfect setting for a mix of cosy and dark autumn and, if you’re not driving, you can easily find numerous day trips leaving Edinburgh to the Highlands as well as more specific themed ones such as the Outlander or Harry Potter tours.
• Best Spots: Explore Glen Coe and Loch Lomond for breathtaking autumn scenery or Loch Ness for the world-famous local legend. Also, I must add, the Highlands get all the glory but the whole of Scotland is simply stunning all year round!

8. Hallstatt, Austria

• Why Visit: This postcard-perfect village becomes even more enchanting in autumn, with the surrounding mountains and lake reflecting stunning colors.
• Best Spots: Stroll around the lake and take a boat ride to fully appreciate Hallstatt’s autumn charm.

9. Triglav National Park, Slovenia

• Why Visit: Triglav National Park is home to the Julian Alps and is a paradise for nature lovers in autumn.
• Best Spots: Explore the Vintgar Gorge and hike Mount Triglav to take in the autumn views.

10. The Ardennes, Belgium

• Why Visit: The Ardennes region in Belgium is perfect for hiking and cycling during autumn, with vast forests and rivers winding through valleys.
• Best Spots: Visit the Semois Valley and take a scenic drive through the winding roads.

Tips for Autumn Travel in Europe:

• Best Time to Visit: Although autumn technically starts in late September, in Western Europe it’s always a mystery when the golden foliage will actually start to show and, in places like Northern Europe such as Finland, in early/mid-November you’ll already find snow and fallen leaves all mixed up together.
• What to Pack: Layers are essential as temperatures can vary significantly throughout the day. For colder temperatures, I particularly LOVE the Uniqlo Heattech line.
• Book in Advance: Autumn is a popular time for festivals and local events, so be sure to book accommodations early, especially in rural areas.

For UK autumn destinations, you might want to read this.

This post listed 10 best European autumn destinations.