12 European Cities To Visit This Fall That Will Make You Fall in Love With the Season

Whether you’re looking for picturesque landscapes covered in fall foliage, magical fall-themed activities, or somewhere spooky to spend Halloween, fall is an exceptional time to visit one of Europe’s cities. On top of that, the large crowds have dissipated in the fall, and airlines and hotels offer better deals.

As a result, the only difficulty you’ll have when visiting Europe in the fall is deciding where to stay. Luckily for you, we’re here to help. To help you narrow down the options, we’ve compiled a list of 12 of the best European cities to visit in the fall. These cities offer beautiful fall foliage, exciting attractions, and unique things to do.

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London, England

London, England’s iconic capital city, is one of the best fall destinations. While it is an excellent city to visit year-round, it’s extraordinary in the fall when the parks change colors, the large crowds disappear, and the city offers a wide range of exciting fall-themed events and activities.

One of the most incredible things about London is how it offers something for every kind of traveler. Outdoor enthusiasts can admire fall foliage in Richmond Park. Families with children can get lost in London Dungeons. Food lovers can sample local delights and enjoy a beer at Borough Market. History buffs can visit world-famous attractions like the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, and Halloween enthusiasts can enjoy Halloween-themed parties, firework displays, and parades.

Reykjavik, Iceland

If you’re looking for a European city that allows you to explore the great outdoors this fall, look no further than Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. Reykjavik is a fascinating city jam-packed with tradition and history. Popular attractions like the Sun Voyager, Hallgrimskirkja, and Perlan are here.

However, the city’s main draw is its easy access to Iceland’s out-of-this-world natural attractions, which look spectacular in the fall. From the city, you can easily follow the Iceland Ring Road to natural beauty attractions like Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss, Geysir, and Skógafoss. The island’s landscapes are smothered in red, orange, and brown fall foliage in the fall—and you might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Meanwhile, Reykjavik hosts exciting events like the International Halloween Festival. What’s not to like?

Kraków, Poland

There’s no denying that Europe can be expensive, even in the fall when prices generally start to drop. However, there are still affordable places to stay. One of the best places, especially in the fall, is Kraków, a breathtaking city in Southern Poland that is loved most for its impressive medieval architecture.

You’ll never struggle to find things to do in Kraków, but you’ll likely spend most of your time exploring the city’s top attractions. You don’t want to miss Wawel Castle, Planty Park, and Rynek Główny. Besides the color change in foliage, fall also represents the start of the city’s autumn events. You can expect live music performances, food and drink markets, and Halloween parties.

Sibiu, Romania

Romania is recognized worldwide for its beautiful natural landscapes, which feature tall mountain ranges, bright blue lakes, and lush meadows. If you want to explore the nation’s picturesque scenery, we strongly recommend visiting in the fall and staying in Sibiu. Sibiu is a charming city best known for its medieval architecture and low prices.

However, this city is in an excellent spot to experience some of Europe’s best fall foliage in the fall. This gorgeous city in Transylvania, Central Romania, is close to three mountain groups that belong to the Carpathian Mountains. As such, you can head out on many scenic hikes. Meanwhile, you’ll find fantastic attractions in the city, like the Council Tower, Sibiului Natural Park, and the Brukenthal National Museum.

Copenhagen, Denmark

The next European city on our list is Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. Like many cities on our list, Copenhagen is an excellent place to visit year-round. However, the fall season brings added elegance, beauty, and allure to the city with an impressive display of fall foliage and fall-themed activities.

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At the city’s most famous attractions, such as Tivoli Gardens, you’ll find brightly colored trees with red, orange, and golden leaves and an array of exciting things to do. For example, in November, Tivoli Gardens becomes a Christmas dreamland with bright lights, decorations, and market stalls. Other must-do things in Copenhagen in the fall include walking along Nyhavn, eating food at Reffen, and attending Kulturnatten.

Lisbon, Portugal

Fall is a brilliant time to visit Lisbon, Portugal’s vibrant capital city. This charming city in Central Portugal is known for its stunning architecture, rich cultural heritage, and outstanding cuisine. Like many capital cities, Lisbon offers something for everyone. However, you’ll spend most of your time visiting the best sights.

Noteworthy points of interest include Jerónimos Monastery, Castelo de São Jorge, and Belém Tower. When not exploring the main sights, you’ll likely hike to the best viewpoints, wine and dine in authentic restaurants, and enjoy strolls along the Tagus River, often lined with fall-colored foliage. Lisbon also hosts various events in the fall, including the Lisbon Marathon. However, I’d much rather drink my body weight in Portuguese wine.

Speaking of wine, if you have enough time, visit Porto and the Douro Valley. The harvest season for grapes is underway in late September.

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Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is divided into two key areas: an Old Town and a New Town. As such, the city offers a little bit of everything. In Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town, you’ll find winding cobblestone streets lined with fascinating buildings, quaint shops, and magnificent landmarks. From Edinburgh, you can also visit the Scottish Highlands.

You don’t want to miss the Edinburgh Dungeons, Edinburgh Castle, and St. Giles Cathedral. Meanwhile, in the New Town, you’ll find plenty of places to party, shop, and eat. Edinburgh is home to many outdoor spaces that offer an escape from the hustle and bustle, including Arthur’s Seat and Calton Hill. As if that wasn’t enough, there is much to do in the fall, such as the Edinburgh Whiskey Festival, the Oktoberfest, and ghost tours.

Athens, Greece

If you’re not yet ready to relinquish the last of the summer’s sunshine, look no further than Athens, Greece’s historical capital city. Athens may not seem an obvious choice for a fall vacation, but the city has much to offer. For starters, the city’s foliage turns a gorgeous golden-orange color.

Secondly, temperatures in Athens still hover around 73°F (23°C) into October. Finally, Athens is one of the most fascinating cities on Earth. When you’re not enjoying the last rays of sunshine or admiring the views of the city from Mount Lycabettus, lose yourself exploring world-famous landmarks like the Acropolis of Athens, the Panathenaic Stadium, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

Namur, Belgium

Belgian cities like Brussels and Bruges, with its canals, are more popular than Namur, the capital of Belgium’s Wallonia region, but neither of them is as magical in the fall. This mesmerizing city at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers comes to life in the fall with a vibrant fall foliage display.

The city is also much quieter and more relaxed than other cities in Belgium. Furthermore, there are many exciting and interesting things to see in Namur, including a medieval fortress with underground passageways, museums, and exceptional architectural masterpieces like Église Catholique Saint-Loup. Better still, the city’s lush surroundings are brimming with beautiful hiking trails.

Lucca, Italy

Lucca is another European city that is great to visit in the fall. While Rome with the Colosseum and the Amalfi Coast are popular options, Lucca is a historical city in Italy’s scenic Tuscany region, where the grape harvest takes place in the fall. Lucca has everything, from traditional Italian architecture and iconic landmarks to lush scenery laden with fall foliage and fall-themed events. However, the city is arguably best known for its medieval history.

In Lucca, you’ll likely spend most of your time wandering the narrow cobblestone streets, strolling along the Serchio River, and visiting the most famous tourist attractions. Points of interest in the city that must be visited include Mura di Lucca, Plaza del Anfiteatro, the Aqueduct of Nottolini, and the Cathedral of Lucca. Regarding fall-themed events, don’t miss the Planet Earth Festival, the Christmas markets, and Halloween-themed concerts.

Paris, France

Paris, the French capital is well worth visiting anytime of the year. However, the overall atmosphere and vibes in the fall hit differently. The leisurely strolls you can enjoy in Parc des Buttes Chaumont and along the Seine are to die for in the fall. You can expect vibrant fall foliage and a quieter atmosphere.

There are also many things to see and do in Paris throughout the fall. You’ll participate in various events while not visiting the city’s iconic tourist attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Arc de Triomphe. Notable events worth attending in the fall include the Paris Jazz Festival, the Paris Christmas Market, and the Oktoberfest.

Seville, Spain

While Seville is overshadowed by Barcelona and Madrid, it is a great European fall destination. It is the capital and largest city in Spain’s Andalusia region. Seville is a wonderful city best known for its impressive architecture, rich cultural heritage, and open green spaces. It also happens to be the home of Flamenco, a type of traditional Spanish dance.

Flamenco is one of the main reasons Seville makes our list. Every two years, the city throws an event called the Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla in the fall. During this event, locals and tourists celebrate the art form. You can expect lively Flamenco shows, classes, live music, and seminars. Away from Flamenco, visit Plaza de España, the Royal Alcázar of Seville, and La Giralda.