12 Charming Small Towns for Fall Foliage That Are Bursting With Autumn Colors

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Fall might signal the end of summer and those long sunny days spent sunbathing, but that doesn’t mean it’s not an excellent time to travel, especially if you love fall foliage. In fall, many of the world’s most scenic landscapes come to life with a kaleidoscope of colors.

Meanwhile, many tourist destinations offer fall-themed activities like pumpkin picking, Halloween parades, and farmer’s markets. To show you what you’re missing, here are 12 of the best small towns in the world for fall foliage. The entries on our list are renowned for their charming fall atmospheres, vibrant colors, and many things to see and do.

Stowe, Vermont, United States

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The first small town on our list is Stowe, a picturesque town in Northern Vermont famed for its scenic landscapes, mountain hiking trails, and skiing slopes. Situated near the base of Smuggler’s Notch State Park and Mount Mansfield, this is a fantastic fall destination for anyone who wants to enjoy hiking outdoors.

In fall, the town’s surrounding scenery offers an array of fall foliage colors, such as orange, red, yellow, and green. The Stowe Recreation Path allows you to explore the town’s lush surroundings. Meanwhile, the city hosts various fall-themed activities, such as pumpkin picking, the Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin Festival, and the annual Stowe Fall Festival.

Fort William, Scotland

12 Train Rides for Fall Foliage in the World West Highland Line Scotland - Glasgow to Mallaig — © Shu / Adobe Stock

Admittedly, Scotland is a breathtaking place to visit year-round. However, small towns like Fort William truly come to life in fall, when the rugged mountains, dense forests, and picturesque glens change color. Situated in the western Scottish Highlands, on the shores of Loch Linnhe, Fort William is a great place to base yourself for exploring Scotland.

It serves as the gateway to Ben Nevis, the United Kingdom’s highest peak, Glen Nevis Valley, and Steall Falls. Better yet, iconic attractions like Glenfinnan Viaduct and Glencoe are only a short drive away. In fall, the vast mountain landscape that surrounds Fort William displays mesmerizing red, yellow, orange, and green foliage, so don’t forget to pack your camera.

Hallstatt, Austria

As far as picture-perfect fall destinations go, they don’t get much better than Hallstatt, a gorgeous lakeside town in Austria. After all, this UNESCO World Heritage town is literally a famous desktop computer and television screen saver. It’s best known for its glorious lake, traditional Austrian architecture, and forest-covered mountain landscape.

Offering travelers an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, this colorful town is the perfect place to enjoy scenic walks, romantic meals, and magnificent boat tours surrounded by multi-colored forests and towering Alpine mountains. For those who seek a bigger thrill, biking, paragliding, and rafting are also popular in Hallstatt. However, you’ll catch me lakeside with a beer in hand.

Annecy, France

Best Places To Visit in France for First-Timers_Annecy — © SergiyN / Adobe Stock

Another stunning Alpine town that offers abundant fall foliage is Annecy, a vibrant small town in southeast France best known for its breathtaking lakeside setting, dense forests, and medieval architecture. Everything about Annecy oozes class and elegance, from the traditional houses and authentic cuisine to the impressive mountains and multi-colored forests.

It’s arguably the best place to spend a romantic fall vacation. When you’re not exploring the town’s winding cobblestone streets or walking along the Thiou River, you’ll find yourself kayaking on Lake Annecy and hiking in the forests that surround the town. You can expect brightly colored leaves, pumpkin picking, and autumnal menus in Annecy’s best restaurants. What’s not to like?

Alnwick, England

Alnwick is a small town in Northumberland, northeastern England, famed for its charming cobblestone streets, 11th-century castle, postcard-perfect scenery, and nearby coastline. Interestingly, it’s also a famous movie filming location, having featured in popular movie franchises like Harry Potter.

Alnwick is an excellent place to stay in the fall if you want to explore Northumberland’s scenic landscapes, visit the county’s best beaches, and participate in various fall-themed activities.

Despite the town’s picturesque scenery, the major draws are Alnwick Castle and the Alnwick Garden. Both locations offer fall events in autumn, such as the Autumn Scavenger Hunt and free garden tours. Other notable attractions in or near Alnwick include Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland National Park, and the Summer Seats Viewpoint.

Biei, Japan

The following small town on our list is Biei in Hokkaido, Japan. This gorgeous town offers everything you need to enjoy fall, including flower-laden fields, dazzling blue lakes, snow-capped mountains, and hot springs. In the fall, this treasure trove of natural beauty is a magical place to bike and hike.

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During your trip, you’ll encounter broadleaf trees with red and yellow leaves, evergreen trees, fields with multi-colored lavender and tulip plants, and sweeping landscape vistas bursting with color. Must-visit attractions in Biei include Shirogane Blue Pond, Shirahige Waterfall, Panoramic Flower Gardens Shikisai-no-oka, and Shinei-no-Oka Observatory Park. It’s also common for Biei to host seasonal events, so don’t be surprised if you see autumn festivals during your visit.

Conwy, Wales

Suppose you want to explore Wales’ stunning landscapes this fall. In that case, I recommend staying in Conwy, a beautiful medieval walled market town in Conwy County best known for its picturesque coastline, medieval castle, and access to Snowdonia National Park. In the fall, Conwy offers travelers lush landscapes, autumn-themed events, and countless hiking trails.

Better yet, the town’s surrounding landscapes are covered in fall foliage. When not admiring the coastal views or hiking in Snowdonia National Park’s vast forests, explore the 12th-century castle, visit the Smallest House in Great Britain, and walk the city walls. It’s also worth noting that Newborough Forest on the island of Anglesey is only a short drive away. Here, you’ll find dreamy autumnal colors and long sandy beaches.

Taos, New Mexico, United States

If you want to visit an underrated town this fall, look no further than Taos in New Mexico. New Mexico might not be the first destination that comes to mind when you think of the fall, but it has much to offer, especially if you seek fall foliage and many things to see and do.

Home to vibrant fall foliage that only gets more impressive as fall continues, you’ll quickly forget you’re in New Mexico. Besides the epic scenery, Taos has many exciting fall activities, including rafting, hiking, biking, and fly fishing. However, arguably, the best fall activity is the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally in October. You can expect spectacular balloon shows, parades, and a grand ball during this event.

Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

Let’s face it; you’re not surprised to see Switzerland on this list. After all, Switzerland is well-known for its epic landscapes and picturesque mountain scenery. However, Lauterbrunnen, a small town in a valley at the foot of the Bernese Alps, is one of the country’s best places to visit in the fall.

Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and colorful Alpine meadows, this adorable town is a joy to behold in the fall. You should expect red and orange leaves, green fields, verdant mountains, and powerful waterfalls. Hiking is extremely popular in the town, although you can’t beat the views of the town from the Lauterbrunnen Cable Car. Must-visit locations in Lauterbrunnen include Trümmelbach, Staubbach Falls, and the Luftseilbahn Wengen Männlichen.

Selfoss, Iceland

Most people visiting Iceland stay in Reykjavik because it offers easier access to essential amenities, cafes, and restaurants. However, Selfoss, a small town an hour’s drive from the capital, provides a more authentic and natural experience. This picturesque town is small but packs a punch, especially in the fall when its surroundings change color.

Better yet, this small town is ideally placed to explore some of Iceland’s most iconic attractions, such as Thingvellir National Park and Urriðafoss. These locations offer spectacular natural scenery in the fall, including fiery fall foliage. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the Northern Lights, which are more common during this time of year.

Bled, Slovenia

Like Hallstatt, Bled is well-recognized worldwide as a television and computer screen saver. The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which sits in the middle of Lake Bled, is one of Europe’s most iconic photograph spots. As you can imagine, the lake is a magnificent sight in the fall.

In the fall, the town’s emerald waters, mountain backdrop, and lush forests offer exceptional views, vibrant fall foliage, and a fantastic atmosphere. You’ll most likely spend your time in the town hiking, boating, and taking photographs from the best viewpoints. Besides the lake and its church, significant points of interest include Bled Castle, Soteska Vintgar, and Straža Bled.

Banff, Alberta, Canada

The final town on our list is Banff, a resort town in Alberta, Canada. This town in Banff National Park is famous worldwide for its breathtaking scenery, which features turquoise lakes, vast mountain ranges, and dense forests. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, the town’s skyline is dominated by the peaks of Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade in the Rocky Mountains.

These mountain peaks are topped with snow in the fall, and the forests of the national park display vibrant fall foliage. When you’re not out exploring one of the national parks’ scenic hiking trails or taking photographs of the resident grizzly bears, you’ll find yourself shopping and dining along Banff Avenue. You can also enjoy Banff’s Halloween festivities and events in the fall.