12 Cities Around the World Where Fall Is Simply Magical

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While it’s often a shame to see the summer fade away, the coming of fall is an exciting time to travel. From misty mornings and multi-colored foliage to unique events and entertaining festivities, there is something for everyone to enjoy in the fall. However, deciding where to spend it isn’t easy.

There are countless destinations worldwide to choose from. Luckily, we’re here to help. In this article, you’ll find a list of 12 of the best cities in the world for fall. The cities on our list are perfect if you’re looking for somewhere picturesque, exciting, and unique to spend your next fall city break. Stick around to learn more.

Washington, D.C., United States

Best Cities in the World for Fall Washington, D.C., — © Orhan Çam / Adobe Stock

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Fall is the best time to visit Washington, D.C., the United States’ historic capital. Washington, D.C., might not be a prominent place to visit in the fall, but it offers much. First, a walk along the National Mall offers a mesmerizing fall foliage display and spectacular views of some of the United States’ most significant landmarks.

Meanwhile, the city hosts various fall events for visitors to participate in and enjoy, including the DC Bike Ride, H Street Festival, Home Rule Music Festival, and Art All Night. Around Halloween, the city also comes to life with wild parties, spooky parades, and colorful decorations. Make sure you visit the city’s iconic attractions, like the Lincoln Memorial and the White House, during your visit, too.

Vancouver, Canada

Canada is well known for its picturesque landscapes, so it’s unsurprising to find one of the nation’s beautiful cities on this list. Vancouver is a bustling seaport in British Columbia. It’s best known for its impressive skyline and pristine beaches. It’s also an excellent place to visit in the fall if you want to enjoy scenic walks with spectacular views, foliage, and many things to do.

One of the best places in Vancouver for leaf-peeping opportunities is the Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park, where you’ll find a kaleidoscope of color and beautiful hiking trails during the fall season. Meanwhile, you can enjoy autumn-themed menus in the city center, fall farmer’s markets, and various fall festivals, such as the Fringe Festival and the Vancouver International Film Festival.

Athens, Greece

If you’re searching for a fall city break with a little bit of everything, look no further than Athens, the capital of Greece. In the fall, this city clings to the last of the sunshine, offering toasty temperatures of 73°F (23°C) well into mid-October. This allows sun-seekers to tan up one last time before winter rolls in, as the sea is warm until late September.

As you might already know, Athens is also home to many famous historical landmarks, so you’ll never run out of things to do. Fall is the perfect time for sightseeing without crowds and scorching heat. Significant points of interest in the city include the Acropolis of Athens, Mount Lycabettus, the Panathenaic Stadium, and the Acropolis Museum. I strongly recommend hiking up Mount Lycabettus because it offers unparalleled views of the city’s vibrant fall foliage.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is my favorite city on this list. The Scottish capital is a breathtaking destination famed for its medieval Old Town, lush open green spaces, unique attractions, and fantastic atmosphere. It makes our list of the world’s best cities for fall for several reasons. First, the Old Town is the perfect setting for fall.

You’ll find winding medieval cobblestone streets lined with historic landmarks and unique attractions here. You don’t want to miss St. Giles Cathedral, the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, and Edinburgh Dungeons. Second, the city offers many fall-themed events, including food markets, ghost tours, and the Oktoberfest. Finally, you can enjoy the city’s finest fall foliage at Arthur’s Seat, Calton Hill, and Princes Street Gardens.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Outdoor enthusiasts searching for a more outdoorsy fall city break should consider visiting Reykjavik, Iceland’s vibrant capital city. Reykjavik is a fascinating city bursting at the seams with history, culture, and natural beauty. When you’re not visiting the Sun Voyager or admiring Hallgrimskirkja, you’ll sample local cuisine and party on Laugavegur Street.

You’ll likely spend the rest of your time exploring the island’s outstanding natural attractions, most of which are accessible from the capital. If you take the Iceland Ring Road, you can easily explore Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Grábrók, and Jökulsárlón as a day trip. These locations offer a fine display of fall colors in the fall, so don’t forget your camera for these scenic drives.

London, England

If you’re looking for fun for the whole family this fall, look no further than London, England’s world-famous capital. Whether you’re searching for beautiful places to admire fall foliage, unique family-friendly attractions, fall-themed events, or simply somewhere romantic to spend the weekend with your partner, London has what you need.

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History buffs can step back in time at the Tower of London and the British Museum. Outdoor enthusiasts can admire fall foliage in Richmond Park and Hyde Park. Families can have fun getting lost in London Dungeons, and romantic couples can enjoy a crisp morning stroll along the River Thames. The fun doesn’t stop there, as London also offers countless food markets and fall-themed events, such as Halloween parties, firework displays, and Christmas markets.

Cape Town, South Africa

If fall is your favorite time of the year and you don’t want to wait until September to enjoy it, consider visiting Cape Town in South Africa. Cape Town experiences fall in March through to mid-to-late June. This allows you to enjoy fall twice in one year. Sounds epic, right?

Cape Town is a fabulous fall destination for outdoorsy travelers, city dwellers, and wine tasters. Keen hikers can explore picturesque locations like Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Meanwhile, wine enthusiasts can sample South African wines at Beau Constantia and Vergelegen Wine Estate. Finally, city lovers can explore the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Canal Walk Shopping Centre, and the Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum.

Kraków, Poland

Kraków, a city in southern Poland near the Czech Republic’s border, sets the perfect tone for the fall with colorful foliage, exciting events, and fascinating attractions. The city’s breathtaking medieval architecture also provides the ideal atmosphere. Kraków is one of Europe’s most affordable cities, so your money will go further.

During your trip to Kraków, make sure you visit the must-see attractions, including Wawel Castle, St. Mary’s Basilica, and Rynek Główny. After that, hunt down the city’s best fall-themed events. Keep your eyes peeled for live concerts, food and drink markets, and spooky ghost tours. Kraków’s nightclubs also host exhilarating Halloween-themed parties and costume competitions at Halloween.

Bruges, Belgium

Bruges is a picturesque city in northwest Belgium renowned for its beautiful scenery, impressive architecture, and rich cultural heritage. Bruges is one of many European cities that is referred to as the Venice of the North. This is because a scenic canal winds through the city.

This canal is an excellent place to enjoy a romantic stroll surrounded by fall foliage, take a boat ride, or rent a canoe. Besides the canal, Bruges offers travelers various exciting attractions, such as the 14th-century Stadhuis (City Hall), the 13th-century Belfry of Bruges, and Markt Square. Of course, the city is also famous for its traditional waffles, chocolates, and beers. What’s not to like?

Seoul, South Korea

Travelers wanting to explore somewhere completely different this fall should head to Seoul, the capital of South Korea. This enormous metropolis is home to towering skyscrapers, high-tech public transport, and futuristic attractions. As such, it isn’t often associated with the fall. However, the city has much to offer in the fall, especially regarding fall foliage.

In the fall, Seoul’s stunning parks and ancient temples come to life with a vibrant display of color. You can expect an explosion of red, gold, and green foliage that looks spectacular in a photograph. You’ll find the city’s best fall foliage displays at Bukhansan National Park, Bongeunsa Temple, Seoul Forest Park, and Gilsangsa Temple.

Kyoto, Japan

Most people visit Japan between March and April to experience the magical display of cherry blossoms, making the fall a seriously underrated time to visit the country. Take Kyoto, for example. In the fall, this historical city offers an explosion of fall foliage that’s super hard to beat. In fact, I’d argue it’s more magical than the cherry blossoms.

As you explore the city’s iconic temples and ancient narrow streets, you’ll be surrounded by vibrant red, yellow, orange, and green leaves. The red leaves are particularly special because they match the city’s red pagodas. Some of the best places to see fall foliage in Kyoto include Tofuku-ji Temple, Nanzen-ji Temple, Ginkaku-ji Temple, and the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.

Zurich, Switzerland

The final city on our list is Zurich, a beautiful city at the north end of Lake Zurich in Northern Switzerland. Zurich might be best known as a global banking hub, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the world’s most beautiful cities, especially in fall when the leaves change color.

You’ll likely spend most of your time in Zurich walking alongside the lake, visiting the most famous attractions, and exploring the city’s lush surroundings. Approximately four miles from the city, you’ll find Uetliberg, a 2,854-foot (870-meter) tall mountain covered in dense forest. The views of Zurich from the top are incredible. You can also visit the Swiss National Museum, Lindenhof, Fraumünster Church, and Zurich Old Town.