12 Charming Small Towns in Europe for Fall Foliage Lovers

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Fall is an excellent time to travel if you’re looking for a fairytale-esque escape from the daily grind, a romantic getaway, and beautiful landscapes covered in a kaleidoscope of color. While city breaks have much to offer in the fall, Europe’s charming small towns steal the show with relaxed vibes and picturesque scenery.

However, deciding where to stay is challenging, with many incredible places to visit. Luckily, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 12 of the best small towns in Europe for fall foliage. The entries on our list were selected because they offer an array of fall colors and many things to do.

Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland

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Let’s start this list with Portree, the capital and largest town on the Isle of Skye, an island in northwest Scotland. Despite being the largest town on the island, less than 2,500 people live in Portree. Therefore, you can expect a laid-back atmosphere and an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Portree is best known for its vibrant houses, natural beauty, and lively harbor. When you’re not exploring the town’s shops or hiking in the great outdoors, you’ll likely find yourself exploring the Isle of Raasay by boat in search of eagles. In autumn, the vast natural landscape that surrounds Portree displays a mesmerizing show of fall foliage. You’ll also have easy access to major attractions like the Old Man of Storr.

Selfoss, Iceland

While most people visiting Iceland choose to stay in Reykjavik, the capital city, Iceland’s quaint towns offer the most spectacular fall getaway. Selfoss is only a small town, approximately a one-hour drive from the capital, but it has a big personality. The town is surrounded by impressive scenery that comes to life in the fall with bright colors.

Secondly, Selfoss is ideally placed to visit many of Iceland’s best natural attractions, including Urriðafoss and Thingvellir National Park, where you’ll find abundant autumn foliage. The fun doesn’t stop there, as Iceland is one of the world’s best places to glimpse the Northern Lights. Need we say anymore?

Røros, Norway

In the fall, Røros, a historic mining town in Central Norway, offers red skies, a crisp morning breeze, and exceptional mountain landscapes perfect for hiking. Sitting along the river Hyttelva, this picture-perfect town has something to offer every kind of traveler. Couples can enjoy romantic walks around town.

History buffs can learn more about the 17th-century town’s rich history in the Old Town of Røros. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike in Norway’s spectacular mountain landscape, and thrill seekers can participate in various blood-pumping activities, such as snowmobiling and dog sledding. It’s also common for the town to throw autumn-themed events like concerts and plays. Røros’ beautiful fall foliage only adds to its autumnal appeal.

Hallstatt, Austria

We couldn’t possibly produce a list of the best small towns in Europe without including Hallstatt, a postcard-perfect village in Austria famed for being one of the world’s most recognizable screensavers. You’ll likely recognize this UNESCO World Heritage town’s iconic church, traditional Austrian architecture, and epic natural landscape from your smart TV.

In the fall, Hallstatt’s glistening lake, vibrant Austrian architecture, and multi-colored forests serve as the perfect setting for a relaxed getaway. You’ll enjoy strolls around the town, scenic boat tours on the lake, mesmerizing Alpine mountain views, picturesque hikes, and romantic meals with a view. Alternatively, you could speed things up by participating in biking, rafting, and paragliding tours.

Annecy, France

Annecy, a colorful Alpine town in southeast France, offers much of the same as Hallstatt. This gorgeous small town is best known for its pristine lake, lush forests, winding canals, and medieval architecture. Like in Hallstatt, most people who visit Annecy spend their time admiring the impressive views, hiking, and boating.

Annecy’s location along the Thiou River and alongside Lake Annecy, surrounded by dense forests and tall mountains, makes it the perfect place to experience Europe’s finest fall foliage. In autumn, you’ll witness vibrant displays of red, orange, golden, and green leaves beautifully reflected in Lake Annecy. Annecy offers many fall events like the Retour des Alpages, and local restaurants serve autumnal menus. Annecy is also known as “Venice of the Alps” and is about 4.5 hours by train from Paris.

Celerina, Switzerland

The next European small town on our list is Celerina, a gorgeous town in southeast Switzerland near St. Moritz. Celerina is situated in Engadin, a highly sought-after region loved most for its impressive natural beauty. This region is especially popular in the fall when the Alpine Valley offers a picturesque landscape featuring fall foliage and snow-capped mountains.

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Besides the area’s outstanding natural beauty, one of the major draws to Celerina is its charming architecture. This beautiful small town is a joy to behold. Not to mention, it’s also incredibly laid-back, so you can unwind and relax after a busy day of hiking and skiing. Make sure you visit Ruina Chastlatsch, St. Moritz, and Reformierte Kirche San Gian during your visit.

Bled, Slovenia

Another well-recognized European small town is Bled, a lakeside town in Slovenia just a short drive from Ljubljana. Like Hallstatt, Bled is renowned for being a popular TV and computer screensaver. You’ll most likely recognize the town from the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which sits precariously in the middle of Lake Bled.

It’s worth making the trip to Bled to see the church, but the town’s breathtaking natural surroundings are also a highlight, especially in the fall when the leaves turn golden, red, and orange. You’ll likely spend most of your time in Bled hunting down the best viewpoints, boating on the lake, hiking, and visiting popular landmarks, such as Bled Castle and the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Aberaeron, Wales

If you’re looking for a combination of fall foliage destination and scenic coastal charm, Aberaeron, a small town in Ceredigion, Wales, is ideal. Whether you want to spend your vacation exploring the breathtaking Ceredigion coast, hiking in the great outdoors with its reds, oranges, and yellows, or simply admiring traditional Welsh architecture, this town has something for you.

Beachgoers can relax on Aberaeron Beach. Hiking enthusiasts can walk along the Wales Coast Path. History lovers can learn more about the town at 18th-century Llanerchaeron, and food enthusiasts can tuck into freshly caught seafood at a seafront restaurant. Topping things off nicely, Aberaeron’s lush surroundings take on gorgeous fall foliage in autumn, and the town throws various fall events, such as a Christmas fair.

Konitsa, Greece

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If we told you to think about Greece, you’d likely conjure images of glorious white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise water, and vibrant coastal towns. It’s unlikely you’d think about fall foliage. However, you might be surprised to learn that Greece does adorn itself with a tapestry of autumn colors.

You can experience some of Greece’s best fall foliage in Konitsa, a colorful town in Epirus, Northern Greece. This quaint riverside town comes to life in autumn with bright yellow, red, orange, and green foliage. On top of that, there are plenty of things to see and do for tourists, as well as several hiking trails nearby. Must-visit attractions in or near Konitsa include the Konitsa Stone Bridge, Konitsa Military Mausoleum, and Bridge Topolitsas.

Durbuy, Belgium

Fall in Durbuy, a charming small town in Eastern Belgium, is a dream for couples and families in search of relaxing vibes, adventure, and a fairytale getaway. While most people dream of visiting Bruges, Durbuy is a hidden gem. When you’re not admiring the town’s fall foliage backdrop or exploring the great outdoors, you’ll find yourself getting lost down the town’s winding cobblestone streets and having fun at Adventure Valley Durbuy. Adventure Valley Durbuy also hosts an excellent Halloween trail every year.

Despite being small, this majestic town on the Ourthe River offers many things to see and do at this time of year. Noteworthy activities include kayaking on the Ourthe River, hiking to the Belvedere viewpoint, exploring the gardens at Topiary Park, and sampling locally made jams at Confiturerie Saint-Amour. Meanwhile, beer drinkers should make sure they sample the local Belgian beer.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

If you want to be transported into your favorite Disney fairytale, look no further than Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of Germany’s few remaining walled medieval towns and top fall destinations. We wouldn’t be surprised to see Anna and Olaf from Frozen weaving through the town’s quaint cobblestone streets lined with vibrant traditional houses.

In the fall, Rothenburg ob der Tauber’s colorful houses are adorned with fall-colored plants and flowers. Meanwhile, Castle Garden offers a beautiful display of fall foliage. As if things couldn’t get any better, the town hosts various fall events and festivities, such as an annual Christmas market, concerts, and the iconic Oktoberfest. What’s not to like?

If you are there at the end of September and the beginning of October, head to nearby Munich for the massive celebration of Oktoberfest. From there, the stunning Neuschwanstein Castle is just a stone’s throw away.

Český Krumlov

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Admittedly, it doesn’t matter when you visit Český Krumlov, a medieval town in the South Bohemia region of the Czech Republic, because it looks magnificent year-round. However, the town is even more magical in the fall, when it displays hues of orange, red, and green leaves. Its location on the Vltava River also adds to Český Krumlov’s allure.

Just a few hours from Prague, the capital city, this charming town is dominated by a 13th-century Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque castle. Exploring this castle’s 27-acre (11-hectare) garden is a must. Other notable points of interest in Český Krumlov include the Church of St. Vitus, Museum Fotoatelier Seidel, and Cloak Bridge.