10 of the best places to go in Europe in autumn

21.08.2024 - 23:28 / lonelyplanet.com

Aug 21, 2024 • 10 min read

The beauty of traveling in Europe in autumn is the variety of experiences on offer. Hit the beach on sunny southern islands, hike through forests rich in autumnal tones, or wander the streets of major cities ⁠— without all the summer crowds. The fall also summons some of the continent’s greatest flavors, with harvest season delicacies showing up in markets and on menus, whether in rustic Italian trattorias or high-end Nordic restaurants. In short, you can’t go wrong. Here are some of the best places to travel in Europe in the fall. 

Best for a city break 

Autumn? Pah! Seville hits temperatures in October that many European cities would be proud of in summertime – think highs of 26°C (79°F). Indeed, fall is ideal for sightseeing: the steaming heat has abated but it’s still warm enough for T-shirt walks along the Guadalquivir River and evenings spent hopping between alfresco tapas bars. There’s much to see, starting with the Real Alcázar, the astonishing royal palace complex, with its Mudéjar architecture and glorious gardens. Then there’s the world’s largest Gothic cathedral with its commanding bell tower, the exquisitely tiled mansion of Casa de Pilatos and some excellent museums. Indeed, don’t miss the Museo del Baile Flamenco, where you can learn all about this passionate, flamboyant dance and catch a live performance.

When to go at a glance: March to May and October – warm, pleasant; June to September – baking hot; November to February – mild.

Best for last-minute island-hopping

Early autumn is awesome in the Dodecanese: this is when you’ll find the southeasterly island group offering largely good weather, lower prices, warm seas and fewer visitors, as well as plenty of facilities that haven’t yet shut for winter (though that will start in November). The diverse Dodecanese is perfect for hopping, with good interisland ferry connections (including to nearby Türkiye) and a network of small boats serving smaller islands so you can mix up towns, beaches, historic sites and offbeat hangouts; this archipelago has both islands that see hordes of holidaymakers and specks that see barely a soul. Rhodes is the biggie, but interesting islands on which to linger include spectacular pebble-beached Symi (an easy trip from Rhodes); tiny, eco-pioneering Tilos, which strives to run on renewable energy; authentic Karpathos, which has managed to retain its strong traditional culture in the face of tourism (don’t miss Olymbos, the hilltop village that’s like a living folklore museum); and little-known Astypalea, with its quiet coves, castle-topped capital and vine-filled valleys.

Planning tip: Start in Rhodes, which has an airport. Alternatively, the ferry from Athens to Rhodes takes 16–18