Autumn holidays: The most beautiful places for a city trip in Europe
Late summer still invites you to linger on your balcony in many places in Germany . But when the first gingerbread cookies appear on supermarket shelves, it's clear: autumn is just around the corner. And with it, the question arises: Where's the best place to travel during this colorful season?
When it comes to vacation ideas, many people probably first imagine a hike or bike ride through autumnal deciduous forests. City breaks in Europe are also popular, because unlike the summer heat, a sightseeing tour in autumn is more pleasant and, due to the end of the peak season, is often cheaper than during peak travel times.
But which cities in Europe are particularly suitable for an autumn trip? We present you with a selection of suitable destinations.
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An average of twelve degrees and nine rainy days: The October weather in Denmark's capital, Copenhagen, initially seems a bit daunting when planning a trip. But for city travelers who want to get to know Danish culture better, autumn is a perfect time to travel. That's when the hygge season begins throughout Denmark .
This unique term describes the feeling of coziness, warmth, and closeness with friends and family. At home, families snuggle up in blankets, light candles, read books, and drink tea. Tourists can easily experience hyggelig in Copenhagen's cozy cafés.
In the classic, royal, traditional La Glace restaurant, visitors can feast on fine pastries, sink into the comfortable armchairs of the “Living Room,” or sample a seemingly endless selection of cheesecakes in “Bertel’s Salon.”
Travelers are also spoiled for choice when looking for a top-class restaurant. The Michelin Guide recommends a total of 81 top restaurants in and around Copenhagen, including 20 Michelin-starred restaurants. Particularly famous is the three-star Noma, which has been named the best restaurant in the world several times. Alternatively, you can indulge in culinary delights at the fine-dining restaurants Geranium and Alchimist .
Anyone longing for a classic autumn stroll after a city tour with its many architectural highlights will probably feel at home in the idyllic Dyrehaven park, on the magnificent avenue in Vestre Kirkegård or in the Frederiksberg and Kongens gardens.
Autumn is an ideal time to visit the coastal city of Dubrovnik. The summery charms of Croatia 's Adriatic coast can still be enjoyed until November – with the difference that the lower tourist crowds and temperatures around 22 degrees Celsius are far more conducive to exploring the beautiful Old Town than the summer overcrowding and heat.
There are also fewer tourists on the beaches in October. Travelers therefore have plenty of space for a relaxing sunbath and can then cool off undisturbed in the sea. Water temperatures on the Croatian coast are still between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius in October.
In autumn, the enchanting Old Town cultural heritage also becomes a stage for a variety of open-air events. In October, traditional concerts take place almost daily, including the annual Autumn Music Variety series, in which the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra and musicians from all over the world perform at various venues throughout the city for more than three weeks. The diverse Good Food Festival also promises a culinary highlight.
Those who've developed a taste for these fine wines can also combine a tasting of these fine wines with an autumnal excursion to the wineries near Konvale or on the Pelješac peninsula. Guided tours through the idyllic vineyards allow visitors to observe the harvest workers at work and sample the fine wines at tastings. Autumn is also ideal for hikes in the beautiful natural surroundings of Dubrovnik, for example, in the national park on the island of Mljet.
Last but not least, an autumn trip to Croatia should also pay off financially, as prices are significantly lower outside of peak season.
No matter the season, the picturesque Alpine panorama in Switzerland is incomparably beautiful. But when the colorful trees reflect the white peaks of the towering mountains on Lake Lucerne in Lucerne, autumn almost seems to want to boastfully defy spring, summer, and winter.
The magic of Lucerne's autumn unfolds, for example, when looking across the covered Chapel Bridge with its historic water tower, which is also the landmark of the city with 80,000 inhabitants, or on board the comfortable excursion boats that sail across the lake daily.
But even beyond the splendor of color, there's plenty to see—and hear—in autumnal Lucerne. In October and November, the city hosts events such as the contemporary music festival Forward and a major blues festival. At the World Band Festival, brass band professionals from all over the world showcase the "diversity of wind music."
The Swiss City Marathon also takes place every last Sunday in October. This year, running enthusiasts will compete on October 26th on a course that leads through the beautiful old town and along the picturesque lake. Many runners appreciate the climatic conditions with temperatures around 14 degrees Celsius.
Numerous active travelers also use Lucerne as a comfortable base camp for expeditions into the idyllic mountain scenery. The 15-kilometer Four Lakes Hike around the 3,238-meter-high Mount Titlis is particularly popular. The cable car in the nearby village of Engelbert takes you directly to Europe's highest suspension bridge and a 5,000-year-old glacier grotto at the summit.
The often unpleasant autumn in Germany is quickly forgotten on a trip to Madrid, as temperatures in Spain's capital average 19 degrees Celsius in October. But does an autumn vacation in "summer weather" even make sense?
The answer: absolutely, both visually and culturally. While the trees in Retiro Park and along Paseo Prado adorn themselves with their vibrant colors, theSuma Flamenca dance festival, the Madrid Kraft Week craft fair, and the International Autumn Dance and Theatre Festival attract many fans from all over the world.
The best thing about an autumn holiday in Madrid, however, is that the city's highlights, such as the Palacio Real, the Plaza Mayor, or the Mercado de San Miguel, are less crowded than they are in the summer. A trip to the historic palace and monastery complex of El Escorial offers an autumnal hike in the idyllic forest landscape of Bosque de la Herrería.
Hidden in Romania's Carpathian Mountains lies one of Europe's last untouched natural areas: Transylvania. Brașov (Kronstadt) is a perfect base for an autumnal tour through the seemingly endless forests.
The lively city (around 240,000 inhabitants) at the foot of the Kapellenberg is known for its 800-year-old old town with beautiful cafés and diverse art galleries.
Most visitors on the first few days are drawn to the Franciscan Church, the Cetatuiades Fortress, and the Art Museum, which houses local works from the 16th to 20th centuries. The most famous sights are the Romanian Orthodox Church on the Market Square and the "Black Church" – the largest Lutheran church in Southeast Europe, with a gigantic organ.
Just a few meters away is the city's most popular photo spot: the brightly colored Seilstraße, one of the narrowest alleys in Europe. From there, a path leads to the historic Weavers' Bastion, from which you can overlook the entire city.
But despite the city's many advantages, most travelers come to Brașov primarily for its picturesque nature, as hiking trails crisscross the autumn forests all around. Many combine their hiking vacation with a visit to the "King of the Vampires." Dracula's Castle in the town of Bran, also known as Törzburg, made author Bram Stoker a magnet for horror fans from all over the world with his successful vampire novel.
In Transylvania, temperatures average 15 degrees Celsius in October and can drop to six degrees Celsius at night. A cozy jacket is therefore a must-have on your packing list. Most tourists previously traveled to Brașov via Bucharest, 200 kilometers away. However, the city now has a commercial airport. From Germany, there are direct flights from Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, Dortmund, and Stuttgart.
Wait a minute: Mallorca in autumn? What seems strange at first glance is actually quite obvious. Especially this year!
The reddish-yellow colors of the forests on the Balearic island may not be as vibrant in autumn as in Northern Europe. And swimming on the beaches is quite chilly, with water temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius. But unlike in midsummer, travelers can explore the beautiful island with its quaint villages in mild temperatures averaging 24 degrees Celsius without any heat stress.
Travelers will find one of the most beautiful natural areas in autumn in the Tramuntana Mountains. This region in the northwest of Mallorca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts breathtaking gorges, spectacular terraces, and 54 mountain peaks. The area can be explored on numerous hiking and cycling trails. Cycling becomes a popular means of transport on Mallorca after the summer ends. Road cyclists, in particular, are drawn to the island due to the mild autumn climate.
With the end of the high season, the crowded restaurants and old town streets in Palma also empty out. This makes Mallorca's capital seem much more authentic. The beaches are also much emptier in the fall. Unlike in midsummer, travelers can enjoy a sunbath in complete peace.
The county of Kent is a picture-perfect landscape. Due to its numerous orchards, nestled among royal castles and quaint manor houses, this region in southeast England is also known as the "Garden of England." In autumn, Kent reveals its most beautiful side, as the deciduous trees in the picturesque hilly landscape take on particularly intense colors.
For excursions into the rolling countryside, the city of Canterbury, the headquarters of the Anglican Church, is ideal. The city on the River Stour boasts numerous beautiful churches, monasteries, and relics from the Middle Ages, including castle ruins and the staircase of the King's School, dating back to 597, probably the oldest school in the world. Canterbury Cathedral and Saint Martin's Church are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Many travelers use Canterbury as a starting point for their visit to the beautiful castles. In addition to Dover Castle, Deal Castle, and Walter Castle in the hinterland of the British chalk cliffs, a trip to Hever Castle, with its thick, bright red ivy creeping up its facade, is particularly worthwhile in autumn. The garden of Leeds Castle also glows in beautiful colors and makes a perfect bed and breakfast stopover on a castle tour.
Convenient for drivers: The Channel Tunnel runs directly from France to Folkestone, which is also located in Kent. However, travelers should dress warmly as a precaution. Temperatures in Kent in October range between 10 and 14 degrees Celsius.
Whether you're looking for spring fever in the spring, holiday fun in the summer, or romance in the winter, a weekend trip to Paris is always a good idea. But what exactly does theFrench capital offer in the fall?
First and foremost: many, many colorful trees. In Parisian parks, the deciduous trees compete with one another in their brilliance from mid-September onwards. Autumn strolls are particularly picturesque in the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Jardin du Palais-Royal, the park of the Palais de Tuileries, and, of course, among the graves of the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery, where prominent figures such as Edith Piaf, Frédéric Chopin, Oscar Wilde, and Jim Morrison are buried.
A stroll along the Seine, a walk along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, or a tour of the quaint bookstores also have a magic all their own in autumn.
In autumn, Parisians also awaken from their "summer slumber." When the tourist crowds dwindle and significantly more locals can be heard and seen in the cafés, shops, and restaurants, the central districts seem more authentic. The last tourist rush before the Advent season traditionally occurs at the end of September, when celebrities and stars from all over the world arrive for Fashion Week.
Visits to Parisian museums are also a great time for the cooler autumn weather. In addition to the famous Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, the Centre Pompidou, and the Musée Picasso are among the world's most famous exhibition halls. Round off your cultural evening with a hearty French dinner featuring duck breast fillet in orange sauce, a traditional stew, or beef bourguignon.
In autumn, the snow-capped Alpine peaks already gleam on the horizon of Turin. But in the streets of this northern Italian city, which enjoys worldwide fame for its ensemble of historic castles, the enormous Roman gate Porta Palatina, and the "Shroud of Jesus Christ" preserved in the cathedral, it is still pleasantly warm in October, with daytime temperatures around 18 degrees Celsius.
In autumn, the hustle and bustle in the capital of the Piedmont region gradually subsides, making it much easier to visit the beautiful castles and palaces.
After a thorough city tour, Turin is a great base for an autumnal exploration of the surrounding countryside, as autumn is the beginning of the most beautiful time of the year. When the low sun illuminates the vineyard landscape against the picturesque Alpine backdrop in warm colors, every road trip becomes a visual delight.
This scenic feast for the eyes can also be combined with a wide selection of culinary delights. In autumn, the people of Piedmont celebrate their finest fruits and produce. Four major festivals take place in October: the Truffle Festival, the Mushroom Festival, the Nut Festival, and the Chocolate Festival. Conveniently, the grape harvest also ends during this culinary highlight of the year. This allows tourists to sweeten Italy's culinary delights with young wines.
Those who would like to further deepen their culinary experience can learn more about the specialties in the museums of Turin or take a detour to the Michelin-starred restaurants on Lake Garda .
Autumn is the time for idyllic hikes, cozy evenings on the sofa, and family lantern processions. But at night, autumn also reveals its spooky side. And you can experience it up close in the Halloween city of Edinburgh.
During the day, Scotland 's capital city entices visitors with exciting exhibitions in its quaint museums, delicious pastries in its cozy cafés, and ancient stories in its impressive castles. The most popular attractions in the "City of Seven Hills" include Edinburgh Castle atop the epic Castle Rock, the views from the extinct volcano Arthur's Seat, and the Royal Mile in the quaint Old Town.
Another attraction, the "Scottish Acropolis," is located on Calton Hill. And right there, near a former cemetery, the spookily beautiful Samhuinn parade moves through the streets on Halloween night. Costumed acrobats and artists perform spectacular fire dances and tricks to the sound of wild drumming.
But that's only part of Edinburgh's comprehensive Halloween program. Even in the days leading up to it, a trail of terror runs through the city, for example, on organized ghost tours through the old castles, at scary parties in haunted houses, or on the nerve-wracking "Terror Trail" through the medieval alleys.
Edinburgh's horror program culminates in an international horror festival . The entire city becomes a stage for scary theater, comedy, and screenings of horror film classics.
Looking for more inspiration? You can find tips for all the top travel destinations at reisereporter .
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