10 Best Places to Visit in Europe in the Fall: Solo-Friendly Cities
Fall is one of my favorite times of the year, and it’s also one of the best times to visit Europe – as the summer high across the continent fades, hotel prices come down, and cozy coffee shops become the perfect pair to a stroll through the autumn foliage down cobblestone streets and stunning parks.
View of Rosengarten in Bern, Switzerland; October 2021
If you’re looking for the best places to visit in Europe in the fall, especially for solo travelers, look no further – after years of living in Paris, I’m going to share which European cities are my favorite and most fitting for a trip in the fall.
Best Cities to Visit in Europe in the Fall
1. Edinburgh
If there’s a European city that is the epitome of fall, it’s Edinburgh – and it’s Tik Tok trend for cozy cafés is more than accurate.
View of Edinburgh from Calton Hill; September 2024
Truly no other city exactly like it, Edinburgh is home to a million coffee shops, medieval architecture, and the gorgeous Princess Gardens –Edinburgh is a dream city to visit in Europe in the fall. Plus, you’ll be able to get your spooky, Halloween vibes on with magic-like and Harry Potter inspired souvenir stores alongside enchanting walks in the Old Town.
While in Scotland, be sure not to miss a trip to the Isle of the Skye or Glasgow – as both are also marvelous places to visit in September.
Best For: Coffee fanatics, people interested magic, attracted to medieval towns
Watch our trip to Edinburgh in September in my travel vlog below!
2. Copenhagen
Another city in Europe perfect for fall travel is Copenhagen, known for its fine dining and food – with amazing bakeries to explore and satisfy your cozy weather sweet tooth.
In addition to that, Copenhagen’s architecture has the warmth and color reminiscent of fall itself – with views from the Round Tower representing mostly burnt orange rooftops as the city continues to expand.
View of Copenhagen from the Round Tower; December 2022
Similar to other European cities I am recommending in this list, Copenhagen is relatively small – making it perfect for more intimate, “Gilmore Girls” style strolls through the city with a cup of coffee in hand.
Best For: Lovers of fine dining, bike riders, and museum lovers
3. Bern
Switzerland as a whole is stunning to visit during the fall, but especially Bern – as it’s rolling colorful hills are a photographer’s dream and a sight for sore eyes for those who are as enamored with autumn as I am!
Whether it’s exploring the main shopping streets, going up to the top of the Gurten, or relaxing in the Rosengarten – there are so many opportunities to enjoy the vivid foliage with a book or journal almost anywhere in Bern.
View of Bern in the fall; October 2021
In fact, I often compare Bern to a miniature Munich – as it almost feels like being in small German city, but in Switzerland. As Germany is also one of the most “fall” like European countries – this makes Bern perfect for those itching for the perfect European fall getaway
Best For: Small city explorers, intrepid hikers, people who love hills and being surrounded by nature
Watch my trip to Bern in the fall in my travel vlog below!
4. London
Although this could seem like an obvious answer, I really do feel like London is one of the most quintessential cities to spend in Europe in the fall – as its larger size and crisp autumn air are perfect for longer trips to Europe.
Outside Covent Garden on a rainy day in London, United Kingdom; January 2023
As a city adorned in a mix of old and new architecture, in addition to stunning parks to explore like Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, and Kensington Gardens – you’ll never be bored or disappointed on a trip to Europe in the fall with a stop in London.
London also makes as a great starting point to visit other European cities in the fall like Edinburgh and Paris.
Best For: Big city lovers, shoppers, and travelers who need a lot of stimulation to avoid fatigue or boredom during off season travel.
5. Turin
Usually, I would recommend visiting Italy in the late spring or summer – as its infamous grilled vegetables, gelato, and Aperol spritz’s are perfect for warm weather and long days full of sunshine.
However, cities in Northern Italy are quite wonderful in the thick of fall – with Turin being one of them.
View of Turin, Italy; October 2023
Turin is especially nice in the fall as its surrounding mountains light up in fiery colors, of which are especially visible and prominent from viewing points such as from the Basilica of Superega.
As a whole, Turin is a very typical European city – but its location makes it a quaint, less touristic trip to Italy and the perfect place to visit Europe in the fall.
Best For: Lovers of Italian food, cities surrounded by mountains, travelers looking for an offbeat or less typical travel Italian experience
Discover more what it’s like to visit Turin in the fall in my travel vlog below!
Dresden lighting up at night in the autumn; October 2022
It’s true that Dresden is small, but it’s perfect for wandering around and admiring the fall foliage against Dresden’s extremely underrated architecture.
Best For: Travelers looking for underrated European cities in the fall and who prefer a less crowded travel experience
Explore my trip to Dresden in the fall in my travel vlog below!
7. Paris
While I firmly believe that the best time of year to visit Paris is either in the spring or summer, fall is also a pleasant time of year in Paris –especially during September and October where there is still a lot of sunshine, but the number of tourists wandering the city drastically drops.
Some of my favorite cafés to visit in the fall in Paris include Le Main Noir, Bleu Olive, and Grounded – all of which give off an impeccable vibe for autumn, whether you choose to sit in these coffee shops or take them to go and wander the now-colorful streets of Paris.
View of the Eiffel Tower from Champ des Mars in the fall foliage; November 2024
In addition to all of this, visiting Paris in the fall is a great idea as it’s an excellent time to book tickets and hotels for off-season prices – and popular tourist attractions like the Louvre and Eiffel Tower will be far less crowded.
Lastly, if you tend to get annoyed with seeing “pumpkin spice” something on every corner like in cities such as London and New York – Paris is the perfect place to visit in Europe in the fall, as while it has taken a liking to this trend as well – it’s far less prominent.
Best For: Lovers of pastries and a looking for a city that isn’t too obnoxious about fall
8. Amsterdam
Amsterdam is known for its winter light festival and late summer nights, but it’s often neglected for its beauty in the fall.
Whether it’s riding bikes in the city or photographing, Amsterdam is exceptionally beautiful in the fall as the trees alongside the canal suddenly change to bright shades of red, orange, and yellow – which is a stark yet stunning contrast against the city’s more muted, cool toned colored buildings.
View of Amsterdam from the water; May 2017
As the city is usually flooded with tourists in the summer, visiting this European city in the fall is a great way to discover its local cafes, hidden streets of charm, and explore the city by bike in ways that may be less accessible during other times of the year.
Best For: Bike riding enthusiasts and photographers looking for fall-photogenic cities in Europe
9. Budapest
One of my favorite cities in Europe (underrated cities post), Budapest is beautiful to visit in Europe during the fall as its already jaw-dropping architecture becomes even more illuminate in the midst of autumn.
Furthermore, Budapest has several different hills with viewing points (with my favorite one being Gellért Hill Vista Point), which are perfect for viewing the changing colors and the city’s unique landscape from afar.
View of Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest; January 2018
Budapest isn’t only aesthetically pleasing in the fall, but the cooler and crisper mornings make it even more suitable to try out its famous thermal baths – I went to the Széchenyi baths are they were close to my hotel near Heroes' Square when I went to Budapest, and all went well!
Also, Budapest is a really big on paprika – which may be more difficult to enjoy in the summer – but at trip to this European city in the fall makes this warmer spice perfect for trying local dishes in the midst of more suitable for autumn weather.
Best For: Intrepid travelers who don’t mind a big city and architecture lovers with an affinity for old and unique buildings
10. Bruges
Last but not least, Belgium as a whole is a great place to visit during the fall – but Bruges specifically is a glorious haven for those who love a mix of city and nature.
This is because Bruges is not only a medieval style city, similar to Edinburgh, that was born to be wandered during the fall – but its lakes and bridges, almost reminiscent of Amsterdam, become even prettier with the added colors during the autumn.
View of canals in Bruges, Belgium; May 2017
Not to mention, a lot of Belgian cuisine popular amongst tourists, like waffles, are the perfect sweet treat to snack on – just imagine, a warm, chocolate-filled waffle melting in your mouth while the cool autumn air surrounds you. Sounds like an amazing place to visit in Europe in the fall, to me!
Best For: Travelers who adore small, medieval cities and charming lakes and bridges
🇪🇺 🚆 🍂 Europe in the Fall — FAQ
| 💶 Is it cheaper to travel Europe in the fall? | Yes, it is exponentially cheaper to travel to Europe between the months of September and November – as the weather across Europe gets gloomier, colder, and ultimately less desirable in comparison to the majority of travelers who dream of experiencing a typical “euro summer”. Hotel prices and train tickets are often much more affordable in comparison to the height of summer, i.e. – a train ticket on the Eurostar between Paris and London is usually less expensive in October than it is in July. |
| 🍁 Is it better to travel Europe in the fall? | Honestly, travel to Europe in the fall can be amazing – but certain cities and countries definitely shine through in the summer. For instance, I think countries like Germany, Switzerland, Scotland, and England are stunning to visit in the midst of Autumn Foliage – but I definitely prefer to visit countries like Italy, Greece, Spain, or the rest of France in the spring or closer to summer for the “relaxed” vibes and incessant sunshine. |
| 🧳 Is Europe less crowded in the fall? | Yes, there are undoubtedly less people frolicking across Europe in the fall – especially as you get closer to winter. Personally, I think travel to Europe in the fall is perfect if you want a more local experience and aren’t dead-set on beach and summer like-activities – as the sun still doesn’t set too late until November, leaving plenty of daylight hours for exploring European cities. |
Looking for more information to plan your trip to Europe in the fall?
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Last updated: August 24, 2025