EUROPE IN THE FALL

Fall is one of my favorite times to travel around Europe. I mean I’ll be honest, in my mind, there isn’t a bad time to visit Europe. But, with that said, there is something special about Europe in the the fall. With smaller crowds and cooler weather, it’s perfect for exploring!

Before I get into the top destinations, there are a few pros and cons of traveling during fall. In most cities, the weather isn’t as reliable as it is in the summer months. I’ll touch on the specifics below but you can expect a chance of rain in most cities. With that said, the temperature is usually ideal for exploring. In many cities, the leaves will start changing as the weather becomes cool and crisp. Another plus of visiting off-season is most cities are much less touristy.

While this is one of the best times to visit Europe, it’s important to choose the right destinaton. For instance, many coastal towns in countries like Croatia and Italy close down during the off-season. Whereas cities like Ljubliana and Edinburgh thrive in the cooler months.

Having spent a lot of time in Europe, I’ve decided to put together a guide to the best fall destinations! Let me know in the comments below if there are any destinations I should add to my bucket list!

And don’t forget to pin this for later :)

If you’re looking for fall vibes, head to Slovenia! The leaves start to change as the weather cools down at the end of October. We spent the first week of November in Slovenia in 2019 and it was perfect! The streets were colorful as the leaves turned yellow and orange. Since Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia the city is still bustling with people going about their daily lives. Make sure you explore the grounds of the Ljubljana Castle. For an incredible view of the city, climb the watchtower at the castle. My favorite thing about Ljubljana is you can bike everywhere!

We had the best airbnb in Ljubjana, I couldn’t recommend it more. The apartment even came with bikes :)

While we are on the topic of Slovenia, you cannot miss Lake Bled in the fall! The town is quieter this time of year, but there are enough places open to enjoy the town. You can take a quick day trip to Lake Bled from Ljubljana or spend a few days there to soak in the scenery. If you love the outdoors, take a trip to the Triglov National Park. The park is less than an hour from Ljublana so can be visited on a day trip as well. I’ll touch on the Istria Region more below but you can also pair Ljubljana with a trip to this region.

Read More: Quick Guide to Lake Bled

I’ve been to Florence 3 times now, oddly enough, every single time I’ve visited in the fall! I’ve been lucky weather wise on my trips to Italy but there’s a chance it will rain this time of year. The great thing about Florence is there’s plenty to do indoors from pasta making to wine tasting in Tuscany. While there’s a lot to see in Florence you cannot miss the Duermo, Ponte Veccio, and Mercato Centrale Firenze.

Read More: Basic Guide to Florence, Italy

If you’re planning a trip to Italy in the fall, there are a few different routes you can do. Cities such as Rome, Milan, and Venice are busy year round so are a great addition to Florence. With that said, they tend to be less touristy in the fall so it’s easier to get around and site see. If your trip is in September or the beginning to middle of October, pair Florence with the coast. Generally speaking, the coastal towns in Italy start to quiet down at the end of October.

The medieval architecture in Edinburgh makes the city feel cozy in the fall. The weather is typically in the 60s in September and 50s in October and November – perfect for exploring and there is plenty to see in Edinburgh. I recommend spending at least 3 days in the city. While you won’t be able to miss the Royal Mile and Princess Street, I highly recommend taking a tour of the Old Town as the city is filled with history. Aside from strolling around, my favorite thing to do is hike Arthur’s Seat. The trail is quite steep depending on the path you chose but it’s well worth the view!

Similar to most European cities, there are a number of places you can pair with a trip to Edinburgh. You can visit popular cities like London and Dublin which are a quick trip away. Another option is to rent a car and head to the highlands. If you like hiking, the highlands is known for incredible hiking. The cooler weather will make those steep climbs much more enjoyable! We visited Scotland in September and spent about two weeks traveling around and I couldn’t recommend it more.

Hotel Recommendation: Ten Hill Place

If you’re looking for a warmer destination with a ton of history, Dubrovnik is the spot! Dubrovnik is the place to go if you’re active and want to spend time outside. Max and I enjoyed a week in Dubrovnik in October and it was perfect! The weather was ideal since it was still hot enough to swim and enjoy the sea. The weather called for rain but it didn’t rain at all during our trip! The best part about Dubrovnik in the fall is the smaller crowds. Dubrovnik has become increasinly popular in the last few years meaning the crowds are generally out of control!

A trip to Dubrovnik wouldn’t be complete without wandering the Old Town and swimming in the Adriatic. For top notch views walk the walls, visit Fort Lovrijenac, and hike Mount Srd. One of my favorite day trips from Dubrovnik is a boat trip to the Elaphiti Islands.

Read More: Must See Spots in Dubrovnik

There are a few options when planning a trip to Dubrovnik in the fall. My top recommendation is to rent a car and head up the coast! Spend a few days in Split before moving on to the Istria Region. By doing so, you’ll experience the best of both worlds! Opposite of Dubrovnik, the weather starts to cool down quite drastically in the Istria Region. The leaves start to change as it becomes peak truffle picking season in this region! With that said, I don’t recommend visiting smaller towns along the coast since many of them close down for winter and reopen at the end of April.

Hotel Recommendation: Studio Apartments Sonatina

As the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik is generally the city that comes to mind when people think of Iceland. I’m going to focus on Iceland as a whole since there is a lot to see! In my opinion, the best time to visit Iceland is in the fall. For starters, the weather is still relatively warm (for Iceland). In September the weather generally hovers around the 50s and cools down to the 40s in October and November. While it’ll be chilly, it’s not unbearable!

The main reason to visit Iceland in the fall is to see the Northern Lights! The peak season to see the Northern Lights is from September to March. While that’s a pretty long window, you have to keep in mind winters are cold and windy in Iceland! If you’re renting a campervan to drive around the island, the weather isn’t as reliable. With that said, Fall offers the best of both worlds – more dependable weather and a chance to see the Northern Lights!

On a trip to Iceland, the main sites to see are along the Golden Circle which is relatively close to Reykjavik. From the Golden Circle, I recommend taking the Ring Road around the island. Some of my favorite sites in Iceland include Bruarfoss, Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and Seydisfjordur. 7-10 days is ideal for a trip to Iceland.

Read More: 10 Days in Iceland

A visit to Norway in the fall consists of fewer crowds, crisp weather, and out of this world views. Bergen is exceptionally stunning in the fall with the colorful trees behind the Bryggen which is the row of colorful houses in Bergen. Aside from the colorful houses, the top things to do in town are Mount Ulriken and the fish market. If you have more time in Bergen, I highly recommend the Norway in a Nutshell Tour for incredible views of the fjords. If you’re up for a little more adventure, head to Odda and hike Trolltunga for quite the experience.

Read More: Full Guide to Hiking Trolltunga

Similar to Iceland, the weather is usually in the 50s in September and cools down to the 40s by the end of October. The weather remains in the 40s in November as the days shorten with sunset around 4 pm!

If you’re looking for cool weather and small crowds, head to Zurch in the fall! While the weather cools down quite drastically in the fall, it’s still a great time to visit. Switzerland tends to be a pricey destination no matter your budget. It’s often ranked the most expensive country in the world to visit. For this reason, visiting in the fall is a great option! Prices are low since it’s considered the shoulder season and the views are of course, still excellent.

Since Switzerland is a relatively small country, you can visit a number of cities in a short duration. Popular cities such as Lucerne and Basel are a quick trip from Zurich. You can do them on a day trip or spend a few days exploring each town. Cities such as Geneva and Zermatt are less than four hours from Zurich. As you can tell, there are so many places to see in Switzerland. I highly recommend exploring the country by train since the views are out of this world; especially during the fall as the leaves become colorful and captivating!

Switzerland Travel Tip: Keep in mind, restaurants and shops are generally closed on Sundays even in Zurich.

If you’re headed to Europe in the fall, I hope this article helped you narrow it down. Clearly I love Europe in the fall and I’m always looking for new recommendations! If you have any, let me know in the comments below.

Safe Travels,

Sarah :)