10 beautiful travel destinations for autumn in Europe – according to “Lonely Planet”

Are you planning a vacation in Europe this fall but aren't sure where? Then perhaps the ranking from the renowned travel guide "Lonely Planet" might be a source of inspiration. It has chosen the "10 Best Destinations in Europe for Fall."

These include not only entire countries, but also regions, islands, and individual cities . The ratings were based on various criteria, such as which beaches are still popular for swimming in the fall or where you can go hiking during this time of year.

For cities, the fact that they can be explored in the fall without the summer tourist crowds played a role. Last but not least, the special culinary experiences during the harvest season influenced the selection of autumn travel destinations.

Spoiler alert: There's something for everyone, from the deep south with the Canary Islands and Greece to the north with Scotland and Denmark . However, this time, there are no destinations in Germany among them.

Lonely Planet ranked the French region of Burgundy 10th among its most beautiful autumn travel destinations. This is partly due to the grape harvest season, as Burgundy is known for its excellent wines, including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. If you're traveling to this region in easternFrance , with its capital city of Dijon, in autumn, we recommend a trip through the wine region and visiting the numerous wineries that offer tastings and wine tours.

But culinary delights aren't the only reason Burgundy made it into the ranking: Lonely Planet also recommends the 800-kilometer, car-free Burgundy cycling route "Le Tour de Bourgogne" – of which you can, of course, only ride sections. With the summer heat over, cycling is especially enjoyable in the mild to cooler autumnal temperatures.

The tour offers numerous cultural highlights, including Dijon itself with its medieval old town, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Abbey of Fontenay, and the imposing Château de Ancy-le-Frans . The natural scenery along the route is also picturesque, with countless canals, former railway lines, and, of course, vineyards.

Even if you're not particularly into wine or cycling, the Burgundy region is still a worthwhile destination for you this fall. Reisereporter has already featured its diverse attractions—so perhaps you'll be inspired by the villages, other UNESCO World Heritage sites, and natural beauty of Burgundy.

If you're undecided between relaxing on an island in the fall or immersing yourself in the diverse cultural offerings of a city, number 9 in the Lonely Planet rankings is perfect for you: Malta . On this small Mediterranean island, it's still pleasantly warm even in the fall, so you can lie on the beach and swim.

The best places to do this are on the neighboring islands of Gozo and Comino, with their beautiful beaches and the Blue Lagoon on Comino. They are just a short boat ride from the main island. You can also explore the Blue Grotto sea caves on a boat trip.

Once you've soaked up enough sun, continue your cultural program in Malta's fortified capital, Valletta, whose historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is said to be the smallest capital city in Europe. Top sights include the 16th-century Grand Master's Palace, St. John's Cathedral, and the picturesque natural harbor.

Also worth a visit is the former capital city of Mdina, surrounded by city walls and steeped in over 4,000 years of history. Wandering through its alleys will transport you back to the Middle Ages. A highlight of the town is Saint Paul's Cathedral, but the numerous palaces are also worth a closer look. Lonely Planet also recommends other historical attractions such as the underground necropolis Hal Saflieni Hypogeum and the prehistoric temples of Ħaġar Qim.

The Scottish Highlands stretch across the northwest of Scotland and are ranked eighth among the best autumn destinations according to Lonely Planet. There, you can experience the atmospheric beauty of autumn in nature, surrounded by mountains and moorland landscapes filled with lakes and magnificent autumn colors. Hiking offers not only the chance to admire the scenery, but with a little luck, you might also spot wildlife, including red deer.

They have their mating season in the fall, which the males express through loud bellowing or by fighting with their antlers for the best females. If the weather is too bad for hiking, there are also numerous castles in the Highlands, including Eilean Donan Castle, Dunrobin Castle, and the castles around the attractive town of Fort William. However, you should check in advance whether the places are still open for visits, as some close in the fall.

The city of Inverness is also worth a stop. There, you can sample Scottish and regional specialties, such as oysters and lobster, pheasant and grouse, and venison.

Ranked seventh in the Lonely Planet rankings is Denmark's capital, Copenhagen , known as a trendy design metropolis with seemingly countless sights. According to the travel guide, these are particularly well-suited to exploring in the fall, when the trees are golden, for example, around Rosenborg Castle. You'll encounter far fewer other travelers than in the summer—the same applies to the city's cultural hotspots, such as the National Museum.

In addition to the must-see attractions, "Lonely Planet" also highlights Copenhagen's culinary diversity, as the city has become known as a paradise for foodies. There, you'll find chic Michelin-starred restaurants, cozy cafés in farm shops, and the Torvehallerne KBH food market, a feast for the senses.

From typical Danish smørrebrød (buttered bread) to organic porridge and exclusive dishes, "Copenhagen's Pantry" offers everything your heart desires. Whether you like meat or fish, vegetarian or vegan – you're guaranteed to be satisfied.

A particularly popular spot for gourmets is the Kadeau restaurant – you should reserve a table there early. Otherwise, it's worth simply strolling through the bustling streets and observing which smells attract you. The Nørrebro district offers a very multicultural selection, including some great craft beer bars.

When you think ofMontenegro , do you immediately think of the Adriatic Sea and beach fun? This small Balkan country certainly offers that, but Lonely Planet ranked it sixth among the best European autumn holiday destinations primarily because of its mountains. Thanks to the mild climate, you can hike in Montenegro's mountains until November and have to share the mountains with very few others.

A highlight of Montenegro's hinterland is Durmitor National Park , a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts hikers with its diverse landscapes. It boasts not only 48 peaks over 2,000 meters in height, but also pine forests, meadows, and glacial lakes—and you might even spot some of the wildlife that lives there, including bears. If you want to stand on the "roof of Montenegro," you should climb Bobotov Kuk, at 2,523 meters.

Biogradska Gora National Park is also known as a hiking paradise, with the Orjen and Lovćen mountains offering arguably the most beautiful panorama of the sea. Incidentally, the sea is usually a pleasant temperature for swimming even in October!

For long-distance hikers, Lonely Planet recommends a week-long hike in the Rumija mountain range in southeastern Montenegro, with peaks up to 1,594 meters high. Not far from the capital, Podgorica, the mountainous region of Kučka Krajina is ideal for hiking.

While you can enjoy autumn in Copenhagen's diverse international restaurants and cafés, the Italian region of Umbria, located east of Tuscany, is a rural autumn paradise for foodies, according to Lonely Planet. Apparently, there's no better time to travel for a "culinary break" in Umbria's hilly countryside, from which cozy towns like Orvieto, Narni, and Amelia emerge.

In this idyllic setting, you can embark on a culinary journey through Umbria's autumn produce. In addition to dishes made with lentils and beans, you can look forward to ingredients like chestnuts, black truffles, as well as freshly produced olive oil (olio novello) and pale saffron. Game dishes, including wild boar and pheasant, also feature prominently on the region's autumn menus.

But one thing is a must: a fine drop of the best regional wine, because autumn is also the grape harvest in Umbria. "Lonely Planet" recommends a road trip along the "Strada del Sagrantino" wine route through vineyards and historic villages, where you can taste wine in many places.

Another culinary tip is the "Eurochocolate" chocolate festival in the pretty provincial capital of Perugia, which takes place in November. Baci (translated: kisses), a chocolate and hazelnut delicacy that is a Perugia specialty, should definitely be on your list.

Latvia ranks fourth among the top autumn travel destinations. According to Lonely Planet, October is the last chance to explore the Baltic country's wild nature with mild temperatures and fairly long days before the winter storms begin.

Particularly recommended is the Gauja National Park, with its diverse flora and fauna, the Gauja River of the same name, streams and caves, as well as medieval castles and palaces. The park is crisscrossed by a dense network of hiking trails, both short and long.

According to Lonely Planet , Ķemeri National Park is also worth a visit, with a particularly large number of birdwatchers in the fall, especially at Lake Kaņiera. It is also characterized by wetlands and various bogs, including raised bogs, grass bogs, and transitional bogs. This national park is also ideal for nature hikes, with a particularly pleasant climate in the fall.

Both national parks are located not far from the capital, Riga, whose Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In autumn, you'll have to share the sights with relatively few other travelers. These include Riga Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, the picturesque House of the Blackheads, and the countless Art Nouveau facades. At this time of year, you can also enjoy seasonal specialties in the restaurants, such as delicacies made with local mushrooms, berries, fish, or game.

Few travelers think of island hopping in Europe when it comes to autumn holidays – it's usually something you do in the summer. And yet, the Greek Dodecanese archipelago in the southeastern Aegean, which includes Rhodes , ranks third in the Lonely Planet rankings. Since this island has an international airport, it's recommended to start your trip there.

With twelve large and numerous small islands, the Dodecanese archipelago is a prime spot for island hopping—even in autumn. The weather is still predominantly warm and dry, the sea is a pleasant bathing temperature, and the summer tourist crowds have subsided. Only in November do many tourist facilities close.

There are regular ferry connections between the larger islands, the most popular of which is Rhodes. From there, you can easily reach the picturesque island of Symi, whose small harbor exudes a postcard-perfect idyll, as well as tiny Tilos with its barren mountain landscape.

Karpathos is also interesting, where the inhabitants cling to their culture despite the influence of tourism – something you can experience in the authentic hilltop village of Olympos, among others. Quiet bays and a main town with castles await you on Astypalea, which is far less visited.

According to Lonely Planet, Tenerife is the only place in Europe where you can still plan a relaxing beach holiday this late in the year—even in November, temperatures are often still around 24 degrees Celsius. The travel guide particularly recommends the north of the Canary Island, especially since the major tourist resorts are located in the south. In the north, you'll find the historic town of Puerto de la Cruz, among others, and further south on the west coast, beautiful beaches around Los Gigantes.

Tenerife isn't just a beach holiday, you can also enjoy some wonderful hiking . For example, Spain's highest peak, Mount Teide, rises to 3,718 meters in the national park of the same name and is also the third-largest volcano in the world. You can take a comfortable cable car to the top or take a hike lasting around five hours. Your effort will be rewarded time and again with fantastic panoramic views of the increasingly barren mountain landscape, the valleys, and the ocean.

There's also a wide selection of other hiking trails, most of which are easily accessible by bus. According to Lonely Planet, the Anaga Mountains and the pine forests in the northwest are particularly recommended.

Topping the Lonely Planet rankings for autumn holidays is ideal for city lovers: the Spanish city of Seville, capital of the province of Andalusia . While in summer you'd have to stand in long lines and sweat for many attractions, in autumn you can enjoy the city's beauty with much more peace and quiet – and all this in summer temperatures of around 26 degrees Celsius.

Seville's attractions are as diverse as the city's history. One highlight is the royal palace complex, the Real Alcázar , which boasts not only picturesque Mudéjar architecture but also gardens blooming in summer and autumn. Seville is also home to what is said to be the world's largest Gothic cathedral, located in the heart of the old town with its charming alleyways.

One of the city's many special museums is the Museo del Baile Flamenco , if you'd like to learn more about this unique dance—and attend a live show! To round off the day, take a relaxing stroll along the Guadalquivir River before enjoying some culinary delights in one of the tapas bars.

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