Best Autumn Holidays: Top Destinations for Fall

Autumn is a pretty amazing time of the year for traveling – it’s shoulder season, so there aren’t that many tourists, the weather is much milder, and many destinations are far less expensive than usual. If you’re looking for the top destinations for fall, you’re in the right place – we bring you the best autumn holidays that you just can’t wait to explore.

Before we start, be sure to check out our Cultural Places Platform and discover the amazing tours that will help you explore your destinations at your own pace.

Let’s find some great fall destinations…

USA

Yes, there are a lot of amazing places in the US that you should see, and many of them are just gorgeous in autumn – it’s hard to choose the one perfect destination. The natural surroundings are pretty amazing when covered in different shades of orange. Also, if you visit at the end of October, you’ll get the chance to celebrate Halloween in the US and that’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Visit Vermont and you will be swept off your feet! This is one of the most picturesque states in the fall-time. One of the most beautiful cities in the US during the autumn is Boston for sure – the combination of its red brick buildings and fall foliage is simply marvelous and very picturesque. New York City is a beautiful fall destination as well, so don’t miss it. Central Park gets so colorful and perfect.

Streets of Boston

Actually, almost every city in the US looks unbelievably gorgeous in the fall-time, so if you’re looking for your destination check out our blog post about 6 cities in the USA that you must visit in your lifetime – you’ll find at least one that you’ll love.

New York City

France

France is always a good idea – so why not go there this fall? There are so many options. If you’re looking for a romantic getaway there’s Paris, and many people say that it looks the best in autumn with golden leaves under your feet, croissant and hot chocolate in one of its many quaint cafes, wine festivals, and many interesting exhibitions. If you’re wondering which places you must see check out our blog post about the best Instagrammable places in Paris.

Paris

Another great idea is to go to the French Riviera – take a road trip or simply choose one of those great cities set on the east coast of France. It’s where you’ll get to enjoy amazing sunshine and have a few great beach days since the sea is still pretty warm. If you’re into awesome yachts, we recommend visiting Cannes in the last week of September and attend the Boat and Yacht Show (Festival Internationale de la Plaisance).

Also, you should know that one weekend in September is devoted to the Heritage Days (Journées du Patrimoine), and it’s when the entrance to most cultural places is free of admission, so you can explore the culture and history of the French Riviera for free. Read more about the top destinations on the French Riviera.

Cannes at night

Germany

When it comes to European autumn destinations, Germany is one of the best ones for sure. The mountains are covered in fall foliage and that makes them look so beautiful and scenic. The best way to experience the beauty of German natural surroundings is to go down the Romantic Road – the most scenic drive through Bavaria, that leads you from the Franconia wine region to the foothills of the Bavarian Alps – from Würzburg to Füssen.

If you’re not based in Europe, or you are but nowhere close to Germany, you’ll probably fly to Munich before starting the road trip. Since you’ll already there it would be a shame to miss its most famous event – Oktoberfest! This year it starts on September 21st, and ends on October 6th, so hurry up!

Oktoberfest, Munich

Along the Romantic Road, you will get to explore some gorgeous cities – you can read more about that in our ultimate guide to Germany’s Romantic Road. Also, you’ll get to see some fairy-tale castles that look amazing surrounded by colorful forest – you can read about some of the most beautiful castles in Germany in one of our previous blog posts. Germany is full of amazing destinations, so if you’re looking for the best cities that you should visit, we got you covered – check out the blog post where we handpicked 5 cities in Germany that you must visit.

Castle in Bavaria

Chile

If you’re more into springtime than autumn, you should definitely travel to Chile. There are quite a few destinations that you must explore if you’re traveling to Chile. One of those is the mind-blowing Atacama Desert for sure. It’s one of the oldest and driest deserts on Earth, and it’s one of the most beautiful ones. Because of its beauty and all of the bird species that live there, it became the key destination for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts.

Atacama Desert, Chile

Visit Chilean Lake District in October and you’ll experience its amazing nature in full bloom. You will be amazed by the blue skies and colorful wildflowers all around you. Also, you can attend a super-fun Germany-inspired event – Oktoberfest and try some tasty beers.

Lake District, Chile

Greece

If you’re looking for the last dip of the year – Greece is one of your dream destinations. The weather in Greece is pretty mild, especially in the early autumn, so it’s the perfect opportunity to visit some of its most popular islands and enjoy their beaches in peace – they won’t be crowded like they are in summer. Visit Santorini or Mykonos this fall – they’re the most popular and even the most beautiful Greek islands, so they’re usually very crowded in the summer.

Mykonos, Greece

Also, it’s a great idea to visit and explore Athens and explore all of the amazing cultural places that it has to offer. We recommend you check out some of our blog posts about this gorgeous city and find the best places to visit:

• 6 Unmissable Experiences in Athens
• Taking a Stroll around Athens: The 5 Walks You Cannot Miss
• 5 Must-See Museums in Athens

If you’d like to be guided through these amazing places check out available tours on the Cultural Places platform – or read more in our blog post about our audio guides around Athens.

The Erectheion, Athens, Greece

So, whether you’re looking for great fall foliage sights or you’re not that into the fall season, there are some quite amazing destinations that you can enjoy. But wherever you go, you’ll have a great time for sure and enjoy your surroundings without all the crowd that summer usually brings.