15 Best Places to Visit in the Fall

When the heat of summer fades and before the winter chill sets in, fall offers a golden window for travel. It’s a season of balance: crisp mornings and mellow afternoons, vivid fall foliage in fiery reds, oranges, and yellows, and a slower rhythm as the summer crowds fade. Whether you’re craving scenic hikes under canopies of color, lively harvest festivals, or quiet beaches bathed in softer light, here are 15 of the best places to visit in the fall for journeys as refreshing as the season itself.

1. New England, USA

Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C) highs, 57 °F (14 °C) lows

If there’s one place synonymous with fall colors, it’s New England. Known for leaf peeping along the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire and trails through the White Mountain National Forest, the region glows in fiery shades of crimson and gold. Beyond the forests, apple orchards and pumpkin patches welcome visitors for seasonal activities, while quaint towns like Woodstock and Stowe invite you to sip cider by roaring fireplaces.

In Vermont, maple syrup farms offer tastings, while Maine’s coastline delivers lobster paired with fall harvest flavors. Boston and Providence, meanwhile, mix autumn foliage with cultural events and colonial charm.

🍂 Recommended Tour: New England’s Fall Foliage or the Women-Only Fall Foliage Tour
📖 Read next: Best places to go in the fall in New England

2. The Great Smoky Mountains, USA

Temperature: 70 °F (21 °C) highs, 50 °F (10 °C) lows

Spanning Tennessee and North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the best places to see fall foliage in the USA. More than 100 native tree species transform into a dazzling patchwork of reds, yellows, and oranges. Scenic drives like Cades Cove Loop offer wildlife sightings—black bears, elk, and wild turkeys—set against the glowing mountains.

For hikers, trails to Clingmans Dome and Alum Cave Bluffs showcase panoramic views, while Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge provide cozy cabins and hearty Southern food. Early October also brings harvest festivals, with bluegrass music, craft fairs, and regional delicacies.

🍂 Recommended Tour: America’s Magnificent National Parks
📖 Read next: These are the Best National Parks to Visit in Eastern USA

3. Croatia

Temperature: 73 °F (23 °C) highs, 59 °F (15 °C) lows

Croatia in fall combines warm Adriatic sunshine with quieter streets. Dubrovnik’s medieval walls are best enjoyed without cruise-ship crowds, and Split’s Diocletian’s Palace feels more authentic when locals reclaim its squares. Inland, Plitvice Lakes National Park becomes a natural masterpiece, with waterfalls framed by blazing foliage.

Wine lovers will enjoy Istria’s harvest season, where truffle festivals take over villages like Motovun. Coastal islands such as Hvar and Korčula are still bathed in golden light, perfect for scenic walks or relaxed beach days before winter.

🍂 Recommended Tour: Country Roads of Croatia
📖 Read Next: The Top 7 Places That Will Make You Fall In Love With Croatia 

4. Italy

Temperature: 78 °F (26 °C) highs, 60 °F (16 °C) lows

Italy is at its most romantic in fall. Vineyards across Tuscany and Piedmont burst with ripe grapes during harvest, offering tastings and tours. Venice comes alive with the Regata Storica rowing event, while Umbria celebrates truffles, porcini mushrooms, and chestnuts in bustling food festivals.

Cities like Rome and Florence are more relaxed, with shorter museum queues and mild weather for sightseeing. The Amalfi Coast and Capri retain their sunlit charm but with calmer beaches and friendlier prices. Autumn in Italy is an invitation to savor la dolce vita slowly, one glass of Chianti at a time.

🍂 Recommended Tour: Easy Pace Italy
📖 Read next: European cities to visit in the fall

5. Switzerland

Temperature: 64 °F (18 °C) highs, 46 °F (8 °C) lows

Crisp alpine air and shimmering lakes make Switzerland a fall paradise. Hike through Lauterbrunnen Valley with its 72 waterfalls or take scenic rail journeys like the Bernina Express, winding past snow-dusted peaks and blazing larch trees. Early fall brings grape harvests in the Lavaux vineyards along Lake Geneva, where you can sip wine overlooking golden terraces.

Zurich and Lucerne offer cozy cafes, museums, and lake cruises framed by fall colors. In the Engadin region, trails through the Swiss National Park showcase wildlife and fiery alpine forests.

🍂 Recommended Tour: Magical Switzerland
📖 Read next: Switzerland in the fall

6. Japan

Temperature: 73 °F (23 °C) highs, 59 °F (15 °C) lows

Japan is just as breathtaking in fall as in cherry blossom season. Kyoto’s temples—Kiyomizu-dera, Eikan-do, and Tofuku-ji—are framed by fiery maples, while Tokyo’s Ueno and Shinjuku Gyoen parks become urban oases of color. The Japanese Alps, from Kamikochi to Hakuba, are hiking heaven with brilliant red and gold landscapes.

Beyond the foliage, seasonal dishes like matsutake mushrooms and chestnut rice appear on menus. Autumn also brings cultural festivals such as Jidai Matsuri in Kyoto, celebrating the city’s rich history with traditional costumes and processions.

7. Canada’s Eastern Provinces

Temperature: 63 °F (17 °C) highs, 46 °F (8 °C) lows

From Quebec to Nova Scotia, Eastern Canada rivals New England for spectacular fall foliage. Drive the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton for sweeping coastal vistas or wander Quebec City’s cobbled streets glowing under autumn leaves.

Harvest season brings apple picking, pumpkin patches, and wine festivals, while Prince Edward Island hosts lobster feasts paired with fall produce. Montreal adds a cosmopolitan flair with food markets, jazz shows, and art events framed by crisp autumn air.

🍂 Recommended Tour: Best of Eastern Canada & USA
📖 Read next: The Best of Eastern Canada

8. Scotland

Temperature: 57 °F (14 °C) highs, 45 °F (7 °C) lows

Scotland in the fall is moody, cinematic, and soulful. The Highlands glow with russet heather and golden glens, while castles like Eilean Donan appear even more dramatic under misty skies. Early fall is also prime time for spotting the Northern Lights in the Cairngorms.

Edinburgh and Glasgow host cultural events, cozy pubs, and quiet museums after the summer rush. On the Isle of Skye, waterfalls tumble into emerald pools, framed by rugged cliffs. Whisky distillery tours provide the perfect warming touch to crisp days.

🍂 Recommended Tour: Country Roads of Scotland
📖 Read next: 7 Ways Our Best Of Ireland & Scotland Tour Will Capture Your Heart

9. Morocco

Temperature: 88 °F (31 °C) highs, 66 °F (19 °C) lows

With softer temperatures, Morocco in September and October is ideal for exploring. Wander the vibrant souks of Marrakech, sip mint tea on rooftop terraces, or admire the intricate mosaics of Fes. The cooler evenings invite overnight stays in the Sahara Desert, where you can stargaze after camel treks.

For active travelers, the Atlas Mountains offer excellent hiking, while Essaouira’s breezy beaches are perfect for a seaside escape. Fall also coincides with cultural festivals celebrating art, film, and traditional Moroccan music.

🍂 Recommended Tour: Treasures of Morocco

10. Germany (Bavaria)

Temperature: 61 °F (16 °C) highs, 47 °F (8 °C) lows

Autumn in Bavaria is synonymous with Oktoberfest in Munich, but beyond beer halls, there’s much to explore. The Romantic Road weaves through medieval towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, ablaze with fall colors. Castles such as Neuschwanstein look even more magical framed by golden forests.

Hike the Bavarian Alps for crisp mountain air or visit local harvest festivals, where seasonal fare like roast duck, spiced cakes, and fresh pretzels take center stage. Smaller towns host traditional parades and markets brimming with regional crafts.

🍂 Recommended Tour: Best of Germany
📖 Read next: Experience the Best of Germany’s Past, Present and Future in 12 Days

11. Provence, France

Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C) highs, 54 °F (12 °C) lows

In Provence, September and October mean grape harvests, vineyard festivals, and countryside markets brimming with seasonal produce like figs, truffles, and chestnuts. The weather is still warm enough to enjoy long walks through medieval hilltop towns like Gordes or Roussillon, or to take a leisurely drive through the Luberon. The softer light of fall gives the lavender fields, vineyards, and olive groves a golden hue — perfect for photographers and food-lovers alike. Pair it with wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape or Avignon’s historic treasures for an unforgettable fall getaway.

🍂 Recommended Tour: Country Roads of France

12. Slovenia

Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C) highs, 52 °F (11 °C) lows

Slovenia is Europe’s best-kept fall secret. At Lake Bled, the island church floats dreamily among golden reflections, while Ljubljana’s cafe culture spills into leafy squares.

Nature lovers will adore Triglav National Park, where hiking trails lead through alpine valleys and uncrowded forests. September also brings grape harvests and wine festivals across the Vipava Valley. With mild weather, outdoor adventures like cycling and kayaking are just as enjoyable as cultural exploration.

🍂 Recommended Tour: Eastern Capitals & The Dalmatian Riviera
Read Next: Why You Should Beat the Crowds to Slovenia – Europe’s Next Big Thing

13. Portugal

Temperature: 79 °F (26 °C) highs, 62 °F (14 °C) lows

Portugal offers sun-drenched autumnal days without summer’s frenzy. Stroll Lisbon’s cobblestone alleys, climb Porto’s terraced streets, or bask on the Algarve’s golden beaches. September marks grape harvest in the Douro Valley, perfect for wine tastings among terraced vineyards.

Cultural festivals add vibrancy, from Fado music nights to food fairs showcasing sardines, pastries, and port wine. With mild temperatures and fewer crowds, Portugal makes for a refined yet relaxed fall escape.

🍂 Recommended Tour: Country Roads of Portugal
Read Next: Discovering Porto’s Best-Kept Secrets with Travel Director Kristy

14. Patagonia, Chile

Temperature: 61 °F (16 °C) highs, 41 °F (5 °C) lows

In the Southern Hemisphere, September brings spring to Patagonia. Flowers bloom against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, and penguins return to nest along the coast. Long days mean more time for treks in Torres del Paine National Park, where granite spires pierce vivid skies.

Kayak through glacial lakes, spot guanacos grazing in meadows, or hike to the awe-inspiring Perito Moreno Glacier. With fewer visitors than in peak summer, the trails feel remote and magical.

🍂 Recommended Tour: Heart of Patagonia
Read Next: The Ultimate Patagonia Itinerary

15. Poland & Eastern Europe

Temperature: 61 °F (16 °C) highs, 45 °F (7 °C) lows

Poland and its Eastern European neighbors are full of autumn charm. In Kraków, the medieval Old Town glows under a canopy of fall colors, while Warsaw’s Łazienki Park turns into a painter’s palette of golds and reds. Outside the cities, the Tatra Mountains invite hikers with crisp air and panoramic trails, while smaller towns host harvest fairs with regional delicacies like oscypek (smoked cheese) and pierogi filled with seasonal mushrooms. Venturing further east, you’ll find uncrowded UNESCO sites, folklore festivals, and cozy cafés perfect for chilly evenings. With fewer crowds than Western Europe, Eastern Europe is an inspired September or October getaway.

🍂 Recommended Tour: Highlights of Eastern Europe
Read Next: Tales from the road, with a spotlight on Poland and Eastern Europe

Where are the best places to see fall foliage in the USA?

New England, the Great Smoky Mountains, and the White Mountain National Forest are the most iconic. Scenic drives like the Kancamagus Highway are famous for vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows.

What is the weather like in Europe in the fall?

Generally mild, with 60–75 °F (15–24 °C) in southern Europe (Italy, Spain, Portugal) and cooler temperatures in central/northern regions like Switzerland and Germany.

What are the best fall festivals in Europe?

Highlights include Oktoberfest in Munich, truffle and wine harvest festivals in Italy, and cultural events like Nuit Blanche in Paris and Amsterdam’s Museum Night.

What should I pack for a trip to Europe in the fall?

Pack layers: light sweaters, a warm jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and a waterproof layer for rain. Don’t forget a scarf for chilly evenings and a reusable water bottle for sustainable travel.