11 Cozy Places To Visit In Europe In The Fall
When the air gets crisp and the leaves turn orange, I’m ready to plan a cozy European getaway. I’m a huge fan of shoulder season travel, and fall in Europe might be my favorite time of year.
In this article, I’m skipping big cities and I’ll focus on cozy, smaller towns. Think vibrant orange trees lining cobblestone streets, you can walk everywhere, and there are many cute cafes to jump into for a quick snack and a warm drink.
October is the best time to visit most of these places, but southern towns stay warm and pleasant throughout November.
Let’s get started with the best places to visit in Europe in the fall!
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1. Ghent, Belgium
Ghent is the epitome of cozy European towns and one of my favorite fall destinations in Europe. This beautiful medieval town is one of the most underrated destinations in Europe, and certainly worth the trip from Brussels airport.
I visited Ghent in every season over the years, but early fall is my favorite when you can bundle up and enjoy a chilly and sunny day before it starts to rain for weeks on end.
In autumn, the canals reflect colorful leaves, and the whole city has this laid-back, cozy vibe with students cycling everywhere.
Some of the best things to do in Ghent are a visit to Graslei and Korenlei for the best canal views, and Gravensteen Castle for a dose of history.
You need to try a cinnamon roll from Have a Roll and grab a coffee or a matcha from Full Circle cafe.
2. Strasbourg, France
Most people visit Strasbourg for the Christmas Market, but I’d argue that fall is the time when the city truly shines. I lived in Strasbourg for over a year, and I loved the city in the fall.
Half-timbered houses line the cobblestone streets, and canals reflect vibrant autumn leaves. The weather is cool but pleasant, perfect for wandering through La Petite France, cycling around, and visiting Strasbourg Cathedral.
If you climb the cathedral tower in autumn for panoramic views over the city, you’ll also see the Black Forest and mountains in their fall colors in the distance.
Fall is also wine harvest season in Alsace, so you can take a day trip from Strasbourg to the nearby villages like Riquewihr or Eguisheim for wine tastings and vineyard walks.
3. Istria, Croatia
I lived in Istria for most of my life, and believe me when I tell you that beaches are not nearly as stunning as the rest of the region. As the summer crowds go home and the weather gets chillier, the region transforms into an autumn fairytale.
You can still fly into Pula from many places in Europe until mid-October, rent a car, and go on a road trip around Istria. You can also visit Istria without a car, but having a car will allow you the most freedom.
Some of the places you should visit are the hilltop villages like Motovun and Grožnjan, the Korita hiking trail, the waterfall near Pazin, and wine tasting in Kozlović Winery.
I suggest staying in Pula or Rovinj, they’re the most lively areas in the shoulder season, and it doesn’t hurt that Rovinj is one of the most beautiful places in Istria.
4. Kraków, Poland
Kraków is another medieval gem on this list with cobblestone streets, a hilltop castle, and ancient city gates. It feels like you’ve stepped straight into a fairy tale!
I visited Kraków several times, and loved wandering the UNESCO-listed Old Town, popping into cafés and bakeries for vegan Polish delicacies, and exploring the Kazimierz district for history and culture.
Also, Polish cuisine was made for cold weather, and you’ll love their warming comfort food. Kraków gets cold as November rolls around, so make sure to pack layers!
A weekend in Kraków is the perfect amount of time to see all the main tourist attractions. If you have more time, you can also take a day trip to Zakopane and the Tatra National Park. I can only imagine how picturesque the Morskie Oko hike is in autumn!
5. Bruges, Belgium
Another Belgian city on this list, but it doesn’t get more cozy than Bruges in Belgium! This medieval town with cobblestone streets and picturesque houses is a fantastic autumn weekend getaway in Europe.
I visited Bruges in different seasons, and it’s lovely at any time of the year. While it is the most popular time to visit in the winter for Christmas Markets, fall is much less crowded.
Take a canal boat ride, climb the Belfry Tower, and enjoy hot chocolate in a cozy café. Chocolate Bar Brugge has a vegan waffle, so it’s my go-to spot every time I’m in town!
I suggest spending a night in the city, so you have 2 days in Bruges and you can explore the city after dark when most tourists go back to Brussels.
6. Graz, Austria
Despite being Austria’s second-largest city, Graz has a laid-back, small-city vibe, and everything is close enough to explore on foot.
I visited Graz on a day trip twice, once in winter for Christmas markets and once in early fall, and I loved it both times.
The Schlossberg Hill is especially beautiful in autumn, and climbing (or taking the funicular) rewards you with panoramic views.
7. Brasov, Romania
Thanks to all the Count Dracula stories, Romania is a popular fall destination, especially for Halloween. But even if you’re not into eerie history, Brasov and its surrounding mountains make for a fantastic European fall destination.
Explore the medieval old town, take the cable car up Tampa Mountain for views over the rooftops, and visit Bran Castle, often considered the place where Dracula lived.
I also loved the 7 Waterfalls hike, so be sure to add it to your itinerary if you visit before it closes for winter.
If you have time, rent a car and drive the Transfăgărășan Road. It’s often called one of the most scenic roads in the world, and I really enjoyed it. The road closes in late October or early November, depending on the weather conditions, so check in advance!
8. Edinburgh, the UK
If you’re a book lover, I think Edinburgh is one of the best fall destinations in Europe. This Scottish city feels like the perfect setting for a dark academia novel and I absolutely love in the fall.
Walk the Royal Mile and admire the historic buildings in an autumn atmosphere, and the city’s parks, especially Princes Street Gardens and Holyrood Park, are spectacular with autumn leaves.
If you’re lucky with the weather, Climb Arthur’s Seat for panoramic views over the city and the Firth of Forth. For rainy days, you have whisky tastings, literary events, and Halloween celebrations to enjoy the city like a local.
Also, Edinburgh has an airport, which makes it easily accessible from all over Europe!
9. Coimbra, Portugal
I visited Coimbra in early November, and it was one of the highlights of my backpacking Portugal adventure.
Coimbra is best known as a university town, and its unique traditions and black cape uniforms were one of the inspirations for the Harry Potter books!
While most people visit on a day trip, I suggest spending 2 days in Coimbra. By spending a night in the city, you get to enjoy one of the famous fado performances and see how lively the city gets with all the students coming back for a new school year.
Coimbra is also a great base to explore Central Portugal, including the wine regions just in time for the harvest.
10. Aix-en-Provence, France
Aix-en-Provence inspired so many paintings, so you know this French countryside town is worth a visit.
The weather is mild, the markets overflow with seasonal produce, and the mountains around you are bursting with color, perfect for a hiking trip!
The lavender fields might have lost their colors, but you won’t even miss them as you stroll the cobblestone streets of the Old Town with a warm drink in hand and explore many picturesque corners.
Spend at least 2 days in Aix-en-Provence, and you can take a road trip to the famous Luberon villages if you have a car or join a tour. Also, you must try vegan pastries in Land&Monkeys, it’s my favorite bakery in town!
11. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Finally, we have the capital of Slovenia – Ljubljana. You might be wondering, how is a capital on the list of cozy destinations in Europe? It’s because Ljubljana is one of the coziest capitals I’ve ever visited!
Ljubljana might be the largest town in Slovenia, but it is a compact city with large pedestrian areas you can easily explore on foot. Living in Istria, I visited Ljubljana many times in every season, but I’d say fall gives it a special charm. The weather is pleasant throughout November, and colorful trees lining the river are stunning on sunny days.
Climb the Ljubljana Castle hill for panoramic views over a city framed in autumn colors, stroll the cobblestone streets of the city center, or enjoy a warm drink in one of the bars along the river.
The cooler weather is also perfect for cycling along the river or taking day trips to Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj. Nature in Slovenia is stunning!
Summary: Best Fall Destinations In Europe
Europe is stunning in the fall with many small towns to visit and enjoy the cozy vibes, colorful foliage, and crisp weather.
There are so many places to explore to enjoy the calm of the shoulder season. Just picture drinking a warm pumpkin spice latte while strolling cobblestone streets admiring picturesque houses and medieval castles.
Skip big cities this fall, and get off the beaten path and explore smaller towns and the countryside. Some of the places that capture that cozy fall atmosphere the best are Ghent in Belgium, Strasbourg in France, and Istria in Croatia.
You’d rather catch the last rays of the sun on a beach? Here are the best places to swim in Europe in early fall!
