The best places to visit in autumn – the editors' picks

Autumn’s a special time to explore the northern hemisphere. The crowds ease up, the air feels just right, and the landscapes turn into stunning scenes of color. From Colorado’s glowing aspens to Kyoto’s fiery red maples, here’s our guide to the best places to visit in fall, with tips from our local travel experts.

Aspen, Colorado, USA

Best for: golden aspen trees, leaf-peeping, mountain adventures, and scenic drives.

The namesake aspen trees transform the Rocky Mountains into a display of shimmering gold, making this season distinctly magical. Fall brings a more relaxed atmosphere to this mountain town, with local harvest markets and wine festivals replacing winter ski crowds.

 The Aspen Film Festival draws cinephiles from across the globe, while the Golden Leaf Half Marathon challenges runners with spectacular mountain views.

Things to do in Aspen in the fall

Start your Aspen experience with a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Roaring Fork Valley, where the first light turns the landscape into a golden glow. The Aspen Saturday Market, running through early October, is perfect for browsing local artisan goods and fresh produce. 

For a classic fall hike, head up the Crater Lake Trail, winding through beautiful aspen groves to reach an alpine lake. In the evening, savor farm-to-table dinners at Rock Bottom Ranch, featuring dishes inspired by the fall harvest.

Kyoto, Japan

Best for: Momiji (maple viewing), traditional festivals, and seasonal kaiseki cuisine.

Prime fall foliage season brings Kyoto's most photogenic moments, as maple trees (momiji) paint the city's 1,600 temples and shrines in vibrant colors. October brings the Jidai Matsuri, a lively festival with a parade of historical costumes winding through Kyoto's streets. 

This season is perfect for experiencing special temple openings, attending tea ceremonies, and trying unique seasonal treats like matsutake mushrooms and momiji tempura (yes, fried maple leaves in a sweet batter!). Just be sure to book early—this season is as popular as cherry blossom time.

Things to do in Kyoto in the fall

The early morning silence at Ryoan-ji Temple is a peaceful way to appreciate the garden's changing colors. For a cultural immersion, join a traditional tea gathering in Gion’s historic teahouses, where seasonal wagashi sweets capture autumn’s flavors. 

As dusk falls, special illuminations at Kiyomizu-dera and lanterns in the Arashiyama bamboo grove make for an enchanting evening. For more inspiration, see our Japan itineraries or our guide to the best area in Kyoto.

Bavaria, Germany

Best for: Oktoberfest celebrations, wine harvests, traditional festivals, and fairytale castle views

In Bavaria, Germany, fall is more than just Oktoberfest. Beyond Munich’s famous celebration, the region embraces autumn with the Wurstmarkt wine festival in Bad Dürkheim and local kirchweih festivals, each filled with culture and community spirit. 

This season brings hearty dishes like wild game and zwiebelkuchen (onion tart), perfect alongside federweißer (young wine). Neuschwanstein Castle stands above forests draped in red and gold, looking straight out of a fairytale. 

Things to do in Bavaria in the fall

Wine lovers can join in grape harvests in Franconia’s ancient vineyards, while a ride on the autumn panorama train through the Tauber Valley with romantic views of fall colors from a historic steam locomotive.

 In Bad Hindelang, don’t miss the almabtrieb, a lively cow parade celebrating the return from summer pastures. And at Munich’s Viktualienmarkt, fall’s seasonal treasures—from wild chanterelles to mountain berries—reach their peak. See our German itineraries for more inspiration.

Nova Scotia, Canada

Best for: Celtic music festivals, dramatic coastal drives, and lobster season

Fall brings Nova Scotia's most vibrant period,  as the Celtic Colours International Festival lights up Cape Breton Island with Celtic music, dancing, and heritage celebrations that showcase local Scottish and Irish roots.

Fall also marks peak lobster season, with coastal communities hosting kitchen parties and seafood festivals. This is a great time to watch for whales who migrate along the coast during the fall. Meanwhile, inland forests burst into color, especially along the famous Cabot Trail.

Things to do in Nova Scotia in the fall

Fall activities here are endless. Stop by the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market for fresh-pressed apple cider and seasonal treats, or head to Peggy’s Cove, where you can join local fishermen on a lobster fishing adventure. The Skyline Trail is another highlight, with views of the coast framed by autumn colors, while the Annapolis Valley’s wineries welcome guests for grape picking and tastings.

The Scottish Highlands, Scotland

Best for: Highland Games, whisky harvests, and dramatic mountain landscapes

The Scottish Highlands in autumn bring russet heather, golden bracken, and crisp, cool air. This is your last chance to catch the Highland Games, and whisky distilleries are in full production. In Glen Etive, you can watch the red deer rut in October, or explore Eilean Donan Castle without the summer crowds. Evenings are perfect for settling into a local pub for traditional music and a dram of single malt. 

Things to do in the Scottish Highlands in the fall

For a unique fall experience, take a vintage steam train ride on the Strathspey Railway with whisky tastings aboard 1950s carriages, or join foragers hunting for mushrooms and berries in Glen Affric’s ancient pine forest. 

At Dalwhinnie Distillery, learn about whisky-making and see the barley harvest up close in September, while the Pitlochry Theatre’s autumn festival hosts intimate performances of Scottish drama and music. Rothiemurchus Forest is ideal for bird-watching.

If you're ready to plan your trip, see our 10 day Scottish itineraries. 

Napa Valley, California, USA

Best for: wine harvest celebrations, farm-to-table dining, and culinary festivals

In Napa, fall is the most exciting season as the grape harvest (crush) comes to life. The Harvest Wine Train hosts special events, and wineries invite visitors to traditional grape-stomping festivals. Beyond wine, autumn brings the Napa Valley Film Festival and intimate farm-to-table feasts, while wild mustard flowers carpet vineyard rows.

Things to do in Napa Valley in the fall

Start your morning with the sight of hot air balloons floating over misty vineyards, giving you a bird’s-eye view of the bustling harvest below. The Oxbow Public Market is alive during this season with fall produce and seasonal cooking demonstrations.

Visit Grgich Hills Estate or Frog’s Leap Winery for traditional crush events, or book a candlelit harvest dinner in Schramsberg’s historic caves. At Robert Sinskey Vineyards, see biodynamic grape sorting in action, and Heitz Cellar opens its stone cellar for evening tastings.

Paris, France

Best for: cultural festivals, art exhibitions, food markets, and vintage shopping

This season, the city’s Festival d'Automne, running from September to December, takes over historic venues with contemporary arts, and unique events like Nuit Blanche (an all-night art festival) and the decadent Salon du Chocolat attract both locals and visitors. Markets are filled with seasonal produce, making it a fantastic time to experience neighborhood cafés and wine bars with a relaxed, authentic vibe.

Things to do in Paris in the fall

To make the most of autumn in Paris, visit the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen in October or November, the city’s largest flea market, perfect for vintage treasures in the crisp air. If the weather turns, duck into the glass-roofed Galerie Vivienne; browse rare books at Librairie Jousseaume, then warm up with a hot chocolate at A Priori Thé. For an intimate evening, try a candlelit wine tasting in the Caves du Louvre, where fall adds a special cozy touch. 

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Best for: art exhibitions, food festivals, concert seasons, and canal-side autumn scenery

In the fall, Amsterdam’s elm trees drop golden leaves into the canals, and historic concert halls open their classical music seasons. The Amsterdam Dance Event turns venues across the city into electronic music hubs, while Museum Night keeps cultural institutions open until dawn. Traditional brown cafés are especially cozy, serving seasonal beers and hearty Dutch stews.

Things to do in Amsterdam in the fall

For a unique experience in October, the Amsterdam Food & Film Festival pairs Dutch films with local treats in historic theaters across the city. Take a bike ride through Amsterdamse Bos, where paths wind through amber and gold forests, leading to apple orchards and windmills. 

For something truly special, catch a candlelit concert in the Oude Kerk during the Early Music Festival. And don’t miss the Albert Cuyp Market for seasonal treats like warm stroopwafels, fresh herring, and spiced speculaas cookies fresh from century-old bakeries.

Iceland

Best for: Northern Lights viewing, autumn hiking, and hot springs

Shorter days in Iceland in the fall make it ideal for Northern Lights viewing against dark skies. The traditional réttir in September marks the return of sheep from summer pastures, and coastal waters are full of migrating whales. Rural areas celebrate the harvest with food festivals featuring smoked lamb and Arctic char, while geothermal pools steam invitingly in the cool autumn air.

Things to do in Iceland in the fall

For an unforgettable experience, hike through the autumn-hued valleys to the Reykjadalur hot spring river for a natural soak. In early November, Iceland Airwaves festival turns Reykjavík’s churches, museums, and even thermal pools into music venues. Skógafoss waterfall is especially serene in fall, especially in the morning. Fishing villages welcome visitors for tastings of plokkfiskur (fish stew), while the Icelandic Food Festival in Akureyri showcases traditional preservation methods.

To start planning your trip, see our 10-day, and 14-day Icelandic itineraries.

The Great Smoky Mountains, USA

Best for: Appalachian culture, wildlife viewing, and mountain crafts

If you’re planning your trip for this fall, the Smoky Mountains are perfect for enjoying the best of Appalachian culture, mountain crafts, wildlife, and, of course, the stunning autumn colors. From September to November, vibrant foliage sweeps across the mountains, which is great scenery for a drive. 

In Cataloochee Valley, keep an eye out for elk during mating season and black bears as they forage for berries. Stop by the Folk Art Center to see local artisans practicing traditional woodcarving, quilting, and pottery

Things to do in the Smoky Mountains in the fall

 For more fall fun, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a 6-mile scenic drive past preserved pioneer sites, like the Noah "Bud" Ogle cabin and mill. Mingus Mill also comes alive with demonstrators grinding corn using its original 1886 water-powered system. 

Meanwhile, Cades Cove hosts the Smoky Mountain Folk Festival, where traditional music fills the valley. You’ll also find historic mountain communities celebrating harvest time, with farmsteads making sorghum syrup using methods that go back centuries.

New England, USA

Best for: leaf-peeping, harvest festivals, coastal seafood, and historic towns

Each state in New England offers its own autumn character — from Vermont's red barns against golden maples to Maine's rugged coastline dotted with ripening wild blueberries. 

Head to traditional county fairs for a taste of New England’s agricultural roots or check out coastal oyster and lobster festivals. In historic villages, you’ll find apple pressing, maple syrup grading, and corn mazes, while cranberry bogs come alive with the harvest season.

Things to do in New England in the fall

The Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) brings together all six New England states for the region's largest agricultural fair. Vermont’s Route 100 winds through mountain towns with cozy general stores for maple syrup tastings and fresh cider. 

In Maine, visit working harbors for lobster boat tours during peak season, or cruise down New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway for unbeatable mountain views. Over in Massachusetts, the Berkshires combine fall colors with artsy vibes, featuring concerts at Tanglewood and new exhibits at MASS MoCA. 

Prague, Czech Republic

Best for: classical music festivals, beer harvest celebrations, and castle tours

In the fall Prague’s cultural calendar reaches its height with the Dvořák Prague Festival, which fills Gothic churches with beautiful classical music. Traditional beer halls join the festivities by celebrating the hop harvest, while a morning fog adds an extra layer of mystery to the city’s medieval streets. At Prague Castle, vineyards host wine festivals, where you can sip and enjoy stunning views over the city’s iconic spires and red-tiled rooftops.

Things to do in Prague in the fall

Don’t miss the St. Wenceslas Festival at Old Town Square, where medieval markets sell hot mead and traditional Czech pastries, and craftspeople showcase ancient arts like glass blowing and metalwork. 

For a quieter moment, wander through Lesser Town’s hidden gardens, where the vibrant fall colors beautifully frame the Baroque architecture. Or, join an evening ghost tour through the lanes of Old Town in the misty autumn air.

Puglia, Italy

Best for: olive harvesting, wine festivals, and uncrowded coastal towns

Fall reveals authentic Puglia as olive groves buzz with harvest activity and grape pressing begins in ancient masserie (fortified farmhouses). As the olive groves come alive with harvest activity and grape pressing kicks off in historic masserie, the summer crowds fade, leaving room for local sagre (food festivals) to fill the medieval piazzas where you can try orecchiette pasta, Primitivo wine, and fresh-pressed olive oil. 

The weather stays warm enough for Adriatic swims in September, while October and November bring cooler, comfortable days ideal for exploring baroque Lecce and the “white city” of Ostuni.

Things to do in Puglia in the fall

Fall highlights include joining the Primitivo grape harvest in Manduria’s ancient vineyards and learning traditional olive oil pressing techniques at Gallipoli’s underground museum. 

Evening passeggiata in Monopoli has a cozy feel as locals share roasted chestnuts along the medieval seafront. And in Ceglie Messapica, hidden courtyards come alive during the Festival dell’Olio Nuovo, where families serve classic dishes made with just-pressed olive oil. 

If you're ready for a trip to Italy, check out our 7-day, 10-day and 14-day Italian itineraries. 

Transylvania, Romania

Best for: medieval festivals, harvest celebrations, vampire lore, and mountain hiking

Transylvania becomes truly enchanting in fall, when morning mist shrouds medieval castles and the Sărbătoarea Recoltei (Harvest Festival) fills Saxon village squares. Rășinari, the Festivalul Brânzei și Țuicii celebrates the return of shepherds with rich sheep’s cheese and plum brandy, while folk musicians gather for the Hora de la Prislop in the Carpathian foothills. Jidvei Castle opens its centuries-old wine cellars for tastings in the atmospheric vaults. 

Things to do in Transylvania in the fall

Fall activities range from evening tours of Bran Castle, rich with vampire lore, to exploring medieval festivals in the citadel of Sighișoara. Traditional Saxon villages start their harvest celebrations this season, with homemade țuică and freshly baked cozonac. Fortified churches rise above autumn-colored valleys, which truly complete the scene. 

Seoul, South Korea

Best for: temple festivals, royal palace ceremonies, and mountain hiking

Fall transforms Seoul as red maples and yellow ginkgo trees line the streets in Namsan Park, forming golden paths up to Seoul Tower. At Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Jumong Festival recreates traditional archery ceremonies, while the cool weather invites locals to Bukhansan Mountain for panoramic sights along ancient fortress walls. 

Fall also starts Korea’s traditional festival season, filling streets with temple bells and the smell of roasting chestnuts. 

Things to do in Seoul in the fall

 Don’t miss the Seoul Yeon Deung Festival at Jogyesa Temple, where 20,000 handmade lanterns light up the night, or a Moonlight Tour of Changdeokgung Palace, where gagok musicians perform in gardens usually closed to the public.

Head to Gwangjang Market tp try the of best hotteok (sweet pancake) and or tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) in steaming pots.

Ready to see Seoul? See our guide to the best areas to stay, or our guide to the best things to do in South Korea.

The list could go on for much longer, but here's our pick. If you're ready to take a trip this fall, see our trip ideas gallery for itinerary inspiration. Or, skip the hassle of planning and booking with our tailor-made trip service. Our trips are completely customizable and are created by local travel experts rafted to ensure you make the most of this beautiful season.