Autumn in Europe 2026: Where to Go for Golden Foliage

Autumn is the most comfortable season for traveling around Europe. Discover which destinations are worth visiting in 2026 and how to plan a worry-free trip

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Summer is winding down, and with it go the crowds, the queues at popular sights, and the inflated accommodation prices. For those who love travelling without the rush, autumn in Europe is arguably the most comfortable season: the air is cool but not yet wintry, landscapes turn gold and crimson, and cities regain a cosy atmosphere free of holidaymaker crowds.

If you're still deciding on your next destination, here are a few ideas from Euronews Travel, tried and tested by travellers who've crossed the continent in every season.

Also read: where to go in Europe for a day trip.

Planning a road trip across Europe in your own or a rented car? Don't forget to sort out an electronic road vignette — a mandatory document for driving on toll motorways in most European countries. It fully replaces the old paper stickers on the windscreen: all the data is stored in an official database, and verification happens automatically by your car's number plate. Getting one takes just a few minutes online, with no queues and no unnecessary paperwork. 

Buy your e-vignette now and hit the road without the hassle. 

Why autumn is a smart time to travel in Europe

Autumn's main advantage is balance. The weather usually stays mild right through to November, and once the school holidays end, hotels and flights become more affordable. Add seasonal harvest festivals and markets, plus the chance to wander through museums without another crowd of camera-wielding tourists in your way, and it's easy to see why more and more travellers are planning their trips for this time of year.

Top autumn destinations in Europe

Bavaria, Germany: castles among golden leaves

Photo – stvbavaria.org

Munich in autumn is especially pleasant for unhurried strolls — between cosy beer halls, markets, and cafés. But the real magic starts once you head south, toward the Alps. Neuschwanstein Castle, framed by fiery orange forests, remains one of the most photogenic spots on the continent, and the autumn colours only heighten the effect. Long mountain hikes, hearty Bavarian food, and an evening by the fireplace — it's a formula that's hard to get wrong.

Malta: sea air in autumn

For those who want to combine mountains with the sea, Malta is also worth considering: in November it's still warm enough for coastal walks, and the sunsets don't come with any autumn melancholy.

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Scotland, United Kingdom: mountains, whisky, and emerald hues

Scotland is beautiful all year round, but it's in autumn that its landscape truly comes alive — glens, lochs, and forests take on rich tones worth putting up with a few rainy days for. It's a great season for hiking, especially for anyone planning to bag a "Munro" — a peak over 3,000 feet. And after an active day, there's nothing better than warming up in a pub with a glass of local whisky and a hearty home-cooked meal.

The easiest countries to get a Schengen visa in 2026 — find out here.

A Baltic autumn: Riga and Sigulda, Latvia

Photo – pelago.com

Latvia's capital draws visitors in with its UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town, museums, and craft breweries — and it's equally striking in summer or winter. But the region's true seasonal gem is the small town of Sigulda, unofficially known in Latvia as the "autumn capital." It's about a 45-minute train ride from Riga, and by October the banks of the Gauja River turn into a solid sheet of orange. The best views open up from the cable car and the grounds of Turaida Castle.

Monaco in autumn: luxury without the crowds

In summer, the tiny principality on the French Riviera is practically overrun with tourists, which makes the off-season the ideal time to get to know it. Autumn is a good time to explore on foot — admire the futuristic architecture of Mareterra, drop by Princess Grace's Rose Garden in Fontvieille, and round off the day with a sea-view dinner at one of Monte Carlo's restaurants blending Mediterranean cuisine with Caribbean touches.

Some of Europe's landmarks can be visited for free in September — see the full list here.

Italy: slow living among colourful leaves

Photo – Magnific

For anyone dreaming of a slower pace of life, an Italian autumn is close to ideal. Small towns, unhurried cafés, mountains and lakes changing colour — it all creates an atmosphere that's hard to recreate in any other season. Wandering the streets of old towns while dry, colourful leaves crunch underfoot is a simple pleasure, but one well worth planning a trip around.

The English countryside, United Kingdom: forests, ponies, and cosy pubs

Britain's countryside in autumn is often underrated, even though it offers one of the most atmospheric getaways around — light rain, the earthy scent of wet fallen leaves, squirrels darting between the trees. The Lake District draws hikers with routes up into the hills and along the shores of its lakes, while the New Forest in the south is known for its wild ponies, which roam freely through the woods and heathland. This kind of trip suits those who value quiet and a connection with nature more than city sightseeing.

5 popular European bus tour routes — via the link.

What to consider when planning an autumn 2026 trip

Beyond choosing a destination, it's worth getting familiar in advance with the new rules for crossing Schengen Area borders in autumn 2026. The EES (Entry/Exit System), which records the entry and exit of third-country nationals via biometric data, became fully operational across all Schengen borders in April 2026, and the temporary relief measures at individual crossing points mostly ran only until early September. That means first-time border crossings should factor in an extra 30–60 minutes for fingerprint registration and photographing — the process is faster after that.

What to check before you leave

- Your passport's validity — at least three months beyond your planned return date;

- The current entry requirements for the specific country on your route, since they can vary by border crossing;

- Whether you need any road documents, if you're planning to drive your own or a rented car on Europe's toll motorways.

Autumn remains one of the most comfortable seasons for exploring Europe — and the more carefully your logistics are planned in advance, the less time you'll spend on admin along the way, and the more you'll have for the experience itself.

Autumn trips through Bavaria, Scotland, or the Italian coast often involve travelling by car — giving you the freedom to choose your own route and stop wherever the scenery calls for it. But driving on toll motorways in many European countries requires an electronic road vignette — a digital document confirming payment that's checked automatically via your vehicle's number plate. You can get it in advance, from home, without wasting time at the border or hunting for a paper sticker at petrol stations. It's especially handy if your route runs through several countries in a row — say, from Bavaria to the Alpine passes, or along the French Riviera. 

Get your e-vignette online and plan your road trip without unnecessary stops or paperwork. 

A reminder! Wellness tourism is having a real moment. We've already covered which destinations are leading the 2026 retreat rankings and what makes them stand out.

Photo – generated with Gemini

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