10 Best Fall Trips In Europe That Have Nothing To Do With Chasing Fall Foliage

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Every time September rolls around, the travel world immediately starts pushing the exact same aesthetic: cozy sweaters, hot apple cider, and chasing red and orange leaves through a forest.

There’s nothing wrong with a good fall foliage trip, but sometimes you want something different. Maybe you want to squeeze out the last few drops of warm beach weather, maybe you want to hike rugged mountains before the winter snow shuts them down, or maybe you just want to eat world-class food without fighting the peak-season summer crowds.

My job is basically scoping out the world for you guys, and I’ve found that autumn is actually the best time to experience Europe’s most notorious hotspots.

If you are ready to ditch the leaf-peeping itinerary, here are the 10 best fall trips in Europe that offer something completely different.

1. Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain)

While the rest of Europe is pulling their heavy coats out of the closet, the Canary Islands are still operating on a flawless summer frequency. Located off the coast of West Africa, Tenerife enjoys year-round warm weather, making it the perfect autumn beach escape.

• The Vibe: Volcanic coastlines meeting lively Spanish culture. You get the warmth of the tropics with the infrastructure of the European Union.
• The Highlight: Spending the morning on a black sand beach and the afternoon exploring the otherworldly lava fields of Teide National Park.

Tip From The Editor (me): Skip the busy resort towns in the south (Playa de las Américas) and head up to the rugged northern coast near Anaga Rural Park. The hiking trails there are steep and damp. I strictly wear my trail-running Hokas for these paths because the grip is the only thing keeping you from slipping on the volcanic rock.

2. Dubrovnik, Croatia

I traveled to Dubrovnik in October of last year (you can read about it here if you like), and it completely changed my perspective on the city. During the summer, the walled Old Town is swarming with cruise ship passengers and extreme heat. By late fall, the ships sail away, the temperature drops to a comfortable breeze, and the city actually breathes again.

• The Vibe: A perfectly preserved medieval fortress city sitting right on the deep blue Adriatic Sea.
• The Highlight: Walking the ancient city walls at your own pace without elbowing a single tour group.

Tip From The Editor (me): Go up on the city walls about an hour before sunset. The golden light hits the terracotta roofs and the limestone streets perfectly. If you carry a good camera like me, this is the exact moment you want to be shooting to avoid harsh midday shadows. Just keep an eye on the closing time for the walls, we were too late the first day and had to come back another day.

3. Bologna, Italy

You do not go to Bologna for the scenery; you go to eat. Recognized as the culinary capital of Italy, this city is the birthplace of tortellini, mortadella, and authentic ragù. Fall is the harvest season, meaning the local markets are overflowing with fresh truffles and porcini mushrooms.

• The Vibe: Warm, historic, and centered entirely around long, slow meals. The city is famous for its miles of covered porticos, making it a great walking city even if it rains.
• The Highlight: Sitting at a tiny outdoor table and eating fresh pasta that was hand-rolled that exact morning.

Tip From The Editor (me): My wife Liz and I spent a few days eating our way through this city, and the best meals are never on the main squares. Duck into the narrow side streets of the Quadrilatero district. Find a small Osteria with no English menu in the window and order whatever the daily special is.

4. Iceland

If you want a moody, dramatic autumn escape, Iceland is unmatched. The summer midnight sun is gone, bringing back the dark nights required to spot the Northern Lights, but the brutal winter blizzards haven’t fully set in yet.

• The Vibe: Rugged, isolated, and visually striking. You get geothermal hot springs, roaring waterfalls, and vast lava fields.
• The Highlight: Driving the Ring Road and stopping at secluded hot springs to warm up in the crisp autumn air.

Tip From The Editor (me): I did a quick two-day stopover trip here last September and rented a van from Happy Campers. It is the absolute best way to see the country on your own schedule. Just pack smart—I fit all my heavy layers into a single Travelpro carry-on to avoid waiting at the baggage claim. (Read more about that here if you like)

5. Santorini, Greece

Santorini in July is hot, expensive, and crowded. Santorini in late September and October is a dream. The Aegean Sea is still warm enough for swimming, but the streets of Oia are quiet enough that you can actually enjoy the view.

• The Vibe: The classic Greek Island aesthetic—whitewashed buildings and blue domes clinging to the edge of a submerged volcanic crater.
• The Highlight: Watching the world-famous sunset without having to claim a spot three hours in advance.

Tip From The Editor (me): Everyone focuses on the views from the cliffs, but the perspective from the water is even better. Book a scuba diving trip to explore the volcanic caldera. The underwater volcanic rock formations are sharp and dramatic, and the visibility in the fall is crystal clear.

6. Tara River Canyon, Montenegro

If you want adrenaline instead of autumn leaves, head to northern Montenegro. The Tara River Canyon is the deepest canyon in Europe, and fall offers the perfect crisp weather for outdoor adventure before the winter snow shuts the region down.

• The Vibe: Wild, untamed nature. It feels like a hidden corner of Europe that the mainstream travel industry completely forgot about.
• The Highlight: White water rafting down the bright turquoise river, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.

Tip From The Editor (me): If you are doing the rafting trip, do not trust a standard backpack. I always transfer my wallet and phone into a heavy-duty dry bag and clip it to the raft. The rapids here will soak everything you own.

7. Algarve, Portugal

Southern Portugal is famous for its towering sea cliffs and golden beaches. By October, the summer tourists have cleared out, but the sun is still shining and the Atlantic surf is picking up, making it prime season for coastal exploration.

• The Vibe: A laid-back surfer’s paradise mixed with historic fishing villages.
• The Highlight: Taking a small boat tour to explore the Benagil sea caves without fighting for space on the sand.

Tip From The Editor (me): The Seven Hanging Valleys trail traces the edge of the sea cliffs here. It is one of the best spots in Europe for trail running. The weather in the fall is breezy and cool, making it the perfect climate to push your pace along the coastline.

8. Munich, Germany

You cannot talk about fall in Europe without mentioning Oktoberfest. Taking place from mid-September into early October, it is a cultural phenomenon that has absolutely nothing to do with looking at trees.

Munich is my personal favorite for a fall trip. The weather is phenomenal, the beer is fantastic, and the parks are gorgeous. We’ve always gone the cheaper route and stayed at Buddy Hotel, but we spend so little time in our hotel we don’t need anything fancy and the beds here are clean and comfy. Plus you are right near the action.

• The Vibe: Loud, festive, and steeped in Bavarian tradition. Millions of people gathering to celebrate local beer, food, and music.
• The Highlight: Securing a table in one of the main tents, ordering a liter of local beer, and eating a fresh pretzel the size of your head.

Tip From The Editor (me): The main festival grounds (Theresienwiese) get chaotic by the afternoon. Go early, enjoy the tents, and then grab your Gregory daypack and escape to the English Garden. It is a sprawling city park where you can sit by the river and watch locals surf the standing wave on the Eisbach stream.

9. Ibiza, Spain

Ibiza is known globally as a summer party capital. But in late September and October, the massive superclubs host their “closing parties,” and the island undergoes a complete transformation. It sheds the nightlife reputation and reverts to a quiet, bohemian retreat.

• The Vibe: Slow-paced, holistic, and deeply relaxing. The beaches empty out, the yoga retreats open up, and the local markets take over.
• The Highlight: Having hidden coves like Cala Saladeta entirely to yourself.

Tip From The Editor (me): When the island gets this quiet, it is the perfect time to shoot 35mm film. The harsh summer sun softens up in the autumn, giving the white-washed buildings and turquoise water a beautiful, timeless, grainy texture that digital sensors struggle to replicate.

10. Innsbruck, Austria

If you want a head start on winter, head straight to the Alps. Innsbruck sits in a deep valley surrounded by towering peaks. In the fall, the city is crisp and cool, while the high-altitude mountains are already getting their first dustings of snow.

• The Vibe: A refined Austrian city operating in the shadow of extreme alpine peaks.
• The Highlight: Riding the Nordkette cable car. You can walk out of a cafe in the historic city center and be standing on a snowy mountain peak 20 minutes later.

Tip From The Editor (me): Before the heavy snow hits the lower elevations, the hiking trails just outside the city are pristine. Pack a thermos of hot coffee, take the funicular halfway up the mountain to the Hungerburg station, and spend the morning exploring the pine forests in the crisp alpine air.

Fall travel in Europe is a completely different experience when you look past the foliage and focus on the culture, the food, and the empty coastlines. Pack your bags and enjoy the absolute best season to cross the Atlantic.

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