I’ve Been To Over 40 European Countries: Here’s My 4 Favorite For Lush Fall Foliage
I don’t learn about you, however I’m prepared for this sweltering heatwave to lastly cross.
Enough of island-hopping across the Maddalena archipelago, gelato by the pier in Amalfi, and toasting within the solar like fried calamari in Menorca.
I’m counting down the times till it’s sweater, fire climate, and it’s time to flee to the mountains for a few of that crisp, cool air.
After 8+ years of solo touring round Europe—and being based mostly in Paris, the much-loved, equally-despised City of Lights—I used to be certain to have my choose few favorites so far as fall getaways go.
If you’re impatient for fall foliage, that coppery sea of pine timber extending so far as the attention can see, and a scorching chockie date because it drizzles gently exterior, I’ve bought it lined for you:
From your favourite Travel Off Path Eurocorrespondent, with 40+ European countries underneath his belt and a decade’s price of years residing in Paris to again it up, right here’s my prime 4 all-time favourite European autumnal escapes.
Scotland
Scottish Highlands
Everyone flocks to Scotland to witness the Gothic spires of Edinburgh, or in the event that they’re devoted Potterheads, the Harry Potter-featured Glenfinnan Viaduct in individual, however the principle purpose why I maintain getting drawn again to the Land of the Gaels 12 months after 12 months is the huge, untamed wilderness that’s the Highlands.
Stretching from Fort William all the best way north to Thurso, with numerous rugged islands and sea lochs mendacity simply offshore, this huge wilderness presents epic Munro hikes, misty lochs, dramatic castles perched atop vertiginous coastal cliffs, and among the dreamiest fall surroundings you would presumably ask for.
Glen Coe is what I wish to name the European Banff:
Think big mountains, moody valleys, pristine waterfalls emptying into glassy basins, and that countless burnt-orange woodland that appears virtually surreal. Bidean nam Bian is especially spectacular within the fall, and when you’ve introduced your tenting gear alongside, there’s loads of wild tenting spots within the space.
You’ll actually be sleeping beneath the autumn colours.
Then there’s the Cairngorms, a nationwide park greatest for that basic Highland wilderness. Loch Morlich is surrounded by golden birch and russet foliage, and over in Glenmore, you’ll discover monumental swathes of birch and pine that flip virtually copper at sundown, backdropped by these jagged mountains.
My favourite Scottish fall hideaway, nevertheless? That has to be the Isle of Skye, a rugged island accessible by a causeway bridge, recognized for its windswept grassland, colourful harbor cities, and crystal-clear Fairy Pools.
Scotland In The Fall
Best City/Town Breaks
- Edinburgh: lovely capital metropolis recognized for its Gothic structure and golden parks
- Glasgow: the largest, most metropolitan hub, filled with Victorian-era monuments and energetic pubs
- Inverness: the right small metropolis proper on the doorstep of the glassy Loch Ness
- Stirling: a castle-dominated city surrounded by russet-colored hills
Best Parks & Nature
- Cairngorms: for the final word fall wilderness vibe, with golden birch forests and historical pines galore
- Loch Lomond & The Trossarchs: Scotland’s prettiest lake, inside simple attain of Highland peaks
- Glen Coe: a postcard-ready autumn valley that includes towering mountains and fiery forests
- Glen Affric: greatest for historical Caledonian pinewoods and secret lochs in each course
How Safe Is Scotland Right Now?
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, scores 83 out of 100 on the Traveler Safety Index, based mostly on reviews from latest guests:
Insider Tips
👉 Stay in a country Courtyard Cottage on the Highland Club Scotland in Fort Augustus, a transformed Benedictine Abbey on the shores of Loch Ness—$482 for two nights
👉 Fly nonstop from New York, Washington, Chicago and extra to Edinburgh, or from Newark to Glasgow
Apply For A UK ETA To Travel To Scotland
Scotland is a constituent nation of the United Kingdom. As of 2025, Americans are now not eligible to journey to the United Kingdom without first applying for a travel permit.
The UK Electronic Travel Authorization have to be obtained previous to your flight, in any other case you received’t be capable to board the airplane.
Check the Entry Requirements that apply to U.S. passport holders touring to completely different European nations on this page.
Italy
The Dolomites
You most likely know Italy for the pastel-hued coastal cities, the loopy visitors, and the countless maze of slender alleys framed by overhanging laundry. What if I inform you there’s a distinct facet of Italy extra intently associated to the Germanic world than it’s to the Mediterranean south altogether?
The Dolomites are a rugged vary of alpine mountains that traverses northern Italy, separating the Italian Alps from Austria, although when you dig deeper, you’d be stunned to seek out they really share much more in widespread with Austria than with Rome or Naples.
Up right here, it’s all about snow-capped mountain massifs, lakes of an not possible blue-green, picket chalets and solitary Baroque chapels adorned with Germanic motifs and structure that might, nicely, simply belong in Austria. Oh, and naturally, it sees fall foliage like no different.
Val di Funes is the place you go for lazy afternoons munching on smoked sausage, dipping bread into melted mountain cheese, and wandering by means of rolling meadows.
Alpe di Siusi is a literal hiker’s paradise, although you received’t discover me making an attempt a kind of terrifying through ferrata anytime quickly: catch me as a substitute enjoyable by Lago di Fiè, having fun with a cup of scorching chocolate with views of the dramatic Sciliar massif.
My Dolomitian coup de cœur, you ask? That needs to be Lago di Braies, a ridiculous alpine lake I wouldn’t have believed wasn’t AI till I noticed it with my very own eyes.
Emerald-green waters, each possible shade of gold and crimson timber reflecting on the glassy floor, and towering peaks that appear to the touch the sky.
The Dolomites In The Fall
Best City/Town Breaks
- Brixen: a medieval city characterised by its arcade-lined streets and colorful Tyrolean architecture
- Ortisei: a tiny village in Val Gardena dotted with chalets, perched on a hill above alpine meadows
- Canazei: a mountain resort proper on the foot of the jagged peaks of the Sella and Marmolada mountains
- San Candido: one of many cutest Tyrolese cities, backed by colourful forests and the enduring Three Peaks
Best Parks & Nature
- Val di Funes: quintessential Dolomites, with golden larches and countless meadows
- Alpe di Siusi: Europe’s largest high-altitude meadow
- Val Fiscalina: an atmospheric valley flanked by golden larch forests and the Three Peaks
- Lago di Braies: essentially the most gorgeous alpine lake in Europe (imo), nothing in need of an autumnal fever dream
How Safe Is Italy Right Now?
Italy scores 93 out of 100 on the Traveler Safety Index, based mostly on reviews from latest guests:
Insider Tips
👉 Stay in Hotel Krone, an alpine-inspired lodge within the coronary heart of Brixen, inside quick driving distance of Val di Funes and Val Gardena—$273/night time
👉 Fly nonstop from the U.S. (a number of departure factors) to Milan, then drive to the Dolomites (3h27 to Brixen)
Slovenia
The Julian Alps
Slovenia’s a pretty offbeat destination as it’s—you’ll be able to think about your self well-versed in Europe when you can pinpoint Ljubljana on a map—however take a brief detour from the nation’s fairytale medieval capital to the lesser-known Julian Alps, and that’s when issues get severely good.
Even if Slovenia by no means precisely made your European bucket checklist, I’ll wager my backside greenback you’ve seen Lake Bled on a postcard earlier than:
It’s that serene lake with a church-islet at its heart, fringed by forested peaks, one among which hosts a medieval fortress.
That’s adequate purpose to pack your baggage and head to Slovenia like, yesterday, however wait till you’ve seen the misty fog rolling over the lake on a crisp October morning, or how the foliage on the timber turns to a deep amber as soon as the scorching summer time’s over.
Bled shouldn’t be a mere photo-op, both: it’s a full-blown lakeside resort and city, dotted with boutique stays and eating places that price a fraction of these in Switzerland and Austria, so that you’re successfully getting the identical surroundings and vibes for roughly 40% much less.
For a fair quieter, wilder, extra secluded lake, Bohinj is the place you go for full peace and quiet: image dense forests that flip gold and orange, picket piers stretching over glassy water, and rustic taverns which were in the identical household for generations.
Wanna take this factor uphill? Kranjska Gora is a laid-back mountain retreat perched above pine forests, and the place to begin for quite a few trails winding up jagged peaks. Just just like the Dolomites, solely on a a lot smaller scale.
Slovenia In The Fall
Best City/Town Breaks
- Ljubljana: a storybook capital with golden-tinged weeping willows lining the riverbanks and a hilltop fort
- Bled: Slovenia’s postcard lake city, proper on the banks of one among Europe’s most pristine alpine lakes
- Radovljica: an ignored gem with cobbled lanes and sweeping views in the direction of the Alps
- Škofja Loja: Slovenia’s best-preserved medieval city, residence to an enthralling, café-lined outdated sq.
Best Parks & Nature
- Lake Bled: your complete woodland surrounding Bled is made up of crimson forests and snow-capped peaks
- Lake Bohinj: an autumn lake framed by forests and hovering limestone elevations
- Llogar Valley: an under-the-radar alpine hideaway lined in fire-toned woodland
- Soča Valley: emerald-green rivers, golden forests, and cascading waterfalls
How Safe Is Slovenia Right Now?
Slovenia scores 85 out of 100 on the Traveler Safety Index, based mostly on reviews from latest guests:
Insider Tips
👉 Stay in Penzion Berc, a standard Slovene boutique spa closely constructed on wooden and with tons on character, proper on Lake Bled—$150/night time
👉 There aren’t any nonstop flights from the U.S. to Slovenia. The nearest worldwide hub internet hosting Transatlantic routes is Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), 173 miles to Lake Bled
Spain
Picos de Europa
Think of Picos de Europa as Spain’s reply to the Alps… simply wilder, much more rural, and much much less polished. You might simply spend a complete week bouncing between mountains and glacial lakes, however when you’re quick on time this fall, Fuente Dé might be the one cease you shouldn’t miss.
It has the large limestone cliffs, the golden beech forests, and the Fuente Dé cable automobile takes you from the valley flooring as much as 6,000 ft, with sweeping views of mountains beneath.
Fall in Europe shouldn’t be solely about foliage and hikes, although: Cangas de Onís is likely one of the prettiest villages in Picos de Europa, if not Spain as a complete. It has an enthralling stone-built Old Town, and the enduring historical bridge that spans the Sella River dates again to Roman instances.
The colourful autumn hills solely add to the country allure, and when you’re craving a few of that hearty Spanish mountain meals, El Molín de la Pedrera serves some actually spectacular fabada asturiana.
Pair it with native cider, and also you’re in for a correct Asturian feast.
Santiago could get all the celebrity because the home of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, however Covadonga, a tiny village within the coronary heart of Picos de Europa, is an understated Christian pilgrimage website that’s much more atmospheric.
The basilica is surrounded by amber-hued forests, and pilgrims come right here to go to the Holy Cave of Covadonga, the place custom holds that Pelagius started the Christian Reconquest of Spain.
Can’t get sufficient of the mountains and people fiery fall colours? Sotres is Spain’s highest village, a scenic drive from Covadonga. It’s surrounded by mountain pastures, the place hardy cows munch on lush grass proper by alpine lakes, and it actually seems like a distant Highland village somewhat than a Spanish mountain city, correct.
Picos de Europa In The Fall
Best City/Town Breaks
- Cangas de Onís: a historic mountain city with a wealthy Roman heritage and an iconic stone bridge over the Sella River
- Potes: a picture-perfect medieval city surrounded by vineyards, wooded hills, and towering limestone peaks
- Covadonga: a tiny pilgrimage village tucked beneath the mountains, greatest recognized for its historic basilica and Holy Cave
- Sotres: Spain’s highest village at round 3,800 ft above sea stage, surrounded by alpine pastures and dramatic mountains
Best Parks & Nature
- Fuente Dé: essentially the most dramatic Picos surroundings, and the closest to Switzerland you’ll really feel this far south
- Lagos de Covadonga: a string of pristine mountain lakes surrounded by jagged peaks and fiery fall foliage
- Cares Gorge: a mountain climbing route carved by means of monumental cliffs, with golden beech forests clinging to the valley partitions
- Valle de Valdeón: a little-visited valley peppered with stone villages and sweeping mountain pastures
How Safe Is Spain Right Now?
Spain scores 93 out of 100 on the Traveler Safety Index, based mostly on reviews from latest guests:
Insider Tips
👉 Stay in Parador de Cangas de Onís, a beautiful former monastery turned historic lodge, underneath the looming form of foliage-clad mountains—$150/night time
👉 There aren’t many nonstop flights from the U.S. to Asturias, so the simplest gateways are both Bilbao Airport (BIO), round 80 miles from Cangas de Onís, or Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ), round 180 miles away. Both have nonstop flights from Newark as of this 12 months.
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