The Best Autumn Vacation Destinations

During the autumn season, the days become shorter, the temperatures drop, and the pace of life slows slightly. Whether you want to extend the summer, avoid peak season crowds, or simply can’t wait for the golden leaves to fall, we’ve selected 10 destinations that shine in the autumn light.

#1 Utrecht, Netherlands

In the autumn, shades of yellow, red, and orange adorn Utrecht’s ancient canals. The canals, which date back to the 12th century, are unique in the world, with their wharves and wharf cellars. The wharves were built to create an inner-city harbor where boats could dock and unload their cargo directly into the wharf cellars, which had pedestrian walkways.

The wharf cellars have now been converted into cozy cafes, bars, restaurants, and shops. This Dutch wonder is best experienced by boat. Rent a boat and cruise through the colorful canals. If it starts to get cold, stop by for a warm beverage on the way.

Best places to stay in Utrecht

#2 Ontario, Canada

From late September to October, enjoy the dramatic transformation that autumn brings to Canada’s Ontario province.

The Algonquin Provincial Park, located not far from Toronto, is 7,725 square kilometers of dense forest, winding rivers, and placid lakes. Paddle along in a canoe to get the best views of maple trees and red oaks reflecting their fiery tones in the water.

Take on the Niagara Parkway, which Winston Churchill famously dubbed “the prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world,” or, if you prefer to explore on foot, hike among 1000-year-old trees to the edge of cliff-side at the Bruce Peninsula National Park.

Best places to stay in Ontario

#3 Markt Hartmannsdorf, Austria

The fields are cultivated, and the sun sets low over Markt Hartmannsdorf in Styria, Austria. Winter is approaching, but there are still a few months of pleasant autumn weather before the village is buried under snow. All roads lead to the central church’s 36-metre tower, which is especially visible as the trees lose their leaves. With a population of around 3,000 people, this rural village offers the peace and quiet that can only be found in rural villages surrounded by nature. Wake up in a cozy room at a local fruit farm – the early autumn days are ideal for apple and pear harvesting and enjoying the peaceful outdoors.

Best places to stay in Markt Hartmannsdorf

#4 Mount Fuji, Japan

Autumn in Japan is characterized by striking red leaves and eerily peaceful blue waters surrounding Mount Fuji. This natural beauty is celebrated each year at the Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival, which highlights the bronzy red hue of the cherry and maple trees that cover the area. A romantic evening at the foot of the Mount includes late-night food stall bites under the brightly lit trees. Escape the haze that floats over Lake Kawaguchiko by ascending Mount Fuji’s slopes through yellow karamatsu pines. Pinch yourself – the postcard-perfect juxtaposition of dark volcanic rock, yellow pines, and snow-capped summit is real.

Best places to stay

#5 Lodz, Poland

Discover the colors of autumn in Lodz while strolling across the pavement of bright orange leaves in Park Staromiejski. Redbrick factories and Art Nouveau facades in the cityscape conceal splashes of street art, transforming the city into an open air art gallery. A stroll down Piotrkowska Street, with its multi-colored buildings (brightly illuminated at night), frequently results in encounters with aspiring film students following in the footsteps of alumnus Roman Polanski.

Listen up: Lodz lives up to its reputation for exciting nightlife. You can still catch a concert at Manufaktura, a complex of converted 19th-century textile factories, in the last months of summer. Alternatively, head to the Bierhalle to forget about the chilly autumn nights.

Best places to stay in Lodz

#6 Seville, Spain

Summer in Seville is best spent at nearby beaches like Matalascaas, thanks to its insular 40°C weather – but plan your trip a month or two later and you’ll hit the sweet spot. The streets are fragrant with orange blossom, the shaded plazas are crowded with locals sipping chilled beer and snacking on tapas, and the nights are long and balmy.

The city’s compact historical center and flat landscape are ideal for spending your days walking around and immersing yourself in the theatrical culture and Arabic heritage.

If you need to cool off after all of the sightseeing, go to the nearest rooftop pool at Hotel Doa Maria or visit the Isla Mágica amusement park.

Best places to stay in Seville

#7 Lisbon, Portugal

The lower prices are one of the benefits of traveling during the off-season. If you’re looking for a low-cost option, Lisbon, Portugal’s capital on the Tagus River, is at its most affordable after the summer tourists have packed up and gone home.

The sun is still shining brightly, the temperature is pleasant (around 25°C), and hotels and restaurants are offering discounts.

Stay in the center to explore the city’s millenary history and architecture without crowds, or hop on a train at Cais do Sodré station and you’ll be lying on a beach in less than 30 minutes.

Best places to stay in Lisbon

#8 Tel Aviv, Israel

If you’re not ready to give up your tan when the sunny season begins to fade, head to Tel Aviv, where summer is far from over. The Riviera-style seaside promenade is bustling with carefree joggers, boutique shops, and exceptional restaurants serving fresh Mediterranean fare. A gentle breeze blows across the 16 beaches that stretch along the coast, making the temperature just right – and the crowds of tourists have vanished. Gordon-Fishman is the most central and, in the autumn, blissfully empty. Hilton is a gay-friendly beach that is also a surfer’s favorite. Visit Banana Beach for unrivaled sunsets while sipping a cocktail at its namesake beach cafe, or on Fridays, stop by Dolphinarium for a show of drummers and performance artists partying on the sand.

Best places to stay in Tel Aviv

#9 Tuscany, Italy

Autumn harvest is taken seriously in Italy. The exact dates vary depending on the weather, but Sagre (harvest festivals) are held all over the country in honor of everything from chestnuts to mushrooms, pumpkins, and even polenta.

When temperatures are milder during the day and pleasantly cool at night, and the landscape is bursting with the colors, sounds, and smells of country life, mid-September to early October is the ideal time to do a roadtrip in Tuscany, a region at the heart of the Italian gastronomic tradition. Participate in the age-old Vendemmia (grape harvest) tradition and learn about the local wines and how they are made. Go truffle hunting in the Tuscan woods or dine at an authentic taverna with porcini mushrooms. Yum.

Best places to stay in Tuscany

#10 Patagonia, Argentina

If you want to avoid winter entirely, keep in mind that the Southern Hemisphere’s spring season runs from September to November.

Nature blooms, the shyest animals emerge, and whale watching is at its peak in the wild, wind-swept plains and jagged peaks of Argentinian Patagonia.

Horseback riding, kayaking, and mountain biking are just a few of the many activities available to the adventurous traveller and nature enthusiast. The views are breathtaking, with purple Lupine in bloom guarding Mount Tronador.

Fly to Punta Arenas, Chile, and then cross the border, or find a connecting flight from Buenos Aires.

Best places to stay in Patagonia

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