10 Best Places to Visit in Autumn

As summer gives way to autumn, the weather cools, leaves turn golden and everything looks spectacular. Many places around the world become true spectacles, set ablaze by glorious orange foliage caught in a typical autumnal wind. Autumn, while not as popular or flashy as spring or summer, has an understated, graceful beauty. Fall is an excellent time to travel as there are fewer tourists, cooler temperatures, better deals, and lower airfares. If you’re looking for a place to travel during the colder months, consider visiting one of these ten places to experience the magic of autumn.

 1). Mount Fuji, Japan

Nowhere does the natural beauty of autumn shine brighter than the Land of the Rising Sun. From September to November, cherry and maple trees across Japan turn vivid shades of red, yellow, and amber, transforming the country into a picturesque portrait of autumnal wonder. This is most visible on Mount Fuji, where the warm tones contrast sharply with the calm blue waves of Lake Kawaguchiko. Don’t miss out on visiting the region during the annual Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival, where you can celebrate the incredible spectacle with music performances, street processions, and delicious food.

2). Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany is gorgeous in all seasons, including autumn. If you visit Tuscany in the fall, you’ll see the iconic landscapes dressed in warm autumn foliage. Autumn is also the harvest season, and it brings with it bountiful yields. As grapes grow full and ripe on the vine and truffles begin sprouting beneath beds of fallen leaves, Tucsonans busy themselves with harvesting. The air is filled with an intoxicating aroma, and the weather is mostly warm and sunny. If you go at the right time, you can even participate in the local Sagre (harvest festival) or the Vendemmia (grape harvest), which will enable you to sample some brand-new wines while immersing yourself in the local culture.

3).  Edinburgh, Scotland

During the autumn season, the Scottish capital is transformed into a dazzling display of colors as the leaves turn vivid shades of crimson, gold, and bronze. Some of the best places to admire the glorious seasonal foliage are Arthur’s Seat and the Royal Botanic Garden. Autumn in Edinburgh is more than just a season of bountiful harvests and beautiful treetops: it is also a period deeply rooted in the supernatural. Samhuinn Fire Festival, originating from an ancient Celtic festival, marks the end of summer and the beginning of winter. Halloween evolved from the Samhuinn, which marked the time when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead was the thinnest. Nobody does Halloween like Edinburgh, and it is one of the few cities that makes it a holiday. Take advantage of this opportunity to walk along the mysterious Royal Mile, which is riddled with strange vaults and secret passages.

4).  Utrecht, Netherlands

The canals that line this Dutch city are decked with splashes of fiery rust, red, and yellow as the leaves fall into the water, gently rippling on the surface. Utrecht, not far from Amsterdam’s capital city, is steeped in history, with wharves and wharf cellars dating back to the 12th century. The city was a trading center, and the wharves were built to create a city harbor, allowing boats to unload their cargo directly into the wharf cellars. The wharf cellars have now been converted into lively stores, cafes, bars, and boutiques. Rent a boat and take in the breathtaking beauty of these ancient canals drenched in autumn hues.

5).  Belfast, Northern Ireland

The beauty of Belfast in the autumn is best experienced first-hand – assuming you don’t mind the slight chill that precedes the Irish winter. The rolling morning mists cannot hide Ireland’s natural beauty during harvest season. From the summit of the towering Black Mountain, one can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the city and the Strangford Lough inlet. The city comes to life with fun-filled events and festivals, where cultural vibes permeate the streets, and everyone dances to the festive beats. If the nips of cold breezes are getting to you, you’re welcome to stop by one of the city’s famous pubs and order a warm spiced gin.

6).  Ontario, Canada

Throughout the autumn season, Canada is incredibly beautiful but some regions are more spectacular than others. One such province is Ontario. In the fall, the lakes and rivers that wind through Ontario undergo a dramatic transformation with an explosion of warm hues. As the scent of maple permeates the chilled air, the blazing treetops are reflected in the shimmering waters. Traveling on the water’s surface in a canoe puts you in the front row of this natural miracle, and you might even see exotic wildlife taking a sip of water to cool off. Let a Polaroid camera capture the moment if such fortune comes your way. The Bruce Trail, the Niagara Parkway, and Algonquin Provincial Park are just a few locations where you can explore autumn in all its splendor.

7). Munich, Germany

The streets of Munich suddenly come to life at the height of the fall season when the pumpkins are ripest and the leaves are at their brightest. A festival has arrived, bringing with it a celebration full of joy and laughter. Oktoberfest offers a fine selection of handcrafted and artisanal beers for any discerning ale enthusiast, as well as a fun fair that turns the region into a glowing, dancing, fairy-tale city. There is simply no better way to discover Germany. If you’re looking for amazing views, Munich will not disappoint. A view of Neuschwanstein Castle set against a backdrop of golden autumn leaves is enough to brighten your day.

8).  Côte d’Azur, or the French Riviera

The French Rivera, also known as the Cote d’Azur, is one of France’s most beautiful Mediterranean stretches. Summer is the most popular season, with visitors coming from all over the world to enjoy the perfect weather. Long after the summer visitors have packed up and gone home, the beauty of the French Riviera remains, albeit altered by the colder weather of autumn. Fortunately, the Mediterranean air is resistant to the harsh cold spells of the season and does not play a spoilsport.  As some of summer’s attractions are still available for your enjoyment, the quieter season allows for more exploration -The Riviera never disappoints in terms of beauty, whether you’re driving down the coast or hiking up Castle Hill.

9).   Prague, Czechia

The cobblestone surface of the Czech capital can produce a sense of wonder and magic when littered with fallen autumn leaves in a kaleidoscope of red, yellow, and orange shades. Autumn arrives in October and lasts until early December. The golden autumn colors, the aroma of delectable hot chocolates, the cool weather, and the lull of tourists add another dimension to this beautiful city. The sight of the castle towers stretching above rooftops conjures up old fairy tales and ghost stories. The city is more than happy to help you soundtrack your story with the Strings of Autumn International Music Festival, which takes place in October.

10).  Husafell, Iceland

Husafell used to be a rest stop where travelers could relax and eat before continuing on the long stretches of country highway. It is now a popular destination for all types of travelers, showcasing the incredible natural beauty of Nordic landscapes stretching for miles. Visit Hraunfossar, where a series of waterfalls cascade over an ancient lava field into the turquoise glacier Hvita River. Waterfalls are surrounded by yellowish shrubbery in the fall, which contrasts brilliantly with the barren landscape. You might even catch the Aurora Borealis in action if you arrive late enough: in the cold autumn night, streaks of bright light dance overhead, mingling with stars and darkness.

You must have realized that, in some ways, autumn can be an even more rewarding traveling season than both spring and summer. The beauty and splendor of autumn’s blessings can be found worldwide, and are certainly not limited to the ten named here, though they do represent the best of the best. More locations where you can see technicolor landscapes during autumn include Vermont (USA), Santorini (Greece), Yellowstone National Park (USA), Hawaii (USA), Seoul (South Korea), Rocky Mountains (Canada), Lapland (Finland), Kyoto (Japan), Patagonia (Argentina), Dandenong Ranges (Australia), Ukanc (Slovenia), Gruyere (Switzerland), Douro Valley (Portugal), and Paris (France). On your upcoming autumn getaway, may the wind carry you to a location where you can fully appreciate the picturesque panoramas.