Summer is usually synonymous with traveling, but Europe in the fall has quickly become a travel trend. Of course, summer travels are understandable, considering this season is characterized by sunny days and enjoyable weather for beach trips. It is also often the only time people with children can travel, due to school schedules.

However, some people without children, or those who are not fond of hot weather and want milder temperatures, are turning to the autumn for their travels. Fall makes for a beautiful time to explore European cities and towns that would otherwise have far more crowds in the summer. Besides the glorious weather, often with temperatures still warm enough for sunbathing, hotel rates are also slightly lower too.

Below we have explained why you should consider traveling in the autumn as opposed to the summer, if you have the ability to do so.

Europe Has a Great Autumn Weather 

Visiting Europe in the fall is fantastic for sightseeing and outdoor activities because of the cooler temperatures. In some popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast, you can still enjoy beach clubs and go swimming. In other destinations, like the Cotswolds, you can enjoy a light sweater and comfortably stroll throughout the charming cobblestone roads. Perhaps you want to sip hot chocolate while exploring Salsbourg. Maybe you would like to visit the Alsace Wine Route in France, tasting local wines and olive oils in quaint villages, while admiring the beautiful autumn colors. 

Although you might not have blooming flowers and trees, you will have something better – the golden foliage of the fall. Just imagine your dreamy photographs in these colorful landscapes!

European Countries Have Magical Autumn Landscapes 

Once the leaves start turning into their auburn red and golden colors, Europe in the fall becomes a definition of beauty! Imagine amazing, colorful backgrounds for fairytale Bavarian castles or the Loire Valley vineyards. The Duoro Valley in Portugal is shown throughout the photos on this post, and the beauty speaks for itself.

Tuscany also makes for a perfect destination, while the vineyards turn colors and you can even participate in a grape stomping. Furthermore, both Scotland and England during offer unparalleled beauty during the fall.

The High Season Of Travel Ends

The autumn months are the end of Europe’s high travel season, meaning you will not face great crowds in popular tourist places. Fewer crowds mean a more relaxed time and a better way to learn about new places without running into people at every turn. You can actually soak in the culture of your surroundings and enjoy them more genuinely.

This is one of the biggest perks in our pinion! Some of the best places to visit in Europe in the fall, such as Paris, Rome, and Barcelona, are much less crowded. So, you can check out all of the historical sites and monuments without waiting in painfully long lines. Plus, you can people watch at cafes and find some wonderful hidden gems that many visitors miss during the busy summer travel season.

Hotel Rates Are Lower

Traveling during the shoulder season in Europe usually leads to cheaper flights and hotel pricing. Depending on the location, the pricing may not be significantly lower for hotels, but some savings is always better than none. You will also have access to more guides, and you might even be able to plan a last-minute trip a bit more easily. (As travel advisors, we don’t encourage this — but we also know it sometimes needs to happen).

When thinking about exploring Europe, we hope that you will consider doing so in the autumn. This is one of the greatest times to get to know the amazing culture of the many different European countries while enjoying some wonderful perks. You will have access to beautiful hotels that are often sold out during the summer season, too!

European Travel Planning with Unfolded Travels

As an American now based on Lake Como, Italy, Unfolded Travels plan fully bespoke trips for clients throughout Europe and beyond.

Why do our clients choose to work with us instead of planning their own travels? Our expertise, our strong relationships with the best tour guides, and our preferred partnerships with 4-5* hotels ensure all travelers have a memorable travel experience. Plus, we handle all of the not so enjoyable things like booking flights, coordinating transportation, and curating an itinerary with ideal logistics.

If you’re the type who loves travel planning and can’t imagine outsourcing it, we can help with booking your hotel rooms and leave the rest to you! Thanks to our strong relationships with boutique hotels and luxury hoteliers worldwide, we can secure rooms with VIP perks (free breakfast, hotel credits, and potential room upgrades) at your favorite properties… with no additional cost to you!

If you would like to inquire about travel planning, please complete our travel inquiry form to begin planning your trip. Or, if you already know which hotel you’d like to book and want to see if we can secure you any additional perks & amenities, shoot us a quick message and we can pull rates + availability. If your hotel is a Virtuoso hotel property, you can even book online using our booking platform to automatically receive our preferred partner perks. No additional fees apply!

PRO TIP: Ideally, planning your trip to Europe in the fall one year in advance provides the best rates and availability.