Bruges, Belgium

A UNESCO World Heritage City, Bruges charms visitors year-round with Old World aesthetics, excellent food, and welcoming locals.

In autumn sees fewer crowds along its cobblestoned streets, just as the colors on the trees change to vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows.

The Cotswolds, England

A hour-and-a-half drive from London, the rolling hills and honey-hued stone villages populated with cozy pubs and make the Cotswolds an ideal fall getaway.

Florence, Italy

In October the flurry of summer visitors to Italy dies down as the temperatures dip. But with so many indoor activities— from visiting the masterworks at the Uffizi and the Galleria dell’Accademia to taking in architectural marvels like the Duomo—the cold and sometimes rainy autumn weather won’t dampen your visit.

Hallstatt, Austria

One of Europe’s most Instagrammed villages gets even more picturesque in the fall when the surrounding mountains turn to gold and crimson.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Few things are more peaceful than Amsterdam in the fall when the summer crowds have gone home but it’s still warm to enjoy strolling along the quiet canals.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest has a packed cultural calendar in fall, with festivals and fairs celebrating music, theater, dance, and food. The festivities begin with the Budapest International Wine Festival in early September, where hundreds of exhibitors serve their best wines against the grand backdrop of Buda Castle.

Munich, Germany

A list of fall events in Europe worth traveling for wouldn’t be complete without Munich’s Oktoberfest, which turns 185 this year. Running from September 22 to October 7, visitors will find a tent after tent of German food, music, and, of course, beer.