The Autumn Colors of Europe

The UK

The Lake District is a UNESCO World Heritage site in the northern part of the UK. To see lovely autumn colors in early October go to The Lake District National Park.

Scotland

Breathtaking autumn foliage can be found in the Highlands. In the autumn this is like a wonderland. You’ll see golden forests, dancing Northern lights, and abundant wildlife as you go hiking.

Ireland

Take a trip to the capital of Ireland, Dublin to see lovely autumn foliage. You can see many colors in Phoenix Park which is the largest city-center park in Europe. There are also autumn colors to admire along the Grand Canal.

Austria

Austria has one of the most picturesque towns in Europe. Hallstatt is lovely in the autumn. All around are bright colors and the forests have a lot of reds and oranges. This is a UNESCO World Heritage region and is enjoyed by hikers. In the autumn the highest mountain peaks are already covered in snow and the autumn breezes offer chances for paragliding.

Belgium

The Ardennes in Belgium offer lovely autumn colors. There are many hiking trails to explore but the specific viewing point is Le Tombeau du Geant. Once you reach this point your best way to enjoy the autumn beauty is to start hiking where you’ll find yourself in a dense forest surrounded by small water streams.

Czech Republic

If you’re traveling in the Czech Republic from early to mid-October take the time to visit Hrensko. This is a small town that is right at the border with Germany. The town is surrounded by forest which in the autumn bursts forth in lovely autumn colors. The town has beautiful half-timbered houses. It is the gateway to the Bohemian Switzerland National Park as well as the place where the Elbe River exits the Czech Republic. The national park offers many marked trails just waiting to be explored.

France

In France to see lovely autumn colors you don’t have to venture from the capital, Paris. Some of the most colorful autumn foliage is around the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, and Les Tuileries.

Hungary

Two hours from the capital Budapest you’ll find the small town of Lillafured. It is surrounded by forests that burst into many colors in the autumn. There are caves to explore, boat rides on the lake, and lovely waterfalls. Here you’ll find the iconic Palace Hotel that overlooks Lake Hamori.

Italy

The best time to visit the Dolomites is in early October to see how the larches look when turning yellow and orange. Autumn looks most colorful around Cortina D’Ampenzo.

Netherlands

You’ll see an awesome autumn show in the capital, Amsterdam as the leaves on 400,000 trees turn fiery. The trees line the famous canals and candles get lit in the windows of townhouses from mid-afternoon every day.

Portugal

Take a colorful autumn trip in the Douro Valley in Portugal. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site that bursts forth in many colors. It is harvest time and a good time to visit Douro wineries.

Romania

Some of the loveliest autumn foliage can be found in the Carpathian Mountains. You can travel along two well-known roads Transfagarasan Road and the Trans alpina to get breathtaking views of all the surrounding colors.

Slovenia

Take an autumn trip to Lake Bled which is only 55 km from the capital, Ljubljana. You can rent a boat and take a trip on the lake to see all the colorful changes around. It is a great place to go hiking and you can either walk around Lake Bled or climb up the mountains of the Julian Alps. In autumn you can also see the beauty of rising mists over Lake Bled.

Finally, at the end of this list remember that autumn magic always takes place in Munich, Germany when you visit the city for Oktoberfest.

The best time to go is the last week of September and the first week of October. Autumn foliage surrounds the city and the city becomes a fairground with 38 beer tents offering the best hospitality in Europe.