Golden season: Great places to see Europe in autumn
Looking for somewhere to make the most of autumn this year? Whether you’re chasing the rain clouds to cosy up, or looking for the last of the summer sun, here are some of Europe’s best places to fly to in October and November to enjoy the golden season…
Porto, Portugal
☀️ Average autumn daylight hours: 10 hours
🌡️ Average temperature: 17°c - 23°c
🍂 Great spot for autumn leaves: Serralves Park
With summer temperatures in Porto topping 30°c most days, visiting Porto in autumn is a wonderful way to indulge in Portuguese culture without the heat. Travel one hour east of Porto to the Douro Valley for the grape harvest season. It’s a great time to relax with a glass of Porto wine in the sunset. Work hard for the refreshments by grape stomping. Yes, really! It’s a tradition dating back over 2,000 years to squeeze the grapes into wine.
Fly from LTN to OPO in 2 hours 25 minutes.
Zurich, Switzerland
☀️ Average autumn daylight hours: 10 – 11 hours
🌡️ Average temperature: 8°c - 20°c
🍂 Great spot for autumn leaves: Irchelpark
There’s more to Zurich in autumn than banks and cars. Hike two hours from Uetliberg to Felsenegg for sweeping views of Lake Zurich and the Alps. We’d recommend doing it at dawn or dusk to see the autumn colours in their full glory. If you’re after fewer steps and more sightseeing, go one hour east to the Atzmännig panorama trail, where you can ascend via chairlift to the top.
Autumn is also Halloween time, and for those who love a treat, Zurich’s a chocolate lover’s paradise. Enjoy unlimited chocolate at the Lindt Museum or pop into an artisanal chocolatier in the city.
Fly from LTN to ZRH in 1 hour 45 minutes.
Catania, Italy
☀️ Average autumn daylight hours: 10 – 11 hours
🌡️ ️Average temperature: 20°c - 29°c
🍂 Great spot for autumn leaves: Ragabo pine Forest
Blink and you’ll miss the autumn leaves changing colour in Sicily. For those wanting to see the trees change colour, walk the route of the Sartorius craters on Mount Etna to see solid lava flows and birch forest. It’s one of the flattest routes on Europe’s largest volcanoes, so it’s ideal for tourists wanting to experience a natural phenomenon without feeling tired.
If you’re in Sicily in autumn, you’ll want to stop at a food festival. Head to Zafferana Etnea (the honey festival), Pedara (the apple festival), and Montemaggiore Belsito (the mushroom and chestnut festival) across the island.
Fly from LTN to CTA in 3 hours 15 minutes.
Tallinn, Estonia
☀️ Average autumn daylight hours: 9-10 hours
🌡️ Average temperature: 4°c - 16°c
🍂 Great spot for autumn leaves: Kadriorg Park
Compact, green and brimming with culture, Estonia’s capital Tallinn makes for an ideal Autumn trip. Spend hours wandering around the beautiful Toompark. It’s home to Shnelli pond, the last remaining part of the moat that used to surround the city. Explore the castle on Toompea Hill, then drink in the spectacular views from Kohtuotsa viewing platform and rest in the Old Town to refuel. Want to see more of Estonia? Check out the rolling hills at Karula National Park on the border with Latvia.
Fly from LTN to TLL in 2 hours 45 minutes.
Kerry, Ireland
☀️ Average autumn daylight hours: 10-11 hours
🌡️ ️Average temperature: 7°c - 13°c
🍂 Great spot for autumn leaves: Lickeen Woods
If you’re a bit of an adventurer and after stunning scenery and crisp air, head straight for County Kerry. The Ring of Kerry is the ultimate scenic route around the Iveragh Peninsula, taking in incredible locations like the Torc Waterfall, St. Finian's Bay and Killarney National Park. Killarney was the first national park in Ireland and should be top of your list of great autumnal destinations with epic lakes, mountains, woodland, plus Muckross House and Gardens.
Fly from LTN to KIR in 1 hour 25 minutes.
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
☀️ Average autumn daylight hours: 10 – 11 hours
🌡️ ️Average temperature: 8°c - 21°c
🍂 Great spot for autumn leaves: Central Park
With its mix of castles and parks, Transylvania’s capital comes alive in the autumn. Spend hours in Central Park walking around the lake with friends; why not hire a boat and sail on the water? Or if you want to spend more time in the trees, head west to the Hoia-Baciu Forest. Watch out if you’re going at night, it’s said to be a spooky destination.
Cluj-Napoca is also close to the Apuseni Mountains, offering numerous hiking trails and caves to explore. Spend a holiday in Romania getting closer to nature – you may even see a brown bear.
Fly from LTN to LUZ in 2 hours 35 minutes.
Lublin, Poland
☀️ Average autumn daylight hours: 9-10 hours
🌡️ ️Average temperature: 7°c - 20°c
🍂 Great spot for autumn leaves: Saxon Garden
An enchanting city in eastern Poland, Lublin has plenty to offer, from an enclosed Old Town with pastel buildings and Lublin Castle, to the modern architecture of the Centre for the Meeting of Cultures. Make the most of the golden season by exploring the Lublin Village Open Air Museum. You may want to wrap up warm, though – the average temperature is around 9°c.
Looking to explore nature near Lublin? Drive an hour and a half south to Roztocze National Park and see over 400 ancient trees.
Fly from LTN to LUZ in 2 hours 35 minutes.
Glasgow, Scotland
☀️ Average autumn daylight hours: 9-10 hours
🌡️ ️Average temperature: 9°c - 15°c
🍂 Great spot for autumn leaves: Kelvingrove Park
See the autumn colours in full splendour while walking around Glasgow city centre. Follow tree trails at Glasgow Botanic Gardens or spot highland cows at Pollok Country Park. But if you want to make the most of the season, drive 30 minutes from Glasgow to Loch Lomond. Hike from mountain to loch shores; find a unique perspective by taking a boat trip, and explore the small islands dotted across the water.
Fly from LTN to GLA in 1 hour 15 minutes.
Prague, Czech Republic
☀️ Average autumn daylight hours: 9 hours
🌡️ ️Average temperature: 8°c - 20°c
🍂 Great spot for autumn leaves: Divoká Šárka nature reserve
It would be an understatement to say that Prague is one of the most stunning cities in Europe, so a visit during one of the most magnificent seasons makes for the perfect combination. Stroll along the River Vltava and get lost in the fantastic views of the city from Letná Gardens. Or if you’re feeling extra sporty, go for a jog through the crunchy leaves at Stromovka Park. Don’t forget to visit the Astronomical Clock, first installed in 1410, to find out when sunset is to maximise the golden vibes.
Fly from LTN to PRG in 1 hour 55 minutes.
Malaga, Spain
☀️ Average autumn daylight hours: 10 -11 hours
🌡️ ️Average temperature: 20°c - 28°c
🍂 Great spot for autumn leaves: Jardín Botánico - Histórico La Concepción
Use Malaga as your base for exploring southern Spain in the autumn. Instead of spending a whole holiday in one city, discover a Spain away from the tourists in Almogia and Casabermeja at the foot of Montes de Málaga Natural Park. Walk the three-mile trail to an observation deck for panoramic views of Andalusia.
Whichever way your compass is pointing, you’ll enjoy Spain in autumn. Drive one hour west of Malaga to Yunquera and see the buildings take on a copper hue from the chestnut trees. Or go two hours north to Jaen for the Olive Festival. The city is home to over 66 million olive trees – that’s a lot of oil!
Fly from LTN to AGP in 2 hours 55 minutes.