Chasing Autumn: Trips That Make You Want to Reach for Your Favourite Sweater

Publication on September 22, 2026

Autumn has a way of changing the mood of travel. In summer, we tend to count beaches, hours until sunset, and the number of free tables on a terrace. In autumn, everything slows down a little. Mornings make you want to linger over coffee, afternoons are perfect for long walks without a plan, and evenings call for a cosy restaurant while the streetlights flicker on outside.

That is exactly why we especially love travelling in September, October, and even November. Familiar cities take on a different character, mountain roads become more beautiful, and some places finally reveal themselves without the rush of the summer crowds.

The main thing is choosing the right destination.

The Kind of Autumn You See in Films

Some places seem almost too determined to live up to our idea of autumn. Prague is one of them.

In October, the trees on Petřín Hill turn golden, the red rooftops of the Old Town peek through the light morning mist, and a walk along the Vltava can easily stretch into several hours. Charles Bridge can still feel wonderfully peaceful early in the morning, especially if you head out before the main wave of visitors arrives.

Autumn in Prague encourages aimless wandering. You can cross the river, turn into Malá Strana, climb towards Prague Castle, and suddenly realise that the museum you planned to visit will have to wait until tomorrow because you spent far too long over coffee somewhere along the way. In our experience, those are often the days you remember best.

You can find a similar atmosphere in Kraków. The Old Town, Wawel Castle, Planty Park, and Kazimierz all seem made for long autumn walks. The evenings can be chilly, but that simply gives you a good excuse to find something warm and comforting from the Polish kitchen and stop worrying about the time.

In Search of Real Autumn Colours

If the main purpose of the trip is to see forests glowing in shades of yellow, orange, and red, it is worth heading closer to nature.

One of the most beautiful options in Europe is Slovenia. Lake Bled is famous throughout the year, but autumn gives the landscape an especially dramatic look. The surrounding forests change colour, mist sometimes hangs over the water in the morning, and the little church on the island looks almost unreal.

From Bled, it is easy to continue towards Lake Bohinj and Triglav National Park. Here, there is less city comfort and more of a feeling that autumn is happening right around you. Mountain slopes, clear water, and crisp air make this a wonderful region to explore slowly over a few days.

For those willing to travel farther, Kyoto in Japan deserves serious attention. Autumn colours here become a reason to travel in their own right. In November, temples and gardens are surrounded by brilliant red maple leaves, giving popular sights such as Kiyomizu-dera and Arashiyama a completely different atmosphere.

Kyoto, of course, has not been a secret destination for a very long time. Autumn foliage season attracts plenty of visitors, so getting up early suddenly becomes a very useful habit.

When You Still Want a Little Sunshine

Autumn does not always have to smell of wet leaves.

When Northern Europe already has you zipping your coat all the way up, the southern Mediterranean keeps the travel season going in a much gentler way.

Sicily is especially appealing in autumn for anyone who wants to combine cities, food, and the sea. Palermo remains lively and full of character, the streets of Ortigia in Syracuse are a pleasure to explore on foot, and a road trip around Mount Etna can become an adventure in itself.

In summer, the heat can end up planning your day for you: an early walk, a long break in the afternoon, then another attempt to head outside closer to evening. Autumn gives you much more freedom. You can spend hours walking through towns, drive into small villages, stop at markets, and forget about organising the whole day around escaping the sun.

Portugal is another great choice for stretching out the warmer season. Lisbon works beautifully for an October break, especially if you add a few days in Sintra and Cascais. The hills of Alfama and Bairro Alto are easier to tackle in cooler weather, while the city’s famous viewpoints are perfect for long evenings.

The Atlantic breeze will occasionally remind you what season it is, though. A light jacket should definitely make it into the suitcase.

The Mountains Grow Quieter

There is something special about travelling to the mountains in autumn.

Across the Alps, the busiest part of the summer season begins to fade. Trails become quieter, the air turns crisper, and the first snowy peaks look especially striking above autumn-coloured valleys.

The Dolomites in Italy in September and early October have a habit of bringing road trips to a temporary halt. You round another bend, catch sight of the Sella massif or Sassolungo, and immediately start looking for somewhere to pull over.

It is worth remembering that mountain weather changes quickly in autumn, and cable cars and hotels may begin switching to seasonal schedules. A trip here requires a little more preparation. In return, autumn makes it much easier to find the sense of space and stillness that draws people to the mountains in the first place.

You can find a similar mood in Austria, particularly around Salzburg and the lakes of the Salzkammergut. Wolfgangsee, Hallstätter See, and the small Alpine towns fit perfectly into a journey where the biggest event of the day might simply be walking a few kilometres beside a lake and finding a café with a view of the mountains.

Sometimes, that is more than enough.

Autumn Is Better Without the Rush

Perhaps the best thing about autumn travel is the change of pace.

There is no need to wake up at sunrise for the beach or try to squeeze ten attractions into one day. You can let the rain change your plans. You can wander into a museum you never intended to visit. You can spend two hours over lunch and then keep walking until it gets dark.

Of course, autumn is less predictable. One day brings sunshine, the next rain, and the day after that an unexpectedly cold wind. We learned a long time ago that there is little point fighting it. Comfortable shoes, a warm extra layer, and a little flexibility solve most problems.

And in return, you get an atmosphere that is difficult to recreate in summer.

Prague covered in golden leaves, mist drifting over Lake Bled, the red maples of Kyoto, the quiet roads of the Dolomites, or an October evening in Lisbon all serve as a reminder that travel season does not end with August.

Sometimes, autumn is when its most beautiful chapter begins.