7 Stunning European Capitals You’ll Want to Visit this Fall

Are you thinking of heading to Europe this fall to explore some of the most beautiful capital cities in their autumn colours?

Well, we've got you covered!

The whole continent is packed with historical capitals that offer incredible views and sights that are even more stunning during fall. We know how difficult it can be to choose where to go, when all of the options seem so enticing!

To help guide you on your next adventure in Europe, we listed for you some of the most beautiful European capitals that you can visit during this fall season. We promise you, these are definitely some really photogenic destinations!

These are just some of our favourite European fall destinations, listed in no particular order, that offer some of the greatest autumn experiences!

So, before you pack your bags for this fall season..

Let’s explore the best European capitals that you should visit during fall!

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is already on our top three favourite cities in Europe, with its charming architecture, delicious food and incredible atmosphere. All of this is made even more magical by the wonderful colours of autumn and the fresh weather, which make exploring this city in fall an unforgettable experience.

Prague’s many parks and green areas are wonderful to explore during this time of the year, with the trees slowly turning to a shade of colour that resembles many of the cities’s historical houses and buildings. Not only, you’ll be able to explore the city and admire all of its sights and monuments without having to battle the crowds that take over the streets during the warmer months.

Czech cuisine is known for its delicious and hearty (one might say a little heavy on the stomach) dishes, all of which are a lot more enjoyable when there is a nip in the air. A few dishes we definitely recommend you check out are Svíčková (beef in a cream sauce with bread dumplings), Czech goulash and roasted duck. And while you’re at it, why not escape a rainy day by cozying up in one of Prague’s best cafes.

If you happen to be in Prague during the month of October, you’ll definitely want to check out the Signal Festival. This yearly event showcases stunning light installations all over the city that come to life at night, a spectacle not to miss!

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh, with its gothic spires and castles, narrow alleyways and picturesque views, already seems to have come straight out of a Tim Burton movie. During fall, the beautiful colours and crisp air combine with the gothic architecture to create a charming and mysterious atmosphere, perfect for the spookiest season of the year.

Fall is a perfect season to wander through Edinburgh gorgeous streets, explore its many parks under orange leaves and ethereal mist or give yourself a thrill by visiting one of the city’s incredible historical cemeteries and many allegedly haunted locations.

If you fancy getting yourself out of the cold for a bite to eat, you’ll be sure to enjoy the many restaurants and pubs that the city has to offer. Classic Scottish dishes are even more enjoyable in autumn, from blood sausage to haggis and scotch pies. Among our favourite restaurants and pubs to check out, we definitely recommend Wings, The Pantry and the Roseleaf Bar Cafe.

Edinburgh really comes into its own during fall. The stunning colours, the beautiful haunting architecture and spooky but charming atmosphere make this our top Halloween destination in Europe!

London, United Kingdom

London is the perfect place if you’re looking for a more modern, dynamic and packed fall experience. With breathtaking skyscrapers vanishing through the mist and dominating quaint classic houses, alleyways and markets alongside busy shopping streets and malls, London really has it all.

Exploring London’s many parks is an absolute delight in autumn: We’re sure you’re going to love strolling through the orange-leafed trees and watching squirrels run around you in James’s Park, or exploring the iconic Hyde Park and the huge expanse of Battersea Park.

Fall is also when many new cultural exhibitions and theatrical productions are opened to the public in London’s iconic museums and world-renowned theatres. So, after a crisp fall morning of shopping in one of the city’s historical street markets and famous shopping streets, why not catch a charming play at the National Theatre or an unforgettable exhibit at the Tate Modern?

And finally, London is a melting pot of delicious cuisines from all over the world: From English dishes at The Star Tavern, classic fish and chips at Jack the Chipper and The Mayfair Chippy, and delicious stands at the Seven Dials Market, you definitely won’t have a hard time finding comforting food and a cozy spot to rest after an autumn walk through the city.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

When autumn arrives in Amsterdam, the stunning colours of the trees, the charming bridges and classic brick buildings reflect in the city’s iconic canals, creating a scenery and atmosphere that we believe is truly unique in the world. Sure, the sun sometimes requires a few prayers to the travel gods to appear, but when it does it might just make Amsterdam one of the most gorgeous cities in Europe during fall.

From wandering either on foot or by bicycle along the canals and through the picturesque streets (now less crowded with spring and summer tourists), to visiting the city’s parks such as Vondelpark and Beatrixpark, exploring Amsterdam in autumn is an something that we absolutely recommend.

Since the city looses much of its crowds during fall, this season is also a good moment to visit some of Amsterdam’s numerous cultural sites and famous museums for which you would usually be stuck waiting in line, such as the Anne Frank House or the Van Gogh museum among many, many more.

And if you’re looking to escape the fresh autumn air (or the rain, more likely), Amsterdam has no shortage of cozy and charming cafes where you can catch a delicious bite to eat, or where you can simply relax while sipping a coffee or hot chocolate and watch the day go by.

Rome, Italy

With the ruins of times long past reminding us of its millennial history alongside busy streets, narrow and winding alleyways and riverside walks carpeted with orange and yellow fallen leaves, walking through Rome in autumn is like being transported into a storybook or a captivating novel; you simply never know what could be waiting for you around the corner!

Fall is one of the best seasons to visit Rome: Accommodation prices tend to be considerably lower, the suffocating heat of summer is finally replaced by mild weather and the occasional rainy day, while the endless waves of tourists from all over the world diminish and are replaced by a semblance of quiet, or at least what passes as quiet in Rome.

Visit historical sites such as the Forum and the Palatine Hill, which are absolutely spectacular in their fall colours, or take a stroll through the alleyways of Trastevere or the city centre under the autumn sun, stopping for an espresso in one of Rome’s classic bars; it really is a magical experience.

After you’ve built an appetite from walking through the streets and exploring the city’s cultural and historical sites, take a break for a slice of pizza al taglio or a supplì to eat on the go, or stop by one of the many incredible Italian restaurants; there are so many to choose from and all are absolutely amazing, just be sure to stay away from the tourist traps around the main attractions!

Budapest, Hungary

For an affordable, activity-packed vacation, you definitely should consider Budapest. With winding alleyways and narrow streets on the older side of Buda contrasting with bustling and chaotic streets on the more modern side of Pest, Budapest is a beautiful city that offers a huge variety of sights that are even more memorable during the autumn season.

Since the summer heat has died down, giving way to chilly and sometimes freezing cold days, fall is a great time to explore and try out the city’s world famous thermal baths. Most have an outdoor section, which will allow you to enjoy the beautiful autumn sun, and you’ll also be able to visit the baths without the crowds that gather there during the more popular times of the year.

Some of the baths we absolutely recommend you check out at are the extremely famous Széchenyi, along with the Lukacs and Rudas thermal baths.

After a walk along the Danube, or a hike up one of Budapest’s many hills to admire the view, you’ll definitely want to try out some delicious Hungarian dishes. Having already visited the city during the summer, we can tell you that, while delicious, the heavy Hungarian cuisine doesn’t exactly go along with the summer heat; fortunately, specialities like the classic Hungarian goulash, chicken paprikash and Lángos are all perfect dishes to enjoy on a cold autumn day!

Paris, France

If you’re looking for an unforgettable autumn destination, it really doesn’t get more unforgettable than Paris. From the typical French cafes and terraces, to the beautiful parks and gardens specked with orange, brown and yellow, Paris is an iconic and classy city that shows a hidden beauty during fall.

Walking through the sunlit city, with the crisp autumn air in your face and the smell of bakeries and restaurants in the air, is an out-of-this-world experience. Not to mention, the city is much less packed with tourists than during the more popular holiday seasons, making it less overwhelming and more enjoyable to explore all that Paris has to offer.

You’ll also be able to enjoy the city’s best museums, galleries and attractions without the huge crowds and lines that you’d normally find during most of the year. This is also the season where most famous cultural institutions such as the Louvre, the Centre Pompidou and the Musée d'Orsay open new exhibitions to the public.

Since French cuisine is highly seasonal and dependant on which ingredients are available, you’ll get to enjoy dishes that would normally not be on the menu for you to try, such as delicious braised meat, hearty soups and roasts.

And finally, visiting Paris in autumn will surely save you money, since flights are cheaper and accommodations are much more affordable due to the smaller number of visitors.

There really is no better time to visit the City of Love!

So many popular European destinations offer such a different experience during the fall season, and that is exactly why we created this article: To share with you how amazing a vacation in Europe during fall can be, which is sometimes overlooked by those exploring the continent during the most popular months of the year.

Now that you know a little more about these places, which one will you visit first?

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