Ready for a Euro Fall? Travel Experts Weigh In on the Best Destinations for 2026

Lower the beach club umbrellas and check on Dua Lipa: Euro summer is coming to an end. Maybe you, like Dua, went all in, losing track of days as you plunged in and out of the Mediterranean Sea. Or perhaps you didn’t get a chance to partake in Europe’s sunniest season, and the last few months have involved lots of envious scrolls on Instagram. Whether you still have room for more, or are making up for lost time, hold on to that last bit of PTO, because we’re entering what’s arguably an even more rewarding travel moment.Fall in Europe brings with it brisk temperatures that make sightseeing an utter joy, thinner crowds that leave room for locals, and an opportunity to experience cities in their most authentic light. You might find yourself falling in love with the version of Vienna that’s settling down after the tourist rush, or chasing new destinations entirely, whether that’s Denmark’s North Zealand coast or Italy’s “green heart” of Umbria. “I’m seeing people looking far more off the beaten path this season,” says Kimberly Davis of Trouvaille Travel. “Even if they want to travel to major European cities, it’s places like Copenhagen rather than the typical London, Paris, or Rome.” To help you plan your autumnal sojourn, we gathered expert-suggested itineraries, from the food haven that is the Basque Country to the moody Irish countryside. Below, the seven best places to travel to in Europe this fall.GettyCopenhagen and the Danish Riviera, Denmark“Copenhagen just makes sense to me in the fall,” says Christine Andraus of Partenza Travel. “The food, the bakeries, candles everywhere, beautiful design, people actually embracing being cozy instead of trying to pretend it’s still summer.” Andraus is right: There’s no better place to embrace hygge than Denmark’s capital, where afternoons might look like strolling through golden-hued Assistens Cemetery or bundling up in a fisherman’s sweater at a harborside food hall like Reffen or Broens. Davis says she’s seeing clients opt for more design-forward hotels—think Hotel Sanders instead of Hotel D’Angleterre—to better lean into the city’s artsy edge. For a more comprehensive trip, Andraus suggests adding a couple of nights in North Zealand, otherwise known as the Danish Riviera, where historic palaces like Shakespeare-famous Kronborg Castle collide with vast forests and wild coastlines—plus, of course, the seaside stunner that is the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art.Where to stay in Copenhagen and the Danish Riviera:GettyVienna, AustriaThings are changing in Vienna, the old-world city Nadine Fedorenko at Fora Travel cites as a top destination this fall. For the past few years, the capital has been welcoming a new crop of contemporary museums and galleries, restaurants moving beyond the farm-to-fork template, and a few luxury hotels, including a Mandarin Oriental and Rosewood. While Viennese gardens are lovely to stroll around any time of year, there’s added romance with a little chill in the air. This is the ideal time to visit vineyards just outside the city limits for glasses of biodynamic wine, house a schnitzel at an old-fashioned café, or catch a screening of The Third Man at the cozy Burg Kino movie theater. And while the city might be embracing change, Fedorenko points out that its cultural and artistic history forever looms: “Hotel Sacher turned 150 this year, the Albertina Museum turned 250, and even Mozart celebrated a big birthday [his 270th]!”Where to stay in Vienna:GettySan Sebastian, SpainFor travelers intent on planning their trips around food, there’s no better time to visit San Sebastian, a city with one of the highest numbers of Michelin-starred restaurants per square mile and a rich bar culture. In the fall, temperatures hover comfortably in the 60s, and quick spurts of rain lend the city an atmospheric mist. “San Sebastian in October gives you pintxos, the coast, Rioja nearby, and temperatures where you actually want to walk around all day,” Andraus says. This fall also marks the 50th anniversary of New Basque Cuisine—it’s being celebrated at San Sebastián Gastronomika (October 5–7), which will host the legendary chefs who pioneered avant-garde Basque cooking in the ‘70s as they engage attendees in masterclasses and tastings. As for where to stay, Andraus points travelers to Hotel Maria Cristina if you want to be right in town, or Akelarre for its world-renowned restaurant.Where to stay in San Sebastian:GettyMidland Region, IrelandIf you’re into the occult, there’s a certain draw to fall in the Irish countryside, where Samhain, the earliest version of Halloween, was first celebrated. Serious spooksters might visit the sacred sites of County Meath, including the ancient Hill of Ward and Hill of Tara, where ancient Celts first lit fires over 2,000 years ago to scare off spirits, or stick around for the holiday’s biggest celebration, the annual Púca Festival (October 29–November 1). Perhaps carrying a copy of Bram Stoker’s Dracula in your pocket while taking in the moody landscapes is more your vibe: “Ireland is one of those places where a little bit of weather almost makes the trip better,” Andraus says. “Give me a gorgeous country house, boots, a long walk, a fire, a great dinner, and maybe a little rain, and I’ll be very happy.” She recommends checking in at Ballyfin Demesne for a romantic, old-school stay, as well as combining the countryside with a few days exploring the island’s remote western region, from the counties of Clare and Mayo to the Connemara Coast, where you’ll encounter dramatic limestone formations and glacial lakes.Where to stay in the Midland and western region:GettyParis, FranceThere’s something to be said about traveling to a familiar favorite in the off-season. When you visit Paris in the fall, you’ll be treated to temperatures that sit between the mid-50s and low-60s, shorter museum lines, and a few more vacant pistachio-green chairs at your favorite public parks. Known as the “rentreé,” the French version of back to school, this is when residents return to the city after their summer holidays, and everything comes alive again, from local shops to museum exhibits—including recent favorites like “Auguste Bartholdi and Mary Cassatt" at the Musée d’Orsay and “Cézanne and Us” at the Grand Palais. “Paris is always a hit, especially now with Celine Dion singing there this season,” Fedorenko says, referencing the star’s residency at the Paris La Défense Arena (running until October 17). There’s no shortage of excellent hotels to stay in either—like the affordable Hotel Rochechouart, which starts at around $300 per night—but for a trip you’ll simply never forget, consider renting an apartment with a view of the Eiffel Tower.Where to stay in Paris:GettyThe Dolomites, Italy“Everyone thinks of the Dolomites for skiing or summer hiking, but fall there is spectacular,” Andraus says. “The larches turn this crazy golden color, the air is crisp, the summer crowds are gone, and you can still spend your days outside before coming back to an amazing spa and a long dinner.” Be sure to plan your trip around mid-to-late October, when autumnal foliage is at its peak, and hit hiking trails that come alive with color, like the Croda da Lago Circuit and its reflective alpine lake, Lago di Federa. Or, visit the famous emerald-green waters of Lago di Braies when it’s not overrun with summer crowds. When it comes to where to stay, there’s an abundance of spa-forward hotels specializing in hydrotherapy and treatments that take inspiration from the surrounding nature. “I love Hotel Hubertus here—it’s dramatic and incredibly beautiful, but still has that cozy Alpine feeling,” Andraus says. “This is one I recommend to clients who want nature and wellness but still want a real five-star experience.”Where to stay in the Dolomites:GettyUmbria, ItalyAndraus believes Italy’s “green heart” is finally having its moment. Umbria, the underrated, landlocked region in central Italy, is famous for its lush landscapes, medieval palaces, and rustic trattorias. “I plan so much Italy, and I’m definitely seeing more clients who have either already done Tuscany or just want something a little quieter and less ‘on the circuit,’” she says. “Fall is when Umbria really shines—truffles, wine, olive harvests, tiny medieval towns, fireplaces, and amazing food.” Spend your days visiting museums, from the National Gallery of Umbria to the contemporary Fondazione Burri; visit the famous basilica in Assisi; or hike in the National Park of Montecucco. The region has also seen a growing interest in estates-turned-hotels: “Castello di Reschio is the dream here,” Andraus says. “It’s obviously a splurge, but it’s one of those rare hotels where I could happily send someone for four nights and almost tell them not to make plans.”