The Best Places to See Autumn Colours in Europe

There is something special about travelling through Europe in autumn.

As summer fades, forests begin turning gold, orange and deep red, mountain landscapes take on a warmer glow, and lakes become perfect mirrors for the changing trees. Some destinations that can feel busy during summer suddenly become quieter, more atmospheric and, in my opinion, even more beautiful.

And you don’t necessarily need to visit a famous European city to experience the best autumn colours. Some of Europe’s most spectacular autumn destinations are lakes, forests, mountain regions and national parks.

If you’re looking for somewhere to experience that classic European autumn scenery, these are five of the best places to see autumn colours in Europe.

1. Lake Bled, Slovenia

Few places in Europe look as magical in autumn as Lake Bled.

Surrounded by the Julian Alps, the lake is already one of Slovenia’s most photogenic destinations. But when the surrounding forests begin changing colour, the scenery becomes something completely different.

The combination of golden and orange trees, the blue-green water, the island sitting in the middle of the lake and the mountains rising behind it creates one of those landscapes that almost looks too perfect to be real.

Autumn is also a particularly good time to experience Bled because the summer crowds begin to disappear. You can walk around the lake, stop at viewpoints overlooking the water or simply find a quiet spot and enjoy the scenery.

One of the best things to do is walk around the lake itself. The route allows you to see the autumn landscape from several different angles, with the colours reflected in the water along the way. For a higher viewpoint, the trails towards Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica offer spectacular views over the lake and its surrounding forests.

The foliage generally becomes particularly impressive during October, although the exact timing varies from year to year.

Why visit in autumn:
Lake Bled combines colourful forests, mountains and a beautiful lake in one unforgettable landscape.

Best for: Photography, hiking, couples and scenic weekend trips.

2. Perthshire, Scotland

If you’re looking for somewhere that feels like autumn was made for it, head to Perthshire.

Located between the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, Perthshire is filled with forests, lochs, rivers, waterfalls and winding roads. During autumn, the landscape transforms into a mixture of golden yellow, burnt orange and deep red.

One of the highlights is The Hermitage, a beautiful woodland area near Dunkeld. Walking through the forest in autumn feels almost like entering a fairytale, with colourful trees surrounding paths, waterfalls and historic features.

The wider area around Pitlochry, Dunkeld and Aberfeldy is also excellent for exploring by car or on foot. You can spend one day hiking through woodland and the next exploring small villages and scenic roads.

Perthshire is also home to the famous Meikleour Beech Hedge, while nearby forests and lochs provide countless opportunities to experience the changing landscape.

October is generally one of the best months for autumn colour in Scotland, with mid-to-late October often offering particularly impressive displays.

And if you happen to visit Pitlochry during the autumn season, the area’s famous woodland atmosphere can become even more spectacular with seasonal events such as the Enchanted Forest.

Why visit in autumn:
It’s one of Europe’s best combinations of colourful woodland, dramatic scenery and classic Scottish landscapes.

Best for: Road trips, hiking, photography and nature lovers.

3. The Black Forest, Germany

The name alone makes the Black Forest sound like an autumn destination.

Located in southwestern Germany, this enormous forested region is filled with wooded hills, traditional villages, waterfalls and scenic hiking routes.

Although the evergreen trees give the landscape its characteristic appearance throughout the year, autumn adds a huge amount of colour. Deciduous trees scattered throughout the region turn shades of yellow, orange and red, creating a striking contrast against the darker forest.

One of the best ways to experience the region is by hiking. There are countless trails winding through the forest, allowing you to discover viewpoints, waterfalls and small villages along the way.

You can also combine nature with some of Germany’s famous spa towns. Baden-Baden, for example, sits on the edge of the Black Forest and provides an excellent base for exploring the surrounding scenery.

For something particularly memorable, look for elevated viewpoints and treetop walks. Seeing the autumn forest from above gives you a completely different perspective and allows you to appreciate just how extensive the colourful landscape is. The Black Forest is regularly highlighted among Europe’s top autumn foliage destinations.

Why visit in autumn:
The contrast between dark evergreen forests and brightly coloured deciduous trees makes the Black Forest especially atmospheric.

Best for: Hiking, road trips, villages and combining nature with culture.

4. The Dolomites, Italy

Autumn in the Dolomites is different from the traditional image of European fall foliage.

Instead of simply surrounding yourself with forests, you’re surrounded by some of Europe’s most dramatic mountains.

The Dolomites are famous for their enormous limestone peaks, alpine lakes and hiking trails. During autumn, the landscape becomes even more spectacular as the larch trees covering the mountainsides begin turning a brilliant golden colour.

This creates an incredible contrast between the golden forests and the pale, towering rock formations.

Some of the most beautiful places to experience this are around Lago di Braies and Lago di Sorapis, where the colourful trees and mountains can be reflected in the water.

Autumn also brings softer light to the mountains. As the sun sits lower in the sky, the peaks can take on warm colours around sunrise and sunset, making an already dramatic landscape feel even more impressive.

The golden larch season typically becomes particularly noticeable from October, before winter snow takes over the higher elevations.

Why visit in autumn:
Golden alpine forests combined with enormous mountain peaks make the Dolomites one of Europe’s most dramatic autumn destinations.

Best for: Hiking, photography, mountain scenery and adventurous travellers.

5. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Croatia might not be the first country you think of when someone mentions autumn foliage.

Most travellers associate it with sunny beaches, islands and the Adriatic coastline. But head inland and you’ll discover one of the most spectacular autumn landscapes in the country: Plitvice Lakes National Park.

The park is famous for its series of turquoise lakes, waterfalls and wooden walkways. Surrounding them is a huge forest of beech and oak trees, which turns yellow, orange and red as autumn progresses.

The result is something completely different from the summer version of Plitvice.

Imagine walking along wooden paths above crystal-clear water, with waterfalls flowing between the lakes and colourful forests rising on every side.

One of the advantages of visiting in autumn is that the landscape can feel much more peaceful once the peak summer season has passed. The changing colours also add another layer to the scenery, with reflections of the trees appearing across the lakes.

Because the park covers different elevations, the autumn colours don’t necessarily arrive everywhere at exactly the same time, helping extend the seasonal display. Late October and early November can be particularly rewarding.

Why visit in autumn:
It’s one of Europe’s most unusual combinations of colourful forests, turquoise water and waterfalls.

Best for: Nature lovers, photographers, hiking and anyone looking for something different.

When Is the Best Time to See Autumn Colours in Europe?

There isn’t one exact week when autumn arrives across Europe.

That’s actually one of the best things about planning an autumn trip here.

The colours generally begin appearing in higher and more northerly areas first before moving into lower elevations and further south. Depending on where you travel, the best foliage can appear anywhere from September through November.

As a rough guide:

• September: Higher mountain areas and northern regions can start changing.
• Early October: Autumn becomes increasingly noticeable across many parts of Central and Northern Europe.
• Mid to late October: Often one of the best periods for colourful forests in places such as Slovenia, Scotland and Germany.
• Early November: Lower-elevation forests and some southern European destinations can still have beautiful autumn scenery.

However, weather can change the timing considerably from one year to another, so it’s worth checking local conditions before travelling.

How to Make the Most of an Autumn Foliage Trip

If you’re specifically travelling to see autumn colours, don’t plan your trip entirely around a city.

Some of the best scenery is found outside urban areas.

Consider renting a car, taking scenic trains or basing yourself in a smaller town near a national park or mountain region. This gives you much more freedom to follow the changing colours rather than being restricted to one location.

It’s also worth getting outside early in the morning. Autumn landscapes can look completely different when they’re covered in morning mist or illuminated by low golden sunlight.

And don’t forget to leave some flexibility in your itinerary. Autumn weather can be unpredictable, and having an extra day gives you a much better chance of experiencing your destination in good conditions.

Which Autumn Destination Should You Choose?

Each of these destinations offers something different.

For the most picture-perfect scenery: Lake Bled, Slovenia

For forests and a classic autumn atmosphere: Perthshire, Scotland

For an immersive forest experience: The Black Forest, Germany

For dramatic mountain scenery: The Dolomites, Italy

For waterfalls, lakes and colourful forests: Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

The best part is that you don’t have to choose a traditional autumn destination to experience spectacular foliage. Europe is full of places where forests, mountains, lakes and valleys become completely transformed for a few weeks each year.

So if you’re planning your next autumn getaway, consider travelling somewhere where the landscape itself is the attraction.

You might discover that Europe’s most beautiful season isn’t summer after all.