Seasonal travel planner
Where to travel in the fall
We take a look at some of the best places to visit in the fall, as inspiration for your next vacation. From Japan's natural highlights and India's celebrations to the charms of Austria and Germany, these are the best destinations to explore during one of the most special times of year.
Greece
Visiting Athens, Greece and its many iconic sites, from the Parthenon and Ancient Agora to the Daphni monastery won’t be a headache between mid-September and late October/early November. Renowned ruins on your fall travel bucket list are much less crowded, along with cultural institutions like the National Archaeological Museum. Lastly, Athenian Riviera beaches like Kavouri and Vouliagmeni are less busy.
For a change of pace, head north to Thessaloniki, Greece’s cultural and culinary capital. Die-hard foodies will love the cuisine’s polyglot nature, producing dishes that, for example, blend intense Arabic spices with fresh local Macedonian feta. Even less adventurous eaters will likely adore the legendary pastries, including trigona panoramatos.
October is a great time for theater and film aficionados, with shows at National Theater of Northern Greece (across several locations) and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival. If natural wonders are more your fancy, expeditions to Mount Olympus at the Macedonian border are easier to join.
Japan
Fall is just as great a season as spring to revel in Japan’s stunning fauna. Hokkaido kicks things off in early October as Mongolian oaks and ash trees begin their color change. It’s a bit cold, but worth it, as you can enjoy the island’s numerous nature preserves and some of Japan’s best seafood relatively undisturbed.
Alternatively, you can take the Diamond Route from Tokyo through the Ibaraki, Fukushima, and Tochigi prefectures, where beautiful forest foliage complements fascinating Edo-era ruins.
Kyoto’s gardens and surrounding forests contain over 200 trees to produce a magnificent color spectrum in mid-to-late November. The city itself, meanwhile, is a stunning window into many eras of Japan, from its 8th-century beginnings to the medieval, shogunate, and Meiji, and modern periods.
Austria
Modern Austria places itself among the best fall vacation destinations due to its blend of cultural sophistication and natural beauty.
Vienna is always somewhat crowded, but less so starting in late September. You can catch concerts showcasing legendary works by Haydn, Mozart, and many more without breaking the bank on seats. (There’s plenty of pop music venues as well.) October is also time for the Viennale, which often premieres world-famous films.
But you may have the most fun outside the big cities. Hiking in Austrian Alps ranges like the Rätikon and Lechquellen Mountains will be fun for novices and experts alike. Meanwhile, in the exurban towns and rural villages, it’s harvest season: the locals welcome visitors to enjoy hearty cuisine (alpine cheese, veal schnitzel, smoked meats, strudel, and so much more) alongside joyous folk dances and music.
Vietnam
Southern Vietnam is in its late rainy season during fall — fun only for the most dedicated travelers. However, northern Vietnam offers pleasant weather (75 degrees Fahrenheit) and a wide range of attractions.
Ha Long Bay alone puts Vietnam’s north on any list of great fall travel ideas. The coastal hideaway in Hai Phong province is breathtakingly beautiful. Countless islets and austere rock formations emerge from emerald-green water that’s perfect for boating, swimming, or snorkeling. Elsewhere, the limestone cliffs of Ninh Binh and terraced rice fields of Sa Pa offer a unique tranquility.
Then there’s Hanoi’s urbane charms. The justly famous Old Quarter and French Quarters showcase Vietnam’s ancient and colonial eras, respectively. Meanwhile, in October, the Tết Trung Thu mid-autumn festival blends traditional art, cuisine (the famous “mooncakes”), dance, and parades. Hanoi is also well-known for its more modern nightlife, with plenty of restaurants, clubs, and karaoke bars to enjoy.
Bavaria, Germany
This most vibrant of Germany’s provinces would be on our list of the best places to travel in the fall even if not for Oktoberfest.
Granted, visiting Munich’s legendary food and culture festival is on many people’s fall travel bucket list. From mid-September to early October, “the Wiesn” features hearty food (potato dishes galore, bratwurst, pretzels, grilled fish) and truly astonishing quantities of classic Munich beer.
Keep in mind that most Bavarian cities have Volksfests, with the same selling points and much smaller crowds. There’s also hiking in Tegernsee amid beautiful golden foliage, visiting the medieval Neuschwanstein Castle, going for pumpkin patch hayrides in Litzlohe, and much more.
Mexico
If you’re intrigued by famous Mexican resort towns like Cancun, Tulum, and Puerto Vallarta, the fall is a great time to visit. Prices are considerably lower (as is tourist volume), and some intermittent rain won’t ruin the beach experience.
Alternatively, you could take this time to explore different aspects of Mexico. San Miguel de Allende, in Guanajuato, is somewhat known for its architecture, but it also hosts one of Central America’s biggest jazz festivals in mid-November. Oaxaca City, in its eponymous state, has great weather, incredible food (mole, tlayudas, and memelas, for example), and a Dia de los Muertos celebration considered one of the country’s best.
For a less cookie-cutter Mexican experience, try a day trip to Ciudad Juarez. Chihuahua’s famous border metropolis will fascinate anyone interested in revolutionary Mexican history, mariachi music and dance, or the Mexican literary scene. It also features one of Mexico’s truly legendary street markets. And while the Kentucky Club isn’t Juarez’s only famous bar, it’s worth visiting the (disputed) birthplace of the margarita for its rich, Prohibition-influenced atmosphere and (inarguably) fantastic tacos.
India
India isn’t exactly “less crowded” during the mid-October Diwali festival, as it’s one of the most revered traditions for the nation’s Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain communities. But if you want to experience a singular aspect of Indian culture, you should visit during early and mid-October. (The specific date changes every year.)
Diwali effectively translates to “series of lights,” and it more than lives up to the name. Countless Indian homes light their diyas (oil lamps) in celebration of good triumphing over evil. On a larger scale, cities in Uttar Pradesh like Varanasi and Ayodhya hang millions of lamps and are the most visually stunning places to visit for the festival. But no matter where you go, you can expect fireworks, feasting, and a slew of celebratory rituals.
Morocco
Certain cities in Morocco are hot in the fall, but Marrakech, Fes, and Rabat aren’t among them. All have fairly pleasant weather in the mid-70s/low-80s degrees Fahrenheit starting with October. The main choice you’ll be making is between different atmospheres.
Marrakech is bustling — almost raucous — year-round, especially in its famous medina (outdoor market). But autumn is one of the best times to see the iconic Majorelle Gardens, Bahia Palace, and other attractions. Rabat is much calmer despite being the country’s capital, albeit with fewer highlights. You can enjoy incredible views of the ocean from the Oudaya Kasbah citadel, see the impressive ruins of Hassan Tower, or negotiate the charming medina.
Fes has a level of urban activity similar to Marrakech, but it’s almost all foot traffic, which some will prefer to stop-and-go car rides. It’s known for its cuisine — be sure to try a pastilla (chicken-onion-almond pastry) or rich tagine stew (many ingredient variations). Fes also features some of northern Africa’s most beautiful pottery, leatherworks, and wooden crafts.
Namibia
Technically, Namibia in late September and October isn’t “fall travel” but a mid-to-late spring vacation, due to its Southern Hemisphere location. But this time of year presents a great opportunity to visit the nation, with clear skies over Etosha National Park and the Zambezi region.
Granted, it does get hot from mid-October onward, mostly in the north (as high as 99 degrees Fahrenheit), so you’ll want to pack sun protection and lightweight, breathable clothing. But your chances of observing elephants, rhinos, lions, hippopotamuses, and even leopards are quite high. You’ll also see some of Africa’s most astonishing landscapes in stark clarity if you visit Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert.
South Africa
Visitors to South Africa who want a unique view of the nation’s incredible flora and fauna can get it on the 186-mile Garden Route.
Late September and October are ideal times for traversing this coastal path. Major tourist waves won’t arrive until November and the weather is generally in the 70s. Along the way, you’ll see incredibly diverse plant life, hundreds of birds, humpback whales jumping from the waters, and much more. The beaches and hiking trails are also much less crowded.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
As one of southwestern Italy’s most beautiful areas (near Sorrento, not far south of Naples), the Amalfi Coast attracts tourists in droves at peak season. Autumn is a different story: the weather is warm (in the 60s and 70s for most of the day) and the major crowds have gone home. Some lodging and restaurant options close in late October, but you’ll still have places to stay and eat.
Most beaches on this stretch of Italian coastline remain open until late fall, and further inland, there are vineyards, hiking trails, and beautiful forests to explore. Coastal cities and towns like Sorrento, Positano, and Scala offer quaint atmospheres and outstanding cuisine, with the latter also home to the best-known of the region’s Chestnut Festivals.
Slovenia
It might not be everyone’s first thought when pondering the best fall vacation destinations, but Slovenia is beautiful in its cities and countryside alike. The country doesn’t get nearly as windy (and thus cold) as other Balkan nations (other than in the Alps) during this time.
History buffs will appreciate the grandeur of Ljubljana Castle (in its namesake city) and medieval sites like Predjama Castle in less settled areas. Adventure travelers, meanwhile, are sure to love rafting on Lake Bled and the Soca River as well as the giant cave complex in Postojna.
Finally, those looking for a culture-centric experience will find much to their liking. Though cuisine specifics vary by region, signature dishes like Istrian and ricet stews, bujta repa, and a wide variety of pastries are easy to find. Istria particularly stands out for its Italian-influenced cuisine and famous wineries.
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