An autumn holiday offers countless possibilities: in some countries, it’s still warm. In other places, you can wonderfully observe the changing of the seasons. And then there are regions where it is already so cold that you can prepare yourself for cosy evenings by the fireplace.
To make it easier for you to decide which trip to take in autumn, we have picked out six destinations that you should visit – alone, as a couple, with your children or as a group.
Autumn holidays – where is it warm?
Don’t want to let summer go just yet? Then you should choose a travel destination where it is still warm. Whether it’s “a quick hop on a plane” or “jump in the car and go” – let our holiday ideas inspire you:
Off to the sun – autumn holidays in Europe
In Europe, the rule of thumb is quite simple: the further south you go, the greater your warm-weather guarantee becomes. Cyprus is warmest until October. Here you can still enjoy the sun at an average of
28 degrees daytime temperature . But
Kos, Crete, Malta, Corsica, Sardinia, Mallorca and Ibiza are every bit as good as the Mediterranean island when it comes to summer feeling.
Those who prefer to stay on the mainland will be happy in the Algarve in Portugal, in Andalusia in southern Spain, on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, on France’s Côte d’Azur and on Croatia’s coast.
It’s still warm here: our three travel tips
#1 City break to Seville
Many claim that Seville is the
most beautiful city in Spain. Of course, that is always in the eye of the beholder. What no one can deny, however, is that the Andalusian capital has
an above-average number of sights and a flair that you will not feel in quite the same way anywhere else. The buildings are magnificent, the atmosphere lively, the cuisine delicious and regional, and the people warmly relaxed.
On an October day, the thermometer here can still climb to
up to 27 degrees. So you should pack shorts and T-shirts in your
suitcase .
One of the hottest – and most popular – places is the Plaza de España. With a wink, it is also called “Seville’s frying pan”. In summer, it is hardly bearable here. So it is ideal that you are here in autumn.
Besides the Plaza – which, incidentally, served as a backdrop for “Star Wars: Episode 2” – the Alcázar Palace, the cathedral, the Palacio de las Dueñas and the university are absolutely worth seeing. It is also wonderful to simply stroll through the charming maze of alleyways in the old town. It is considered the oldest historic centre in Europe and is often compared with Venice. The big advantage: Seville is nowhere near as crowded.
What else should you not miss in the birthplace of flamenco? Churros – the Spanish deep-fried pastry.
#2 Road trip through Tuscany
Road trips by car are a great way to see several places at once. You also have the advantage that you are not tied to any flight times and can decide spontaneously where you feel like going.
We are big fans of Tuscany. In October, it can still reach up to 20 degrees here. Florence in particular has won us over with its historic charm, all the impressive buildings and the abundance of art. We love strolling through the shady alleys here, eating creamy pistachio ice cream from Rivareno Gelato and making stops at probably the most famous museums such as the Uffizi .
If you drive to Florence by car, you should bear in mind that many Italian cities have introduced so-called “Zona a Traffico Limitato” – in other words, traffic-calmed zones. You are only allowed on the road here at certain times. Simply check with “Visit Florence”, stick to the rules and it is no problem at all to enjoy your road trip happily and without a fine.
From Florence, you can continue fantastically to San Gimignano. The hill town surrounded by a city wall is considered the “Manhattan of Tuscany”. This is due to the skyline with 15 historic towers that rise high into the air and are circled by birds. Here too, you can stroll through the alleys and soak up the Italian-historic flair. Or you can head a little outside the town. The area around San Gimignano is the most beautiful in Tuscany – exactly as you know it from postcards and films.
Here you should stay in an agritourism accommodation . These are charming farmhouses and wineries run by locals and perfectly equipped for a holiday – sometimes even with a pool. Our top tip: the Agrivilla I Pini in the picturesque hills. Hike and cycle in the sunshine of the Tuscan landscape or relax in the region’s thermal baths.
Other great towns for a road trip through Tuscany are: Siena, Volterra, Lucca and Pisa. And it is definitely worth making a detour to the Chianti wine region as well.
#3 Cycling tours in Mallorca
At around 23 degrees, you can really get active again in Mallorca in October. The island off the coast of Spain entices with great cycling routes and organised bike tours. Of course, it does so all year round. But autumn is simply the most beautiful time for it – the landscape is bathed in golden light, but the sun no longer beats down too strongly.
Whether pedalling leisurely or full-speed cycling – there is something for every level: Cool women-only road cycling trips are organised, for example, by “Girls Cycle Hamburg”. Places are often limited to 12 participants so that a familiar atmosphere is created – both on the daily tours and when spending time together in the shared finca with pool.
Or you book your road cycling trip with “Bike for Passion”. The provider specialises in Mallorca tours and gives you four levels to choose from. For eight days, different stages are then on the programme, during which you can admire the landscape – for example the Bay of Alcudia – from the bike.
You do not like riding in a group at all and prefer going full speed alone? Then there are enough routes on Mallorca that you can conquer without company. The 10.2-kilometre route from Sa Calobra to Coll dels Reis is extremely popular. The highlight: the infamous 270° bend. The route is one of the most extraordinary roads in the world and is also used by professional cyclists for training. Red Bull has here put together nine more incredible tours. So, put on your helmet, get on your bike and off you go!
If you prefer being on foot rather than on two wheels, you will also find numerous opportunities for hiking in Europe – from spectacular coastal paths to alpine panoramic routes. You can find more inspiration in our article on hiking in Europe.
Want to discover even more destinations within Europe? Here we have listed our top 5 for you.
Things get cosy here: our three travel tips
Warm pumpkin soup, cosy blankets, flickering candles. If you feel like spending autumn really comfortably, you do not need a trip to the sun, but rather somewhat different destinations. We are thinking, for example, of a holiday flat with a fireplace on the stormy North Sea, of hikes through vineyards and of a small town that looks like a doll’s house.
#1 Get blown through at the North Sea
The poet Theodor Storm once wrote about the “Grey Town by the Sea”, meaning his home town of Husum on the North Sea. What sounds depressing at first is in truth anything but dreary. You will see: Husum is colourful – with colourful house façades around the harbour basin, the lively activity on the water and the bright red prawns fresh from the sea.
In Husum, you have everything at once: beach, North Sea and harbour flair. We especially like walking to the Schobüll pier , standing here in the fresh autumn wind and simply letting our gaze wander over the landscape.
#2 Hiking in the vineyards
From Bockenheim south of Frankfurt to Schweigen on the French border. Through forests and vineyards. Along many castles and palaces. They are unique 85 kilometres that make this part of Rhineland-Palatinate the “Palatinate wine country” and lure holidaymakers to the oldest German Wine Route .
Every place along the route has its very own rustic charm. In Bad Dürkheim stands the largest wine barrel in the world. Historic Deidesheim has held the title “Highlight of Wine Culture” since 2010. And in the UNESCO Palatinate Forest Biosphere Reserve, you can experience the interplay of the vineyard landscape on 25 hiking trails.
For a short break, we were especially taken with St. Martin . The wine and climatic spa resort lies picturesquely nestled in a small valley at the foot of the Palatinate Forest. Anyone strolling through the medieval alleys with stately half-timbered houses in the sunshine immediately understands why St. Martin is also called the “secret metropolis of the Palatinate Tuscany”. Before that, however, you should hike up to Kropsburg from the 13th century once and enjoy the view over the Rhine plain. In the historic town centre, you can then end the day at a winery.
#3 Doll’s-house idyll in Colmar
For us, Colmar is not only one of the most beautiful places in Alsace, but also one of the most worth-seeing places in Europe – if not even worldwide. We can spend hours strolling through the winding alleys of the medieval small town and letting the charm of the historic, brightly colourful houses work its magic on us. On every corner, you discover something new here: imposing sacred buildings, magnificent town villas, ornate fountains, squares with cafés, flower-decorated canals. Colmar looks as if it came straight out of a fairy tale book. No wonder Disney also took inspiration here for Belle’s village in “Beauty and the Beast”. One of the city’s most photographed motifs is probably “Little Venice” – a district that you can admire from a boat.
The romantic idyll radiated by the alleys and half-timbered houses is underlined by the ever-changing decoration. The town’s residents know how to adapt their window sills, doors and front gardens to the seasons with stylish design elements. It gets especially cute during Advent. But you will also be delighted by the autumn decoration.
What else do we love in Colmar? The regional specialities that you can find in all the little shops or in the culinary heart of the city, the Marché Couvert de Colmar, find. Our recommendation: Alsatian tarte flambée, a piece of quiche Lorraine and a glass of Crémant with it. And as a souvenir for your loved ones: finest little cakes and macarons from L‘atelier de Yann.
Autumn holidays – that belongs in your suitcase
Just depending on where your autumn trip takes you, you will need a different packing list for your suitcase. But first of all, you should know what kind of luggage is best for your holiday. Here you can easily find out whether you should take a weekender, a trolley or rather a carry-on suitcase.
As soon as you know which piece of luggage is ideal, it is time to start packing: for trips to the sun, you should in any case think of airy clothes, sun cream, open shoes and hats. But also of transitional jackets, jumpers and long trousers. Because even if it is still very warm during the day in Seville or Cyprus, the nights here cool down quickly in October.
Are you heading to the vineyards? In any case, think of sturdy shoes, a backpack for hiking and breathable clothing.
And what of course must never be missing: the desire to discover new things without pressure and to leave enough space in your suitcase for memories that you can surely bring home with you again.
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