Are you looking for beautiful fall foliage in Europe but want to avoid the busy capital cities? You’re in the right place. Here are ten underrated European destinations where you can experience the fall vibes.
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I have traveled to nearly all European capitals and countless smaller cities and villages in the fall, so I thought I would put together a list of places to visit in the fall that aren’t on the beaten path. We all know that Paris is gorgeous in the fall and Madrid’s Parque del Retiro turns to vibrant oranges and reds, but what about lesser-known places?
Well, pack your boots and rain jackets and get ready to discover a few underrated European cities that have nothing to envy the big capitals. From Northern European cities to hidden gems in Eastern Europe, this guide is packed with stunning destinations to visit this fall.
Lille, France
If you want to visit France, but Paris sounds too crowded and expensive, consider the quainter Lille. Located in the northeast of France, close to the border with Belgium, Lille is a delightful city to visit in the fall.
I had the chance to spend two weeks in Lille a few years ago in October, and I loved the city. The leaves turn red and orange, and the crisp morning air and late sunrises add to the city’s charm. Explore the gorgeous historical center, visit impressive art museums, and admire the beautiful architecture.
Lille is quite the cultural hub in northern France, so you’ll find plenty of museums to hide from the rain and cold. Plus, the city is filled with lively restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy traditional food and warm up with a coffee or hot chocolate as you watch the fall foliage outside.
If you want to visit cool museums, I recommend the Palais des Beaux Arts, right in the city center, and the LaM (modern and contemporary art) just outside the city center in a peaceful area surrounded by nature.
You’ll see beautiful fall foliage everywhere in Lille, but a few must-see areas are Citadel Park, Parc du Héron, and the Jardin des Géants.
Antwerp, Belgium
Since we’re close to Belgium, let’s move on to Antwerp, one of the most underrated cities in Belgium (in my opinion). Most people will go to Brussels, Ghent, or Bruges, but Antwerp is worth a visit.
Antwerp sits on the banks of River Scheldt in northeastern Belgium and boasts gorgeous Flemish Renaissance architecture. Check out the beautiful Brabo’s Monument in Grote Markt, stroll along the river, and visit the city’s Diamond District. Antwerp has been an important city in the diamond industry for centuries.
Unfortunately, one of the city’s main museums, the Rubens House, has recently closed for renovations and will only reopen in 2027. However, you can still admire beautiful art at Museum Mayer van den Bergh and M HKA – Museum of Modern Art, or check out the photography exhibitions at FOMU – Photo Museum Antwerp.
Head to Stadspark, Middelheim Park, and Vogelzang for gorgeous fall foliage. If you’re up for a short trip just outside Antwerp, Borrekens Castle is lovely in fall colors.
Utrecht, The Netherlands
Utrecht is another lovely European city worth visiting in the fall. Though often overshadowed by Amsterdam, Utrecht is a delightful city with a similar vibe to the capital but fewer crowds.
If your idea of a fall European trip is strolling along charming tree-lined canals, enjoying a warm drink in a cozy cafè, and visiting cool museums, then Utrecht is the perfect choice. It can get quite cold and rainy in this season, so pack warm clothes and get ready to explore.
You can see fall foliage all over the city, especially along the many canals. The best way to enjoy the fall atmosphere is to walk around the city and get lost in the historical center. You can also check out Park Lepelenburg, Wilhelminapar, and the Botanic Gardens.
If you want to escape the cold, visit the beautiful St Martin’s Cathedral and check out the exhibitions at Het Utrechts Archief for free.
Lublin, Poland
If you travel to Poland, skip the more popular Warsaw and Krakow and head to Lublin. The city boasts a lovely historical center with colorful buildings and a medieval castle that ranks among Poland’s oldest preserved royal residencies.
Fall in Poland can get quite cold, so you may want to spend some time indoors. You can check out some lovely cafés in the historical center and sample delicious local food at traditional restaurants. Sielsko Anielsko is a charming restaurant with cozy décor and heartwarming dishes.
If you’re up for a museum visit, check out the Lublin Castle. You can admire the tapestries, weapons, and artwork in the castle museum, check out the frescoes in the Holy Trinity Chapel, visit the castle prisons, and enjoy the view from the tower.
You can admire lovely fall colors around the Lublin Castle grounds, on the shores of Zemborzycki Reservoir, and in the charming Saxon Garden (Ogród Saski).
Brno, Czechia
Moving on to Czechia (aka the Czech Republic), Brno is a gorgeous alternative to the crowded Prague. Brno used to be the capital of Moravia, one of Czechia’s three historical regions, and is the country’s second-largest city.
Brno’s historical center, with its wide squares and beautiful architecture, houses several impressive historical sites, like the Špilberk Castle, the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, the Brno Ossuary, and the Capuchin Crypt.
With so many cultural landmarks, there’s plenty to do in Brno. If the weather is nice, you can wander around the historical center. On colder, rainy days, you can hide inside the many museums and indoor historical sites.
Outside the historical center, you must visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Villa Tugendhat. You can only access the interior with a guided tour, and these sell out several weeks in advance, so be sure to book way ahead of time.
For fall foliage, head to the parks around Brno’s historical center, like Park Moravske Namesti, Park Koliste, and Luzanky Park. The area around the Brno Reservoir just outside the city offers a lovely escape with fall foliage reflecting on the water.
Bergen, Norway
If you aren’t afraid of lower temperatures, head to Norway and visit the beautiful city of Bergen. Surrounded by mountains on one side and fjords on the other, Bergen provides a spectacular setting in any season, but the colors are just glorious in the fall.
The Bryggen Hansa Quarter, with the charming wooden houses at the foot of the forested Floyen mountain, provides the perfect backdrop for your fall photos. This is probably the most picturesque area in the city. Be sure to check it out from Bergen Harbor on the opposite bank.
Catch the mountain cable car Fløibanen or hike up the forested Mount Fløyen for a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding fjords. If you hike up, you’ll enjoy some beautiful fall foliage.
Other great areas for fall foliage are Nygårdsparken and Nordnes Park. And to stay warm, you can always visit a museum, like Bryggens Museum, or enjoy a warm coffee. My favorite spots are Kaf Kafe Bryggen and Det Lille Kaffekompaniet.
Brasov, Romania
This list of underrated European cities to visit in the fall wouldn’t be complete without Brasov. Now, I may be biased on this one since it’s my hometown, but trust me, it will conquer you at first sight. Forget about busy Bucharest and explore the most charming city of Transylvania.
One of my favorite things about Brasov is Mount Tâmpa, a forest-covered mountain smack in the middle of the city. This is the perfect place to admire the gorgeous fall foliage and impressive panoramic city views. Hop on the cable car or hike your way up to the top.
Brasov also has a delightful historical center with colorful medieval buildings and the iconic Black Church. Plus, you’ll find plenty of cafés and restaurants to indulge in traditional food and warm up with a coffee on a cold afternoon. Enjoy tasty Romanian food at Sergiana or have a coffee at Shakespeare Coffee & Poetry.
Lastly, you can visit one of the city’s museums. The most popular ones are Muzeul de Artă Brașov for beautiful art and “The First Romanian School” Museum. For more fall foliage, go for a stroll in the main city park, Parcul Nicolae Titulescu.
Sintra, Portugal
Portugal may not be the first country that comes to mind when thinking about fall foliage in Europe, but the country offers quite a few places to watch the leaves turn. Sintra is one of them.
Not too far from buzzing Lisbon, tucked away in the Sintra-Cascais National Park, Sintra is a small town better known for the famous hilltop Palacio da Pena. Being immersed in the lush national park, Sintra is the perfect place for fall foliage in Portugal.
All you need to do to enjoy the lovely fall atmosphere is to walk around town and watch the fall colors envelop it in a warm embrace. The historical center is surrounded by parks and trees, and the town is delightful when the leaves turn to countless shades of yellow and red.
While you’re in town, visit some of the gorgeous palaces. Aside from the most famous Pena Palace, you should also check out the beautiful Quinta da Regaleira with its elegant gardens and the charming Moorish-style Park and Palace of Monserrate.
All around town, you’ll find many traditional restaurants and cozy cafés. Try Portuguese tapas at Tascantiga and enjoy coffee and dessert at Café Saudade. And if you want to discover more destinations in Europe, check out these lovely places.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is also very often overlooked when it comes to fall foliage destinations in Europe. Nestled between lush hills and picturesque rivers, this charming city transforms into a mesmerizing autumn wonderland.
Tivoli Park, Ljubljana’s largest park, comes alive in the fall, with its avenues lined with colorful trees, making it a great spot for a fall walk. You can also stroll along the Ljubljanica River, visit the Botanical Garden, or hike up to Ljubljana Castle for panoramic views of the city’s fall transformation.
Aside from exploring Ljubljana’s gorgeous historical center, you can choose from several indoor attractions, like the beautiful Ljubljana Cathedral, the Mestni Muzej Ljubljana dedicated to the city’s history, and the Narodni Muzej Slovenije housed in a beautiful Renaissance palace.
Some of my other favorite places in the city are the lively Central Market and the charming Stari trg, one of the main streets in the historical center. If you are looking for a cozy place to enjoy a hot coffee, head to Kava Bar Tam Tam.
Segovia, Spain
Lastly, let’s head to Spain and discover beautiful Segovia. A short trip from Madrid, Segovia is better known for the Alcázar de Segovia, an imposing medieval castle looking like nothing short of a fairytale place.
It goes without saying that you should visit the Alcázar. Aside from checking out the decorated rooms and beautiful art, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Segovia from the castle’s terraces. This is one of the best spots for checking out the beautiful fall foliage.
All around Segovia, you can find countless walking trails that provide stunning views of the city and the Alcázar. Explore some of these trails and head to the Segovia Botanical Garden to enjoy even more fall foliage.
While the Alcázar may be the city’s main attraction, there is much more to discover in Segovia. The cathedral is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen, so be sure to visit it. Also, you can visit some cool museums like Casa del Sol – Museo de Segovia and Casa-Museo de Antonio Machado.
Lastly, don’t miss out on the opportunity to try some delicious Castilian cuisine. Head to El Sitio or El Redebal, both in Segovia’s historical center.
Start Planning Your European Fall Trip
While Europe’s better-known cities often steal the attention during the fall season, these underrated destinations offer equally captivating experiences and gorgeous fall foliage.
If you want to find the cheapest flights in Europe, I recommend using Skyscanner. I have been using this platform for years, and it’s my go-to for finding the best deals.
As for accommodation options, I use Booking.com on most of my trips. You can get really good deals, especially in these underrated destinations.
Lastly, I don’t travel anywhere without good travel insurance. I recently partnered with SafetyWing, which I consider among the best travel insurance out there. It works in 185 countries, and your policy extends automatically every month, so you don’t end up without coverage. It’s a great choice if you want to visit multiple countries at once. Find out more about the insurance coverage and sign up here. Or read more in this article.
All that’s left to do is pack your bags and head to these lesser-known cities for a unique fall foliage adventure. You won’t be disappointed!
Travel Resources
Lastly, here is an overview of the travel resources I mentioned throughout the article, and a few more:
| Purpose | Website/App | Description | Book Here |
| Accommodation | Booking.com | My favorite website for great accommodation for different budgets. | Find a Place |
| Flights | Skyscanner | The platform I typically use for finding the most affordable flights. | Find Flights |
| Cheap Buses | Flixbus | My favorite app for cheap bus fares around most of Europe and the US. | Bus Rides |
| Transportation | Omio | You can book everything from buses and trains to ferry rides. | Transportation |
| Train Travel | Trainline | If you travel by train, this app is great for booking rides in Europe. | Train Rides |
| Travel Insurance | SafetyWing | One of the best travel medical insurances for frequent travelers. | Get Insured |
| Activities | Manawa | A great platform to book activities and adventures with local hosts. | Find Activities |
| Experiences | GetYourGuide | Another great platform for tours and experiences with lots of options. | Experiences |
| Car Rental | DiscoverCars | My go-to platform for car rental anywhere in the world. | Rent a Car |
| eSIM | Airalo | My favorite app for buying digital SIM cards when traveling abroad. | Get an eSIM |
