From Bruges to Budapest: 6 European cities ideal for an autumn getaway

BarcelonaWhen autumn begins and the days get shorter, we enter one of the best times to travel. Autumn isn't a transitional season, but a destination in itself. It's the moment when European cities breathe, shake off the crowds, and recover their true and authentic rhythm. The sunlight turns golden and slanted, setting the parks ablaze and bathing the facades in an almost unreal patina. The air becomes fresh and clean, inviting us to do two things that are unthinkable in summer: put on a jacket and enjoy the pleasure of a good hot dish.

Traveling in autumn is an experience for all five senses. It's the scent of roasted chestnuts on a street corner, the intense, earthy taste of mushrooms and truffles that fill our plates, the visual spectacle of forests that seem hand-painted, the caress of the wind that warns us that it's time to bundle up again, and the sound of the leaves. It's a season that invites you to take refuge: in a bookstore selling antiquarian works, in a chocolate shop selling artisan products, or in a nearly empty museum where you can contemplate art in silence.

This journey will take you to fairytale forests and cities where the fog entangles between castles and bridges, creating a setting of perfect mystery. You'll discover the almost decadent pleasure of bathing outdoors while the cold caresses your skin, and places where the season's most spectacular work of art is served on a plate. We suggest a tour of six cities that in autumn are not only visited, but experienced, tasted, and felt.

Edinburgh

If any city was born for autumn, it's Edinburgh. It's the time when fog conquers the castle and its medieval alleyways seem about to reveal a secret. This aura of mystery explodes around Halloween with the Samhuinn Fire Parade, a fire and percussion festival celebrating the Celtic New Year on Calton Hill, reenacting the struggle between the kings of summer and winter. A stunning spectacle. Beyond the ghosts, however, the city lights up with the colors of the season. Edinburgh in autumn is an explosion of color. For a truly enchanting experience, escape to the woods of Corstorphine Hill or the Hermitage of Braid, where the paths are covered in ochre blankets. And a delightful detail: look at the doorways of the New Town. Residents compete to see who can hang the most elegant autumn wreath on their Georgian facades. Without the lines and rush of summer, it's the perfect time to browse farmers markets, sample local flavors, or join in the fun tradition of pumpkin picking at a nearby farm.

Prague

Fairytale-like and ideal for children, it's well-priced and has plans that would stop you a minute. Autumn is the best-suited destination in Prague. It's the time when ochres and golds paint the city and the shadows make the stones of the Ciutat Vella dance, which becomes an open-air museum. The best part? You can visit this museum without the summer crowds. A climb up Petřín Hill or a stroll through Letná Park will give you panoramic views of the city ablaze with reds and yellows. Afterwards, it's best to lose yourself in the cobbled streets of Malá Strana or seek peace on Kampa Island, by the river. And to top it all off, indulge in the seasonal flavors: don't miss the burčák (a young, cloudy wine that is insane) and, when the cold gets worse, there's nothing like some warm chestnuts and a glass of spiced wine (svárák) to feel at home.

Budapest

There are few sensations more pleasurable than immersing yourself in warm water while the crisp autumn air nips at your shoulders. In Budapest, the world's spa capital, this fantasy is the daily plan. When the city is painted in ochre and gold, its historic open-air thermal baths become the world's greatest retreat. The undisputed star is the Széchenyi Spa, a gigantic yellow palace in the middle of a park, with steaming outdoor pools that defy the cold. But before or after your dip, the city awaits you at its best. Without the summer crowds, strolling to Parliament or climbing Buda Castle feels like a different pace. And if you're craving a dose of nature, take the bus to Normafa, in the Buda Hills, for an easy hike among the autumn leaves with spectacular views. An important note for travelers: the famous Gellért Baths, a Art Nouveau gem, is closed for renovations until 2028. But it wasn't affected; in addition to the Széchenyi Baths, there are characterful alternatives like the Lukács Baths.

Witches

There are places that seem straight out of a fairy tale, and then there's Bruges in autumn. It's when this Flemish gem, a World Heritage Site, puts on its finest clothes. The ivy climbing the brick facades turns a deep red, and the famous canals, the city's main arteries, become liquid mirrors that replicate a golden landscape. Autumn here has a simple and perfect recipe. First, an aimless stroll, crossing stone bridges and getting lost in the cobbled streets. Then, when the fresh air begins to make itself felt, all you have to do is follow your nose. The aroma of melted chocolate that escapes from its countless chocolate shops is the perfect invitation to take refuge. What better autumn postcard is there than to end the day with a hot chocolate in your hands while watching the boats glide along the canal? It's the magic of autumn in its city.

Munich

When Oktoberfest ends, Munich experiences autumn to the fullest. The city has a ritual: taking advantage of the last rays of sunlight to make the last beer of the season for its loved ones. beer gardens (places to have a beer outdoors), while its green heart, the immense English Garden, bursts into golden and reddish hues. In addition to strolling through the parks, it's also time to explore urban forests like the Perlacher Forst or the Allacher Lohe, feeling the dry leaves crackle beneath your feet. And when the cold starts to set in, there's nothing more comforting than taking refuge in a traditional tavern to warm up with a hearty soup, like a Leberknödelsuppe (liver dumpling soup) or a Brotsuppe (bread soup). If you're eager to get out of the city, Munich is the perfect gateway to the Ammengau Alps, with lush forests and fairytale castles. It's also the ideal time to take a train and a day trip to the Blue Land region around Murnau, where the autumn spectacle is also breathtaking.

Florence

In autumn, a warm light bathes the Ponte Vecchio and ignites the colors of Florence's Renaissance buildings. It's a light that makes one of Italy's most visited cities even more magical, but at this time of year, there's another magic that's not only visual, but also tangible. This is the season of white truffles, freshly harvested vines, chestnuts, and the aroma of new olive oil. The heart of this gastronomic festival beats in the city's markets. The Sant'Ambrogio market, far from the most touristy routes, is an ideal place to taste all these flavors. You can't leave the city without climbing Brunelleschi's dome and enjoying the unobstructed views over the Tuscan hills dressed in autumn. Also, take some time to stroll through the Cascine Park and enjoy the magnificent spectacle of the ginkgo biloba, trees considered living fossils, which burst into a dazzling yellow. Because in Florentine autumn, the best works of art don't hang on a wall: they're found in the markets, served on a plate, and inhabited in every street.