Discover 10 of the best fall vacations in the world. From Japan to Mexico, explore unforgettable autumn destinations beyond the U.S.
There’s something about fall that makes the world feel different. Streets seem quieter, skies turn softer, and whole landscapes shift into colors you don’t see any other time of year. It’s a season that invites you to slow down, wander, and notice the details, the crunch of leaves underfoot, the glow of late afternoon light, the warmth of a café after exploring outdoors.
While the U.S. has plenty of well-known autumn spots, how about we explore the best fall vacations in the world that are not in the US? Places that feel otherworldly and make you want to keep coming back. If you are looking for places to visit this fall for an unforgettable vacation, then you should check out these top 10 destinations.
Top 10 Best Fall Vacations in the World
As a travel lover and curator, I strongly recommend these places. Most of them also come highly recommended by travelers from all over the world as the best travel destinations.
From Asia’s vibrant cities to Europe’s storybook villages, fall brings out the best in destinations around the globe. Each place on this list offers something unique, glowing autumn colors, rich cultural traditions, or simply the perfect atmosphere for slowing down and enjoying the season. These are ten of the best fall vacations in the world, carefully chosen for you.
1. Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto in autumn is a city transformed. November is the best time to visit, when the temples and gardens are surrounded by deep red maples and golden ginkgo trees. At Eikando Temple, thousands of maples cover the hillside in brilliant color, while Tofuku-ji Temple offers sweeping views of treetops from its wooden bridges. The Philosopher’s Path provides a quieter walk along a canal framed with glowing foliage, and in Arashiyama, the bamboo grove opens into views of hillsides reflected in the river. Stop in a traditional teahouse for matcha, wander the lantern-lit streets of Gion, and you’ll quickly see why Kyoto is one of the great fall vacations in the world for travelers who want history, culture, and scenery in one unforgettable place.
2. Seoul, South Korea
By late October, Seoul’s streets and parks are lined with golden ginkgo trees and crimson maples, making the city feel both vibrant and calm. Start at Gyeongbokgung Palace, where traditional courtyards and rooftops stand out against the fiery leaves. For nature escapes, the trails in Bukhansan National Park lead to sweeping views of both mountains and skyline dressed in autumn color. Couples often take the cable car up to Namsan Seoul Tower for sunset vistas, while food lovers spend evenings at Gwangjang Market, sampling hot street food under glowing lanterns. With grand palaces, lively neighborhoods, and mountain trails only minutes away, Seoul offers travelers an autumn experience that is as cultural as it is scenic.
Related Post: 10 Best Things You Must Do When You Visit Seoul, South Korea
3. Lucerne, Switzerland
If you are searching for great fall vacations, then you should see Lucerne in autumn. Looks like a postcard, with the Swiss Alps dusted in early snow and hillsides glowing in shades of orange and gold. The season peaks in October, when a boat ride across Lake Lucerne reflects the changing colors and medieval towers of the Old Town. For panoramic views, ride the cogwheel railway up Mount Pilatus or take the cable car to Mount Rigi, both offering sweeping landscapes of forests and alpine lakes in their autumn tones. Back in town, stroll across the Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), explore frescoed buildings, and pause in a café along the Reuss River.
4. Paris, France
Paris needs no introduction, with the majestic Eiffel Tower and the golden tree-lined boulevards in autumn. But there is more to Paris than the tower. October is especially beautiful in the Jardin des Tuileries and the Luxembourg Gardens, where the autumn leaves frame fountains and statues. Couples can walk along the Seine River at sunset, take in the city views from Montmartre, or spend the evening in a café as the streets glow under lamplight. Seasonal events like the Nuit Blanche art festival and wine harvest celebrations in Montmartre add another layer to the experience.
You may also like: 30 of the Most Beautiful Places in the World
5. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh’s medieval streets and surrounding hills take on a dramatic beauty, with peak colors usually arriving from mid-October to early November. A walk up Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park rewards travelers with sweeping views of the city framed by red and gold trees, while the Royal Mile offers historic charm with its cobbled lanes, hidden courtyards, and centuries-old buildings. The Edinburgh Castle, perched on its volcanic rock, looks especially striking against the season’s colors. After a day of exploring, couples and friends often retreat into traditional pubs for hearty meals and live music.
Looking to explore the US in the fall? Check out the articles below↓
Best Fall Vacations in the US: Top Destinations for 2025
Romantic Fall Getaways: Best U.S. Fall Vacations for Couples 2025
6. Hong Kong
Autumn is one of the best seasons to see Hong Kong, with cooler weather and clear skies arriving from late October through December. Travelers can hike the Dragon’s Back Trail for sweeping coastal views framed by hills dotted with seasonal color, or take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car to the Big Buddha, where the surrounding peaks glow under the autumn sun. The city itself comes alive during the Mid-Autumn Festival, when neighborhoods fill with glowing lanterns and mooncake stalls. For a slower pace, the Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery provide peaceful corners to enjoy the season.
7. Tuscany (Florence), Italy
Tuscany in September and October is harvest month, making it the best time to enjoy wine tastings in the Chianti countryside or olive oil festivals in small villages. The best fall vacations is one spent in Florence, where couples and culture lovers can stroll through the Uffizi Gallery or climb to Piazzale Michelangelo for panoramic views of the city’s terracotta rooftops framed by autumn hills. Day trips into the countryside reveal medieval towns like San Gimignano and Siena, each alive with seasonal markets and fewer crowds than in summer.
Popular Post: The World’s 30 Most Beautiful Cities At Night
8. Granada, Spain
The Alhambra, a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Spain, takes on a different kind of beauty in the Fall, with its courtyards and reflecting pools set against trees glowing in seasonal color. From the Albaicín quarter, narrow cobbled lanes lead to the Mirador de San Nicolás, where the palace appears even more dramatic with the Sierra Nevada in the background, often dusted with early snow. Cooler weather in October and November also makes it a great time to hike the surrounding hills and valleys, where the city feels far away and the views are wide open. Evenings are best spent sharing tapas in tucked-away taverns, where the pace slows and Granada’s warmth shines through.
9. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is cozy and colorful, with tree-lined canals, parks, and historic squares glowing under crisp northern light. The season begins in late September and stretches into November, making places like Kongens Have (King’s Garden) and the canals of Nyhavn especially striking as the leaves turn. Couples and families often spend afternoons at Tivoli Gardens, where fall decorations and seasonal markets bring the park to life. Cycling remains one of the best ways to see the city, with routes winding past palaces, harbors, and leafy boulevards. When the day cools, the Danish love of hygge takes over; cafés fill with candles, hot drinks, and a sense of warmth that makes Copenhagen one of Europe’s great fall vacation destinations.
10. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
San Miguel de Allende is a city that glows in every season, but fall gives it an extra layer of beauty and energy. By late October, preparations for the Day of the Dead transform the streets with altars, marigolds, and candles, creating a powerful and colorful atmosphere. The cobblestone lanes, colonial churches, and the pink spires of Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel stand out even more under the soft autumn light. Rooftop terraces offer sweeping views of the city and surrounding hills, especially at sunset when the skyline turns golden. Travelers often spend the afternoons exploring local art galleries or relaxing in leafy courtyards, before heading out for an evening of music and regional dishes in the historic center.
First Time Traveler? Check out this guide↓
What Every First Time Traveler Must Know – The First Time Traveller Checklist and Guidebook
Go Discover the World in Autumn
Fall is a season that transforms travel, turning familiar places into new experiences and giving each destination its own kind of magic. From Kyoto’s glowing temples and Edinburgh’s hilltop views to the vineyards of Tuscany and the lantern-lit streets of Hong Kong, these ten cities and regions show just how many ways the world celebrates autumn. Some offer centuries of history framed by colorful leaves, others bring harvest festivals and traditions to life, and all invite you to slow down and enjoy the season more deeply.
The best fall vacations are not only about scenery but also about the atmosphere you carry with you, the quiet of a palace garden in Seoul, the warmth of tapas shared in Granada, or the glow of marigolds in San Miguel de Allende. Each place on this list has its own story to tell, and fall is the time when those stories are at their most vivid.
