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Autumn in Europe offers comfortable outdoor weather perfect for water adventures in the Mediterranean. Explore vibrant fall colors in Scandinavian national parks and enjoy unique festivals like Oktoberfest. Enjoy the Northern Lights in Norway and discover Europe's spooky side in haunted castles and forts.
Europe is rich in human history and has always been considered the birthplace of Western civilization. It is also known for its rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural scenery. The continent is home to some of the world's most popular destinations, from Venice, one of the best places for a romantic city break, to Paris, known for its famous landmarks such as the towering Eiffel Tower.
Summer is the most popular time to visit this beautiful continent, and that's not surprising, since that's when many cities really come to life. The season is characterized by long days and warm nights, picturesque beaches, and a ton of fun-filled festivals. But because it's the most popular time to explore Europe's beautiful vacation spots, it also tends to get crowded and prices soar.
Destinations like Santorini, the world's most beautiful island, get so many travelers in the summer that it becomes difficult for tourists to enjoy an intimate experience. Not many tourists choose to explore the continent in the fall, but it might just be the right season to see Europe's best sights. Find out why fall is the best time to travel to Europe.
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Europe has the best weather in autumn
Autumn is the most comfortable season for outdoor activities.
With the scorching summers behind us, you can now enjoy the beauty of the continent in comfort. The southern Mediterranean is now a great place to explore, with warm weather and warm waters allowing for fun water activities such as swimming, windsurfing, jet skiing, diving and snorkelling.
On average, most parts of the continent experience highs between 40 and 70 degrees, with lows between 30 and 60 degrees. Cyprus, the southernmost island in the Mediterranean, is one of the hottest places to visit during this season, with average October highs of 74 to 83 degrees, but the weather is comfortable and offers plenty of outdoor fun, especially water adventures.
Here are the warmest places you can visit in Europe in October:
destination
Average Maximum Temperatures by Weather2Travel/TuiHolidays
Average hours of sunshine per day
Limassol, Cyprus
78.8°F
Eight
Valletta, Malta
75.2°F
Seven
Kos, Greece
72°F
Eight
Dalyan, Türkiye
75°F
Eight
Crete, Greece
73°F
Eight
Why Fall is the Best Time to Travel to Europe
Explore Europe's colorful autumn colours and vibrant festivals
Autumn in Europe is a mesmerizing sight with breathtaking hues of red, gold, orange and yellow, transforming every corner into a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours that will take your breath away. Scandinavia is one of the places to experience the most spectacular autumn foliage.
In Sweden, you can explore Abisko National Park, which is home to some of the best hiking trails in the country. The park's trails take you through dense forests and allow you to enjoy pure serenity, breathtaking autumn foliage and the earthy smell of fallen leaves. The island of Djurgården, known for its picturesque waterfront views and beautiful hiking trails, offers the most spectacular autumn foliage.
Other autumn wonderlands not to be missed include Oslo, Norway attractions such as Palace Park, one of the best things to do in Oslo, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, and the Black Forest in Germany, one of the fall destinations that looks and feels like Canada (but is cheaper).
Take part in some fun European autumn festivals
Europe's cultural scene also comes to life during this season, with many autumn festivals taking place, the most popular of which is Oktoberfest. Attracting over six million visitors each year, Munich's Oktoberfest is the largest beer festival in the world.
There are numerous other festivals, including the Ludwigsburg Venetian Festival, where locals come out in colorful costumes. Started in 1768, the festival is accompanied by an impressive entertainment scene, with art performances, costume parades and an arts and crafts market featuring merchants from all over the continent.
A must-see autumn festival is the Signal Festival in Prague, Czech Republic, one of the friendliest countries in Europe. The festival lights up the city's breathtaking architecture, from Gothic to Baroque. It is one of the most popular cultural events in the Czech Republic, attracting millions of tourists every year.
Jazz and wine lovers shouldn't miss Jazz Au Vert Beaune in Beaune, located in the heart of the Burgundy wine region.
Discover all that Europe has to offer in the fall
Explore the spooky side of Europe in autumn
With a rich history spanning thousands of years, Europe has an eerie side and travellers will encounter mysteries in almost every corner of the continent, but Ireland is considered to be the most haunted country. Surrounded by stunningly beautiful gardens, Malahide Castle is known as one of the most magical places you can visit in Ireland.
But it's also one of the most haunted places in the country, so autumn is the perfect time to discover its darker side. The castle was built in 1185 and served as a castle and home until the 1970s, and was home to eight generations of the Talbot family.
Some of the must-visit haunted places in Europe include the ancient fortress of Bock in Luxembourg, the Buda Castle Labyrinth in Hungary, and Bran Castle in Romania. These places are said to be some of the most haunted in the world and are perfect for Halloween lovers.
Malahide Castle and Gardens' Haunted Trail is an interactive Halloween experience. This spooky outdoor trail is fun for the whole family with spooky decorations, costumed characters and great photo opportunities. Alternatively, book a nighttime walking tour of Munich's ghosts and spirits to discover the city's dark side.
Related: The best beaches in Europe outside of Italy and Greece
Europe has hundreds of miles of diverse coastline and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, alternatively to Italy and Greece.
See the Northern Lights in Norway
One of the happiest countries in the world, Norway is famous for many things, including breathtaking natural attractions, from the spectacular 225m high waterfall, Kjosfossen, to the Atlantic Ocean Road. It is also known as one of the best places in the world to view the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights viewing season runs from mid-September to early April, making autumn the best time to experience this unique phenomenon.
The best places to see the Northern Lights in Norway are Tromsø, Trondheim, Svalbard, Andøya and the Lofoten Islands.
Europe is beautiful all year round, but autumn offers some of the most unforgettable adventures. Whether you choose to admire the vibrant foliage, attend autumn festivals, explore your spooky side or catch the Northern Lights in Norway, your trip is sure to be one to remember.
