Visiting Europe in the Fall is Your Secret Weapon
Discover why Europe is the perfect fall travel destination, along with tips on the best places to visit during the fall months.
Everybody talks about summer in Europe, and whilst it can certainly be pretty, you are not going to be the only one there, and getting a pretty picture of yourself with any stunning historical landmark is going to involve a lot of patience, and invariably a bunch of strangers photo bombing your picture.
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Crowds are not the only thing you have to contend with if you choose to visit Europe during the summer months. In the last few years most of Europe has had record heat waves during the summer. Speaking from experience, I can assure you that wandering around a historical city quickly loses its charm when the temperatures reach 30 degrees celsius (86°F).
Visiting Europe in the fall is the perfect way to explore the rich, and diverse tapestry that the continent has to offer. All it takes is being a little flexible with your dates, and you too can have a European vacation without the crowds, without the sleepless nights from the heat, and save money as well.
Avoid the Crowds with a European Vacation in September or October
Travelling to Europe in the early fall is a fantastic way to avoid the crowds. As the beginning of September rolls around, the majority of European countries have sent their children back to school, and as a result most parents have finished their summer holidays as well. If you have the flexibility to travel during this time it means that you can avoid the majority of the crowds that you would otherwise face in the summer.
Imagine being able to drive up the Norwegian coast, and not be stuck in a constant stream of motorhomes all visiting the same view points. Alternatively, imagine being able to admire the Trevi fountain in Rome without having to dodge a hundred ice cream cones tenuously held in the grasps of impatient children, waiting to smear their new treasures all over your perfect instagram outfit.
You may also dream of spending your days relaxing on a beautiful Mediterranean beach, but they are often full to bursting during the summer months with screaming children, loud music, and the overpowering smell of fake coconut sunscreen. Instead if you travel in the early fall, there will be a lot fewer people on the beach, and your tan will not be ruined by the German family’s gigantic sun umbrella.
One of our favourite places to visit is Bornholm, we love the beaches, the quaint fishing villages, and most of all the beautiful hikes. Unfortunately, we are not the only ones that are enamoured with Bornholm, and during the summer months this tiny island is inundated with tourists. If you want to visit Hammershus be prepared to patiently stand in line to read the signs, or if you want to visit the beaches be prepared to feel like you are entering a metro station during rush hour.
We quickly discovered that visiting Bornholm in September is pure bliss in comparison to the summer months. All of the tourist attractions are still open, most importantly of all the soft serve ice cream stands, but the numerous glass blowing, and artist studios are also still open to visitors.
European Autumn Weather – The Perfect Compromise
Depending on the year, and with a soupcon of luck, early fall is the Goldilocks of weather in most of Europe. You can typically expect warm days, where you can comfortably wear short sleeves, and a skirt or shorts without getting goosebumps. The evenings will be a little bit cooler, so you will need to pack some light sweaters for the relaxed evenings you want to spend at your favourite restaurant terrace enjoying a sumptuous meal, and a glass or two of the local wine.
Another benefit of the somewhat cooler temperatures, is that you can wander around the city without the need to change your sweat drenched outfit halfway through the day. After all, no one wants to pay the outrageous hotel laundry prices, and soaking everything in the tub will only get you so far.
We spent a month finishing up our van build in the Vosges area of Alsace during October, and the weather was simply perfect. Plenty of sun during the day to enjoy the beautiful mountain hikes, and cool evenings so that you could sleep well at night.
Save Your Sanity with Travel to European Destinations in Cooler Temperatures
As we mentioned above, summer temperatures in Europe have been hitting record highs in the last few years. This is both a blessing and a curse. Whilst most Northern Europeans are happy to see temperatures that have a 2 in front of them, the vast majority of buildings in Europe are designed for cold winters, and mild summers. This means they are rarely equipped with AC, and an open window can only do so much when the temperatures refuse to go below 24°C (75°F) at night.
This is especially a problem in Northern Europe, where the majority of hotels, and public buildings are not equipped with air conditioning. The upshot is that you will spend your days being baked by the sun as you meander through the beautiful old towns, and as you return to your hotel room you will find yourself gasping at the window for a hint of cool air.
The solution is simple. Avoid the summer months of June to August, and instead visit Europe in September when the daytime temperatures are still warm, but the nights have become a lot cooler.
Save Money by Visiting Europe in the Fall
As if the above points were not enough, travelling to Europe in early to late fall will also save you money. A lot of locations have high season pricing in place until the end of August, so if you arrive in Europe at the beginning of September you get to take advantage of the same hotels but at reduced prices. You can either keep the savings for delicious meals, or you can treat yourself to a nicer hotel, for the same price.
You will also notice that flight prices to Europe tend to drop significantly, as soon as you look for dates past August. If you are flying from North America this can be a fairly significant difference, and can easily determine whether a European vacation is even feasible.
Best Places to Visit in Europe in September and October
Southern Europe: Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece
The fall is an excellent time to visit Southern Europe. As the summer heat weaves retreat the weather becomes delightful, and instead of sightseeing in sauna temperatures, you can enjoy all the amazing sites in much more comfortable temperatures.
If you want to take a dip in the mediterranean, then September can be a great time to do so as the warm summer will have increased the ocean temperature, so that even the most cold sensitive of swimmers will enjoy a refreshing dip.
If you intend to visit the Pyrenees, you will also want to stick to September/ early October as winter weather can arrive quickly in the mountains. However, if you want to run along once packed beaches, then you can probably push your trip all the way into early November, but you may get unlucky with the weather at that point.
West / Central Europe / Balkans: France, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia
For these countries I would definitely stick to September, and October. As you move into November the weather gets cooler, and rainier, essentially typical European winter weather, just not as cold.
The great news is that September and October can be incredible, with warm sunshine filled days, crisp mornings for sipping your coffee, and cool nights that enable you to curl up in your duvet.
If you plan on visiting the mountains in these countries, you will need to do so as early as possible to be guaranteed good weather. As with Northern Scandinavia, plan to leave the mountains by mid to late October as the weather begins to cool, and you risk an early snowfall.
Scandinavia and the Baltics: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia
Fall happens quickly in Northern Scandinavia, so unless you want a true fall experience with the leaves turning yellow, and cooler nights that encourage you to sip hot chocolate around the fireplace, then I would recommend travelling to the north at the beginning of September, and plan to be in southern Scandinavia by the beginning of October.
Of course you could easily spend a two week vacation simply visiting Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo and Helsinki. Mid September would be a great time for such a trip as all the summer crowds will have disappeared, but you still get plenty of sunshine during the day.
Fall in Europe – The Goldilocks of Travel?
Chances are you have heard the expression ‘you cannot have your cake, and eat it too’ before. You may also have dreamed of soaking up the Mediterranean sun on an Italian restaurant terrace without feeling like you are sitting on a Ryanair flight. It may seem impossible, but at the risk of sounding like a mega church preacher, you have the power to make the impossible happen. The trick to a summer vacation in Europe without the crowds, and the hefty hotel bill, is to travel in the Fall. It is really that simple, now all you have to do is decide where in Europe you want to travel to. If you are up for an adventure, I would recommend downloading our free printable, and discover your new favourite European destination.
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