Want to travel to Europe? Autumn is the best time to visit

Quite apart from better weather and fewer tourists, you’re likely to get a better deal on airfares

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European cities like Rome have a certain added charm as autumn arrives.

Published: 8:30am, 12 Oct 2019Updated: 8:30am, 12 Oct 2019

There are people in this world who hate autumn. They wallow over the end of summer, seeing the season as a time of mourning. But those glass-half-empty people are wrong.

Autumn is a season for rejoicing, because while the weather cools off in the Northern Hemisphere and birds begin their long slog south, travel to Europe is at its best. Gone are the hordes of tourists in sweat-soaked tank tops. You’re looking at sweater weather. Better yet, you’re looking at European scarf weather.

The perks go beyond climate considerations, too. If you take a peek at airfares year-round, prices dip in the autumn. The only time you’ll find lower prices is in the dead of winter.

Once you’re ready to start packing your layers, you’ll need to plan out your autumnal trip. We checked in with expert local guides in Europe’s best fall destinations to find out what makes their cities great this time of year.

Paris

The Eiffel Tower is incredible at all times of year, but even better when you're not fighting horders of fellow travellers.

In the summer, Paris is a minefield of tourists. Walking along the Seine is still beautiful, but it’s harder to enjoy when you’re dodging a family of four on rental bikes barrelling down the sidewalk. Come autumn, most of those families are back at home settling into the new school year, leaving the banks of the famous river to you and the perfectly dressed Parisians.