Epic Europe Fall Bucket list, top destinations to “fall” in love with autumn!
The fall season is my absolute favorite season. In my part of the world, we say goodbye to the oppressive heat and hello to cooler weather. It really is the best time of year! On tap: caramel apples, pumpkin spice lattes from the local coffee shops, and all manner of pumpkin treats!
Pack away your summer clothes in favor of cozy sweaters and head on over to a local park where fallen leaves crunch beneath your feet and the trees proudly display their fall attire.
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Table of Contents
ultimate fall bucket list, travel edition!
If you love fall and are looking for the perfect place to add to your fall bucket list then you’ve come to the right place! This fall bucket list includes 19 Fall Bucket list ideas for the best places around the world to add to your autumn bucket list and get in the fall spirit! Start planning your adventure today!
attend Oktoberfest, in Munich Germany
Oktoberfest is a world-famous beer festival that takes place annually in Munich, Germany. It is one of the largest festivals in the world, attracting millions of visitors from around the globe. Oktoberfest, which typically takes place in late September and early October, has been a destination for beer and fest lovers since 1810.
During this festival the fairgrounds in Munich are transformed into a massive beer garden. Festival attendees are treated to live music of the traditional Bavarian style, and copious amounts of Bavarian beer, brewed specifically for Oktoberfest. Gorge yourself on traditional Bavarian food like bratwurst, pretzels, and roasted meats.
Before heading out to the festival, stop in one of the local shops for some traditional clothing, lederhosen for men and dirndls for women.
Oktoberfest in Munich is classic but can be very CROWDED! If you’re looking for alternatives you’ll find the best small town Oktoberfest alternatives here!
Soar to new heights with a Hot air balloon ride
If you’re looking for a unique way to view the changing leaves, you might consider taking a hot air balloon ride.
Here are some of the best places around Europe for a hot air balloon ride:
- Tuscany, Italy: The rolling hills of Tuscany are known for their beautiful landscapes and make a wonderful backdrop for a hot air balloon ride.
- Loire Valley, France: A hot air balloon ride over the Loire Valley offers stunning views of the region’s chateaux, vineyards, and countryside.
road trip to see the fall foliage
Fall foliage season is the perfect time of year to take a road trip and bear witness to the stunning beauty of the kaleidoscope of color as the leaves change color.
For the most impact head for a mountainous area and get up high so you can see the sea of reds, yellows, and oranges that stretch for miles! Plan to take in the crisp air by going on a bike ride or choose one of the beautiful fall hikes in the area.
When: Depending on your location, the height of the fall colors could be anywhere from early fall to late fall. Use this Fall Foliage Prediction Map from the European Space Agency.
Here are some of best places in Europe to see the fall colors:
- Germany: The best locations in Germany for fall colors include the Black Forest and The Saxon Switzerland region.
- Tuscany, Italy: The rolling hills of Tuscany are known for their beautiful fall colors, as well as their vineyards, olive groves, and charming hilltop towns.
- Pyrenees Mountains, France and Spain: The Pyrenees Mountains, which run along the border of France and Spain, offer stunning fall foliage views against the backdrop of rugged peaks.
- Bernese Oberland, Switzerland: This region in the Swiss Alps is known for its beautiful fall colors, as well as its glaciers, mountains, and charming villages.
Celebrate Samhain in Ireland and Scotland
Samhain is a traditional Gaelic festival that marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. This ancient festival is still celebrated today in various forms.
Samhain is celebrated with bonfires, costumes, and feasting. Popular places to celebrate are the Samhuinn Fire Festival in Edinburgh Scotland and the Púca Festival in County Meath Ireland.
the best places for Wine Tours
Fall is grape harvest season and the perfect time for a wine tour!
Check Get Your Guide for tour in these popular locations;
- Loire Valley, France: The Loire Valley is known for its beautiful castles, lush vineyards, and delicious wines. Try famous Loire Valley whites like Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, as well as reds like Chinon and Bourgueil.
- Tuscany, Italy: The rolling hills of Tuscany are home to some of the world’s most famous wines, including Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino.
- Bordeaux, France: Bordeaux is known for its red wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.
- Mosel Valley, Germany: The Mosel Valley is known for its white Riesling wines.
- Alsace Region (the Wine Route): The Alsace region of France is known for its ridiculously cute villages, stunning vineyards, and delicious wines like Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris.
see humpback whales in the wild
Fall is a great time for humpback whale watching. Observe these magnificent creatures, one of the largest whale species, in their natural habitat.
Find tours on Get Your Guide to the best places around the world for fall whale watching tours in the following:
- Norway: The waters off Norway are home to humpback whales from May to September, with peak season occurring in July and August. Book a Whale and Orca Watching Tour here.
- Iceland: Humpback whales can be seen in the waters around Iceland from April to October, with peak season occurring in July and August.
take a Scenic train Ride
A scenic train ride is a fun activity and a great way to take in the fall colors.
Some of the best scenic train rides around the world include: (year-round unless otherwise noted)
- Switzerland Rails include: The Bernina Express, Switzerland: This panoramic train ride, known for its breathtaking scenery, travels through the Swiss Alps, offering stunning views of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and pristine alpine lakes. The Glacier Express, Switzerland takes passengers through the Swiss Alps, offering stunning views of mountains, valleys, and glaciers.
- The Flam Railway, Norway: This train ride takes passengers through the Norwegian fjords, offering stunning views of waterfalls, mountains, and glaciers.
- Scotland’s railways: The Royal Scotsman train ride takes passengers through the Scottish Highlands, offering stunning views of mountains, lochs, and castles. The West Highland Line takes passengers through the Scottish Highlands, offering stunning views of mountains, lochs, and coastal landscapes.
Celebrate Halloween around the world!
Halloween is the favorite holiday of those who enjoy spending a little time on the dark side. On October 31st ghouls, goblins, and all things that go bump in the night come out to play. For those of us who truly love this holiday, the entire month of October is a reason to celebrate!
From spine-tingling experiences to bone-chilling attractions, this list includes 25 Halloween bucket list ideas for the best places in Europe to get in the Halloween spirit . From a famous haunted house to entire towns that are famous for their resident ghost, to frightening fall festivals and more, start planning your Halloween travel adventure today!
Attend An American Football game
In the United States, fall is American football season and if you’ve never attended one of these spirit-filled events you are in for a treat! and yes, you an attend an American football game in Europe!
Attend a football game for a glimpse into this beloved American pastime. At the local high school, it’s Friday night lights in every town in America, truly something everyone should experience at least once!
This year (in 2025) my beloved Kansas State Wildcats are scheduled to start out the season in Dublin Ireland. The Aer Lingus Classic is a yearly event that brings American College Football across the Atlantic.
You can also catch an NFL (National Football League of the US) game in Europe. You’ll find a list of NFL international games on the official website. Games are scheduled for places like Dublin, London, Berlin, and Madrid.
Visit an apple orchard to pick your own apples
Head to a local farm for apple picking. Picking apples is a fun activity and if you’re lucky you’ll have the chance to sample some tasty apple treats like apple pie, apple cider, or apple cider donuts!
Need help finding an orchard? You can find a U-pick farm at Orchards Near Me.
Visit a National Park
During summer national parks are overrun with visitors. Fall is the perfect time to explore the parks when they are a bit less crowded.
These are some of the best national parks with stunning fall colors:
- Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia: is known for its stunning waterfalls and lakes, but in the fall, the park’s beech and maple trees turn shades of red, orange, and yellow, creating a beautiful contrast against the park’s blue-green lakes.
go mushroom picking
Mushroom picking, typically a fall activity when mushrooms are in season, is a popular tradition in many parts of Europe.
In addition to being a popular activity for locals, mushroom hunting is also a popular tourist activity. However, mushroom picking is often a highly regulated activity, with specific rules and regulations so be sure to contact a local guide before setting out on your own.
Langhe Italy Truffle Hunting Experience
Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night in the UK
Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night, is an annual event that takes place in the United Kingdom on November 5th. The event commemorates the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in which a group of English Catholics attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
On this night, people gather around the bonfires to watch fireworks and enjoy food and drink. Try some of the traditional festival foods such as toffee apples, parkin (a type of gingerbread), and bangers and mash (sausages and mashed potatoes.)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Fall attractions in Europe?
- Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany
- Hot air balloon rides in places like Tuscany, Italy and Loire Valley, France
- Fall road trips to see the fall colors in places like the Black Forest and The Saxon Switzerland region of Germany, Tuscany, Italy, The Pyrenees Mountains of France and Spain and The Swiss Alps
- Samhain celebrations in Ireland and Scotland
- Wine tours in places like the Loire Valley of France, Tuscany Italy, Bordeaux France, Mosel Valley Germany, an the Alsace Region of France
- Humpback Whale watching in places like Norway and Iceland
- Scenic train rides such as The Bernina Express and The Glacier Express in Switzerland, The Flam Railway, Norway and Scotland’s railways: The Royal Scotsman and The West Highland Line
- Go on a mushroom picking tour
- Attend a Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night in the UK
