Best Places to Visit in Autumn
Autumn (roughly September to November) is the widest-reaching shoulder season across our destinations — comfortable weather without summer's crowds shows up as a recurring theme, alongside Kyoto's specific foliage season.
Kyoto, Japan
November brings Kyoto's autumn foliage season, which rivals cherry blossom season for both beauty and hotel demand — Tofuku-ji and Arashiyama are among the most photographed spots for it.
New York City, USA
September to November brings mild, comfortable weather for walking the city, plus foliage in Central Park, without summer's heat and humidity.
Paris, France
September and October offer the same mild, comfortable walking weather as spring, with the added benefit that many Parisians have returned from their own summer holidays and smaller restaurants have reopened.
Rome, Italy
September and October bring comfortable temperatures back after Rome's genuinely hot summer, without winter's shorter days limiting how much sightseeing fits into one day.
Barcelona, Spain
September and October offer comfortable temperatures for both the Gaudi sights and a final beach visit, as summer's peak crowds thin out.
Marrakech, Morocco
Autumn is Marrakech's other genuine sweet spot alongside spring — comfortable daytime temperatures for medina walking, after summer's extreme heat has passed.
Santorini, Greece
September and October keep the Aegean warm enough for swimming — arguably even more pleasant than midsummer — while crowds thin out once European school holidays end.
Machu Picchu, Peru
September and October sit at the tail end of the Andean dry season, offering reliable weather for trekking and clear views without June through August's absolute peak crowds and permit demand.
Looking for a different season? See our guides for spring, summer, and winter.