The 30 Most Beautiful Places In The World To See Fall Foliage
The 30 Most Beautiful Places In The World To See Fall Foliage
When you think of fall foliage and general fall scenery, your mind probably jumps to New England. And while it definitely boasts some of the best in the United States, there are several other spots around the world that are also home to insanely gorgeous foliage, and some pretty cool travel adventures, cultural excursions, and culinary experiences, too. So if you thought your travels ended when summer did, think again.
And, just to make things a little easier, there's a hotel recommendation with every spot so that you can visit once the world opens up for travel again. Now you have no excuse not to plan a trip. Ahead, take a tour of the 30 most beautiful places for fall scenery around the world.
1) Aspen, Colorado
Aspen is beautiful no matter what time of year you visit, but fall is particularly breathtaking thanks to its namesake, the Aspen trees. Their golden glow is truly magical. And fun fact: They're the largest living organisms on earth.
BOOK NOW Hotel Jerome
2) Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo feels even more magical when the the leaves turn red, matching the red pagodas.
BOOK NOW Mandarin Oriental Tokyo
3) London, England
London is a fun city to visit any time of year, but it's especially pleasant in the fall, thanks to the temperate weather. Head to Hyde Park for a picnic and plenty of fall foliage and then roam around the charming Chelsea and Knightsbridge streets for more fall scenery.
BOOK NOW Chiltern Firehouse
4) Vermont, USA
It doesn't get any more scenic than Vermont in autumn. Sign us up for all the foliage and all the syrup, please and thank you.
BOOK NOW Twin Farms
5) Edinburgh, Scotland
Between all the medieval architecture, charming streets, and stunning foliage, it's impossible not to fall in love with Edinburgh in autumn.
BOOK NOW The Dunstane Houses
6) Cape, South Africa
It's the perfect destination for outdoor activities like hiking to sweeping views and wine tasting (okay, well, outdoor-adjacent). Keep in mind that their calendar is flipped in the southern hemisphere, so if you want to experience their fall season, go in mid to late March through mid to late June.
BOOK NOW Labotessa
7) Napa Valley, California
California might be the last place you'd think about going to see the leaves change, but hear us out. Seeing leaves changing on the trees in New England is classic, but seeing all the fall colors on the vineyards is something seriously special. Bonus? Hotels, like the ultra-luxe Meadowood resort, are much less expensive in wine country's off-season.
BOOK NOW Meadowood Napa Valley
8) Bavaria, Germany
If you ever wanted to experience a storybook come to life, this is it. Bonus: There's beer, pretzels, and black forest cake aplenty.
BOOK NOW Hotel Post
9) Bruges, Belgium
Known as the Venice of the north, Bruges is an enchanting fall destination with quiet, romantic canals winding throughout the city.
BOOK NOW Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce
10) Seoul, South Korea
Just north of the heart of Seoul, you'll find Bukhansan National Park. This leafy gem is densely packed with trees of every color during the fall.
BOOK NOW Glad Live Gangnam
11) Lake Superior, Michigan
Grand Island in Lake Superior, Michigan is the perfect place to get some good thinking done. The icy, bright blue water looks especially striking against the warmth of the fall foliage beyond. Head here for a long scenic drive if you're in the region.
BOOK NOW Fitger's Inn
12) Tuscany, Italy
Wine tasting with a side of fall foliage? A million times yes.
BOOK NOW Castiglion Del Bosco
13) Torres Del Paine, Chile
The juxtaposition between the snow-covered rocks jutting up behind the foliage makes Patagonia a particularly unique place to take in fall scenery. It's right on the border between Chile and Argentina.
BOOK NOW Awasi Patagonia
14) Bulgarian Countryside
Devil's Bridge in the Bulgarian countryside truly looks like something out of a storybook. Nestled in the Rhodope Mountains over the Arda river, it dates all the way back to the ancient Ottoman Empire. It's pretty remote but worth the trek if you're staying in Plovdiv. It got its name from dark lore, which to this day prevents many locals from crossing it at night (the perfect Halloween dare, if you ask us).
BOOK NOW Landmark Creek Hotel
15) Husafell, Iceland
Check off two bucket list items in one trip: seeing the Northern Lights and the fall foliage.
BOOK NOW Hotel Husafell
16) Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto may be know for its bamboo forrest and cherry blossoms, but its Diago Ji temple is also a beautiful sight to see when shrouded in yellow, orange, and red leaves.
BOOK NOW Suiran Hotel
17) Asheville, North Carolina
If you're looking for a quaint mountain to visit this fall, consider Asheville, North Carolina. The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the prettiest drives in the country, so it's also an ideal destination for road trips. While you're there, explore the Biltmore mansion and gardens and shop from local artisans.
BOOK NOW The Foundry
18) Scottish Highlands, UK
Scotland is gorgeous any time of year, but it's simultaneously eerie and ethereal in the fall. You'll feel as though you're living in Outlander.
BOOK NOW Gleneagles
19) Alberta, Canada
Alberta, Canada's Banff National Park is full of natural treasures. For vibrant colors, go check out Emerald Lake during the fall. And don't forget to pack a suit for the hot springs.
BOOK NOW Fairmont Banff Springs
20) Paris, France
We didn't think it was possible for the City of Love to get anymore romantic, but mais oui, it absolutely is when you see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Seine framed in rich fall hues.
BOOK NOW Hotel de Crillon
21) New York City, USA
You could leave the city for a glimpse of stunning foliage—or you could just head to Central Park. The changing trees are particularly awe-inspiring in contrast with the city's skyscrapers.
BOOK NOW Gramercy Park Hotel
22) Jiuzhaigou National Park, China
Inside the Jiuzhaigou National Park in the Sichuan Province of China, you'll find crystal clear turquoise lakes and hot springs, making the colorful fall foliage even more vibrant. It's the perfect travel destination for nature lovers.
BOOK NOW Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Resort
23) Prague, Czech Republic
Going to Prague in the fall is like traveling to a magical realm—or at least another time.
BOOK NOW The Emblem Hotel
24) Queenstown, New Zealand
Craving the fall scenery during springtime in the U.S.? It's the perfect time to plan a trip to explore Queenstown, New Zealand. There are tons of incredible vistas and outdoor adventures to be had nearby, from visiting Lake Wakatipu to exploring Skipper's Canyon.
BOOK NOW Stoneridge Estate
25) Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
Virginia's Shenandoah Valley provides a myriad of colors and views for days. If a fall foliage road trip sounds like your jam, this is the spot to do it.
BOOK NOW Hampton Inn Salem
26) St. Petersburg, Russia
The elaborate and whimsical palaces and churches of St. Petersburg look even more regal glowing in the fall light.
BOOK NOW Astoria Hotel
27) Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
In the summertime, Croatia is known for its beachside bliss, island hopping, and coastal cities with rich cultural histories. But peel away from the seaside and head inland to the woodsy Plitvice Lakes during the fall and you'll find jaw-dropping panoramas of waterfalls covered in colorful leaves.
BOOK NOW Etno Garden
28) Sleepy Hollow, New York
Want to go somewhere spooky for Halloween? There's no better place than Sleepy Hollow. And it's an easy day trip to take from New York City, just about an hour drive north.
BOOK NOW Crabtree's Kittle House Restaurant & Inn
29) Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is a mecca for art, culture, and fun. And while there are endless cultural excursions to enjoy, the fall is a beautiful time to get lost wandering up and down the streets along the canal.
BOOK NOW The Dylan
When you think of fall scenery, your mind probably jumps to New England, but there are several other spots around the world that also provide gorgeous foliage.