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Why autumn is the best time to visit these 10 typical summer destinations
- Heather Steele
- , Meera Dattani
Published: August 18, 2026 at 1:41 PM
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Skip the heatwaves and crowds, and discover a whole new side to some of Europe's most-popular summer destinations by visiting in autumn instead
If you’ve holidayed during the height of summer and returned to that same place off-season, you’ll know why it feels special. Temperatures drop just enough to feel comfortable, queues lessen and fewer crowds create a different energy. And, travelling during the shoulder season has never been more pertinent: as overtourism threatens the infrastructure of many popular holiday spots, visiting off-peak is one way to alleviate the strain and have a better time.
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As someone who’s visited some of Europe's most-popular summer destinations later in the year, I can attest that you see the place come into its own as locals breathe easy after the summer rush. For foodies, autumn in Europe is seasonal produce bonanza. If summer means salads, ice creams and cold beers, autumn is wild mushrooms, figs, chestnuts – and the appetite to go with it.
For more travel inspiration perfect for autumn, check out 10 unmissable European roadtrips for food lovers and the best autumn breaks for food lovers.
10 typical summer destinations to visit in autumn
Puglia, Italy
The heel of Italy’s boot, Puglia has become one of the country’s most sought-after destinations thanks to its images of whitewashed towns and coastal olive groves. Stretching between the Adriatic and Ionian seas, the region offers a slower, more authentic alternative to better-known hotspots, combining beautiful coastline with a rich cultural heritage. While much of Europe begins to cool down, Puglia often enjoys temperatures of up to 25°C well into October. The sea remains warm enough for swimming, but beaches, restaurants and historic towns feel pleasantly quieter than the peak of summer.
Puglia’s appeal lies in its variety. Visitors can wander the trulli-lined streets of Alberobello, explore the baroque architecture of Lecce (try Baldo Gelato while you’re there) or spend days hopping between the secluded coves along the coast. The pretty town of Polignano a Mare is famous for its ceramics emporium, La Contessa Ceramiche Pugliesi. And if you find yourself in Puglia on the second Sunday of the month, head to Ostuni for its famous all-day antiques market.
Every Italian region claims it, but food really is central to life in Puglia. The region is renowned for its simple, ingredient-led cuisine, with seafood, burrata and handmade orecchiette pasta featuring heavily on menus. For a true experience of the latter, head to ‘strada delle orecchiette’ in old-town Bari. In this stretch of the city, you’ll find Apulian women making exquisite orecchiette outside their homes, strictly by hand. In the autumn months, menus reflect the season, with mushrooms, figs, almonds, freshly pressed olive oil and local wines taking centre stage. Some of our favourite places to try all these are Ristorante Vecchio Forno and Osteria Vini e Cucina in Bari – plus Peppe Zullo in Orsara di Puglia.
Where to stay: Palazzo Daniele is part of Design Hotels, so you already know the look and feel of this property is going to be special. In the village of Salento, this old palace has been refurbished in a monastic style that lets the original, colourful frescoed ceilings shine. There’s also a beautiful pool, 15 suites, a restaurant and a spa.
Comporta, Portugal
On Portugal’s Alentejo coast, under 90 minutes from Lisbon, Comporta makes the most of its good looks. Surrounded by wild dunes and fragrant pine forests, life here revolves around the sandy beaches – and so does much of its dining scene, even in the off season. On Praia da Comporta, locals gather at Comporta Café, a year-round beach club serving Mediterranean classics, day-boat seafood, cocktails and wine. Nearby Ilha do Arroz is known for long, leisurely lunches of local cheese platters and grilled octopus on its pretty deck.
Further south, Praia do Carvalhal is home to Sal, a lively beach restaurant specialising in seafood and margaritas (we also rate its burger and sangria shack in the centre of Carvalhal), while O Diniz is a fun terrace to dine on after dark. Away from the beach, Cavalariça is a striking restaurant in former stables, where the kitchen turns out picture-perfect seasonal Portuguese cooking built around local produce – think cured wild prawns with seaweed consommé or grouper with cockles, baby squid and yellow chilli ice-cream.
For beach days, Pego, Carvalhal and Tróia Galé are among the most popular stretches, while Robinson and Brejos are quieter alternatives. Shoreline horse riding can be arranged through Passeios a Cavalo and Cavalos na Areia. Surfing and paddleboarding are popular too, with lessons and equipment hire still widely available into October.
The Sado Estuary Nature Reserve is a great place to spot flamingos and other birdlife among the sandbanks and wetlands, while boat trips offer the chance to spot dolphins. One of the best ways to explore the area is by e-bike, with routes winding through rice fields, pine forests and along the coasts of Pego and Carvalhal. Nearby Melides is also worth a detour, thanks to its wild beach, lagoon and growing collection of art galleries.
Where to stay: Quinta da Comporta sits in a classic Portuguese farmhouse with its own spa, 40m infinity pool and organic restaurant. Down the coast in Melides, you’ll find Vermelho, the shoe designer Christian Loubotin’s immaculately designed 13-bedroom guesthouse.
Nice, France
Set on the Côte d’Azur, Nice combines Belle Époque architecture and leafy squares with a chic, year-round energy, making it a great base for a long weekend or a wider exploration of southern France. Arriving from the airport – only 20 minutes from the city centre – you’ll likely drive down Promenade des Anglais, the palm-lined boulevard that curves around the Baie des Anges. From here, visitors can wander into Vieux Nice, the city’s atmospheric old quarter, to discover rows of market stalls and narrow streets filled with boutiques, wine bars, traditional Niçoise restaurants and ice-cream shops.
Those market stalls are the best place to try French Riviera classics such as torta de blea (a sweet pastry made with Swiss chard, rum-soaked raisins, pine nuts, apples and parmesan cheese), anchovy-laden pissaladière and eye-catching sugared fruit. Chez Theresa has two outposts – a shop down one of the winding streets in Vieux Nice and a lively stall on the Cours Saleya. At both, order the socca – a thin crepe made with chickpeas that’s cooked in a huge pan. It’s our favourite local delicacy.
Nice also has a rich artistic heritage. Thanks to its Mediterranean light and bright-blue sea, the city attracted some of the 20th century’s most celebrated artists, including Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall, whose dedicated museums remain among its cultural highlights. Villa Kerylos, in neighbouring Beulieu-sur-Mer, is a Greek-inspired mansion that’s also worth exploring. On that note, the city is also perfectly positioned for day trips to nearby Riviera favourites such as Antibes, Èze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Where to stay: Hotel du Couvent only opened a couple of years ago, but it’s already established itself as the hotel to stay at in Nice. As its name suggests, it’s taken over a former convent, with its cloisters now home to magnificent bedrooms. A beautiful spa, three gorgeous restaurants and a sunny courtyard bar make it difficult to leave the hotel itself – but the sweeping views from its bedrooms might do the trick.
Atlas Mountains, Morocco
The Atlas Mountains are arguably at their best in autumn, when the intense heat of the Moroccan summer begins to ease and the landscape takes on a softer character. The mountains are a dramatic counterpoint to the country's colourful cities and surfing-hotspot coastline. Stretching for more than 1,500 miles across North Africa, the range spans rugged peaks, traditional Berber villages and some of Morocco’s most spectacular landscapes.
The most visited region of the mountains is the High Atlas, where winding roads climb through valleys dotted with walnut groves, terraced fields and adobe villages. Here, travellers can hike between remote communities and explore trails that range from gentle walks to challenging treks – Jebel Toubkal is North Africa’s highest peak. Days can be spent horse riding, shopping at local markets or simply enjoying the slower pace of mountain life, while evenings revolve around traditional Moroccan hospitality and long dinners beneath clear skies.
Some of the best restaurants in the area can be found within souks and hotels – Kasbah Tamadot in Asni serves dinner beneath the stars, while The Capaldi in the foothills of the mountains offers Mediterranean dishes through a North African lens.
Where to stay: Olinto is a beautiful, adults-only mountain retreat. Just an hour from Marrakech, the hotel offers nine plush pavilions (with either a private pool or botanical garden), each decorated in way that honours Berber traditions. Book onto a cooking class to learn how to make Berber-style bread and prepare tagines.
Istria, Croatia
On a heart-shaped peninsula in the northern Adriatic, Istria is often described as Croatia’s answer to Tuscany thanks to its prized truffles and wines. Also referred to as terra magica – the magic land – Istria has long hooked visitors with its blend of countryside, historic towns and coastline. A crossroads for successive rulers and empires, it’s rich in history and culture. Explore the remarkably preserved Pula Arena, one of the world's largest Roman amphitheatres, or discover the legends and panoramic views of the hilltop towns of Grožnjan and Motovun.
Any trip here must include a stopover in colourful, Venetian-influenced Rovinj. This pretty fishing town on the west coast has bags of character, atmospheric little restaurants with sea views, and waters that are warm enough to swim in during early autumn.
Food is one of the region's greatest draws – and autumn is an especially rewarding time to visit as the grape harvest is underway and truffle season begins. Family-run wineries and olive groves offer a taste of its agricultural heritage. Some of the best wine comes from Kozlović, near the borders of Italy and Slovenia. The winery, which has been in production since 1904, hosts daily tours and tastings. Kobola is another popular vineyard that offers tastings. You’ll be able to try its different olive oils too. On the truffle-hunting front, look to Experience Istria, which can help organise everything from truffle hunting with dogs in the Motovun forest to authentic truffle-tasting menus in local konobas (taverns).
Where to stay: Both Meneghetti and San Canzian offer wine-focused stays in Istria. The former traces its origins to a 19th-century agricultural estate. It was rediscovered in the early 2000s and thoughtfully restored, turning it into a refined wine retreat. San Canzian is in the medieval village of Mužolini Donji and sits on the site of an ancient fortress. This year, it’s added 34 villas to the property.
Malaga, Costa del Sol, Spain
Better known as the gateway to the resorts of the Costa del Sol, Malaga Airport actually has its own train station that can quickly connect you to its namesake city. This compact coastal town is one of Spain’s most underrated, packed with cobbled streets, family-run restaurants, cosy tapas bars and both a fine and street art scene – not to mention its proximity to the beach and cooler, inland mountain towns like Mijas and Ronda.
Without the summer crowds and heat, it’s infinitely more pleasant to walk along the pier Muelle Uno, cycle to the coast or enjoy the views from Gibralfaro Castle and Malaga’s many rooftop terraces and bars. Like many Spanish cities, Malaga has plenty of art to enjoy at the world-class Picasso and Carmen Thyssen museums. It’s also home to Hamman al Andalus, an impressive Moroccan-style hammam with baths and treatments.
In October, the aroma of roasted chestnuts will surround you as you explore the city, as streetside vendors smoke this seasonal highlight. Autumn is also a fruit fest, with custard apples, persimmon and fresh figs available. Try torta de higo – fig cake with a slice of Spanish cheese. For the freshest autumnal produce, you can’t beat Malaga’s Atarazanas market, open Monday to Saturday, for its stalls, kiosks and handful of informal bars and restaurants. A few steps away outside is Palodú restaurant, which serves two seasonal tasting menus; prop up at the counter to watch the chefs in action as you feast.
Top tip: If you’re a golfer, autumn is the time to visit. Near-perfect temperatures also make it the optimum time for hiking, biking and horse-riding in Sierra de las Nieves national park.
Lake Como, northern Italy
Summer by the lake sounds good in theory: cooler than the beach, mountain views and pebbly lakeside shores eliminating sandy sweaty stickiness. But, northern Italy’s lakes can still reach high temperatures. That’s why autumn – and even winter – can be a much better bet. It’s still warm, the scenery transforms to reddish-gold hues and, if it rains, the lakes take on a wonderfully misty atmosphere.
Towns like Varenna and Bellagio can be heaving in the summer, and understandably so – Bellagio is one of Como’s prettiest spots. But once the crowds have left, it’s quieter and calmer, and wandering the streets or eating dinner on the waterfront is more joy than jostle. Sights such as Villa Balbianello, known for its striking gardens and architecture, are free of queues – it’s no wonder this spectacular spot has hosted so many celebrity weddings and shoots for films.
Sitting in Italy’s northern Lombardy region, seasonal produce during autumn includes local fish, mushrooms and chestnuts. As the evenings cool, it’s a great time of year to tuck into dishes such as polenta with wild mushrooms, cinghiale (braised wild boar) or pumpkin ravioli with aromatic sage. After an aperitivo on Bellagio’s lakefront, head up into the hills to Ristorante La Madonnina di Barni – its mountain view sets a cosy spot for a seasonal dinner, such as venison stew or porcini mushroom risotto. October is also chestnut season; ask locals about the nearest castagnata, the chestnut festivals that take place across Italy.
Top tip: Ferries, boats and water taxis are a great way to move between lakeside towns; itineraries often change in autumn, so check timings. Dress warmly for cooler mornings and evenings.
Athens, Greece
In 2024, the Greek capital not only hit record tourist numbers, but its hottest temperatures, too. Autumn is a chance to beat both highs. November can be heavenly here, and queues for popular sights such as the Acropolis and Parthenon are a lot more manageable, while walking through the neighbourhoods of Plaka, below the Acropolis, and Anafiotika, on the slopes of the Acropolis, feel like less of a ‘tourist route’.
While Greek food favourites are available year-round – such as slow-cooked lamb kleftiko or flaky spinach-and-cheese spanakopita – autumn is an opportunity to try seasonal dishes like fasolada (white bean soup) and spetzofai (sausage and pepper stew). Athens’s Central Municipal Market is a top spot to browse or pick up food gifts, or stop for an ouzo and mezedes (snacks) at Karayiannis in the fish market section. The courtyards of Athens neighbourhoods Exarhia and Petralona lend themselves to spontaneously stopping by a bar or restaurant, while the Pangrati and Kolonaki neighbourhoods are great for streetside dining. A longstanding favourite is Dexameni, with its leafy setting in Kolonaki: great prices and simple food done well, like halloumi with fig marmalade and beef patties with basil and almonds.
Top tip: The Athens Riviera is just 12 miles (20 kilometres) south if you want to feast on fresh fish and seafood by the sea. And, if you love a vineyard, the wineries of the Mesogaia valley are 19 miles (30 kilometres) south-west, including Vasilis Papagiannakos, Greece’s first bioclimatic winery, and the family-run Gikas Winery.
The Turkish Riviera, Türkiye
Known as the Turkish Riviera or Turquoise Coast, this 600-mile (965 kilometres) coastline in southwestern Türkiye (across the provinces of Antalya, Muğla and Aydın) stretches along the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. Deservedly popular for its resorts, activities and lively beach towns, it’s also busy (and hot) in the height of summer.
A drop in temperature as autumn rolls in is great for walkers, who can hike through pine forest along parts of the Lycian Way (a 320-mile trail between Antalya and Fethiye). On the beaches, it’s still warm and calm enough to go waterskiing, paragliding and bodyboarding. Booking a gulet (traditional schooner) cruise is recommended for a serene day at sea. Popular towns like Bodrum, Kalkan, Marmis, Fethiye and Ölüdeniz become easier to navigate, where local markets are a food-lover’s paradise. Kaş is a dream to explore, with its boutique stores and atmosphere cafés, or head to UNESCO World Heritage site Pamukkale’s natural spa, with its terraced pools of thermal waters.
Mushrooms and chestnuts are a regular autumnal feature, but pumpkin is Türkiye’s seasonal highlight, from pumpkin soup to pumpkin desserts served with tahini drizzle or a sprinkling of walnuts. Another is pomegranate – not just the fruit, but pomegranate molasses and pomegranate seeds, too. Try kisir, a bulgur wheat salad topped with one or both. A popular spot with locals and return visitors is one of Antalya’s oldest restaurants: 7 Mehmet. Located inland, its third-generation chef and owner continues to serve family recipes – some unchanged since the restaurant opened in 1937, others with a twist, such as rice pilaf with pineapple and bergamot.
Top tip: Different towns have their own market days. As markets are often just once a week, find out before or early in your holiday which market is the best/closest/most convenient for you.
Cyprus
Even in November, it’s warm enough for a dip in the sea if you head as far south as Cyprus – not to mention the luxury of uncrowded beaches, quieter hotels, comfortable temperatures and a price drop, too.
In the west-coast town of Paphos, explore the UNESCO-listed Tombs of the Kings, enjoy the views from Ancient Kourion’s cliffside Greco-Roman theatre, or soak up the seafront vibe of Larnaca. Inland, the pretty village of Lefkara, known for its lace-making heritage (and located in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains), can get overrun in the peak period, but as the season changes, it becomes a lot more palatable. Visitors can also book free craft workshops, choosing between traditional weaving, wood carving or bread- and halloumi-making.
Autumn, of course, is harvest time. There’s the nine-day Limassol Wine Festival from the end of September, which celebrates the grape harvest and local wine. But, if you miss it, Cyprus has numerous vineyards where you can sample local wines alongside plates of homemade halloumi. There’s also the Commandaria Wine Route, which passes through 14 villages and includes wineries that produce the island’s ancient sweet dessert wine. Other seasonal produce includes olives, pomegranates, mushrooms and hawthorn (yellow and red berries used for hawthorn jam). Head into the Troodos for feasts in family-run restaurants – weekends are especially atmospheric, as local families and groups of friends enjoy long lunches on open-air terraces.
Top tip: For UK drivers, Cyprus is one of the few countries in the world that also drives on the left. And, while you don’t need a car, it’s handy if you want to explore the island or village-hop in the mountains.
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Picture taken in Paphos, Cyprus.
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Authors
Heather Steele
Meera Dattani
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