The best destinations for an autumn city break

Paris, France

Paris is a classic city break destination, and after a hot and crowded August, the city feels more like itself again in October.

An October city break promises an exciting line-up of events: foodies will love the five-day Montmartre Wine Harvest, which starts on 9 October, while jazz enthusiasts will want to be in the city for Jazz sur Seine. The two-week festival showcases French jazz culture at its best with more than 200 concerts from 11-26 October.

Of course, there are also all the classic sights to enjoy. See world-class exhibitions at the Musée d’Orsay and the Louvre, join a river cruise down the Seine and get the quintessential Paris photo at the Eiffel Tower. If you're travelling on a budget, Paris is packed with free things to do, too.

Top tip: If you’re a chocolate lover, time your visit with the Salon du Chocolat. The world’s largest chocolate event is being held in Paris this year on 30 October - 3 November.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Visit Ljubljana in November to see Europe’s former Green Capital turn a fiery golden orange, the same colour as Slovenia’s delicious signature wine.

In fact, it’s the wine that makes a Ljubljana holiday so wonderful at this time of year – St Martin’s Day, on 9 November, turns the old town centre into a celebration of wines from across the country.

When you’ve had enough of being wined and dined – if that’s possible – hike up to Ljubljana Castle to see this pretty little city in all its autumnal glory. For more impeccable scenery, fairytale Lake Bled is less than an hour away.

Top tip: The Central Market is a great place to pick up local produce and street food on a budget. You can find it on the riverfront between the Dragon and Triple Bridges.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna is utterly magical as the festive season approaches. Christmas markets open mid-November, so you can get a head start on your shopping and fill up on roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and gingerbread while you’re at it.

You can also pick up gifts at one of the city’s autumn design fairs, with markets popping up throughout October and November.

Culture cravers should check out the city’s autumn art programme too. Vienna Art Week, in its 20th edition in 2024, is a highlight that runs for a week from 8 November.

For year-round favourites, try the street food from Vienna’s würstelstands (sausage stand) and sample a glass or two of wine – you’ll be in the world’s largest wine-growing capital, after all.

Top tip: September marks the start of opera season in Vienna, so catch a performance at the Vienna State Opera if your budget allows.

Copenhagen, Denmark

There’s a reason the Danes are so happy: hygge. Copenhagen's autumn chill creates the perfect environment to embrace this Danish concept, which means ‘creating a cosy atmosphere, drinking and eating with the important people in your life’ (there’s no equivalent word in English!)

Create your own sense of hygge by ducking in and out of Copenhagen’s trendy bars for a craft beer, escaping the sea breeze in the quaint cafes of photogenic Nyhavn, or strolling through the grounds of Tivoli Park.

As autumn ushers in the low tourist season, city breaks in October and November are much more reasonably priced.

Top tip: If you’re planning on visiting multiple big attractions on your city break, consider a Copenhagen Card to save on entry prices.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Prepare to be wowed by glaciers, waterfalls, volcanoes and bubbling mud pools on a city break to Reykjavik in magical Iceland.

If you’re lucky, a visit here between September and April will reward you with the sight of the famous northern lights, when the ethereal aurora borealis lights up the night sky in greens, blues, yellows and pinks.

Sporty types may want to tackle the dramatic landscape by hiking, mountain biking or white-water rafting. If that sounds like hard work, Iceland is in the top ten places in the world for whale watching, or you can just take it easy in one of the city’s natural hot springs.

Top tip: Iceland’s biggest music festival, Iceland Airwaves, is in Reykjavik on 7-9 November 2024.

Budapest, Hungary

Go on a city break to Budapest in October or November and you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained.

One option is to take a river cruise on the Danube, which splits the city in two, while on foot you can explore the Castle Quarter in ancient Buda and admire art nouveau architecture in Pest.

The spectacular Hungarian Parliament Building is worth a visit, as is the prestigious Hungarian State Opera House, with its stunning neo-renaissance architecture. Better still, you can book to see a world-class opera or ballet in fabulous surroundings.

If all that sightseeing has tired you out, aching legs can be dealt with at one of the city’s thermal baths, such as the lavish Gellert Spa.

Top tip: Don’t miss an evening of brandy, sausages and folklore at the Pálinka and Sausage Festival on 2-4 October.

Krakow, Poland

Krakow’s magnificent Old Town square exudes charm all year round, but as the autumn months creep in across Poland, the city’s central masterpiece, Rynek Główny (the main square), becomes even more pleasant.

Among the many things to do in Krakow, you can marvel at St Mary’s Basilica, visit the charming Old Town or raise a glass in one of the seemingly infinite pubs and bars in the surrounding streets.

The city is also known for its fantastic music scene, and jazz fiends will be spoilt for choice with its myriad of bars and clubs.

Top tip: A day trip to see Ojcowski National Park’s autumnal colours is a highlight on an October city break in Krakow.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

As summer draws to a close, Dubrovnik’s weather remains warm but the crowds that cram its cobbled streets over the high season recede. Along with the tourists and the temperature, the prices also drop – how many more reasons do you need?

With fewer people piling into the UNESCO-listed Old City, its pedestrianised streets become even easier to explore on foot.

Outside the city’s famous walls, you can take the cable car up above Dubrovnik for a breathtaking panorama of its fortifications and orange-tiled roofs or hop on a boat to explore the nearby Elaphiti Islands.

Top tip: Foodie? Time your visit with the Good Food Festival. Starting 7 October, the two-week event celebrates the best of Croatian cuisine.

New York, USA

The Big Apple is one of the world’s greatest shopping destinations, so when better to enjoy a New York city break than in the run-up to Christmas? You could spend hours wandering around Macy’s, one of the largest department stores in the world, while in trendy SoHo you’ll be able to pick up some unique gifts you won’t find elsewhere.

Other musts on a November city break include visiting Central Park, ice-skating at the Rockefeller Centre and taking the free trip on the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty.

Or, why not take in a show on Broadway? ‘Moulin Rouge’, ‘The Book of Mormon’ and ‘Hamilton’ are just a few of the many great productions on now.

Top tip: The USA’s biggest comic convention, New York Comic Con, comes to town on 7-12 October in 2024. You can buy tickets here.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Sure, Amsterdam has tulips in spring, but autumn sees the city’s thousands of trees turn fiery shades of amber and red, lighting the canals with a golden glow.

It’s one of the best places for an October city break packed with events. The Amsterdam Marathon (20 October) brings a buzz to the streets, while the Amsterdam Dance Event – the biggest electronic music festival in the world – will get your feet moving in a different way. It takes place on 16-20 October across 200 venues around the city.

Time your trip for the end of the month and Halloween takes festivities up a notch. Book tickets for the Rave to the Grave boat party or a club party to join in the spooky revelry.

Top tip: Museum Night, an event that sees over 50 of Amsterdam’s museums come alive with exhibits and entertainment for one evening of the year, takes place on 2 November in 2024.

Prague, Czech Republic

There’s no bad time to visit Prague, but you can find some fantastically cheap deals in the shoulder seasons. Book a city break in November and you’ll get the bonus of pre-Christmas merriment too.

Sip mulled wine as you wander the Old Town Square, see a performance of Swan Lake at the Broadway Theatre, warm your belly with hot roasted meats and soups from street food stalls, and catch the start of Christmas markets at the end of the month.

If the weather takes a turn, Prague has many beautiful buildings to explore, including the Church of Our Lady before Týn, the Klementinum Library and Prague Castle.

Top tip: To see the city decked out in impressive lights before the Christmas markets arrive, visit for the Signal Festival on 8-13 October.

Barcelona, Spain

Looking for a hot October city break? The mercury reaches 23C in Barcelona, meaning you can still hit up the city’s sandy urban beaches. Even in November, temperatures peak in the high teens, so it's a top pick for some autumn sunshine.

Make the most of the good weather and fewer crowds by visiting some of Barcelona’s most popular landmarks. Getting a good photo of the Sagrada Familia or admiring the mosaics in Park Güell is ten times easier without the hordes of summer tourists!

It’s a lovely time of year to stroll through the city’s parks, too. Parc de la Ciutadella and Parque del Mirador del Poble Sec both have lush tree-lined trails, ablaze in various shades of rust come autumn.

Top tip: Many shops and some restaurants close on 1 November for All Saints' Day – a traditional Christian celebration in honour of the dead.