5 Of The Best Places In Europe To See Fall Colors

As the northern hemisphere slowly heads out of summer, the trees in Europe are already changing to glorious fall colors to celebrate the season. Some of the best destinations in Europe have already started dressing up their trees in shades of orange, gold and red.

Meanwhile, this is the perfect time to visit and experience the attractions in these destinations. However, at this time you have the added attraction of glorious fall colors. Here we look at five of the best fall destinations to visit in Europe this year.

1. Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany

Bavaria offers the chance to visit real-life fairytale castles, including the glorious Neuschwanstein Castle. In fact, the turreted castle looks like it came straight from a Disney movie. Meanwhile, the elegant structure is surrounded by rugged hills, covered in fall trees.

Neuschwanstein Castle is set in the Bavarian Alps and was originally built for King Ludwig II in the late 19th century. These days, it can be visited, but by guided tour only.

2. Transylvania, Romania

While most people immediately think of vampires, Count Dracula and gothic architecture, Transylvania also offers stunning scenic landscapes. In fact, the Mociar Forest is the oldest woodland in Romania, covering 1,400 acres of Transylvania which turns to gorgeous fall colors each year. This is the perfect place to stroll, taking in the colors on a crisp fall day.

Moreover, Romania’s many high-altitude roads are another way to enjoy the fall scenery. Take a drive on the 90 km (56 mi) Transfagarasan Road, connecting Transylvania to Wallachia. Meanwhile, the road reaches an altitude of 2,042 meters (6,700 ft), making it the second-highest road in the country.

3. Lapland, Finland

Finland is the World’s Happiest Country during any month of the year, however, when the fall colors appear, things get even better. Lapland is normally associated more with the freezing winter than fall. However, this beautiful part of Finland truly comes to life during the fall. It is said that this time of year is also best for viewing the aurora borealis (Northern Lights). However, Rovaniemi, Lapland’s capital, also features glorious trees.

Bear in mind that, even though it isn’t yet snowing, the temperature drops to a chilly -2°C (28°F), so make sure you have warm clothing.

4. Loire Valley, France

The Loire Valley of France is world-renowned for its excellent wines. However, in the fall, the vineyards take on a different hue, turning gold, deep red and purple. This makes it a wonderful time to visit the local chateaux and vineyards to not only sample the wine but also take in the glorious view.

One of the favorites in fall is the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, as it decorates the grounds with pumpkins and cucurbits to add more golden colors to the already beautiful views.

5. Perthshire, Scotland

Scotland’s scenery is beautiful all year round, but in Perthshire, fall takes on a spectacular display. This area of the country straddles the Highlands and Lowlands and boasts The Hermitage, a stretch of forest owned by the National Trust. Here, the trees turn deep gold and russet in the fall months. Moreover, Perthshire is home to the Meikleour Beech Hedge, which is the longest and tallest hedge in the world.

Experience the fall colors of Europe this year, enjoying the crisp cooler weather and the most beautiful scenes.