Are you looking for an Autumn getaway? Autumn is one of my favourite times to travel – milder weather, fewer crowds and cities that look extra beautiful in golden light. Over the years, we’ve done some brilliant Autumn city breaks around Europe and this post rounds up a few of my personal favourites.
🌟 These are places we love and with links to my full guides.
Contents
- Introduction to Autumn City Breaks
- Our Top European Destinations for Autumn City Breaks
- Athens, Greece
- Tuscany, Italy
- Barcelona, Spain
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Venice, Italy
- Berlin, Germany
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Search for your European Autumn City Break
Introduction to Autumn City Breaks
We love to have a European city break in the Autumn. Prices are cheaper, the weather is cooler and the crowds are smaller. Perfect for an opportunity to explore the wondrous sights – just a few hours away.
This blog gives you 7 low-cost Autumn city break ideas. An outline of each European city destination, activities and prices – to give you some food for thought.
All costs fluctuate and are approximate. These European Autumn city destinations were researched on Skyscanner. You can search and compare prices for flights and hotels from your nearest airport on the Skyscanner link below. Should you find a deal that suits your needs, Skyscanner will redirect you to the company that provides the service.
Some of my content may contain affiliate links for companies I use and love and recommend to awesome readers like yourself. If you take action, (i.e. subscribe, make a purchase) after clicking one of these links, I’ll earn a small amount of pocket money (at no extra cost to you), so I can buy a coffee while creating more helpful content like this.
👉 Find Your Perfect Autumn Break on Skyscanner
Our Top European Destinations for Autumn City Breaks
Athens, Greece
About Athens
Great for learning about the Ancient Greeks, delicious souvlaki and island tours.
This is where we went last October. The weather in October is cooler than the blazing hot summer temperatures but it’s still lovely and warm. You can walk around the ancient city with ease. There are fewer tourists, so the queues are slightly smaller.
Athens, the capital of Greece, was once the centre of Ancient Greece. You can still see the remains of it today. The city is a wonderful mixture of ancient and modern. It surrounds the Acropolis (the highest point), which contains several remains of ancient buildings including the Parthenon.
Activities for an Autumn city break in Athens
Athens is a huge city and there is lots to see and do. Take a tour of ancient Greek sites, run around the first Olympic stadium and watch the sunset from the Temple of Poseidon.
You could partake in a Greek cookery lesson at a kitchen with a view of the Acropolis. Alternatively, you could enjoy a sailing boat trip to visit nearby islands. Check out Get Your guide and Viator to reserve tickets and experiences.
Costs for an Athens City Break
Costs for a 4-night trip from the UK
Flights: from £58 return
Hotel: from £75 pp (based on 2 people sharing for 3 nights)
🔗 Blogs to read: Hidden Gems in Athens blog here and 4 Day Athens Itinerary
Tuscany, Italy
About Tuscany
Great for Renaissance architecture, art and pizza lovers.
Tuscany is in central Italy and is home to gorgeous, rolling countryside and the famous cities of Florence and Pisa. These cities are extremely busy during the summer months. Crowds are much reduced in the Autumn so it is an ideal time to visit these beautiful cities.
You can explore Florence and Pisa easily over a weekend because they are only an hour by train from each other. The weather in Tuscany in the Autumn is pleasant, sunny with mild temperatures around 21’C.
Activities for an Autumn city break in Tuscany
See the Cathedral Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio bridge and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Take a cookery class and indulge in delicious Italian food and wine.
Costs for a Florence City Break
Costs for a 3-night, long weekend visit from the UK flying to Pisa and staying in Pisa
Flights: from £85 return
Hotel: £160 pp (based on 2 people sharing for 3 nights)
🔗 Blog to read: Tuscany blog Pizza cookery lesson in Florence
Barcelona, Spain
About Barcelona
Great for Gaudi architecture, art museums and a vibrant culinary scene and night life.
Situated on the Costa Brava coast. The Catalonian city of Barcelona has a fantastic vibe and energy, and the most spectacular architecture. During the Autumn months temperatures make it a comfortable time to explore this mesmerising city.
Activities for a Barcelona Autumn City Break
Climb Tibidabo to see the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Meander down the Rambla. Admire the works of Gaudi and Picasso. Sip cocktails overlooking the beach. There is so much to do in Barcelona you will be spoilt for choice.
Costs for a Barcelona City Break
For a 4-night weekend trip from the UK
Flights: £51 return
Hotel: £250 pp (based on 2 people sharing for 4 nights)
🔗Blog to read: 24 hrs in Barcelona
Prague, Czech Republic
About Prague
Great for fairy tale architecture, historic sights and beer.
Voted the most beautiful city in the world by ‘Time Out’ magazine, Prague looks like something out of a fairy tale.
Prague is a central European city and the capital of the Czech Republic. Built on the banks of the river Vltara, overlooked by Prague Castle, this city is a must-see destination. It has an interesting history dating back to the 14th century. It is cooler in Autumn but there are far less crowds. Prices are slightly lower than many European city destinations so ideal for a cheap Autumn city break.
Activities for a Prague Autumn European City Break
Take a cruise down the river Vltava, meander over the Charles Bridge, admire the beautiful buildings and Prague Castle. The best way to explore and learn about Prague is by foot. Partake in a free walking tour, which you can book on GuruWalk.
Costs for a Prague City Break
Costs for a 3 night trip from the UK
Flights: from £66 return
Hotel: from £160 pp (based on 2 people sharing for 3 nights)
🔗 Blogs to read: Exploring Prague and Things to do in Prague
Venice, Italy
About Venice
Great for romance, Venetian architecture and sipping Aperol Spritz along the canals,
My personal favourite – Venice – is a beautiful and romantic city. Built over 118 small islands, the main mode of transport is by boat. Venice has a long maritime history and was once a major part of the ‘Silk Road’.
Activities for a Venice Autumn City Break
Full of tiny streets and canals. You could spend hours walking around its narrow streets soaking in the beauty of the buildings.
See the Canal Grande, Doge’s Palace and Basilica di San Marco. Take a gondola ride and indulge in Italian gelato. You can visit the islands of Murano and Burano to see the colourful houses. You can also see how Murano glass is made.
Costs for a Venice City Break
Costs for a 3 night trip from the UK
Flights: from £69 return
Hotel: from £250 pp (based on 2 persons sharing for 3 nights)
🔗 Blogs to read : Opera in Venice and Venice Hidden Gems
Berlin, Germany
About Berlin
Great for history, walking tours, museums, eating schnitzel and drinking beer.
The capital city of Germany is a fascinating city, especially for seeing and learning about modern history. The previous century has shaped the city dramatically and World War 2 echoes across the east side of Berlin. Berlin has undergone much building and renovation since the Soviet days. The Germans have deliberately left war relics as a reminder of their history to deter it from happening again. They have embraced the past as a lesson learned.
Activities for a Berlin Autumn City Break
I would highly recommend taking a walking tour to learn about its history. You will see the monuments, including parts of the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and the book burning memorial at Bebelplatz. This memorial is an underground library, with empty bookshelves. You might also visit the statue of a mother and her dead son. On your tour, you will see walls with bullet holes and the shell of a bombed building.
Another ‘must see’ is the the Jewish memorial, which is dedicated to the murdered Jewish people of Europe. It consists of hundreds of concrete slabs. It is an incredibly sombre sight.
As well as the historic interests, Berlin has lovely outdoor spaces, shopping, museums and art. It also has a bohemian element, and you can explore the street art and music scene.
Costs for a Berlin City Break
Costs for 3-night weekend trip from the UK
Flights from £61 return
Hotels from £220 pp (based on 2 people sharing for 3 nights)
🔗 Blog to read: Berlin Things to Do
Reykjavik, Iceland
About Reykjavik
Great for amazing geology, whale watching and natural thermal spas.
The weather may be cold but Iceland is a bucket list trip you will never forget. A long weekend will give you enough time to experience some incredible sights and get a taster for this country.
Activities for a Reykjavik Autumn City Break
Take a trip to see the sights around the Golden Circle tour. Admire breathtaking waterfalls and shooting geysers. Walk between tectonic plates. Search for the Northern Lights in the night sky and whales in the North Atlantic Ocean. Best of all, drink prosecco while soaking in thermal waters at the Blue Lagoon or Secret Lagoon.
Costs for a Reykjavik City Break
Costs for 3-night weekend trip from the UK
Flights: from £155 return
Hotel: from £165 pp (based on 2 people sharing for 3 nights)
🔗Blog to read: New Year in Iceland
Search for your European Autumn City Break
I hope these cheap Autumn city break ideas have given you some inspiration. Which bucket list destination do you will really want to see? Take a look on Skyscanner and book that trip today!
You can search and compare prices for flights and hotels from your nearest airport on the Skyscanner link below. Should you find a deal that suits your needs, Skyscanner will redirect you to the company that provides the service.
Leave a Reply