Autumn is one of my favourite times to travel, and I've already made the case for exploring the UK when the leaves start turning several times. Having said that, I'm very aware of how lucky we are to live in such a well-connected part of the world, so it would be rude not to take advantage of that by suggesting a few
If you're in search of a European city break, autumn is one of the best times to travel. The summer crowds have started to disappear, the weather is usually still perfect for exploring. There's also just something about wandering around a pretty place on a chilly day with a hot drink in your hand that makes a trip feel extra special.
I've been fortunate enough to have visited a good chunk of Europe, and these three cities are all places I'd happily go back to tomorrow for another autumnal adventure!
Hamburg
Hamburg might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think about an autumn city break -in fact it's most commonly the place that everyone visits for a Christmas market, but I think that's exactly why you should consider it.
The city has a brilliant mix of historic buildings, modern architecture, waterways and green spaces, and autumn gives you the perfect opportunity to explore all of them before the wooden cabins and huge crowds descend on the city for Christmas market season. Walk through Speicherstadt, grab a coffee with a view and visit some of the biggest sights.
One of my favourite suggestions would be to book a free ticket for Elbe Philarmonie's plaza - it's open daily from 10am and has the most incredible views out across the city and along the River Elbe. I'd also recommend walking to the top of Feldstrasse Bunker in St Pauli, but be warned that its not for the faint-hearted!
Hamburg has a huge amount of green spaces throughout the city. If you have a bit more time, I'd highly recommend hiring a bike and cycling around Altona. It's a beautiful borough with a stunning path that runs along the River, with lots of cafes and restaurants along the path.
If you're into nightlife then St Pauli is the obvious choice to visit. It's been rebranded as the "entertainment district" and while it is still home to the more dubious characters that the city was once known for, it's also home to a world famous concert venue and an amazing karaoke bar alongside many cocktails bars and night clubs.
One of my favourite things about Hamburg is that it feels like you've jumped into life as a local here. There are touristy things to do, but most people are just going about their daily life in the city while you explore which gives you the opportunity to be a local for a while.
Bruges
If you follow me on Instagram, you may remember when I said I wouldn't rush back to Bruges, but autumn is a "hear me out" moment.
Bruges is at its best before the hoards of people arrive. Mid-morning on a random weekday in autumn is absolute bliss.
When I visited previously, I wasn't entirely convinced. It's undeniably beautiful, but when you're trying to navigate narrow cobbled streets alongside what feels like half of Europe, it's difficult to appreciate quite how pretty the city actually is.
Visit in autumn, though, and the atmosphere is entirely different. Bruges is at its best before the hoards of people arrive. Mid-morning on a random weekday in autumn is absolute bliss.
The summer crowds have mostly dissipated and everyone else is holding on to visit the Christmas markets, leaving behind quieter orange-tinged streets, canals lined with changing leaves and cosy little shops selling more chocolate, waffles and Belgian fries than you could possibly ever eat.
I know I have refferred to Bruges as "Belgian Disneyland" on more than one occasion, but in autumn it becomes a fairytale town. The historic buildings look beautiful against the changing leaves and there's something wonderfully cosy about wandering through the old town in a coat while the city starts preparing for the Christmas rush - it's almost like you're invited to take a peek behind the curtain.
You should still expect tourists, of course. This is Bruges after all, it's almost a poster child for over-tourism at this point; but visiting outside the busiest summer months makes it much easier to slow down and enjoy the city. Wander along the canals, explore the historic centre, stop for coffee and a waffle (if you're gluten free, you need to visit Otto Waffle!), and allow yourself to get lost down a cobbled street.
I still wouldn't rush back to Bruges, but if I found myself nearby on an autumnal weekday then I would be up for a quick detour.
Rotterdam
If Bruges is the quintessential autumn European city, Rotterdam is its much cooler, slightly rebellious cousin. Rotterdam is a modern city full of character, proud to be a little bit weird and with so much to see and do, whatever the weather.
The city's architecture is one of its biggest attractions. Vast areas of Rotterdam had to be rebuilt after the war, and the city used it as an opportunity to inject some character into the streets - something that can still be seen today, even in new builds. You can walk pretty much anywhere and find yourself down a totally unique street. There's the obvious places to go like the Cube Houses and Markthal, but there are also some really fun spots that are less well known. I'd recommend taking some time to simply wander along the river banks and see what you find.
Rotterdam is also an amazing place for foodies, so you can pretty much eat your way around the city. It's a hugely multicultural city, so you can find just about every cuisine you could think of here.
When the weather turns there are plenty of indoor attractions and markets to explore, but I'd honestly recommend throwing a coat on and getting outside anyway. The city's waterfront and architecture are a huge part of what makes Rotterdam so interesting, and the slightly moody autumn skies actually suit it rather well.
So, which European city should you visit this autumn?
It entirely depends on what you're looking for.
If you want a city that has it all then Hamburg has to take top spot; historic architecture, the beautiful banks of the River Elbe, green spaces, museums and plenty of places to escape to when the weather turns.
Bruges gets my vote for a more traditionally autumnal city break. Quieter cobbled streets, historic buildings, changing leaves and a ridiculous number of waffle shops to while away a rainy afternoon in make it difficult to resist.
If you want something completely different, Rotterdam is the one for you. It's modern, creative and full of interesting architecture, a haven for photographers with a food scene that's worth travelling for alone.
I really do believe that autumn is an underrated time to explore Europe. You don't need perfect blue skies or 25-degree temperatures to have a fun weekend. Yes it helps, and if you're lucky you will be met by sunny blue skies every so often, but it's not the be all and end all. Part of the charm of exploring a European city in autumn is throwing on a coat, grabbing a brolly and going out to explore anyway. If the weather gets too bad, you're probably not that far from an amazing bakery to try some local treats.
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