Autumn is a season for connoisseurs. When the leaves change color and a golden veil falls over cities and landscapes, it's the perfect time for profound travel. While summer is still characterized by hustle and bustle and heat, autumn brings peace, warmth, and a special sensuality. It's precisely then that many cities unfold their own unique charm—be it through cultural diversity, regional cuisine, or atmospheric retreats in charming hotels. Perfect for city breaks in autumn.
City trips in autumn
We've selected six cities for our autumn city breaks that particularly touched us with their history, their culinary delights, and their atmosphere. Cities that slow down, inspire, and awaken the joy of conscious travel—in the true spirit of slow travel.
Vienna – Coffee house culture and baroque melancholy
Vienna is worth a visit at any time of year, but in autumn, the imperial city seems especially poetic. When the fog hangs over the Danube Canal and the light bathes the baroque facades in warm gold, even a stroll through the Burggarten feels like a journey back in time. Enjoy an autumn city break to Vienna.
CultureOpera, museums, theaters – Vienna's cultural scene is in full swing in the fall. The Leopold Museum often presents impressive special exhibitions, while the Vienna State Opera dazzles with premieres.
culinary delightsNow is the time for chestnuts, pumpkin, and game dishes. People gather at the Naschmarkt to browse, but also to sample the produce. An apple strudel in a coffee house is a must.
Hotel tip: Hotel Altstadt Vienna* (Advertisement) – A boutique hotel with soul in the creative 7th district.
Lyon – Capital of pleasure in soft light
In Lyon, autumn seems to be made especially for gourmets. The scent of truffles, mushrooms, and slow-cooked classics wafts between the Renaissance facades of the old town. Experience an autumn city break to Lyon.
CultureThe UNESCO-protected old town is a living history book. A walk through the secret traboules is like a glimpse behind the scenes of a theater stage.
culinary delightsLyon is famous for its bouchons – rustic restaurants serving hearty cuisine. For something more refined, visit the Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse.
Hotel tip: Villa Florentine* (Advertisement) – With fantastic views over the city and excellent cuisine.
Salzburg – Music, history and pastries
When the leaves change color in the gardens of Mirabell Palace, Salzburg the stage for a particularly atmospheric city trip in autumn.
Culture: Concerts in the Mozarteum, art galleries as well as autumnal traditional festivals such as the Rupertikirtag offer a varied cultural program.
culinary delightsFrom hearty Kasnocken to Salzburger Nockerln – autumn in Salzburg tastes particularly sweet and savory at the same time.
Hotel tip: Hotel Goldener Hirsch* (Advertisement) – A traditional house with style and history in the heart of the old town.
Regensburg – Middle Ages meets lifestyle
The UNESCO World Heritage city on the Danube enchants with its cobblestone streets, Gothic towers, and autumnal serenity. A city trip in autumn is worthwhile. Donaustadt.
CultureThe cathedral, the Stone Bridge, and the Veste Oberhaus fortress bear witness to Regensburg's great history. Small museums and galleries invite you to explore.
culinary delights: In the cozy inns, game dishes, pumpkin soup and regional beers are now on the table.
Hotel tip: Hotel Goliath am Dom* (Advertisement) – Centrally located, stylish and family-run. You can find wellness hotels in the Regensburg region here.
Trieste – Italian elegance with a Habsburg soul
Triest is like an insider tip you'll gladly share with friends. Mediterranean flair meets Central European culture here – a unique blend for a city break in autumn.
CultureFrom the Castello di San Giusto to the Teatro Romano – history and literature can be found at every turn.
culinary delightsAutumn is truffle season. The cuisine reflects the cultures – fish, stews, sweet pastries, and the finest coffee.
Hotel tip: Savoia Excelsior Palace* (Advertisement) – Directly on the Adriatic, with Belle Époque flair and sea views.
Passau – Three rivers, one feeling
The baroque old town, framed by the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers, radiates a special tranquility during a city break in autumn. The light and the water lend Passau an almost meditative character.
CultureSt. Stephen's Cathedral with its monumental organ, the Veste Oberhaus with its view and the Glass Museum invite you to immerse yourself.
culinary delights: Bavarian-Bohemian cuisine at its finest: game stew, plum dumplings and seasonal delicacies in atmospheric inns.
Hotel tip: Hotel Residenz Passau* (Advertisement) – Right on the river, charming and with a personal flair.
Conclusion: City trips in autumn are perfect for explorers
In the golden season, cities reveal their quieter sides—ideal for those who travel with open eyes, open senses, and an open heart. These aren't trips for rushing, but for slowing down. For conversations over a glass of wine, for museum visits without crowds, for strolls in soft light.
Vienna, Lyon, Salzburg, Regensburg, Trieste and Passau – they all show that a city trip in autumn is not just a change of scenery, but an invitation to a conscious encounter with culture, cuisine and atmosphere.
Our advice: Take a backpack with you for city trips, in which you can store everything you need for sightseeing.
Questions and answers about city trips in autumn
Why is autumn a particularly good time of year for city trips?
Autumn has a magic all its own, which can be wonderfully experienced, especially in cities. While summer is often loud, hot, and crowded, autumn brings a pleasant sense of calm. Temperatures are milder, the light softer, and the atmosphere in museums, cafés, and old towns is noticeably more relaxed. Cultural life is also blossoming again – many theaters and opera houses are starting their new seasons, galleries are presenting new exhibitions, and concerts are no longer held outdoors but in atmospheric halls. Those who enjoy leisurely strolls through old towns, enjoying regional cuisine, and being pampered in boutique hotels will quickly discover autumn is their favorite time to travel.
Which cities are particularly suitable for an autumn short trip?
Cities with history, well-preserved old towns, and cultural offerings are particularly appealing in autumn. We personally like to travel to places where culture and cuisine combine—Vienna, Salzburg, and Regensburg, for example. But Trieste, with its touch of nostalgia, or Passau, with its picturesque location on the three rivers, also offer a very special atmosphere in autumn. The colorful foliage, the warm light, and the fewer visitors make these cities perfect destinations for connoisseurs. And if you can also find a charming hotel, even a weekend becomes a mini escape from everyday life.
How do I find the right hotel for an autumn city trip?
Especially in autumn, a hotel can be more than just a place to sleep. We look for three things when selecting a hotel: location, atmosphere, and personality. Ideally, the hotel is located in the old town or at least within walking distance of the sights, so you can immerse yourself in city life first thing in the morning. Small boutique hotels or historic buildings are often particularly charming—they tell their own story and often offer on-site culinary experiences. A good breakfast, a cozy lounge, or a small café on site make an autumn stay perfect, especially when it's raining outside or gets dark early.
What should you definitely pack for a city trip in autumn?
Autumn weather can be fickle, so we recommend preparing for changeable conditions. A light, weatherproof jacket, a warm scarf, and comfortable shoes are a must, especially if you enjoy walking. A small umbrella or foldable poncho can also be invaluable. For evenings, something a little more elegant is fine, especially if you're planning a concert or an elegant dinner. And don't forget a good camera or a smartphone with plenty of storage space—autumn light often creates beautiful motifs that you'll want to capture.
What culinary highlights await us on city trips in autumn?
Autumn is a season for connoisseurs – you'll notice this not only on your plate, but also when strolling through weekly markets or entering a traditional inn. Regional and seasonal ingredients such as pumpkin, chestnuts, mushrooms, and game are now the focus of many menus. In cities like Lyon or Salzburg, you'll find classic dishes with deep roots in local cuisine. And sweet specialties such as apple strudel, plum cake, and fine pastries are also particularly popular now. Those interested in wine are in luck: Many wine regions around cities like Vienna or Regensburg invite you to tastings in autumn – often directly at the winery or in rustic wine taverns.
About the authors:
We are Monika and Petar Fuchs, passionate travelers and the voices behind TravelWorldOnlineFor years, our city trips have taken us to places that have more to offer than just sights – we seek out stories, people, enjoyment, and atmosphere.
In autumn, we particularly enjoy Vienna, where we celebrate coffeehouse culture, or Salzburg, where we love concerts and pastries equally. In Regensburg, we experienced medieval flair with a modern lifestyle, and in Passau, we enjoyed the tranquility by the water. Lyon seduced us with its cuisine, and Trieste surprised us with its elegance.
Each of these cities has inspired us – be it through a special hotel, an autumnal menu, or a conversation over wine. We share our experiences and impressions authentically, personally, and with the desire to make slow travel a tangible experience for everyone who wants to travel more consciously.
Source: own research on site. In some cases we have Autumn travel organized independently, some of them with support from the local tourism authorities. We are very grateful for this. However, our opinions remain, as always, our own.
Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs as well TWO
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TWO
Video: © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TWO
