Why autumn is the best time to visit these typical summer destinations

The colorful town of Varenna in Lake Como

For more travel inspiration perfect for autumn, check out 10 unmissable European roadtrips for food lovers and the best autumn breaks for food lovers.

5 typical summer destinations to visit in autumn

Malaga, Costa del Sol, Spain

Better known as the gateway to the resorts of the Costa del Sol, Malaga Airport actually has its own train station that can quickly connect you to its namesake city. This compact coastal town is one of Spain’s most underrated, packed with cobbled streets, family-run restaurants, cosy tapas bars and both a fine and street art scene – not to mention its proximity to the beach and cooler, inland mountain towns like Mijas and Ronda.

Without the summer crowds and heat, it’s infinitely more pleasant to walk along the pier Muelle Uno, cycle to the coast or enjoy the views from Gibralfaro Castle and Malaga’s many rooftop terraces and bars. Like many Spanish cities, Malaga has plenty of art to enjoy at the world-class Picasso and Carmen Thyssen museums. It’s also home to Hamman al Andalus, an impressive Moroccan-style hammam with baths and treatments.

In October, the aroma of roasted chestnuts will surround you as you explore the city, as streetside vendors smoke this seasonal highlight. Autumn is also a fruit fest, with custard apples, persimmon and fresh figs available. Try torta de higo – fig cake with a slice of Spanish cheese. For the freshest autumnal produce, you can’t beat Malaga’s Atarazanas market, open Monday to Saturday, for its stalls, kiosks and handful of informal bars and restaurants. A few steps away outside is Palodú restaurant, which serves two seasonal tasting menus; prop up at the counter to watch the chefs in action as you feast.

Top tip: If you’re a golfer, autumn is the time to visit. Near-perfect temperatures also make it the optimum time for hiking, biking and horse-riding in Sierra de las Nieves national park.

Lake Como, northern Italy

Summer by the lake sounds good in theory: cooler than the beach, mountain views and pebbly lakeside shores eliminating sandy sweaty stickiness. But, northern Italy’s lakes can still reach high temperatures. That’s why autumn – and even winter – can be a much better bet. It’s still warm, the scenery transforms to reddish-gold hues and, if it rains, the lakes take on a wonderfully misty atmosphere.

Towns like Varenna and Bellagio can be heaving in the summer, and understandably so – Bellagio is one of Como’s prettiest spots. But once the crowds have left, it’s quieter and calmer, and wandering the streets or eating dinner on the waterfront is more joy than jostle. Sights such as Villa Balbianello, known for its striking gardens and architecture, are free of queues – it’s no wonder this spectacular spot has hosted so many celebrity weddings and shoots for films.

Sitting in Italy’s northern Lombardy region, seasonal produce during autumn includes local fish, mushrooms and chestnuts. As the evenings cool, it’s a great time of year to tuck into dishes such as polenta with wild mushrooms, cinghiale (braised wild boar) or pumpkin ravioli with aromatic sage. After an aperitivo on Bellagio’s lakefront, head up into the hills to Ristorante La Madonnina di Barni – its mountain view sets a cosy spot for a seasonal dinner, such as venison stew or porcini mushroom risotto. October is also chestnut season; ask locals about the nearest castagnata, the chestnut festivals that take place across Italy.

Top tip: Ferries, boats and water taxis are a great way to move between lakeside towns; itineraries often change in autumn, so check timings. Dress warmly for cooler mornings and evenings.

Athens, Greece

In 2024, the Greek capital not only hit record tourist numbers, but its hottest temperatures, too. Autumn is a chance to beat both highs. November can be heavenly here, and queues for popular sights such as the Acropolis and Parthenon are a lot more manageable, while walking through the neighbourhoods of Plaka, below the Acropolis, and Anafiotika, on the slopes of the Acropolis, feel like less of a ‘tourist route’.

While Greek food favourites are available year-round – such as slow-cooked lamb kleftiko or flaky spinach-and-cheese spanakopita – autumn is an opportunity to try seasonal dishes like fasolada (white bean soup) and spetzofai (sausage and pepper stew). Athens’s Central Municipal Market is a top spot to browse or pick up food gifts, or stop for an ouzo and mezedes (snacks) at Karayiannis in the fish market section. The courtyards of Athens neighbourhoods Exarhia and Petralona lend themselves to spontaneously stopping by a bar or restaurant, while the Pangrati and Kolonaki neighbourhoods are great for streetside dining. A longstanding favourite is Dexameni, with its leafy setting in Kolonaki: great prices and simple food done well, like halloumi with fig marmalade and beef patties with basil and almonds.

Top tip: The Athens Riviera is just 12 miles (20 kilometres) south if you want to feast on fresh fish and seafood by the sea. And, if you love a vineyard, the wineries of the Mesogaia valley are 19 miles (30 kilometres) south-west, including Vasilis Papagiannakos, Greece’s first bioclimatic winery, and the family-run Gikas Winery.

Cafe table and chairs on a street in Athens

The Turkish Riviera, Türkiye

Known as the Turkish Riviera or Turquoise Coast, this 600-mile (965 kilometres) coastline in southwestern Türkiye (across the provinces of Antalya, Muğla and Aydın) stretches along the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. Deservedly popular for its resorts, activities and lively beach towns, it’s also busy (and hot) in the height of summer.

A drop in temperature as autumn rolls in is great for walkers, who can hike through pine forest along parts of the Lycian Way (a 320-mile trail between Antalya and Fethiye). On the beaches, it’s still warm and calm enough to go waterskiing, paragliding and bodyboarding. Booking a gulet (traditional schooner) cruise is recommended for a serene day at sea. Popular towns like Bodrum, Kalkan, Marmis, Fethiye and Ölüdeniz become easier to navigate, where local markets are a food-lover’s paradise. Kaş is a dream to explore, with its boutique stores and atmosphere cafés, or head to UNESCO World Heritage site Pamukkale’s natural spa, with its terraced pools of thermal waters.

Mushrooms and chestnuts are a regular autumnal feature, but pumpkin is Türkiye’s seasonal highlight, from pumpkin soup to pumpkin desserts served with tahini drizzle or a sprinkling of walnuts. Another is pomegranate – not just the fruit, but pomegranate molasses and pomegranate seeds, too. Try kisir, a bulgur wheat salad topped with one or both. A popular spot with locals and return visitors is one of Antalya’s oldest restaurants: 7 Mehmet. Located inland, its third-generation chef and owner continues to serve family recipes – some unchanged since the restaurant opened in 1937, others with a twist, such as rice pilaf with pineapple and bergamot.

Top tip: Different towns have their own market days. As markets are often just once a week, find out before or early in your holiday which market is the best/closest/most convenient for you.

Cyprus

Even in November, it’s warm enough for a dip in the sea if you head as far south as Cyprus – not to mention the luxury of uncrowded beaches, quieter hotels, comfortable temperatures and a price drop, too.

In the west-coast town of Paphos, explore the UNESCO-listed Tombs of the Kings, enjoy the views from Ancient Kourion’s cliffside Greco-Roman theatre, or soak up the seafront vibe of Larnaca. Inland, the pretty village of Lefkara, known for its lace-making heritage (and located in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains), can get overrun in the peak period, but as the season changes, it becomes a lot more palatable. Visitors can also book free craft workshops, choosing between traditional weaving, wood carving or bread- and halloumi-making.

Autumn, of course, is harvest time. There’s the nine-day Limassol Wine Festival from the end of September, which celebrates the grape harvest and local wine. But, if you miss it, Cyprus has numerous vineyards where you can sample local wines alongside plates of homemade halloumi. There’s also the Commandaria Wine Route, which passes through 14 villages and includes wineries that produce the island’s ancient sweet dessert wine. Other seasonal produce includes olives, pomegranates, mushrooms and hawthorn (yellow and red berries used for hawthorn jam). Head into the Troodos for feasts in family-run restaurants – weekends are especially atmospheric, as local families and groups of friends enjoy long lunches on open-air terraces.

Top tip: For UK drivers, Cyprus is one of the few countries in the world that also drives on the left. And, while you don’t need a car, it’s handy if you want to explore the island or village-hop in the mountains.