Fall is nearly at hand in the Northern Hemisphere. As days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, harvest traditions shape the rhythm of life while landscapes shift into gold and amber hues. Autumn brings both abundance and a quiet sense of transition — a season when forests, mountains, and villages seem to embrace a fleeting beauty before winter settles in. From Japan’s volcanic peaks to Norway’s fjords, these are some of the most mesmerizing places to witness the mysticism of fall’s transformation.
From Japan to Norway: 11 of the Best Leaf Peeping Destinations Around the World
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Japan: Nikko’s sacred shrines and fiery maples
When: October to early November
Where to stay: Guest favorite apartment in Nikko
Japan’s centuries-old tradition of momijigari — “hunting for red leaves” — comes alive in Nikko, a mountainous region north of Tokyo. It’s one of the most celebrated destinations for fall foliage in the country not only for its vivid colors, but also for the abundance of dramatic backdrops like Kegon Falls, Chuzenji Lake, and the area’s historic Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Japanese maples glowing red and golden ginkgos are the defining trees of the season, joined by other species such as azaleas, mountain cherries, and alders.
Germany: Bavaria’s castles and alpine valleys
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When: Late September to mid-October
Where to stay: Top Airbnbs in Munich
Munich makes an excellent base for autumn travel. Within the city, the Englischer Garten glows with amber tones, while just beyond, Bavaria’s alpine valleys become saturated with color. Highlights include the Bavarian Forest’s treetop walkway, Berchtesgaden National Park’s Königssee framed by onion-domed St. Bartholomä church, Neuschwanstein Castle wrapped in russet hillsides, and mirror-like lakes such as Tegernsee and Eibsee. Travelers in late September can time their visit with Oktoberfest, when the season’s brilliance coincides with Bavaria’s most famous celebration.
South Korea: Naejangsan’s maple-filled slopes
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When: Mid-October to early November
Where to stay: Top Airbnbs in Seoul
In South Korea, the autumn tradition of danpung-nori — “enjoying the red leaves” — reaches its peak at Naejangsan National Park. The slopes here are home to Japanese and Korean maple species, as well as ginkgo trees. Naejangsan mountain is home to cultural landmarks like the Baekyangsa and Naejangsa Temples, as well as the picturesque Uhwajeong Pavilion. Seven different peaks can be reached through the park’s main hiking route — a moderately challenging, seven-hour trek. Remember to check the dates of the Naejangsan Maple Festival in nearby Jeongeup.
Canada: Laurentians’ treetop walks and lakes
When: Late September to mid-October
Where to stay: Guest favorite condo in Mont-Tremblant
North of Montreal, the Laurentian Mountains erupt in layered tones of scarlet maple, golden birch, and amber beech each fall. Mont-Tremblant National Park offers striking views from peaks that rise above 3,000 feet elevation and lakes like Lac Monroe and Lac Tremblant. The recently opened Sentier des Cimes treetop walkway ends in a 131-foot observation tower above the canopy. Farther afield, Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park offers kayaking along sheer cliffs and hiking to viewpoints overlooking the Malbaie River valley. Towns such as Mont-Tremblant, Saint-Sauveur, and Saint-Donat serve as lively gateways for hikers, cyclists, and paddlers.
Slovenia: Lake Bled and the Julian Alps
When: October
Where to stay: Guest favorite cottage in Bled
In autumn, Lake Bled’s mirror-like waters reflect maples, beeches, and chestnuts turning bronze against the Julian Alps. The iconic island church and cliff-top Bled Castle gain a softer glow, while hiking trails like Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica provide elevated perspectives of the lake in full color. An hour from Ljubljana, Bled is the starting point for Triglav National Park, where Slovenia’s alpine heritage and fall landscapes extend into higher ridges.
Kazakhstan: Almaty’s mountains and canyons
When: Late September to November
Where to stay: Guest favorite apartments Almaty
Almaty offers a long autumn season, with colors appearing first in the surrounding mountains and later in the city’s parks. Kok-Tobe Hill, reached by a mile-long cable car, provides views of the skyline framed by snowed peaks. South of the city, Big Almaty Lake’s turquoise waters contrast with the golden foliage in Ile-Alatau National Park. Near the Kyrgyztan border, Kolsai Lakes National Park links three alpine lakes through hiking trails lined with birch and aspen. About three hours east, Charyn Canyon — sometimes called a “little brother” of the Grand Canyon — becomes especially striking in fall when ribbons of yellow elm and willow trees trace the Charyn River between towering red sandstone walls.
New Zealand: Tekapo’s golden autumn shores
When: Mid-April to early May
Where to stay: Guest favorite cottage in Lake Tekapo
While the Northern Hemisphere heads into spring, New Zealand enters its own autumn in April. In the Mackenzie Basin, Lake Tekapo has a milky-turquoise surface from glacial rock flour that’s contrasted by the surrounding golden poplars and willows. The Church of the Good Shepherd, a small stone chapel built in 1935, provides one of the most photographed autumn scenes in the country. Nearby Mount John Observatory offers panoramic views over the basin, and the region’s clear skies make it part of the UNESCO Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.
Croatia: Waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes
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When: Mid-October to early November
Where to stay: Top Airbnbs in Zagreb
Plitvice Lakes is Croatia’s largest national park. The already visually-stunning landscape of never-ending waterfalls takes on a new hue in the fall, when beech, maple, and hornbeam trees turn to shades of gold and crimson. The park’s wooden boardwalks wind between 16 terraced lakes connected by more than 90 waterfalls, making the fall foliage visible from multiple vantage points. The cooler weather means smaller crowds, allowing clearer views of sites like Veliki Slap, the park’s tallest waterfall at 256 feet.
Japan: Daisetsuzan’s early alpine colors
When: Late September to mid-October
Where to stay: Guest favorite farm-stay in Mombetsu
Hokkaido’s Daisetsuzan National Park, Japan’s largest and oldest protected wilderness, is home to the country’s earliest fall foliage. Rugged volcanic peaks and alpine meadows change first as nanakamado shrubs flush scarlet. Visitors can ascend the Asahidake and Kurodake ropeways for sweeping views, or hike around Sugatami Pond, where fiery slopes reflect in still waters. Nearby Sōunkyō Gorge adds its own drama with the Ginga and Ryusei waterfalls framed by vibrant leaves.
Romania: Transylvania’s castles and Carpathian Mountains
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When: Mid-September to late October
Where to stay: Guest favorite apartment in Brasov
Transylvania in autumn blends medieval architecture with the Carpathians’ shifting palette. Bran Castle rises dramatically over golden forests, while the Transfăgărășan Highway has views of the slopes of the Făgăraș Mountains. In Brașov and Sibiu, cobblestone streets and Baroque facades take on an autumnal glow. South of Sibiu, the UNESCO-listed fortified village of Biertan hosts harvest-time festivities that root the season in centuries-old tradition.
Norway: Lofoten’s fjords and northern lights
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When: Mid-September to mid-October
Where to stay: Top Airbnbs in Lofoten
The Lofoten Islands’ jagged peaks and fjords become even more photogenic in autumn. Golden birch and muted reds cover the slopes, while clear skies bring a stronger chance of seeing the northern lights. Traditional red fishing cabins (rorbu) in villages like Hamnøy and Reine contrast vividly with the season’s colors for vivid shoreline shots. Lofoten has no shortage of great hiking. Hiking trails such as Ryten or the path above Haukland Beach reward visitors with panoramic views across beaches and mountains glowing in low Arctic light.