August 16, 2023

2023's best Autumn getaway destinations revealed in Annual Report

Is it that time of the year again already? That's right, with summer almost out of the way, Autumn is just around the corner. However, just because the warmer weather is leaving, that doesn't mean vacations are off the table. In fact, outside of the summer months, vacation costs decrease – allowing travelers the opportunity to find a great deal on their next trip abroad.

With so many wonderful options dotted around Europe, it can feel impossible to choose just one. Fret not, as we at DiscoverCars.com have done the hard work for you by ranking the best Autumn getaway destinations for 2023.

We also completed this report last year, but now we're back 12 months later with updated statistics – and five brand-new locations – to find out if there have been any changes to the rankings.

Methodology

We collected data for several ranking factors to find out the best autumn getaway destinations in Europe for 2023. We explored the following ranking factors and then scored each location a score out of 120:

  • Closest airport
  • Average flight cost (from London Heathrow)
  • The average cost of a week-long hotel stay
  • The average cost of car rentals (for a week)
  • Number of 'cheap' (affordable) restaurants
  • Number of 'budget' hotels
  • Average rainfall in millimeters (September, October, November)
  • Average temperature (September, October, November)
  • Average daylight in hours (September, October, November)

We looked at 15 European cities – all renowned for being tourist hotspots in the autumn months – using a seed list from The Telegraph and five new locations from European Best Destinations.

We collected the data on the premise that the reader would be going away for a week using the dates September 30 to October 7, 2023 for any data that required dates to be inputted.

We used Google Flights to establish the average flight cost using the top 15 round-trip prices from London Heathrow to the city's nearest airport.

Additionally, we used Expedia to find out the average cost of a week-long hotel stay and recorded the price of the top 15 recommended hotels in each city (not including advertisements) to create an average price.

We discovered the average cost of renting a car by using our internal data and recorded the average price for a car rental available in the city.

We used Climate Data to source the average temperature and rainfall in each destination and sourced the average hours of daylight from Wanderlog.

Finally, we collected the number of 'affordable' restaurants and hotels the location has on offer from TripAdvisor. To find this data, we used the 'cheap eats' and 'cheap hotels' filter options.

The Results

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Barcelona, Spain

Kicking off the ranking and finishing as the top-rated Autumn getaway destination for 2023 is Barcelona, the Spanish city received a score of 98 out of 120 points. The picturesque city is known for its mix of Spanish and Catalonian culture as well as its breathtaking architecture.

Those visiting Barcelona this Autumn will have plenty to keep them occupied, there are plenty of sightseeing opportunities in the city with the Magic Fountain, Spotify Camp Nou, and the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia all popular options for visitors.

  • Closest airport: Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport
  • Average flight cost (from London Heathrow): £141
  • The average cost of a week-long hotel stay: £981
  • The average cost of car rentals (for a week): £131
  • Number of 'cheap' (affordable) restaurants: 1793
  • Number of 'budget' hotels: 534
  • Average rainfall in millimeters (September, October, November): 80
  • Average temperature in degrees Celsius (September, October, November): 17
  • Average daylight in hours (September, October, November): 11.2

    Lisbon, Portugal

    Moving on, Lisbon ranked in second place scoring 94 out of 120 points. The Portuguese capital is a popular tourist destination throughout summer but makes a great Autumn destination too, with plenty of budget hotels and cheap eateries to choose from.

    Aside from hotels and restaurants, Lisbon also has some top-rated attractions such as the Oceanário de Lisboa, Alfama, and the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. The city is packed full of cultural points of interest giving travelers plenty of options during their visit.

    • Closest airport: Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport
    • Average flight cost (from London Heathrow): £148
    • The average cost of a week-long hotel stay: £1,162
    • The average cost of car rentals (for a week): £159
    • Number of 'cheap' (affordable) restaurants: 1073
    • Number of 'budget' hotels: 455
    • Average rainfall in millimeters (September, October, November): 67
    • Average temperature in degrees Celsius (September, October, November): 18
    • Average daylight in hours (September, October, November): 11.3

    Berlin, Germany

    In third place, the German capital city, Berlin, received a score of 89 out of 120 points. With art, history, and museums throughout the city, Berlin has something to offer everyone this Autumn.

    Berlin has arguably some of the most important attractions in the world with the Berlin Wall and Brandenburg Gate extremely culturally meaningful. Aside from attractions, visitors can also make use of the 1422 cheap restaurants - the second highest figure in the ranking.

    • Closest airport: Berlin Brandenburg Airport
    • Average flight cost (from London Heathrow): £143
    • The average cost of a week-long hotel stay: £827
    • The average cost of car rentals (for a week): £216
    • Number of 'cheap' (affordable) restaurants: 1422
    • Number of 'budget' hotels: 360
    • Average rainfall in millimeters (September, October, November): 51
    • Average temperature in degrees Celsius (September, October, November): 11
    • Average daylight in hours (September, October, November): 10.7

    Budapest, Hungary

    Next, placing fourth in the ranking is 2022's top-rated Autumn destination, Budapest. The Hungarian capital received a score of 85 out of 120 points. It may have dropped a few places in the past year, but the vibrant city remains a brilliant destination for travelers this Autumn.

    Budapest is home to some breathtaking architecture including the Fisherman's Bastion and St. Stephen's Basilica. Additionally, visitors will be able to visit the Danube River - which runs through the city.

    • Closest airport: Budapest Airport
    • Average flight cost (from London Heathrow): £160
    • The average cost of a week-long hotel stay: £600
    • The average cost of car rentals (for a week): £249
    • Number of 'cheap' (affordable) restaurants: 789
    • Number of 'budget' hotels: 448
    • Average rainfall in millimeters (September, October, November): 56
    • Average temperature in degrees Celsius (September, October, November): 11
    • Average daylight in hours (September, October, November): 11

    Gdansk, Poland

    Finishing off the top five placed Gdansk, the Polish city received a score of 81 out of 120 points. Found on the Baltic coast of Poland, Gdansk offers the cheapest cost for a week-long hotel stay and car rentals out of all cities in this ranking.

    Gdansk is home to 584 attractions to keep visitors occupied including the popular Old Town, Museum of the Second World War, and St. Mary's Church. Gdansk has a bit of something for everybody and is a great destination for an Autumn escape.

    • Closest airport: Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport
    • Average flight cost (from London Heathrow): £151
    • The average cost of a week-long hotel stay: £526
    • The average cost of car rentals (for a week): £124
    • Number of 'cheap' (affordable) restaurants: 221
    • Number of 'budget' hotels: 123
    • Average rainfall in millimeters (September, October, November): 51
    • Average temperature in degrees Celsius (September, October, November): 10
    • Average daylight in hours (September, October, November): 10.7

    Amsterdam, Netherlands

    In sixth place in the ranking, Amsterdam received a score of 79 out of 120 points. The Dutch capital improved slightly from 2022's findings where the location finished seventh. Flights from Heathrow to Schiphol Airport are one of the cheapest in the entire ranking.

    Amsterdam is a tourist hotspot all year round and makes for a brilliant escape any time of the year. The city has a wealth of culturally important attractions such as the Anne Frank House as well as architectural brilliance including the Rijksmuseum.

    • Closest airport: Schiphol Airport
    • Average flight cost (from London Heathrow): £115
    • The average cost of a week-long hotel stay: £984
    • The average cost of car rentals (for a week): £286
    • Number of 'cheap' (affordable) restaurants: 723
    • Number of 'budget' hotels: 187
    • Average rainfall in millimeters (September, October, November): 71
    • Average temperature in degrees Celsius (September, October, November): 12
    • Average daylight in hours (September, October, November): 10.7

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    Next, placing seventh in the ranking is Copenhagen, the Danish capital city received a score of 73 out of 120 points. Out of all cities investigated, Copenhagen offered the cheapest average flight costs from London Heathrow. Copenhagen is known for its canal, which can be experienced via boat when visiting.

    Aside from the canal, other unique and popular attractions include Tivoli Gardens, the Little Mermaid Statue, and Rosenborg Castle. The city also has a massive bicycle culture, similar to Amsterdam. Lastly, travelers can rest assured with 333 cheap eateries available throughout Copenhagen.

    • Closest airport: Copenhagen Airport
    • Average flight cost (from London Heathrow): £103
    • The average cost of a week-long hotel stay: £1,001
    • The average cost of car rentals (for a week): £218
    • Number of 'cheap' (affordable) restaurants: 333
    • Number of 'budget' hotels: 56
    • Average rainfall in millimeters (September, October, November): 62
    • Average temperature in degrees Celsius (September, October, November): 10
    • Average daylight in hours (September, October, November): 10.6

    Bilbao, Spain

    Finishing in eighth place, Spain's beautiful city of Bilbao received a score of 68 out of 120 points. Like most Spanish cities, tourists flock to Bilbao throughout the warmer months - but with fewer travelers and cheaper prices in Autumn, it could be the perfect time to plan a trip.

    With 11.2 hours of daylight on average during the Autumn months, there is plenty of time to take in Bilbao's picturesque sights. Attractions such as Plaza Nueva and Basilica of Begona are must-sees for anyone considering visiting Bilbao.

    • Closest airport: Bilbao Airport
    • Average flight cost (from London Heathrow): £147
    • The average cost of a week-long hotel stay: £1,101
    • The average cost of car rentals (for a week): £195
    • Number of 'cheap' (affordable) restaurants: 238
    • Number of 'budget' hotels: 49
    • Average rainfall in millimeters (September, October, November): 105
    • Average temperature in degrees Celsius (September, October, November): 15
    • Average daylight in hours (September, October, November): 11.2

    Bordeaux, France

    The French city of Bordeaux ranked next, finishing in ninth and receiving a score of 63 out of 120 points. Known as the 'World Capital of Wine', Bordeaux is home to over 7,000 wineries and is one of France's most popular cities for tourists.

    Travelers will have the opportunity to indulge in local French cuisine and have 464 cheap restaurants to choose from - as well as 96 budget hotels. As you might expect, there are also several wine-tasting options available throughout the city.

    • Closest airport: Bordeaux-Merignac Airport
    • Average flight cost (from London Heathrow): £155
    • The average cost of a week-long hotel stay: £1,172
    • The average cost of car rentals (for a week): £371
    • Number of 'cheap' (affordable) restaurants: 464
    • Number of 'budget' hotels: 96
    • Average rainfall in millimeters (September, October, November): 72
    • Average temperature in degrees Celsius (September, October, November): 15
    • Average daylight in hours (September, October, November): 11

    Bruges, Belgium

    Finalizing the top ten is Bruges, the Belgian city received a score of 63 out of 120 points. Bruges is located in the northwest of Belgium and is the capital of the West Flanders region, the city is home to a number of scenic canals and is synonymous with cobblestone streets.

    Bruges dropped a few places from last year's ranking - where it ranked sixth. Despite this, with a sufficient amount of cheap eateries, budget hotels, and cheap flight costs, the city makes for a wonderful Autumn holiday option. Attractions such as Burg Square are must-sees.

    • Closest airport: Brussels Airport
    • Average flight cost (from London Heathrow): £106
    • The average cost of a week-long hotel stay: £962
    • The average cost of car rentals (for a week): £435
    • Number of 'cheap' (affordable) restaurants: 92
    • Number of 'budget' hotels: 31
    • Average rainfall in millimeters (September, October, November): 73
    • Average temperature in degrees Celsius (September, October, November): 12
    • Average daylight in hours (September, October, November): 10.8

      Pula, Croatia

      Moving on, placing eleventh in the ranking is the Croatian city of Pula — it received a score of 62 out of 120 points. The city is known for its beaches, port, and historical Roman architecture such as the Pula Arena, an amphitheater similar to the Colosseum in Rome.

      Despite temperatures averaging around 16 degrees Celsius, Pula is one of the rainiest locations out of all examined cities - with 134mm of rainfall per Autumn month on average. Visitors to Pula can experience incredible attractions such as the Temple of Augustus during their stay.

      • Closest airport: Pula Airport
      • Average flight cost (from London Heathrow): £201
      • The average cost of a week-long hotel stay: £750
      • The average cost of car rentals (for a week): £126
      • Number of 'cheap' (affordable) restaurants: 41
      • Number of 'budget' hotels: 42
      • Average rainfall in millimeters (September, October, November): 134
      • Average temperature in degrees Celsius (September, October, November): 16
      • Average daylight in hours (September, October, November): 11

      Florence, Italy

      In twelfth place in the ranking, the Italian city of Florence received a score of 61 out of 120 points. Florence is the capital of Italy's Tuscany region and is home to iconic art pieces such as Michelangelo's sculpture of David. Furthermore, the city is also known for its vineyards.

      Unfortunately, Florence was revealed as the most expensive city in the ranking for a week-long hotel stay. However, the city has so much to offer with nearly 400 budget hotels and over 500 cheap restaurants. Iconic art exhibitions can be experienced in the Galleria dell'Accademia.

      • Closest airport: Florence Airport
      • Average flight cost (from London Heathrow): £165
      • The average cost of a week-long hotel stay: £1,520
      • The average cost of car rentals (for a week): £292
      • Number of 'cheap' (affordable) restaurants: 571
      • Number of 'budget' hotels: 395
      • Average rainfall in millimeters (September, October, November): 112
      • Average temperature in degrees Celsius (September, October, November): 14
      • Average daylight in hours (September, October, November): 11.1

      Edinburgh, Scotland

      Next, placing thirteenth in the ranking is Edinburgh, the Scottish capital city received a score of 59 out of 120 points. Edinburgh is known for a lot of things including being the location for a lot of Harry Potter sets - in fact, J.K. Rowling wrote a lot of the books while living in the city!

      If you're not the biggest Harry Potter fan, there are also attractions such as Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh Castle, and the National Museum of Scotland to keep you entertained. Flights are fairly cheap in comparison to other cities in the ranking due to its close proximity to London Heathrow.

      • Closest airport: Edinburgh Airport
      • Average flight cost (from London Heathrow): £119
      • The average cost of a week-long hotel stay: £1,254
      • The average cost of car rentals (for a week): £303
      • Number of 'cheap' (affordable) restaurants: 382
      • Number of 'budget' hotels: 174
      • Average rainfall in millimeters (September, October, November): 75
      • Average temperature in degrees Celsius (September, October, November): 9
      • Average daylight in hours (September, October, November): 10.6

      Dubrovnik, Croatia

      Nearing the end of the ranking and placing fourteenth is Dubrovnik, the Croatian city received a score of 56 out of 120 points. Dubrovnik is the second Croatian city to feature in the ranking highlighting the amazing options available in the country. The location is known for its city walls - a unique feature for a modern city to have.

      Found in the south of Croatia, Dubrovnik is a great option for travelers this Autumn. Popular attractions in the city include; the Old Town, Lokrum Island, and Mount Srd. However, with an average of 194mm of rainfall per month, we suggest packing a raincoat and umbrella!

      • Closest airport: Dubrovnik Airport
      • Average flight cost (from London Heathrow): £209
      • The average cost of a week-long hotel stay: £1,291
      • The average cost of car rentals (for a week): £136
      • Number of 'cheap' (affordable) restaurants: 52
      • Number of 'budget' hotels: 217
      • Average rainfall in millimeters (September, October, November): 194
      • Average temperature in degrees Celsius (September, October, November): 16
      • Average daylight in hours (September, October, November): 11.1

      Lugano, Switzerland

      Finally, finishing off the ranking of 2023's best destinations for an Autumn getaway is Lugano. The Swiss city received a score of 45 out of 120 points, and is home to Lake Lugano (pictured) which measures 35 km in width. Interestingly, Lugano is the city with the largest Italian-speaking population outside of Italy.

      Flights from Heathrow to Milan Malpensa Airport are fairly cheap in comparison to other cities. However, the city offers the most expensive car rental costs and the least amount of budget hotels, with 13. Despite this, attractions such as Parco Ciani mean Lugano remains a strong option for an Autumn escape.

      • Closest airport: Milan Malpensa Airport
      • Average flight cost (from London Heathrow): £120
      • The average cost of a week-long hotel stay: £1,247
      • The average cost of car rentals (for a week): £456
      • Number of 'cheap' (affordable) restaurants: 59
      • Number of 'budget' hotels: 13
      • Average rainfall in millimeters (September, October, November): 182
      • Average temperature in degrees Celsius (September, October, November): 11
      • Average daylight in hours (September, October, November): 11

      The comparison

      Now that we've reviewed the best Autumn destinations for 2023, let's take a look at how the ranking has changed in the past 12 months - as we've added five new locations to this year's ranking, we'll only be examining the change of the ten cities we also investigated in 2022.
      It's safe to say there's been a lot of movement over the last twelve months, with no city retaining its 2022 result aside from Edinburgh. Budapest dramatically dropped from first place to fourth while Barcelona climbed one place to claim the top spot in 2023's ranking.

      The number of budget hotels increased in all cities examined. With the cost of living still affecting many around the world, this increase is sure to be welcomed.

      However, on the other hand, the number of cheap restaurants dropped in every city apart from Dubrovnik - where it remained the same. This could be down to a number of factors including inflation and business closures.

      Interestingly, in terms of car rental costs, the price of a week-long rental period has decreased in comparison to 2022's figures. For example, car rental costs in Barcelona have lowered from £270 to £131 in the space of a year - it highlights how rental vehicle prices are beginning to return to pre-pandemic levels.

      The average cost of a week-long hotel stay fluctuated from city to city. Some locations - such as Lisbon increased in price over the past 12 months rising by £197. Additionally, cities such as Amsterdam saw a huge drop off in hotel costs with the average cost falling by a massive £595.

      Overall, we hope that our collated ranking of the best Autumn getaway destinations has helped you choose the perfect location for your escape. With so many unique options, there is something for everyone this Autumn across Europe.

      If you're looking to rent a car for your Autumn trip, please consider choosing us as we are a leader in online car rental bookings. This is because we compare car rental deals from many companies so that you can choose the best deal for your individual needs.

      We also operate in more than 145 countries and 10,000 locations, so we're sure to have the car rental deal for you, no matter where your next road trip happens to be.

      Top Related Locations

      Here are some other locations near those mentioned in this article that you could also visit. We've also included the closest airports.
      • Paris, France (Paris Charles de Gaulle): In addition to Bordeaux, visit the Eiffel Tower and experience the charm of the City of Love.
      • Rome, Italy (Ciampino or Fiumicino Airports): A perfect city to combine with Florence, Rome is a can't-miss.
      • Valencia, Spain (Valencia Airport): Similar to Lisbon and Barcelona, Valencia offers a lively atmosphere, stunning architecture, and delicious cuisine.
      • Athens, Greece (Athens Airport): Like Dubrovnik, Athens boasts historic landmarks, rich history, and vibrant culture., and isn't as hot in autumn.
      • Salzburg, Austria (Salzburg Airport): Similar to Brugges, Salzburg has a rich cultural heritage and a captivating old town
      • Granada, Spain (Malaga Airport): Much like Edinburgh and Dubrovnik, Granada has historic architecture and a rich cultural history.
      • Paphos, Cyprus (Paphos Airport): Like Dubrovnik, Paphos offers charming streets, historic sites, and a coastal ambiance.
      • Valletta, Malta (Malta Airport): Similar to Lisbon, Valletta boasts a historic town, charming alleys, and a mix of Mediterranean cultures.
      • Zurich, Switzerland (Zurich Airport): Like Copenhagen and Berlin, Zurich is a dynamic city with a blend of modernity and historic charm.
      • Catania, Sicily (Catania Fontanarossa Airport): Just like Florence, Catania has its own historic significance, art, and stunning architecture.
      • Denver, Colorado (Denver Airport): Similar to Edinburgh and Copenhagen, Denver offers youthful energy and access to outdoor adventures.
      • Nice, France (Nice Airport): Like Dubrovnik, Nice is known for its stunning coastline, vibrant atmosphere, and artistic heritage.
      • Bologna, Italy (Bologna Airport): Similar to Florence, Bologna has a rich artistic heritage, beautiful architecture, and a lively university atmosphere.
      • Vienna, Austria (Vienna Airport): Just as you mentioned Barcelona and Florence, Vienna offers a blend of art, music, and architectural beauty.
      • Dublin, Ireland (Dublin Airport): Like Amsterdam and Edinburgh, Dublin is known for its charming streets, cultural richness, and friendly locals.
      • Warsaw, Poland: Much like Berlin and Gdansk, Warsaw offers a mix of historical significance, vibrant culture, and modernity.
      • Prague, Czech Republic (Prague Airport): Another Central European capital like Budapest, Prague is a living museum worthy of visiting any time of year.
      • Bucharest, Romania (Bucharest Airport): A natural city to pair with Budapest, the capital of Romania is simply lovely in the fall.
      • Sofia, Bulgaria (Sofia Airport): If you're in the Balkans already, then you should miss the capital of Bulgaria and the mountains south of it.
      • Krakow, Poland (Krakow Airport): Like many cities on the list, Krakow has a lovely Old Town and is perfect to visit in the autumn.

      Sources


      Aleksandrs Buraks

      Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com
      Aleksandrs has over 10 years of experience in marketing with a focus on creating stellar content that provides topical insights using data. Having taken five road trips across Europe and one in the U.S., he is passionate about traveling by car. His favorite countries to visit are Denmark and Thailand. You can find him on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.