Where to Find the Best Fall Foliage in the World
If you live in the U.S., chances are you're already planning to do a little fall foliage scouting. But the best fall foliage in the world can be found across the globe, as a backdrop of gold for Bavarian castles, and carpets of rich reds and oranges in Alaska's mountain range. You'll even find these fall colors emerging deep in Transylvania and eastern Asia. And if you're staying closer to home this season, fear not: These colors are so striking, they’ll pop off even the dimmest of computer screens. Without further ado, here are 21 places with the best fall foliage in the world.
This gallery was originally published in October 2018. It has been updated with new information. Additional reporting by Kristi Kellogg and Peter Nosal.
GettyLake Tahoe, California
One of the best places to watch the colors turn on the West Coast is Lake Tahoe, where the orange, amber, and vermilion leaves make a striking contrast against the placid blue water. You'll find great spots all along Lake Tahoe's shore, including Apple Hill for—you guessed it—apple picking, Taylor Creek for hiking, and Ebbetts Pass and Hope Valley for prime leaf peeping.
Most photogenic spot: We’re big fans of Zephyr Cove for not only its array of colors, but for its refreshingly quiet atmosphere and lack of crowds.
GettyDouro Valley, Portugal
Sheltered from the harsh Atlantic winds by the Marao and Montemuro mountains, the Douro Valley is one of Portugal’s main wine regions—and a unique place for fall foliage. Rather than large trees, the hills are covered in neat rows of terraced vineyards, which rise like colorful stairways come fall. Our advice? Go for a leisurely hike along the Douro, and then top the day off with a bottle of the region’s finest claret.
Most photogenic spot: Book a room at Six Senses Douro Valley, where you can take in the scenery from the pool or your room’s private hot tub.
GettyDenali National Park, Alaska
Denali National Park gets more than a half-million visitors per year, and it's easy to see why. The park is a wild and massive landscape (we're talking 6 million acres) of snowy amphitheaters, glaciers, ice caves, and mountains that would look right at home in the Himalayas. But the park shines even when it's not completely shrouded in snow, namely from late September to late October, when the trees and shrubs change colors and wildlife emerges to soak up the warmer temperatures before winter.
Most photogenic spot: Book a stay at the remote and luxurious Sheldon Chalet, where you’ll be treated to a helicopter ride from Talkeetna through Denali National Park. The aerial shots won’t disappoint.
GettyAspen, Colorado
There's no such thing as an unattractive season in Colorado, but we think autumn is the most spectacular. Starting in August, a gold rush takes over the aspen trees in Rocky Mountain National Park, working down to lower elevations in October (September is peak leaf-changing season), as the tundra’s summer flowers transition to shades of russet, brown, and gold.
Most photogenic spot: Kebler Pass, a 33-mile drive connecting Paonia (near Somerset) with Crested Butte to the east.
GettyLapland, Finland
Finnish Lapland is known for winter—those snowy landscapes, the Northern Lights, for starters—but the autumn season might be the region’s best kept secret. As most Finns shut the door on summer holidays and head back to work, Lapland becomes even more quiet and peaceful, when lucky stragglers get to enjoy uncrowded hiking trails and gorgeous scenery. The Finns even have their own word—ruska—to describe the fall colors that descend upon the wilderness during this time.
Most photogenic spot: Spend a day (or more) hiking through Urho Kekkonen National Park, which offers a diverse range of landscapes across its 985 square miles.
GettyEdinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh gives New England a run for its money when it comes to foliage, its leaves turning vivid shades of gold, bronze, and crimson against a backdrop of evergreen Scots pine. After crawling through the city's many restaurants and sipping a glass (or three) of whisky, warm yourself up with a walk up to Arthur’s Seat and survey the splendid city below.
Most photogenic spot: Aside from Arthur’s Seat, the Royal Botanic Garden is one of the best places to take in the autumnal beauty.
GettyHraunfossar Waterfalls, Iceland
Iceland is best known for its hot springs, lava fields, and dramatic lunar landscapes, but come fall, it's also a great place to watch the leaves transform. Head to Hraunfossar, a series of waterfalls that stretch for nearly a kilometer, spilling over the giant steps of an ancient lava field into a turquoise glacial river, for some of the most impressive foliage in the entire country.
Most photogenic spot: According to Iceland Photo Tours, you should set up your camera (with long exposure, if possible) at one of the terraced outlooks near the boardwalk near the beginning of the trail.
GettyLake Louise, Canada
Surrounded by the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise in Banff National Park has plenty of scenic trails and drives to take advantage of during September and October. And pack your bathing suit—you'll want to stop for a soak at Upper Banff Hot Springs while you're there.
Most photogenic spot: Make a beeline for Banff Legacy Trail, a 14-mile stretch of paved pathways with plenty of picnic spots and scenic overlooks along the way.
GettyJiuzhaigou Valley National Park, China
Widely considered China’s premiere protected area, Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park is already a colorful place thanks to the mineral-rich waters of its famous Five Flower Lake. But those prismatic waters get a notable rival during the autumn months, when the rolling forests that fill the park are tinted with every fall hue imaginable.
Most photogenic spot: Try to get a low angle shot of Five Flower Lake with a splay of trees in the background.
Daniele CodegoniPiedmont, Italy
Tuscany's rolling hillsides and vineyards get a second life during the fall, when the landscapes transform from green to varying shades of ochre—all set to the gorgeous backdrop of the Alps. Fall also happens to bring about a host of travel-worthy harvest festivals, including Alba’s world-famous white truffle festival.
Most photogenic spot: The luxurious, 17th-century LaVilla Hotel, surrounded by the rolling Monferrato vineyards, is centrally placed for exploring (and photographing) Piedmont’s wine regions.
GettyKyoto, Japan
Step aside, cherry blossoms: There’s a new seasonal favorite in town. While there are countless places to take in fall foliage in Japan, the autumnal scenery in Kyoto is truly unparalleled, with green leaves turning crimson and gold from October through early December. Even if you miss peak foliage season in one of the city’s famed temples or gardens, you can easily venture to the surrounding mountains to spot some colors later in the year.
Most photogenic spot: Stretching 509 feet over the Katsura River, the Togetsu-kyō Bridge becomes one of the most beautiful spots in Japan when the adjacent Arashiyama mountain explodes with colors in the fall.
GettyMontenegro
Montenegro takes up less space than Connecticut and has a lower population than Stockholm, but the tiny Balkan nation should not be overlooked—especially since it's quieter and more untouched than neighbors Croatia and Greece. And similar to the New England states it shares its size with, the country turns into a colorful wonderland during the autumn months. Pick any of its scenic lakes, four national parks, or virgin forests to take in some seriously spectacular views.
Most photogenic spot: Head to Kotor and walk up to the fortress of Saint Ivan, where you can get a bird’s-eye view of the Old Town (the orange roofs compliment the surrounding fall colors quite perfectly.)
AlamyThe Bavarian Alps, Germany
An autumn trip to southern Germany is about so much more than Oktoberfest. Fall may be the best season to visit the Bavarian Alps, when the weather is perfectly cool and the mountains transform into a technicolor dreamscape. The season is prime for outdoor enthusiasts as well, with areas like Berchtesgaden and Lake Tegernsee lending themselves to some epic scenic hikes.
Most photogenic spot: Shutterbugs are never disappointed by the Disney-esque Neuschwanstein Castle, whose white turrets look best against a backdrop of deep reds and oranges.
GettyParis, France
Paris makes our list because there’s hardly a bad time to visit, though there’s something special about September, when the locals return from their own vacations and flock to parks and landmarks to enjoy the foliage. The city’s favorite pastime—people watching from pavement cafes—isn’t ruled out, either. The colder weather makes for the perfect excuse to swing by Angelina for a take-away cup of their famous hot chocolate.
Most photogenic spot: Legendary parks, such as the Jardin du Luxembourg), are only enhanced by the glorious foliage and crisp air.
GettyPrague, Czech Republic
There’s a Czech term for an Indian summer (babí léto), which bodes well for the possibility of warm days stretching to November. The low angle of the sun bathes the city in a romantic golden light, and there’s dazzling foliage in the public parks and gardens. Take a stroll along the tree-lined Vltava River, which runs through the center of town, to enjoy the cool weather and post-summer lull of tourists.
Most photogenic spot: Ride the funicular up to the 19th-century Petřín Tower (it’s the one that looks like the Eiffel Tower) to get sweeping views of the entire city.
GettySeoul, South Korea
The fall season is arguably the best time to visit Seoul, when the trees change colors and the weather hovers near cool and pleasant temperatures. The South Korean capital offers enough foliage-viewing opportunities to fill an entire vacation, including the city’s many Buddhist temples, parks, and surrounding mountains.
Most photogenic spot: Gyeongbokgung Palace—the largest of Seoul’s five palaces—is even more beautiful when framed by bright red and orange leaves.
GettySt. Petersburg, Russia
St. Petersburg is famous for its spectacular palaces and grand old parks, all of which become more stunning as the summer months give way to crisp air and changing colors. Dubbed “Golden Autumn” by Russian author Boris Pasternak, the short fall season transforms the city into a romantic wonderland, where falling leaves line the walkways and famous sites like The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood get shrouded in golden light.
Most photogenic spot: Despite its name, the landscaped Summer Palace is most beautiful this time of year, with the bright white statues standing out against the rust-colored trees.
GettySun Moon Lake, Taiwan
Situated among the mountains and tea plantations of central Taiwan, Sun Moon Lake is the largest—and most beautiful—body of water in the country. Tourists and locals alike flock to the lake to enjoy outdoor activities and sample food from the many nondescript (but delicious) kitchens in the area. Autumn is the busiest season at the lake, thanks to annual swimming races and festivals, but you can easily steal away from the crowds and soak in the foliage reflecting gently in the waters.
Most photogenic spot: Get to Jinlong Mountain at sunrise to capture seas of clouds and mist filling the colorful lake and surrounding basin.
GettyKoishikawa Korakuen Gardens, Tokyo
Located in the district of Koishikawa, 17th-century Koishikawa Korakuen is arguably one of the most beautiful green spaces in Tokyo. It offers stunning displays of cherry blossoms in early springtime, but it is most popular during autumn, when the dozens of maple trees around the garden’s three ponds turn bright orange and red.
Most photogenic spot: Try to include the Engetsu-kyo (“Full Moon Bridge”) in your shot—when the arched bridge is reflected in the water below, it creates a full circle.
GettyTransylvania, Romania
Transylvania may bring Halloween to mind, thanks to its vampiric folklore and supposedly haunted villages, but there are plenty of non-spooky reasons to love the mountainous region during the fall. Aside from the lack of tourists (at least, compared to summer), the snow capped mountains look particularly striking against the amber trees and fog-covered highways that come with the season.
Most photogenic spot: Bran Castle served as the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and looks equal parts pretty and chilling on a hill along the border of Transylvania and Wallachia.
GettyThe Green Mountains, Vermont
There are just some places where the reds are deeper, the golds are brighter, and the oranges have more pop to them—and Vermont is one of those places. While the state’s outcrop of seasonal hues depends a lot on each particular year’s weather (cross your fingers for a long stretch of warm, sunny days accompanied by cold overnight temperatures), the Green Mountains are as close to a sure thing as you’ll find in New England. You can thank the region’s abundance of maple trees, which are known to produce some of the brightest autumnal colors in the plant kingdom.
Most photogenic spot: The Green Mountain Byway connects Stowe and Waterbury, and will take you past farms, quaint villages, and tons of postcard-worthy landscapes.