Unreal Places · Five countries · Series
Autumn in Europe: 5 places that do not look real
For a few weeks each October, parts of Europe turn gold and red and look unreal. These five are among the best: the larch forests of the Dolomites, Plitvice Lakes, Hallstatt, Lake Bled and the forest below Neuschwanstein Castle. Colour usually peaks between early and late October, a little earlier at altitude.
The places in this film
- 1
Dolomites, Italy
Larch is a conifer that drops its needles. Before they fall, whole slopes turn gold, usually in mid to late October.
- 2
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Sixteen terraced lakes ringed by beech forest in amber and red. Weekdays in October are quiet.
- 3
Hallstatt, Austria
A village between a lake and a mountain. The wooded slopes above it change colour around mid-October.
- 4
Lake Bled, Slovenia
A church on an island, with the hills around the lake in orange. Walk the shore path in the morning.
- 5
Neuschwanstein, Germany
A nineteenth-century castle above the Bavarian forest. Tours are by timed ticket, so book ahead.
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Plan it
- Best time
- Early to late October. Mountain areas turn first, and lower places follow into early November.
- How long
- Two to three days each. Bled and Plitvice pair well, as do Hallstatt and Neuschwanstein.
- Getting around
- A car is the easy way to link them. Hallstatt and Bled are also reachable by train and bus.
Good to know
- Days are short in October. Do the outdoor part of the day around midday.
- Some cable cars and mountain huts in the Dolomites close before the colour peaks. Check first.
- Morning mist is common on the lakes and usually lifts by late morning.
Frequently asked
When do the larches turn gold in the Dolomites? +
Usually in mid to late October, a little earlier at higher altitude. The exact week depends on the weather that year. The colour lasts roughly two weeks before the needles fall.
Is October a good time to visit Plitvice Lakes? +
Yes. The beech forest around the lakes is in full colour, visitor numbers are far lower than in summer, and tickets are easier to get. Some boat and shuttle services run reduced schedules, so check before you go.
Is Hallstatt worth visiting in autumn? +
Yes. The village is much calmer than in summer and the slopes above the lake are in colour around mid-October. Expect cool, changeable weather and shorter opening hours at some attractions.
