The 20 greatest cities for an autumn break – and where to stay

Autumn is one of the best times to visit Bruges
Autumn is one of the best times to visit Bruges

As the crowds depart, it's time to soak up the urban charms of 20 great city break destinations. We pick 20 of the best destinations, from Barcelona to Bruges.

 

1. Amsterdam

Why go?

Forget spring flowers and songs about tulips: autumn is the time to visit Amsterdam. The city is at its best as the summer gently fades, as leaves on the trees along the canals turn shades of brown and drop to reveal even better views of historic gables, and as people slowly withdraw from terraces into the softly lit warmth of wood-panelled cafés. This autumn works by two great artists known for their subtle play with light and dark, Rembrandt and his Spanish contemporary Velázquez, hang side by side alongside other Dutch and Spanish masters in the Rijksmuseum for Rembrandt-Velazquez (until January 19, 2020), a massive exhibition held in conjunction with Madrid’s Prado Gallery.

Autumn in Amsterdam is just as enticing as spring - Credit: Sergey Borisov/Sergey Borisov
Autumn in Amsterdam is just as enticing as spring Credit: Sergey Borisov/Sergey Borisov

Where to stay

Soho House Amsterdam
Soho House Amsterdam

Soho House Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands

9Telegraph expert rating

Hotel guests have access to a private club for creatives in a monumental 1930s building in the very centre of town. The club spaces – a restaurant, lounge, exhilarating roof terrace, and bars – are relaxed and convivial. A private cinema, canal-view gym and easy-going, yet attentive service add to the allure. Read expert review From £143 per night

citizenM Amstel Amsterdam
citizenM Amstel Amsterdam

citizenM Amstel Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands

8Telegraph expert rating

Lively public areas, cheeky Dutch design, and rooms honed to the basics but lavish in areas that count (ginormous, blissfully comfortable beds) are the hallmarks of this centrally situated hotel. Staff are fun to talk with, breakfast isn't half bad, either, and other meals are good-value and imaginative. Read expert review From £103 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Where to stay in Amsterdam: hotels by district

 

2. Barcelona

Why go?

Autumn is when Barcelona really comes alive, with a full programme of events and exhibitions. The V&A-produced Opera: Passion, Power & Politics is a dramatic and immersive musical journey through eight countries and four centuries at the CaixaForum (until January 26, 2020). In the run up to Christmas, don’t miss the fairy-tale market huddled around the Cathedral (December 11-24).

Barcelona autumn - Credit: TTstudio - Fotolia
Barcelona comes alive in autumn Credit: TTstudio - Fotolia

Where to stay

Room Mate Anna, Barcelona
Room Mate Anna, Barcelona

Room Mate Anna

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

8Telegraph expert rating

A great-value mid-range hotel with a sassy design and comfortable rooms in the heart of the Eixample. A small pool and sundeck double as social centre and what the Anna lacks in facilities it makes up for in friendliness. Read expert review From £85 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The Serras hotel, Barcelona, Spain
The Serras hotel, Barcelona, Spain

Hotel The Serras

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

9Telegraph expert rating

Sunny, friendly and supremely comfortable, The Serras is one of a new breed of stylish and unstuffy five-stars changing the face of the Barcelona hotel scene. Its decked rooftop bar and pool area, with views across the port, is worth a visit even for non-guests, as is its restaurant. Read expert review From £288 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The most romantic hotels in Barcelona

 

3. Berlin

Why go?

Berlin is at its most charming during autumn, thanks mainly to the city’s abundant parks (around 2,500), public gardens and tree-lined streets, which transform into a blaze of reds, oranges and yellows. It’s a busy time for events too. During October you can visit the Festival of Lights (until October 20) and the annual Jazzfest (October 31-November 3). This year will also see the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, with a week of festivities from November 4-10.

Berlin's Alexanderplatz - Credit: ARTUR KOTOWSKI
Berlin is at its most charming during autumn Credit: ARTUR KOTOWSKI

Where to stay

Provocateur Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Provocateur Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Provocateur Berlin

Berlin, Germany

8Telegraph expert rating

This West Berlin boutique bolthole offers a flamboyant and seductive interior by Israeli hotshot Saar Zafrir, a fabulous Asian-themed restaurant by celebrated local chef Duc Ngo, and a glamorous bar that’s buzzing at weekends. Service is classy and welcoming. Read expert review From £75 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

SO/ Berlin Das Stue, Berlin, Germany
SO/ Berlin Das Stue, Berlin, Germany

SO/ Berlin Das Stue

Berlin, Germany

8Telegraph expert rating

This swish five-star, run by Sofitel's hip SO/ brand, mixes a warm and sophisticated interior design with a contemporary hospitality concept. There's Michelin-starred cuisine, a Susanne Kaufmann spa, and the Berlin Zoo, Tiergarten park and the Landwehr Canal are right on the doorstep. Read expert review From £173 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The hippest hotels in Berlin

 

4. Bruges

Why go?

The crowds have thinned, the low, golden sun catches the spires and gables, fallen leaves skitter over the cobbles, and restaurants and hotels light their log fires  – it’s a lovely time to visit Bruges. The festive Christmas market runs this year from November 22 to January 5, when the historic city centre glows with low-lit stalls – clustered around an ice-rink – selling crafts and seasonal snacks, interspersed with genial pop-up bars offering Glühwein and jenever gin. A new feature, the “Light Walk”, has been designed to guide walkers through illuminated parts of the city during the same period. 

Bruges is one of Europe's most beautiful cities
Bruges is one of Europe's most beautiful cities, especially in autumn

Where to stay

Hotel Van Cleef, Bruges
Hotel Van Cleef, Bruges

Hotel Van Cleef

Bruges, Belgium

9Telegraph expert rating

There is no other place to stay in Bruges quite like this: a small luxury boutique hotel in a neoclassical mansion with large terrace overlooking a pretty stretch of canal. Family-owned and managed and designed with exquisite attention to detail; at once gloriously palatial yet intimate. Read expert review From £173 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Canal Deluxe Bed and Breakfast, Bruges
Canal Deluxe Bed and Breakfast, Bruges

Canal Deluxe Bed and Breakfast

Bruges, Belgium

9Telegraph expert rating

Bruges has a handful of truly exceptional B&Bs, and this is one of them. Close to the centre, yet quietly located on a tranquil canal, it oozes charm, individuality, pampering luxury, antiquity and style. If a romantic place to stay in this city of romance is what you are seeking, look no further. Read expert review From £145 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best hotels on Bruges' canals

 

5. Budapest

Why go?

Budapest is lovely in autumn, when the sun mellows and the parks turn honey-coloured. Visit during the CAFe Contemporary Arts Festival (until October 20), when performances of music, dance and theatre are staged in 40 venues around the city. Come winter and there’s romance in the air, with alfresco skating on the lake in City Park, and Christmas markets selling traditional wooden toys and steaming cups of mulled wine. For dates, see: budapest.com.

Budapest is lovely in autumn, when the sun mellows and the parks turn honey-coloured - Credit: This content is subject to copyright./_ultraforma_
Budapest is lovely in autumn, when the sun mellows and the parks turn honey-coloured Credit: This content is subject to copyright./_ultraforma_

Where to stay

Corinthia Hotel Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
Corinthia Hotel Budapest, Budapest, Hungary

Corinthia Hotel Budapest

Budapest, Hungary

9Telegraph expert rating

The Corinthia carries itself with an effortless grace that no other five-star in Budapest quite matches. Its wide spaces, light marble colouring and glass-covered atriums give a lovely airy feel to the public spaces, and there’s nothing frilly or overly fussy in the design. Read expert review From £138 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Gerloczy hotel, Budapest, Hungary
Gerloczy hotel, Budapest, Hungary

Gerlóczy

Budapest, Hungary

8Telegraph expert rating

Gerlóczy lacks bells and whistles – indeed, it’s officially categorised as a private lodging rather than a hotel – but it oozes character you’ll find nowhere else in the city. Among locals, its café is a much-loved alternative to some of the bigger and more expensive establishments nearby. It’s excellent value. Read expert review From £72 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best boutique hotels in Budapest

 

6. Copenhagen

Why go?

Crisp autumn days are the perfect time to explore Copenhagen’s many lovely parks – they’re ablaze with colourful foliage at this time of year and there’s every chance of spotting red squirrels foraging among the fallen conkers. Cafés and cocktail bars hit peak hygge, all cosy and candlelit, and Hallowe’en season at Tivoli (until November 3) sees the gardens decked out with suitably spooky decorations and countless pumpkins. From mid-November the city goes into full-on festive mode, with fairy lights everywhere and gløgg-scented Christmas markets selling handicrafts, decorations and seasonal foods.

Copenhagen's photogenic harbour
Copenhagen's cafés and cocktail bars hit peak hygge in autumn

Where to stay

71 Nyhavn Hotel, Copenhagen, Denmark
71 Nyhavn Hotel, Copenhagen, Denmark

71 Nyhavn Hotel

Copenhagen, Denmark

8Telegraph expert rating

71 Nyhavn has been converted from two old warehouses sitting slap bang on the waterfront, and makes a convenient, characterful Copenhagen base. It also has a great place to eat in Sea by Kiin Kiin, an offshoot of one of the city’s Michelin-starred restaurants. Read expert review From £185 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Hotel d'Angleterre, Copenhagen, Denmark
Hotel d'Angleterre, Copenhagen, Denmark

Hotel d’Angleterre

Copenhagen, Denmark

9Telegraph expert rating

A Copenhagen landmark, the d’Angleterre is an historic grande dame hotel brought bang up to date thanks to a stylish modern makeover a few years ago. It has an excellent location at the heart of the city, a one-Michelin-starred restaurant and a ritzy guest list that ranges from rock stars to royalty. Read expert review From £356 per night

The most romantic hotels in Copenhagen

 

7. Dubrovnik

Why go?

Blue sky and mellow sunshine, but without the summer crowds, make Dubrovnik a joy to visit in autumn. Call at the morning market, displaying mandarins, pomegranates and dried figs, walk a full circuit of the magnificent medieval city walls, then stop for a homemade cake at Gianni. For an out-of-town trip, go wine-tasting on Pelješac peninsula, where the grape harvest is in full swing. In town, the Good Food Festival (until October 20) sees cookery workshops, special menus and culinary walks.

Autumn in Dubrovnik is much more tranquil than summer - Credit: © 2015 Callum Hyland/Callum Hyland Photography
Autumn in Dubrovnik is much more tranquil than summer Credit: © 2015 Callum Hyland/Callum Hyland Photography

Where to stay

Hotel Bellevue, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Hotel Bellevue, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, Croatia

9Telegraph expert rating

This slick, modern hotel lies in a sheltered bay with a beach, midway between Dubrovnik's Old Town and Lapad. All 91 refurbished rooms have tasteful contemporary interiors and magnificent sea views. It has two breezy restaurants, a wine bar, and a wellness centre and spa with a sea-view indoor pool. Read expert review From £127 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

st josephs, dubrovnik, croatia
st josephs, dubrovnik, croatia

St. Joseph's

Dubrovnik, Croatia

9Telegraph expert rating

This lovely boutique hotel, set in a beautifully restored 16th-century stone building in Dubrovnik’s picturesque old town, attracts discerning couples on a romantic city break. It's a chic but unpretentious retreat, offering sightseeing and a measure of independence (each suite has a kitchenette). Read expert review From £260 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Where to stay in Dubrovnik: hotels by district

 

8. Edinburgh

Why go?

Edinburgh's New Town takes on a golden glow in the soft autumn light and the Old Town becomes moodily atmospheric as the evenings draw in. Capitalise on that spooky feeling by celebrating Halloween Scottish style at the Samhuinn Fire Festival on Calton Hill (October 31). For something a little more sedate, lovers of all things antique, retro and vintage can catch the biggest antiques fair in the country—there’s even a free bus from the city centre to the venue (November 23-24). And of course, from mid-November Edinburgh lights up for Christmas with markets, rides, shows and events (November 16 to January 4,2020).

Edinburgh's Royal Mile - Credit: Copylight/Wasin Pummarin
Edinburgh's golden autumnal glow Credit: Copylight/Wasin Pummarin

Where to stay

Eden Locke, Edinburgh
Eden Locke, Edinburgh

Eden Locke

Edinburgh, Scotland

8Telegraph expert rating

So hip it hurts, but don’t be put off by the precious website. Behind the corporate oversell there’s a cucumber cool concept — fun, design-savvy suites you can comfortably cook in. There’s an ice cream-coloured chill-out/bar space too, all in a fab city centre location. Read expert review From £79 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Prestonfield House hotel, Edinburgh, Scotland
Prestonfield House hotel, Edinburgh, Scotland

Prestonfield House

Edinburgh, Scotland

8Telegraph expert rating

Hidden in lush grounds a short drive from the city centre this is the swankiest, most swoon-some country house hotel imaginable. Riotously rococo, with bedrooms straight from the pages of bodice-ripping romance, every comfort catered for and one of Edinburgh's favourite restaurants. Read expert review From £200 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best family-friendly hotels in Edinburgh

 

9. Florence

Why go?

Autumn is a great time to visit Florence; temperatures can be mild until well into November, and around mid-October, the crowds begin to disperse, museum queues dwindle and hotel prices come down. Cultural highlights this autumn include interactive exhibition ‘The Botany of Leonardo’ – a vision of science bridging art and nature – in the museum of Santa Maria Novella; Carmen, Rigoletto and La Bohème at the Teatro dell’Opera; a major retrospective of 20th-century Russian painter Natalia Goncharova whose unconventional life focused on Moscow and Paris which also features works by Gaugin, Picasso and Matisse (until January 12, 2020 at Palazzo Strozzi). After the show, nip around the corner for a glass of fizz and an autumnal truffle cream sandwich at historic Procacci 1885.

Temperatures in Florence stay mild until November - Credit: This content is subject to copyright./Danita Delimont
Temperatures in Florence stay mild until November Credit: This content is subject to copyright./Danita Delimont

Where to stay

Hotel Savoy, Florence, Italy
Hotel Savoy, Florence, Italy

Hotel Savoy

Florence, Tuscany, Italy

9Telegraph expert rating

A historic hotel with a prime position between the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio, and a young, fresh vibe. It offers excellent services and a good restaurant, too. Read expert review From £377 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Oltrarno Splendid
Oltrarno Splendid

Oltrarno Splendid

Florence, Tuscany, Italy

8Telegraph expert rating

This stylish, retro guesthouse offers a great Oltrarno location and reasonable prices. The crowds are less oppressive on this south side of the river and cultural attractions abound, while more earthy temptations lie in the glut of bars and restaurants in the San Frediano and Santo Spirito neighbourhood. Read expert review From £112 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best five-star hotels in Florence

 

10. Lisbon

Why go?

Ah, autumn in Lisbon, when the crowds of tourists thin out and the smell of chestnuts roasting on street corners carries on the smoke that curls up into the blue skies. This year, Lisbon welcomes the return of grand dame Bairro Alto Hotel, renovated and expanded by acclaimed architect Souto de Moura with food by ex-Chiltern Firehouse chef (and Lisbon-born) Nuno Mendes and the arrival of three Micherlin-star Basque chef, Eneko Atxa with his eponymous restaurant Eneko Lisboa.

Lisbon's Alfama district
Lisbon's Alfama district

Where to go

Casa Fortunato, Lisbon
Casa Fortunato, Lisbon

Casa Fortunato

Lisbon, Portugal

9Telegraph expert rating

On the rounded corner of a leafy avenue in Lisbon's elegant Amoreiras district, Casa Fortunato offers macrobiotic food, daily yoga and nine luxurious suites within a family home, which owners António and Filipa, their four children and their black Labrador, Cocoa, imbue with genuine warmth. Read expert review From £372 per night Check availability Rates provided by Mr & Mrs Smith

Bairro Alto Hotel, Lisbon
Bairro Alto Hotel, Lisbon

Bairro Alto Hotel

Lisbon, Portugal

9Telegraph expert rating

The grande dame of Lisbon’s boutique hotel scene has re-opened after a major expansion courtesy of architect, Eduardo Souto de Moura. Behind its ochre-coloured façade, it houses 87 rooms, the first outpost of chef Nuno Mendes in his home town, and a much sought-after roof terrace. Read expert review From £229 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best Lisbon spa hotels

 

11. London

Why go?

With the tourist crowds subsiding and the city’s parks and squares turning golden, Londoners share a sense of quiet pleasure at the approach of autumn. And the subsequent winter chill provides impetus to explore the capital’s array of blockbuster exhibitions, including the William Blake retrospective at Tate Britain, the largest show of Blake’s work for almost 20 years (until February 2, 2020).  There's also a host of fun new hotels to eat, drink and stay in, too.

Londoners share a sense of quiet pleasure at the approach of autumn - Credit: ©samott - stock.adobe.com
Londoners share a sense of quiet pleasure at the approach of autumn Credit: ©samott - stock.adobe.com

Where to stay

Claridge's, London, England
Claridge's, London, England

Claridge's

Mayfair, London, England

9Telegraph expert rating

One of London’s most glamorous and longest-established hotels and a home-from-home for visiting royalty, heads of state and celebrities, offering kid-glove hospitality, excellent food and luxurious bedrooms. The service is near-faultless and the price-tag is in line with its Mayfair location. Read expert review From £600 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The Standard, London, King's Cross, London
The Standard, London, King's Cross, London

The Standard, London

King's Cross, London, England

9Telegraph expert rating

The fun-loving Standard from across the pond finally has a home in London and it’s a fabulous new addition. Picture Seventies décor; kitsch bedrooms and swanky suites, some with private bars and outdoor baths; regular shindigs in the lobby lounge; and tip-top cocktails to imbibe. Read expert review From £149 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best London hotels near Oxford Circus


12. Madrid

Why go?

Madrid is at its most exhilarating in autumn with a buzzing cultural scene and days warm enough for outdoor drinks on café terraces. The hot ticket is the Palacio de Liria, home of the Duke of Alba, which has one of the best art collections in Spain and has just opened to the public. The Prado museum celebrates its 200th anniversary on November 19 and the major exhibition this season features Sofonisba Anguissola and Lavinia Fontana, two of the most significant female figures in western art, which runs until February 2, 2020. 

Madrid's Teatro Real - Credit: @jjfarquitectos (@jjfarquitectos (Photographer) - [None]/JJFarquitectos
Madrid is at its most exhilarating in autumn with a buzzing cultural scene and balmy days Credit: @jjfarquitectos (@jjfarquitectos (Photographer) - [None]/JJFarquitectos

Where to stay

Pestana Plaza Mayor Madrid
Pestana Plaza Mayor Madrid

Pestana Plaza Mayor Madrid

Madrid, Spain

9Telegraph expert rating

The combination of historic building, prestigious location and elegant design make the Pestana Plaza Mayor one of the most interesting places to stay in Madrid. With a rooftop pool and an attractive courtyard restaurant, it is a true haven in the heart of the capital where you instantly feel part of the city. Read expert review From £147 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Aloft Madrid Gran Via
Aloft Madrid Gran Via

Aloft Madrid Gran Via

Madrid, Spain

8Telegraph expert rating

If you love the social environment of hostels but find yourself wanting a bit more privacy and comfort – with no outdated frills – the Aloft Gran Vía will be right up your street. With chic design, a lively lounge and a roof terrace with a pool, bar and panoramic views, this is one to watch on the Madrid hotel scene. Read expert review From £117 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Where to stay in Madrid: hotels by district

 

13. Marrakech

Why go?

Marrakech is abuzz this autumn with new openings. The Musée des Confluences is a huge success with its beautiful exhibits from the collection of archaeologist Patty Birch. It is housed in Dar el Bacha, the decadent palace of Pasha Thami el Glaoui, which is now furnished with the most beautiful café in Marrakech, Bacha Coffee. Likewise, the curious de Chirico-esque paintings of Jacques Azéma at the Musée Yves St Laurent and the stunning graphic work of Mohamed Meledi’s displayed at MACAAL are not to be missed. Foodwise, look out for Michelin-trained chef Carlo Simons' new restaurant, Dar Simons, which will finally bring fine dining to the Medina.

Marrakech YSL Museum - Credit: Education Images
The Musée Yves St Laurent in Marrakech Credit: Education Images

Where to stay

fairmont royal palm, marrakech, morocco
fairmont royal palm, marrakech, morocco

Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech

Marrakech, Morocco

9Telegraph expert rating

The perfect antidote to the frenetic pace of Marrakech's Medina is this tranquil resort and country club set in a vast expanse of countryside framed by a ring of mauve-coloured mountains. Swim in its lake-like pool or tee-off beneath cornflower blue skies on its 18-hole golf course and vow never to go home. Read expert review From £287 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Riad de Tarabel, Marrakech, Morocco
Riad de Tarabel, Marrakech, Morocco

Riad de Tarabel

Marrakech, Morocco

9Telegraph expert rating

A grand, colonial-style riad with an elegant Old World atmosphere, ten luxurious suites spread throughout four interconnected houses, an eight-metre pool, grand salons and terraces furnished with ornate rattan sofas piled with pillows, and one of the best spas in Marrakech. Read expert review From £180 per night Check availability Rates provided by Mr & Mrs Smith

The best riads in Marrakech

 

14. Paris

Why go?

Paris thrums with new life for the autumn “Rentrée”. The café terrasses fill once more and cultural events abound. Be transported back to the absinthe-soaked cabarets of Belle Époque Paris via 'Resolutely Modern', a Toulouse Lautrec retrospective,  fittingly housed amid the Art Nouveau splendour of the Grand Palais. Or head to the Atelier des Lumières, Paris’s innovative digital art museum in the cool 11th arrondissement for 'Van Gogh, Starry Night' – an immersive exhibition that uses video, sound and installation to tell the story of the artist’s life and work.

Paris autumn - Credit: ekaterinapokrovsky.com (ekaterinapokrovsky.com (Photographer) - [None]/encrier
Paris thrums with new life for the autumn “Rentrée” Credit: ekaterinapokrovsky.com (ekaterinapokrovsky.com (Photographer) - [None]/encrier

Where to stay

The Hoxton, Paris, France
The Hoxton, Paris, France

The Hoxton, Paris

Paris, France

8Telegraph expert rating

The Hoxton group has expanded on the Continent with a Paris opening that promises to be a buzzy hub for hip travellers and locals alike. Instagram satisfaction is guaranteed, with period details of the original 18th-century hôtel particulier mixing with on-point décor from the Soho House creatives. Read expert review From £189 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Sinner, Paris, France
Sinner, Paris, France

Sinner

Paris, France

8Telegraph expert rating

Guests are encouraged to sin in style at mischievous Sinner, a luxury avant-garde address in the fashionable Marais. Apartment-styled rooms delight with quirky minibars, sensual contemporary art and on-trend vinyl turntables. The club-like bar serves some wicked signature cocktails and dining is world fusion. Read expert review From £346 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Where to stay in Paris: hotels by district

 

15. Prague

Why go?

Autumn is a fantastic time to visit the Czech capital. Not only are its handsome baroque and neo-renaissance facades bathed in the season’s soft light, but local wine tastings are ubiquitous, and classical music fans can enjoy seasonal festivals like Strings of Autumn (until November 13). Look out this year too for special anniversary celebrations of the Velvet Revolution, such as the 'November 1989 in the Streets of Prague' exhibition at the City Museum (until April 26, 2020) and the Fall of the Iron Curtain photo show at Prague Castle (until 30 November).

Autumn is a fantastic time to visit the Czech capital, when its handsome baroque and neo-renaissance facades bathed in the season’s soft light - Credit: Yasonya - Fotolia
Autumn is a fantastic time to visit the Czech capital, when its handsome baroque and neo-renaissance facades bathed in the season’s soft light Credit: Yasonya - Fotolia

Where to stay

Four Seasons Hotel Prague
Four Seasons Hotel Prague

Four Seasons Hotel Prague

Prague, Czech Republic

9Telegraph expert rating

Prague's Four Seasons is one of the city's plushest and best-located hotels, with a blend of styles from different eras which lend plenty of character to the interior and rooms. Décor and furnishings are a mix of classic and contemporary, service is impeccable throughout and there's a swish spa and relaxation pool. Read expert review From £245 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Nicholas Hotel Residence, Prague
Nicholas Hotel Residence, Prague

The Nicholas Hotel Residence

Prague, Czech Republic

8Telegraph expert rating

This intimate bolthole close to Charles Bridge offers nine suites, all charmingly appointed for romantic getaways or family stays. It’s set inside a historic rococo building, with exposed wooden beams and stone statues matched to lovely wooden floors and furnishings. Service is highly personalised. Read expert review From £82 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best hotels in Prague's Old Town

 

16. Reykjavik

Why go?

There are many great reasons to visit Reykjavik in autumn. For one thing, the crowds are thinner, but it’s also the season where prices for hotels and car hire fall, the cosiness of the city’s cafés and bars begins to emerge, and there’s more chance of seeing the Northern Lights. If the Aurora Borealis don’t emerge, then you can at least see Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower installation, which sends its optimistic beam of light skywards from Videy Island until December 8. And music fans won’t want to miss the annual Airwaves music festival (November 6-9) which showcases new Icelandic and international talent.

Hotels and car hire prices fall in Reykjavik in autumn - Credit: boyloso - Fotolia
Hotels and car hire prices fall in Reykjavik in autumn Credit: boyloso - Fotolia

Where to stay

Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre, Iceland
Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre, Iceland

Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre

Reykjavik, Iceland

9Telegraph expert rating

This self-billed 'lifestyle hotel' offers a brilliantly central location, dapper and well-appointed rooms inside a historic building, and chic public areas. Amenities include a great restaurant and a 24-hour fitness area, and staff are friendly and attentive throughout. Read expert review From £149 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Kex Hostel, Reykjavik
Kex Hostel, Reykjavik

Kex Hostel

Reykjavik, Iceland

8Telegraph expert rating

This chic and breezy hotel-hostel offers a variety of dorms and rooms, a great location and an impressive spread of amenities that span a café-bar, a lounge that hosts concerts by local bands, and a gym. Read expert review From £13 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best budget hotels in Reykjavik

 

17. Rome

Why go?

Autumn in the Eternal City is so predictably balmy that the “ottobrate romane”—October days warm enough to stroll through the cobblestone streets or linger at an outdoor café—are taken as a matter of course. These golden days are often interrupted by sudden showers, so it’s a good idea to have an indoor Plan B. Fortunately, this is peak season for exhibitions and the city has a tempting array for contemporary art aficionados, including the fourth edition of Rome Art Week, the festival that features events at galleries and studios across the capital (October 21-26). Musja, the new privately owned museum near Campo dei Fiori, begins its three-part 'The Dark Side' series of exhibitions with 'Who's afraid of the dark?' (until March 1, 2020), while the Galleria Lorcan O'Neill presents Leaving, showcasing Tracey Emin (unti December 7). Fans of street art can get acquainted with some of Italy’s most prominent names at the Rosso20sette Arte Contemporanea gallery’s Da Sketch a MURo, the city’s newest urban art museum (until November 16).

Rome's Trevi Fountain - Credit: ©2008 Brian Lopiccolo/Brian LoPiccolo
Autumn in the Eternal City is balmy Credit: ©2008 Brian Lopiccolo/Brian LoPiccolo

Where to stay

Chapter Roma
Chapter Roma

Chapter Roma

Rome, Lazio, Italy

9Telegraph expert rating

Travellers who yearn for five-star style on a four-star budget can’t do better than this spunky property that pairs a sophisticated urban vibe with a feisty streetwise edge. Its Millennial-friendly cocktail bar-cum-co-working space, and next-level service make it both trendy and timeless. Read expert review From £122 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Elizabeth Unique Hotel
Elizabeth Unique Hotel

Elizabeth Unique Hotel

Rome, Lazio, Italy

8Telegraph expert rating

In a corner of Rome where a number of stylish boutique hotels have blossomed, the Elizabeth is perhaps the most outstanding player, bringing together the requisite five-star pampering, designer interiors and sophisticated dining with the artistic sensibilities of a living, breathing contemporary gallery. Read expert review From £303 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best boutique hotels in Rome

 

18. Seville

Why go?

Seville’s cultural life kicks off in autumn against a backdrop of warm days and mild evenings. The celebrations marking the 500th anniversary of Magellan’s 1519-1522 around-the-world voyage continue with a superb multimedia exhibition at the Archivo de Indias. Tracing the route of the 'Spice Armada' from Seville to Indonesia, it follows the fate of its five ships and 245 sailors (until 23 February, 2020). Other cultural highlights include an immersive Klimt show, with enlarged versions of his paintings accompanied by animated projections and classical music, at the Pabellón de Navegación (until December 15).

Seville’s cultural life kicks off in autumn - Credit: Credit: Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo/Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
Seville’s cultural life kicks off in autumn Credit: Credit: Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo/Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo

Where to stay

One Shot Palacio Conde de Torrejón 09, Seville, Spain
One Shot Palacio Conde de Torrejón 09, Seville, Spain

One Shot Palacio Conde de Torrejón 09

Seville, Andalucia, Spain

8Telegraph expert rating

This contemporary-styled converted palace offers deliciously luxurious interiors, using modern classic pieces and Islamic design motifs alongside original artesonado ceilings. There’s a decent restaurant and rooftop pool, and it’s conveniently located close to nighttime hotspots in the Alameda. Read expert review From £62 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Casa del Poeta, Seville, Andalucia
Casa del Poeta, Seville, Andalucia

Casa del Poeta

Seville, Andalucia, Spain

9Telegraph expert rating

So discreet it doesn't even have a sign, this restored 17th-century mansion hidden down a tiny alley in Santa Cruz offers service worthy of a five-star establishment, plus nightly live guitar performances, a superbly stocked bar, and a large roof terrace with cathedral views. Read expert review From £189 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best boutique hotels in Seville

 

19. Venice

Why go?

Autumn in Venice is full of surprises, bringing days when lunch al fresco feels like summer, when the city lies wrapped in a misty shroud, or when acqua alta brings the lagoon water lapping over pavements. Highlights of the season include 'From Titian to Rubens', a selection of grand master paintings from Dutch collections at the Doge’s Palace (until March 1, 2020); a show on the remarkable life and time of 17th-century Doge Francesco Morosini at the Museo Correr (until January 6, 2020); and gorgeous designs in glass by Thomas Stearns for Venini at the Stanze del Vetro (until January 5, 2020). And finally, it's a great, quiet time to catch the sprawling contemporary art Biennale before it closes on November 24.

Autumn in Venice - Credit: sborisov/sborisov
Autumn in Venice is full of surprises, bringing days when lunch al fresco feels like summer Credit: sborisov/sborisov

Where to stay

Hotel Metropole, Venice, Veneto, Italy
Hotel Metropole, Venice, Veneto, Italy

Hotel Metropole

Venice, Veneto, Italy

8Telegraph expert rating

The Asian-inspired Metropole is a five-star hotel on the prestigious but congested lagoon-facing Riva degli Schiavoni promenade. With collections of antique fans and crucifixes lining corridors, and a seriously tenebrous mirrored-ceiling lounge, it comes across part opium den, part Old Curiousity Shoppe. Read expert review From £226 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Novecento Boutique Hotel, Venice, Italy
Novecento Boutique Hotel, Venice, Italy

Novecento Boutique Hotel

Venice, Veneto, Italy

9Telegraph expert rating

This is one of those places that turns a holiday into a special experience. In a quiet corner, just off a busy street leading to St Mark’s Square, you’ll be made to feel like a treasured guest. Tastefully decorated with Oriental touches, the nine-room Novecento is a refreshing change from the Venetian hotel standard. Read expert review From £109 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best design hotels in Venice

 

20. Vienna

Why go?

The golden days of autumn light up Vienna culturally, as the focus zooms in on the capital’s bejewelled clutch of palaces, museums and galleries (now mercifully seeing fewer crowds than in summer). Top billing goes to the Albertina’s Dürer retrospective (until January 6, 2020), including a rare peek at his elusive hare, and the Kunsthistorisches Museum for early baroque masterpieces bearing the hallmark of Caravaggio and Bernini (until January 19, 2020). This is also a cracking season for bracing walks in city parks, days spent devouring cake in palatial coffeehouses, and Sturm (new wine) at Heurige (taverns) on Vienna’s vine-draped fringes.

Autumn brings mellow, golden days to Vienna - Credit: RossHelen/RossHelen
Autumn brings mellow, golden days to Vienna Credit: RossHelen/RossHelen

Where to stay

Park Hyatt Vienna hotel, Austria
Park Hyatt Vienna hotel, Austria

Park Hyatt Vienna

Vienna, Austria

9Telegraph expert rating

In Vienna's heart on Am Hof square, Park Hyatt occupies the former HQ of the Bank of Austria. The opulent marble and chandelier-lit interiors manage the delicate act of fusing historic character with contemporary design. With a gold-kissed spa, season-driven cuisine and flawless service, it's five-star all the way. Read expert review From £436 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Hotel Lamée, Vienna, Austria
Hotel Lamée, Vienna, Austria

Hotel Lamée

Vienna, Austria

9Telegraph expert rating

An ode to Austrian-American starlet Hedy Lamarr, this glamour-puss of a hotel brings a pinch of Hollywood to the heart of Vienna. With its 1930s swagger, gold-kissed rooms, knockout roof terrace and unrivalled Stephansdom views, it’s a stage ready for romantic liaisons. Read expert review From £128 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best hotels in Vienna

Contributors: Rodney Bolt, Annie Bennett, Sally Davies, Suzanne King, Fiona Flores Watson, Jane Foster, Anne Hanley, Paula Hardy, Mary Lussiana, Linda Macdonald, Antony Mason, Hannah Meltzer, John O’Ceallaigh, Adrian Phillips, Caroline Shearing, Paul Sullivan, Nicky Swallow, Kerry Walker and Rebecca Winke