7 Captivating City Parks in Europe to Enjoy In The Autumn

18.11.2024.

Enjoying the green oases in the cities spices up your journey with relaxing vibes and a note of elegance. The city parks around Europe attract numerous visitors to gather, organize picnics or family walks.

Enchanting with the spring colours, city parks unveil a special charm during the autumn. Offering fantastic opportunities for photographers, autumn is the time to discover the beauty of European parks.

Whether refreshing yourself close to the fountain or finding a perfect sunset spot, the numerous activities wait for you. These urban parks provide a treasure for your journey and the ideal escape for peaceful corners.

Collaborating with amazing travel bloggers, I’ll take you to 7 destinations inspired by the autumn charm.

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English Garden, Munich- contributed by myself

English Garden in Munich is one of the largest city parks worldwide, overshadowing even the Central Park in New York. Lying in the heart of Munich, the English Garden stretches all the way to the northeast of the city towards the Isar River.

Another green oasis in Munich is the wonderful Nymphenburg Palace, which is unmissable.

There are plenty of activities to fill up your day from cycling, yoga or enjoying a pedal boat. Kleinhesseloher See at the northern side is a picturesque place for such an adventure. The bravest people go even surfing on the Eisbach river or showing their tricks.

Among the popular sights, Monopterus offers the stunning views over Munich. This temple-like structure perches graciously on a small hill since 1836.

As you approach the Chinese tower, you’ll discover the huge beer garden around the corner. It’s a place to try the traditional German meal and some international dishes.

Events in the English Garden

From the popular events in the English Garden Kocherlball in July takes the throne on the third Sunday in July. In the early hours thousands of people gather with the traditional costumes.

Christmas Market is also popular happening close to the Chinese Tower. Japanfest also takes place the third Sunday in July promoting the Japanese culture with the traditional tea ceremonies.

Where to stay

If you’re on a budget, choose the wonderful Wombat City Hostel near the main train station.

Fantastic option is also the elegant 4-star hotel Drei Löwen, near the Karlplatz.

City Park Skopje- contributed by myself

Skopje, the capital of north Macedonia, offers a charming atmosphere for all tastes. Matka Canyon is an incredibly picturesque place in its surroundings that you cannot miss.

If you want to recharge your batteries close to the central Skopje, City Park is the place to be. The City Park bursts with the autumn magic along with the Kale fortress and the stunning city views.

Built in the 1905 during the Ottoman rule, it slowly stretched its area. The Handicrafts school Islanne gave the City Park its original name, more precisely Islahan Park.

In these early years, many plants enriched the park such as poplars, ash trees, acacia or mulberry American maple.

Thanks to the Dutch Queen, a new children’s labyrinth opened in the park in 2008. Along the Vardar river there’s a quiet promenade and the City Park leads to the Zoo.

Many lovely bridges, benches, sculptures and a lake enrich this green paradise of Skopje.

Where to stay

Shanti Hostel is an excellent backpacker’s option offering many activities.

Bushi Resort & Spa is a cozy place with modern rooms, very close to central Skopje.

Richmond Park, London- contributed by Silvia from The Good Observer Blog

Richmond Park, one of London’s largest royal parks, is a fantastic place to see autumn colours. The leaves turn red, gold, and orange, making the park look magical. You can walk the paths or rent a bike to explore. Here, you’ll also see deer roaming freely, along with squirrels and other wild animals. The park has secret gardens, ponds, and an amazing view of London.

How to reach & where to stay

Getting to the park is easy. Just take a quick 20-minute train from central London (including Waterloo Station, Kings Cross, and others) to Richmond Station. From there, it’s only a 15-minute walk to the park.

The best place to stay near the park is Richmond Hill Hotel. It features classic English interiors and friendly service. You can also enjoy traditional afternoon tea in their beautiful restaurant. It’s cosy and comfortable, the perfect base to explore autumn in Richmond!

Parco Sempione, Milan- contributed by Ada from Beyond the Yellow Brick Road: A Travel Blog

If you’re in central Milan, escape the crowds near the Duomo by ducking into Parco Sempione. Located directly behind the Castello Sforzesco, you’ll find this peaceful park dotted with statues and park benches. The park has an especially convivial vibe since its grounds hosts bars, libraries, and even a stadium.

Interestingly enough, if Napoleon had gotten his way, there wouldn’t even be a central park in Milan. Happily, the nearly 40 hectacres that the French dictator planned to convert into a building complex is now a lovely spot for an afternoon stroll, especially during fall colors. The autumn foliage is especially nice looking across the park’s small pond back towards the massive Castello Sforzesco.  

It’s also worth hiking the length of the park to visit the Arco della Pace on the far northern end. This arch similar to Paris’s famous Arc de Triomphe is a Milan landmark that Napoleon actually got finished in the city.  

Parco Ciano, Lugano, Switzerland- contributed by Zoe from Together in Switzerland

A beautiful, quaint and unique park to visit for the Autumn colours in Europe is the city Parco Ciani in Lugano Switzerland. The park is located just a short 10 minutes walk from the city centre of Lugano, and easily reachable by foot as well as those with prams or wheelchairs. 

In Autumn, the park becomes a paradise of oranges, yellows and browns. With an occasional red leafed tree too. It’s a lovely park to walk through as there are plenty of Swiss red benches to sit and relax on. However if you follow the pathways through the foliage you will end up at the end by the public beach area. This is an open beach space where the river meets Lake Lugano. It’s a popular swimming spot in warm weather, with a few locals even dipping in during the colder Autumn season. 

Highlights of the park

Highlights of the park include the photo spot with all the well-kept flowers and the Lugano lake gate, which is a historical point as the entrance once used by boats. There are also many statues and artwork throughout the park you can read about and admire. An extra highlight for those with families is the playground, a fun area for children aged 3 upwards. 

Where to stay in Lugano

If you wish to stay in Lugano to make it an enjoyable trip, we recommend a night at The View Lugano. You can experience great service, delicious food, mountain and lake views, and even enjoy the spa while staying. 

Park de la Tete d’Or, Lyon- contributed by Lisa Garrett of Travel to Lyon

The Parc de la Tête d’Or in Lyon, France is definitely one of the best places to see fall colors!

Stroll along the park’s paths and take in the glorious shades of yellow, orange, and red.  It’s especially pretty around the lake where you can see the colors reflected in the water.

This park is one of the largest urban parks in Europe, and there’s a lot to see and do here year-round.  Visit the free zoo and admire the tropical flowers in the incredible greenhouses.

How to reach the Park & where to stay

The Parc de la Tête d’Or is located along the banks of the Rhône River, in Lyon’s 6^th arrondissement.  It’s easy to get here using public transportation, with multiple bus stops surrounding the park.

Looking for a hotel near the park?  Stay at the Hôtel Mercure Lyon Centre Brotteaux.  This 4-star hotel is less than a 10-minute walk from this fabulous park.

Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris- contributed by Carolin from Happy When Abroad

Visiting Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris during autumn is a magical experience. As the leaves turn orange, yellow and red, the park’s true beauty comes to life. While walking in the park you can find historic architecture, flowerbeds, fountains, and tree-lined avenues. Relax by the central pond and watch people or unwind with a good book and a coffee.

A stroll trough Jardin du Luxembourg is one of the best autumn things to do in Paris and offers perfect photo opportunities for your travel memories.

How to reach & where to stay

Located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, the park is easily accessible via Metro lines 4 and 10 (you must get off at the “Odéon” or “Saint-Sulpice” stations). Nearby, Hôtel Observatoire Luxembourg offers a great stay with classic and cozy Parisian charm and is just a short walk from the park. From here you can easily enjoy both the park and other nearby attractions such as the Panthéon or the Quartier Latin.

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