14 Reasons Why Southern Germany is the Best Autumn Holiday Destination

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Are you curious why southern Germany is the best European destination for autumn travel? When I lived in Munich I was asked the same question over and over, “When is the best time to visit?” Without hesitation, I always told people to come and visit me in autumn. 

Southern Germany and Munich are the best autumn holiday destinations because you can use Oktoberfest as a starting or ending point while enjoying some of the other best things to do in the autumn, like experiencing the world’s largest pumpkin festival, seeing autumn foliage, attending local folk & cultural festivals, cow parades, and enjoying perfect temperatures.

So, when you’re planning your European holiday destinations this September and October, make sure you come to southern Germany for the following awesome reasons!

Perfect Autumn Weather

If you’re like me and find the stuffy hot summer days too exhausting, then visiting Southern Germany in the autumn is perfect for you. You can still enjoy all the major tourist sights and outdoor lifestyle without overheating.

While there is some rain, most of the autumn and fall days are brisk, sunny and can even get up into the 70s! Pack a light jacket, boots, and your favorite scarf to enjoy your favorite fall fashion in a fashionable city!

Beautiful Fall/Autumn Foliage

Everyone always raves about the East Coast USA or Canada for their beautiful autumn foliage, but just wait until you’ve seen the German Alps in autumn – they are stunning! Aside from the golden mountains, major cities like Munich, Passau and Nürnberg all have a bounty of color changing trees to make city life seem magical.

The Chance to Experience Oktoberfest

Who hasn’t dreamed of going to Oktoberfest at least once in their life? This bucket list event takes place in Munich in the autumn. I always recommend spending a week or two in Southern Germany during autumn, so you can either start or end your trip at this massive festival. 

The bulk of Oktoberfest is in September, and the tail end catches the first few days of October, so this alone makes Munich the best place to holiday in September and October.

Even if you’re an introvert, you can still visit Oktoberfest and have a fun time – read more about how in my guide here.

Local Folk Festivals/Volksfests to Check Out

If Oktoberfest is too big for you, or perhaps not enough for you, try attending a local Volksfest in Southern Germany. You’ll find plenty of beer, carnival rides, street food, local music, and cultural traditions. 

Each city typically hosts their own Volksfest ranging from August to September. I recommend stopping by Nürnberg for the big event found here, or head over to Passau for their Volksfest found here.

Welcome the Cows Home at an Almabtrieb

If you’ve ever wanted to see the cows come home, literally, then you need to get to Germany for their annual autumn festival where they bring the cows down from the Alps. The cows parade through the villages or cities with flower crowns. When they arrive in the lower pastures the party begins. 

Visitors can enjoy local meats, cheeses, and of course, beer, while live bands play and the locals make merry! For more information, check out my full blog post on where and when these events take place.

Hike in the Colorful Alps

Hiking in the Alps in the autumn is a great way to see beautiful fall foliage, and with that perfect temperature I was talking about it is prime hiking season. My favorite place and a great introduction to Alpine hiking is Tegernsee. Read about how to plan your autumn hiking adventure here. Other great places are Wendelstein and the Allagü region.

See Neuschwanstein with Stunning Autumn Colors

You have to see Germany’s greatest castle, Neuschwanstein (the one that inspired Disney), during every season to truly appreciate its beauty. I would even argue that autumn might be the best time to see it with the golden and orange trees surrounding it. Plan your trip to Neuschwanstein with my guide here.

Take a Brisk Walk in a Park

I mentioned earlier that the cities in southern Germany have lots of yellow and orange trees filling their parks. Munich has one of the world’s largest urban parks, Englishchergarten, which just explodes with color in the autumn. Seeing this park and other city parks is awe-inspiring and one of the best things to do in southern Germany during autumn.

Pick Pumpkins at a Pumpkin Patch

Get in the Halloween and autumn spirit by spending your September and October holiday at farms around Southern Germany picking pumpkins. Go to the patch, pick your pumpkins and hop on a hayride to complete the perfect day. 

I suggest going to Jerry’s Pumpkin Patch for hayrides and pumpkins, or you can venture just a wee bit out of Southern Germany to Hitscherhof Pumpkin Farm and Sunshine Pumpkin Farm, which both have corn mazes and other autumn activities.

Drink Strong Beer Brewed by Monks

If anything is going to warm you up on a brisk autumn day it is going to be Starkbier, or strong beer, brewed by monks. Make a day of it by heading up to Andechs Monastery, including a small hike through autumn colors. At the top you’ll find a cozy monastery serving up strong beer to keep you warm! Find out how to do the full day trip here.

Enjoy Seasonal Cuisine

One of my favorite parts about living in Munich is all the hearty German dishes that are perfect for the cooler weather. Germans love focusing on seasonal and local foods, so my favorite dish is a creamy mushroom soup, Pilzrahm.

Other regional delights that are perfect for fall weather are Käsespätzle, Knödle, and, of course, all things Kurbis (pumpkin).

Explore with Fewer Crowds

If you don’t visit for Oktoberfest, and visit mid-October, you can enjoy some of Germany’s best mountain towns, charming Medieval villages, and hiking trails with fewer crowds.

There’s nothing better than exploring small cities around the Black Forest, the Bodensee region, or taking day trips from Munich that are less crowded. For me, it’s the perfect time to visit, with incredible views, lower travel prices, and the chance to enjoy crisp, fresh air without the crowds.

This is also a more sustainable travel choice, helping businesses stay afloat between the busy Oktoberfest season and the upcoming Christmas markets.

It’s a Great Time to Visit Vineyards

Southern Germany has some fantastic wine regions. I traveled to the Black Forest around Halloween and visited so many vineyards. I loved to see the grapevines on fire with the orange and red leaves, while sipping wine from inside a cozy tasting room.

My favorite regions are the sustainable vineyards around Bodensee and some of the small family wineries surrounding Baden-Baden.

Frolic Through the World’s Largest Pumpkin Festival

I saved the best for last! You have to see to believe this amazing festival which happens every year in Ludwigsburg, Germany. This festival has giant pumpkin carving, pumpkin food, pumpkin booze, boat races in freaking hollowed-out pumpkin canoes and massive statues made out of pumpkins! The theme changes every year, so no matter when you go you’ll experience something new. Plan your trip with this full guide.

Comment and Share

I hope these reasons have helped convince you that Southern Germany is the best autumn holiday destination! This area has all the best fall and autumn things to do for a rockin’ vacation in Europe, especially during September and October. 

Help your friends and family discover why Southern Germany is perfect for autumn by sharing this post or saving it to your favorite Pinterest board. What is your ideal way to spend autumn in Southern Germany? Let me know in the comments.