When the summer heat and biggest tourist crowds have passed, cities take on a completely different rhythm. Temperatures become more comfortable for a full day of exploring, parks and city streets change colour, while café terraces and summer crowds give way to cafés, museums, exhibitions and a slightly slower pace.
That is why the end of summer does not have to mean the end of the travel season. You do not always need a long holiday to take a break from your everyday routine. Sometimes, all you need is a free weekend, a backpack and a bus ticket.
If you would rather not worry about driving, tolls, traffic jams or finding parking in an unfamiliar city, travelling by bus is a practical option for an autumn city break. Use the journey to relax, read or plan what you would like to visit first once you arrive.
From neighbouring Slovenia and Italy to Austria and Germany, we have selected eight cities that are great choices when you want to make the most of autumn with a short getaway.
Graz may not be the first city that comes to mind when planning a European city break, but that is exactly what makes it such an interesting choice. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while the city combines historic architecture, modern museums, parks and excellent food within a relatively compact area.
One place you should definitely visit is Schlossberg, the hill rising above the city centre. You can reach the famous Clock Tower on foot, by funicular or by lift, and once at the top, you will be rewarded with views across the city rooftops. In autumn, the whole area looks particularly beautiful as the parks and surrounding hills change colour.
Take a walk through the historic centre, explore Hauptplatz, cross the River Mur and admire the unusual architecture of the Kunsthaus. Graz has enough to keep you busy for an entire weekend without making you feel that you have to rush from one attraction to another.
Ljubljana is one of those destinations that does not require a complicated itinerary. The city centre is compact enough to explore on foot, while many of the best-known attractions are located within a relatively small area.
In autumn, the city takes on a particularly pleasant atmosphere. A walk along the Ljubljanica River, the Triple Bridge, Prešeren Square and the old town can easily fill most of your day. And when you feel like taking a break, simply choose one of the many cafés along the river.
If you are staying for the entire weekend, you can visit Ljubljana Castle, walk through Tivoli Park, explore the Central Market or simply wander through the smaller streets of the city centre without a specific plan. That is exactly why Ljubljana works so well for a spontaneous city break: you do not need a long list of attractions to feel like you have made the most of your trip.
You do not necessarily have to cross a border for a city break. If you are travelling from another part of Croatia, Zagreb is a great choice for an autumn weekend, especially if you normally visit the city mainly for business or simply pass through it.
Autumn is ideal for long walks around the city. Start at Ban Jelačić Square and make your way towards the Upper Town, walk along Strossmayer Promenade and through Zrinjevac, or spend part of the day exploring one of Zagreb’s many museums and galleries.
If you would like some greenery, Maksimir Park and the Botanical Garden are particularly beautiful once the leaves start changing colour. One of the best things about an autumn city break is that you do not need a strictly planned schedule – after a walk, simply find a café, restaurant or exhibition and let the city guide you.
If you are looking for a local destination that is a little different from the classic weekend on the coast, Osijek is a great idea. The city on the Drava River is large enough to offer plenty to explore, yet relaxed enough that your city break will not turn into a race from one location to another.
Set aside part of your day for Tvrđa, the city’s historic Baroque quarter, then continue towards the promenade along the Drava. A walk by the river is one of the best ways to get to know Osijek, especially on a sunny autumn day.
If you have more time and want to combine the city with nature, consider a trip to Kopački Rit Nature Park. Autumn is an interesting time to visit the area, while the whole of Slavonia offers another excellent reason to travel at this time of year: its food.
If you want to combine a city break with the sea, without needing summer temperatures to visit the coast, Trieste is an excellent choice for an autumn weekend.
Piazza Unità d’Italia, the Grand Canal, historic cafés and views of the Adriatic give the city a character that is quite different from classic Italian city-break destinations. Trieste is large enough to give you plenty to explore, yet compact enough to enjoy a weekend without constantly checking the time.
Autumn suits the city particularly well. Start your morning with coffee in one of its historic cafés, spend the day exploring the city centre and take an evening walk along the sea.
If you have more time, visit Miramare Castle. Located by the sea just outside the city centre, its extensive park offers a completely different experience from the historic city centre and can easily fill several hours.
Venice needs little introduction, but there is a big difference between visiting in the middle of summer and spending an autumn weekend there.
You will still encounter plenty of visitors, especially around St Mark’s Square and Rialto Bridge, but the lower temperatures make several hours of walking around the city much more enjoyable. And walking is one of the best ways to experience Venice.
Of course, you will want to see its most famous attractions, but make sure to leave enough time to wander away from the main tourist routes. Just a few streets away, you will often find quieter squares, small bridges and canals that look completely different from the city’s most famous photographs.
Dorsoduro is a great choice if you are looking for a slightly quieter atmosphere, while a ride on a vaporetto allows you to experience the city from a completely different perspective. For a short autumn city break, Venice is a destination where two days can pass surprisingly quickly.
Maribor is smaller than most of the cities on this list, but that is exactly what makes it perfect for a relaxed city break. You do not need to try to visit dozens of attractions – you can explore the city at a slower pace, alongside the Drava, with good food and a glass of local wine.
One of Maribor’s symbols is the Old Vine, considered the oldest vine in the world. It is located in Lent, the historic part of the city along the Drava, which is ideal for a leisurely walk.
Autumn is an especially good time to visit because the entire region is closely connected with vineyards, the harvest season and local cuisine. If you are staying longer, Maribor can also serve as a starting point for exploring the surrounding vineyards or the Pohorje Hills.
For anyone looking for something more relaxed than a major tourist metropolis, this is an excellent choice.
If you are looking for a city where you can easily fill two or three days from morning until evening, Munich is an excellent choice for an autumn trip.
Marienplatz and the historic city centre are a natural starting point, but Munich has much more to offer. Take a walk through the Englischer Garten, visit one of the many museums and galleries, or simply explore different neighbourhoods and their restaurants, shops and cafés.
Early autumn in Munich is particularly lively because of Oktoberfest, so before booking your trip, make sure to check whether major events are taking place during your stay. If crowds are not your thing, late autumn offers a quieter atmosphere and excellent conditions for exploring the city at a more relaxed pace.
Unlike some of the smaller destinations on this list, Munich is one of those cities you can return to several times and create a completely different itinerary each time.
There is no single destination that will suit everyone. Before buying your bus ticket, think about how much time you actually have and what you want from your trip.
If you only have one free day, a closer and more compact destination may be a much better choice than a large city where you will try to see too much in too little time. Ljubljana, Graz or Maribor, for example, can be excellent options for a shorter getaway, while Munich is worth giving yourself a little more time to explore.
For a weekend, you can already consider a more distant destination and one or two nights away. Do not look only at the distance in kilometres, though. Pay attention to departure and arrival times, as a good timetable can allow you to make the most of almost your entire first and last day.
Before booking, also check where the bus arrives. If the bus station is close to the city centre or well connected by public transport, you will not waste much time on additional transfers after arriving.
And if your main goal is simply to get away from your everyday routine, do not feel that you have to choose the most famous or most distant city. Sometimes the best city break is simply the one that is easiest to organise.
Autumn weather can be unpredictable. A sunny morning can easily turn into a rainy afternoon, while the difference between daytime and evening temperatures can be significant.
That is why dressing in layers is the best option. A lightweight waterproof jacket, comfortable shoes and a small umbrella take up relatively little space but can be extremely useful. Make sure to check the weather forecast for your destination before you leave.
For two or three days, you usually will not need a large amount of luggage. A small suitcase or backpack can be more than enough if you plan a few outfits in advance.
Keep the things you want to have within easy reach during the journey in a small bag or backpack: your phone, charger or power bank, headphones, water, a light snack and something to read or watch during the trip.
If you are travelling outside Croatia, also check which travel documents you need for your specific destination before departure.
After the summer holiday, it is easy to fall into a routine where the next trip is not planned until the Christmas markets, a ski holiday or spring. Yet September, October and November are excellent months for exploring cities.
Temperatures are often more comfortable for walking than in summer, nature changes colour and every city takes on a slightly different atmosphere. What is more, you do not need to plan a big trip months in advance for a city break.
Ljubljana for a relaxed day by the river, Trieste for Italian atmosphere and the sea, Venice for a weekend among the canals, Graz and Maribor for a slower pace, Osijek and Zagreb for a local getaway, or Munich when you want a city packed with things to do – the choice depends entirely on the kind of break you are looking for.
Sometimes, short and spontaneous trips are the best way to break up the routine between your summer holiday and the winter holidays.
Have you found a city you would like to visit this autumn?
On the Nomago InterCity platform, you can search for bus routes from different operators, compare available departures and buy your bus ticket online. This means that before your trip, you can check which option suits you best and then focus on the more exciting part: planning what you will do once you arrive.
Choose your destination, find a bus route that works for you and make the most of a free weekend with a new adventure.
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