With leaf-peeping season peaking, there’s never been a better time to head out to admire the golden colours.
And now the question of where to go has been answered thanks to a new study.
By looking at things like broadleaf density, daily autumn sunshine hours, local tour options and rising searches, IgluCruise has evaluated 40 popular destinations to come up with a top 10 list of autumn colour spots.
Surprisingly, New England didn’t claim the number one spot. Instead that accolade went to Québec City in Canada thanks to its tree density, the number of excursions you can book there, and the rise in searches.
Second place went to Kyoto in Japan. Momijigari, or going leaf-peeping, is a big deal here. Every year, the Japan Meteorological Corporation (JMC) releases forecasts for the best time to see the red maple trees and the yellow gingko trees.
In 2026, the best date to see Kyoto’s red leaves is 11 December, while the gingko tree leaves will turn yellow around 27 November.
Third place went to Burlington in Vermont. The US dominated the list, with four destinations making the cut overall: Portland, Maine (fourth); Jackson, New Hampshire (fifth); and Bar Harbor, Maine (seventh).
Canada also had a strong showing, with two other cities making the cut – Halifax, Nova Scotia (ninth) and Saguenay, Québec (10th).
Japan also had a second city in the top 10, Hiroshima in eighth place.
The best European destination for autumn colours
Only one European destination made the top 10: Wachau Valley in Austria, which was sixth on the ranking.
Located around an hour by train from the capital Vienna, the Wachau Valley is a popular spot for river cruising as the Danube flows through here.
The valley, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its vineyards, and after a day of leaf-peeping you can unwind in one of its many traditional wine taverns.
The top 10 destinations for autumn colours
- Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Kyoto, Japan
- Burlington, Vermont, USA
- Portland, Maine, USA
- Jackson, New Hampshire, USA
- Wachau Valley, Austria
- Bar Harbor, Maine, USA
- Hiroshima, Japan
- Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Saguenay, Québec, Canada