Athens ranked fifth among Europe’s cosiest cities for autumn escapes, according to a 2026 ranking based on Reddit discussions. The Greek capital received 9,243 upvotes in research conducted by British holiday rental company Big House Experience, placing it ahead of Lisbon, Copenhagen, Salzburg and Utrecht.
Bruges, Belgium, led the ranking with more than 15,000 upvotes, followed by Amsterdam with 14,477. Prague took third with 11,098, and Krakow, Poland, placed fourth with 10,117. Athens finished 874 votes behind Krakow but recorded nearly three times Lisbon’s total of 3,243.
The company analyzed Reddit discussions about destinations across continental Europe, excluding the United Kingdom. Researchers ranked cities according to the upvotes their related content received. Athens emerged as the highest-ranked Southern European destination, followed by Lisbon in sixth place.
Why Athens appears among Europe’s cosiest cities in autumn
Athens is better known for its ancient landmarks and hot summers than for chilly autumn breaks. But the city’s official tourism guide highlights walking routes through Plaka and other neighborhoods, local food markets, galleries and outdoor activities that continue after summer.
The guide also features the Athens Riviera as an option for autumn outings, alongside the city’s restaurants and cultural attractions.
Historical climate figures help explain its seasonal appeal. Average daytime highs in Athens fall to about 73 degrees Fahrenheit (23 Celsius) in October and 64 F (18 C) in November, according to Climate-Data.org.
The autumn calendar also brings cultural and sporting events. Athens hosted its 32nd International Film Festival from Sept. 30 to Oct. 11, while the 43rd Athens Authentic Marathon is scheduled for Nov. 7-8. Greece’s Oct. 28 national holiday will also bring commemorations to the capital.
Athens tourism grows ahead of major autumn events
The ranking comes amid continued growth in passenger traffic at Athens International Airport. The airport handled 27.31 million passenger movements during the first nine months of 2026, a 4.3% increase from a year earlier. September alone accounted for about 3.6 million passenger movements, up 3.5% year over year.
Big House Experience also produced related autumn rankings in Britain and the United States. York topped the British list in September, while Brooklyn led the American ranking published in early October.
Top cosiest European cities in 2026
9. Utrecht, Netherlands
8. Salzburg, Austria
7. Copenhagen, Denmark
6. Lisbon, Portugal
5. Athens, Greece
4. Krakow, Poland
3. Prague, Czechia
2. Amsterdam, Netherlands
1. Bruges, Belgium
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