Cosy Travel Index Reveals the Cosiest Destinations This Autumn
Whether it’s a visit to a coffee shop or a stroll around a park, autumn is the perfect time to indulge in some cosy activities.
Travel can be an effective way to seek out the cosiest atmospheres - but some destinations are cosier than others, offering more facilities to enhance comfort and help travellers get in the perfect autumn mood.
Therefore, we at Riviera Travel wanted to uncover the cosiest destinations around the world. We did this by analysing a variety of factors, including the average autumn temperature plus the number of coffee shops and autumnal scenic attractions in each destination.
So, with autumn well underway, let’s dive into the top ten cosiest destinations around the world!
Cosy Travel Index
To develop our index and find the cosiest destinations, we evaluated several key factors across various countries around the world including optimal autumn temperatures, number of dry days, number of parks and nature attractions, and number of coffee shops. Each factor was assigned a weight reflecting its importance to a cosy experience.
Each country was then given a score based on the significance of these factors in relation to cosiness and ranked accordingly.
| Rank | Destination | Average Autumn Temperature ℃ | Average number of Autumn rain days | Number of coffee shops | Number of scenic attractions | Cosy Travel Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ljubljana, Slovenia | 12.5 | 4 | 75 | 61 | 67.2 |
| 2 | Zurich, Switzerland | 12.25 | 8.25 | 186 | 34 | 64.7 |
| 3 | Prague, Czech Republic | 11.5 | 6.25 | 368 | 117 | 64.1 |
| 4 | New York City, US | 15 | 6.5 | 7688 | 409 | 63.8 |
| 5 | Funchal, Portugal | 22 | 4.5 | 11 | 2 | 63.2 |
| 6 | Istanbul, Turkey | 18 | 5 | 2336 | 210 | 61.4 |
| 7 | Tokyo, Japan | 19.5 | 7 | 2333 | 717 | 61.2 |
| 8 | Madrid, Spain | 18.5 | 3.75 | 897 | 123 | 61.1 |
| 9 | Boston, US | 27 | 8 | 572 | 46 | 59.1 |
| 10 | Seville, Spain | 17.25 | 6.25 | 87 | 53 | 57.8 |
1. Ljubljana, Slovenia
In first place, the capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana, ranks as the cosy capital of the world, scoring 67.2. The city is known for its natural beauty, home to the Ljubljanica River and various parks and gardens. Ljubljana is a hidden gem of a destination throughout the year and could be a magical choice for a cosy autumn holiday.
In total, travellers can choose between 75 coffee shops and 61 scenic attractions, with a wide variety of parks and gardens to choose from. Tivoli Park is a must-see for anyone visiting the city during autumn and is home to statues, gardens and nature.
With only four rainy days throughout the season, there’s plenty of opportunity to get out and enjoy the city’s offerings.
2. Zurich, Switzerland
The Swiss city of Zurich ranks as the second cosiest destination, scoring 64.7 overall. While the location is known for its significance within the financial sector - home to the HQs of many banks - it’s also a great location for a cosy trip!
The city is home to 186 coffee shops, offering plenty of choice to travellers and also has 34 scenic attractions (parks and gardens) - including Chinagarten Zurich - a wonderful location with a stunning walkway and picturesque lake.
Additionally, the average temperature in Zurich throughout autumn is 12.25 degrees Celsius and there are around 8.25 rainy days throughout the season. Overall, Zurich is a great choice for people seeking a cosy trip.
3. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague ranks as our third cosiest destination with a score of 64.1. The Czech capital city is popular for its breathtaking architecture, but it’s also a hotspot for travellers wanting a laid-back and comfortable trip.
There are plenty of opportunities for some light reading, with 368 coffee shops dotted throughout the city. Furthermore, with 117 scenic attractions, visitors aren’t short on options for an autumn stroll.
On average, travellers should expect the autumn temperature in Prague to be around 11.5 degrees Celsius. The weather isn’t too bad either, with an average of 6.25 rainy days throughout the season.
4. New York City, USA
In fourth place, scoring 63.8 points is New York City. The iconic destination is a hotspot for travellers all year round, particularly during Christmas, but opting for a trip to the Big Apple before the festive rush could be a great choice if you prefer a cosier atmosphere.
It’s safe to say travellers are spoilt for choice in New York, with a breathtaking 7,688 coffee shops available to pick from. The same can be said for scenic attractions, as New York City offers 409 including the iconic Central Park and Roosevelt Island.
However, it’s fairly cold in New York City throughout autumn with temperatures averaging 15 degrees Celsius. With six-and-a-half rainy days during the season, we recommend packing a coat - just to be safe!
5. Funchal, Madeira
Ranking in fifth place, Funchal, a Portuguese city located on the island of Madeira scored 63.2 points. This city is packed full of history and is even home to the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, but why is it so highly rated in terms of cosiness?
Well, despite being a fairly small city, it still offers visitors a choice of 11 coffee shops, perfect for reading during downtime. There are also two scenic attractions available, offering incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean.
As it’s off the Portuguese coast, weather is fairly comfortable throughout autumn with temperatures averaging 22 degrees Celsius. With four-and-a-half rainy days during the season, the weather enhances the cosy atmosphere, allowing travellers to focus on enjoying their trip.
6. Istanbul, Turkey
The Turkish city of Istanbul is next in the ranking, scoring 61.4 points and finishing in sixth place. The destination is packed full of history and cultural significance, dating back to the Byzantine era. Nowadays, the location is the perfect place for a cosy autumnal trip.
That’s because Istanbul is known for its coffee culture, and therefore has 2,336 coffee shops such as Ehli Keye Cafe, a well-rated establishment offering coffee, snacks and shisha. There are also 210 scenic attractions throughout the city, making it a suitable destination for autumn walks.
The hot Turkish weather seeps into autumn temperatures averaging 18 degrees Celsius. And with just five rainy days during the season, it’s a great place to unwind and get cosy this autumn.
7. Tokyo, Japan
In seventh place, the first Asian city to feature in the ranking, is Tokyo, Japan, scoring 61.2 points overall. Tokyo is an iconic destination to visit at any time of the year and is known for its unique culture, Shibuya Crossing and the beautiful cherry blossom trees.
While cherry blossoms aren’t in season during Autumn, there are still 717 scenic attractions to keep travellers entertained such as Ueno Park and Hama Rikyu Gardens, offering picturesque views of the city’s natural beauty. While Japan is generally more known for tea than coffee, the city has a thriving coffee culture as well with Tokyo offering an impressive 2,333 coffee shops.
With an average temperature of 19.5 degrees Celsius and around seven days per autumn season, the weather is fairly comfortable, setting the tone for the perfect cosy trip.
8. Madrid, Spain
In eighth place, scoring 61.1 points is the Spanish capital city, Madrid. A popular holiday destination throughout summer, Madrid also offers all the essentials for a cosy holiday in autumn once the holiday rush dies down.
There are almost 900 coffee shops throughout the bustling city, allowing travellers to unwind, enjoy a book and recharge in a cosy atmosphere. Additionally, there’s no shortage of scenic attractions - with 123 to choose from in total, like Prado Museum, the Royal Palace, Plaza De España and Plaza Mayor.
As you might expect, the weather in Madrid is pleasant, with temperatures averaging 18.5 degrees Celsius and only 3.75 rainy days throughout the season.
9. Boston, USA
Boston, located in Massachusetts, USA, placed ninth in the ranking, collecting 59.1 points. The city is home to the Boston Red Sox and interesting neighbourhoods such as North End, also known as ‘Little Italy’.
The city has 46 scenic attractions, including the nation’s first-ever public botanical garden, Boston Public Garden. The Freedom Trail is also a must-see, a walking tour that explores a whole host of historic landmarks.
Boston’s autumn temperatures are the highest out of all ten destinations, averaging 27 degrees Celsius. Visitors should also expect around eight days of rain throughout the season.
10. Seville, Spain
Finally, according to our index, the tenth most cosy destination this autumn is Seville, with 57.8 points overall. Autumn is a great time to visit the city as there’s a range of events taking place including the Seville European Film Festival and Bienal de Flamenco, a traditional Spanish festival.
Furthermore, Seville is a great place to get cosy with 87 coffee shops and 53 scenic attractions, including a range of parks and gardens, perfect for a quick Autumn stroll.
Temperatures in Seville are manageable throughout autumn, averaging 17.25 degrees Celsius. With only 6.25 rainy days on average, travellers can instead focus on enjoying their cosy trip.
Methodology
The Cosy Travel Index, created by Riviera Travel, assesses a range of factors to highlight the cosiest destinations around the world.
We examined four key areas: optimal autumn temperatures, the number of dry days, scenic attractions, and the number of coffee shops. Each was assigned a weight reflecting its importance to a cosy experience.
Optimal autumn temperatures are weighted at 40%, favouring cities with average temperatures between 10°C and 20°C. The number of dry days is weighted at 30%, as more dry days enhance outdoor exploration. Scenic attractions and coffee shops are weighted at 20% and 10%, respectively, reflecting their contribution to a city’s inviting atmosphere.
We then calculated each country’s score using these weighted metrics, ranking them to show how cosy the destination is overall.