Bruges in autumn is a photographer's dream. The poplar trees along the canals turn golden yellow. The parks blaze with copper and red. The soft, low light makes everything look like a Flemish painting.

The best autumn colours are along the rampart parks, especially the stretch between the Smedenpoort and the Gentpoort. The old moats reflect the trees overhead, and on a still morning the water becomes a mirror of gold and amber.

Minnewater Lake is another autumn highlight. The swans against the fallen leaves, the old lock house reflected in dark water, the Begijnhof visible through the bare branches — it's the kind of scene that makes you stop walking and just look.

The canal paths toward Damme are spectacular in October. The avenue of poplars catches the late afternoon light, and the flat landscape means you can see the colour for kilometres.

Practically, autumn is the best time to visit Bruges. Hotel prices drop after September, museums are uncrowded, and restaurant reservations are easy to get. The weather is unpredictable — pack layers and a rain jacket — but the mild days are among the best the city offers.

Temperatures in October average 10-15°C during the day. November gets colder and wetter, but the city compensates with the beginning of the Christmas preparations.