Tell us your top off-season spots

Here are some of my favorits for off season.
I love to go around april/may and september/october.

 

1. Zurich (Switzerland); my personal favorite.
   The city is entering the end of summer/start of autumn and while most of the locals are at work, you get to experience all the (touristic) places in peace. 
   An occassional tourist (mostly seniors) will be at the same spot, but you get first row views.
   Frau Gerolts Garten, Bahnhofstrasse, Lindenhof aussichtpunkt, China Garten, Musea and so on.
   Zurichhorn park and the (Old) Botanic garden gives you a quiet oppertunity to stroll trough nature.
   Slightly out of town, you will find the Bruno Weber Park. A fun sculpture park.
    
2. Rigi Kulm (Switzerland); Mountain top views all over.
   Take your train from Zurich to Arth-Goldau, enter the Rigi-Bahn (no rush, not many people to find in the morning).
   The Rigi-Bahn will take you on a gentle ride all the way up to the top.
   For hikers, there is a possibility to leave the train earlier and hike your way up.
   Enjoy the view and quietness it's only you and a handfull of other people.
   After this, you can leave the mountain with another train to Vitznau.
   Down here you hop on the boat (Yes the connection is perfect) and you sail off to Lucerne.
    
3. Luzern (Switzerland); This town might feel a bit crowded still, but iff you are really set on seeing the wooden bridge, walk a bit further.
   Most tourist will be found on the famous Kapellbrucke, even on rainy days.
   A bit more upstream, you will find the Spreuerbrucke, as pretty as the other one and way less people.
   I guess, to have less people aroun, either go early in the morning or late noon to enjoy Luzern.
    
4. Rheinfall (Switzerland); Yes, that famous, super touristic waterfall.
   I have been there twice, both times in september. And it was quiet and I even had the waterfall all for myself (as an early bird, that is easy).
   This famous location is reached from 2 sides. station Schloss Laufen am Rhein (direct acces to the waterfall walk and castle) and station Neuhausen am Rhein (overlooking the waterfall).
   From Neuhausen am Rhein, you could take a boat to the castle and do the walk.
    
5. St.Gallen (Switzerland); Beautiful city and just like Zurich, a place where the locals are back at work after their summer and only e few tourist in sight.
   Find the church with the flower roof called St.Laurenzen. Find the Roter platz and maybe iff it's not too crowded, visit that famous Stifstbibliothek St.Gallen (Abbey Library).
    
6. Rapperswil-Jona (Switzerland); Small town, maybe not interesting enough for tourist, but I liked the easy vibe here. Almost felt like a mediterranean location.
   Walk trough the cozy streets towards the Hauptplatz and go up the stairs. Here you'll find the church, Schloss and a nice park. At the end of the park you'll see the Kapuzinurkloster and Rosengarten. Walk over the Buhlerallee and See Quai to enjoy a beautiful lake view.
   On the other side of the station is a route towards a very long, wooden brigde called the Holzbrucke.
    
7. Karwendelblick, Innsbruck (Austria); An easy cablecar ride from the city center of Innsbruck. Might have to share the car with some skieers, but all in all a nice spot to visit.
    
8. Swarovski Kristallwelten, Wattens (Austria);
   From station Fritzens-Wattens, it's a half hour walk to this museum. Absolutley a fun and beautiful museum with a park. Off season it's perfect to do. Enjoy the creativity and unique styles.
    
9. Kuhtai Skivillage (Austria); Not sure iff this one counts, because it involves a buss.
   From the town of Innsbruck, you can take the Ski buss to the small ski area in Kuthai. 
   Come here for years and it feels not too crowded.
   It has a few slopes, a sled area and you can hike around, almost to the dam up the hill.
    
10. Kutna Hora (Chechia); This beautiful town has a unique pace to visit and is less crowded. I went here during peak hours in summer and it was fine.
    Visit the Italian Court, Kamenna Kasna Fountain and the old town.
    On the other side of town, at station Kutna Hora Sedlec, lays a beautiful church to visit.
    And iff you are up for something more unique, visit the Kostnice Sedlec.
     
11. Liberec (Chechia); Visit this old town and enjoy the streets, old building and tasty food (try out La Piazza). 
     
12. Pravcicka Brana (Chechia); This location is a bit harder to reach, but for the adventurious one, most fun.
    Take a train to Schona (Germany), pass the river with a ferry and take a bus to Hrensko, Pravcicka Brana. Enjoy the view!
    
     
13. Mala Skala, Zricenina Skalniho Hradu Vranov (Chechia); Another hike, but so worth it.
    Don't be fooled by google maps, saying it's only a 34 minute hike from the station. It's quite the climb, trough a lovely forest. But in the end, when you pass the gate, you will be suprised by this little church on the mountain. Enjoy a cold drink, walk the trail to the summit and enjoy the views.
    
    That's it for now, maybe some more later!

14. Winterberg Ski area (Germany); Small town, easy going ski area.
    14 km's of skiing, 3 rhodelbahnen and enough space to hike.
    When you're done skiing, go take a walk trough the Helleschlucht. A nice green forest.
     
15. Willingen Ski area (Germany); Also a small town with a nice ski area.
    17 km's of skiing, free parking, nighttime skiing and fot hose who don;t want to ski, a nice Lagunen Erlebnisbad.
     
16. Landschaftspark Duisburg (Germany); An absolutly amazing Urbex location that is legal to visit.
    Take the train to Meiderich, walk 25 mintes or take a tram and get lost at this huge location. 
    Welcome to this former metal factory, walk trough the buildings, climb all the way up towers and join activities. Bring some good shoes with you.
     
17. Schwebebahn Wuppertal/ Monorail (Germany); Hop on this unique monorailbahn and enjoy the ride. €8,80 a person or  €19,- when you comine your ticket with a visit to the zoo.
     
18. Idstein altstad (Germany); a sweet, smal village full of color.
    What can I say, nothing much..this place looks so amazing, you have to see it yourself.
     
19. Schloss Heidelberg (Germany); Ruined, 16th-century, red sandstone castle on a hillside, with guided tours & a huge wine barrel. Take a look yourself, it's big and interseting.
    Take some time to visit the old town too. 
    From the Schloss, you can take a walk up the hill to the Haus der Astroonomie. An interesting building to see and fun for everybody who wants to see the stars and beyond.
     
20. Hundertwasser's Green Citadel, Magdeburg (Germany);
    Eccentric apartment & retail building by Austrian artist & architect, Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Free to walk trough and for a small price you can take a little tour inside.
    Enjoy a tasty Pinsa at Rikard Italian Restaurant in one of the centers from this building.
    Take a good walk trough the Domplatz, Garten der Mollenvogtei and Stadtmauer.
     
21. Beelitz Heilstatten (Germany); Urbex location thats legal to visit.
    Always wanted to go on a Urbex explor tour, but afraid to cross the rules. Visit this place and be amazed.
    Take the train to this tiny place called Beelitz-Heilstatten, walk a bit and enjoy. Don't forget your camera to shoot some amazing pictures.
     
22. Kurort Rathen (Germany); another hike.
    When you leave this station, take a ferry across the Elbe and start your hike to this famous bridge called Basteibrucke. This bridge gives you an amazing view over tall mountain peakes. Absolutely an area to enjoy a good hike.
     
23. Schloss Schwerin (germany); okey, I love a good castle to visit.
    From station Schwerin Mitte, it's a short walk to the castle. You can even make a little detour trough the old town.

As a UK resident I recommend visiting Bath in winter. You can avoid the crowds and enjoy rooftop views of the city and the countryside from the thermal baths. I’ve done this a few times in winter (day and night) and would like to try it when it’s actually snowing. Accommodation in Bath is really expensive but at least avoiding peak summer makes it more affordable and if it’s cold there are plenty of cosy cafes and tea rooms.

Another good option in early spring is Oxford when tree blossom is starting to appear. My favourites sites were Radcliffe Camera, the Natural History Museum and The Ashmolean Museum which are all options if the weather isn’t great. If the weather is good walking beside the river is pleasant.