The best places to visit in October
October is travel’s calm after the storm. Many countries are still warm enough for sun-seekers, but cool enough for exploring, and quiet enough that you won’t feel cramped by crowds of summer tourists. In Europe, the trees are changing colour, while the southern hemisphere is stepping into spring.
Here are the best places to go in October.
Where to go for a long weekend in October
Bratislava
Autumn suits Bratislava surprisingly well. The parks around the Presidential Palace begin to turn golden, café culture comes back into focus, and the cooler temperatures make sightseeing more comfortable. It's a lovely month for a city break, particularly if you're looking for a quieter alternative to some of Europe's bigger capitals.Find out more about our day trip to Bratislava here.
Bruges
Autumn is a beautiful month in Bruges. The trees around the canals begin to turn golden, the cooler temperatures make sightseeing comfortable, and the city feels a little quieter. It's a great month if you prefer atmosphere and character over busy summer energy.
Find out how we spent a day in Bruges.
Budapest
Autumn is a beautiful month to visit Budapest. The parks turn golden, cafés become cosy, and the city's thermal baths feel even more appealing as temperatures begin to cool.Find out about our trip to Budapest here.
Copenhagen
There’s a shift in mood when October arrives in Copenhagen. Leaves turn gold along the canals, restaurants glow with candlelight, and the city leans into hygge season. It’s cool but comfortable, and a great month for cycling, visiting museums, and tucking into Danish comfort food between strolls through Nyhavn and Christianshavn.Find out how we spent a long weekend in Copenhagen here.
Lisbon
Lisbon feels golden in October. The light softens, the air cools, and locals reclaim the streets after the heat of summer. It’s ideal for wandering the Alfama hills, sipping coffee by the river, or taking a quiet day trip to Sintra. You’ll still get sunshine, just with gentler temperatures and a slower pace.Read our Lisbon itinerary here.
Ljubljana
Ljubljana's parks and riverside streets take on beautiful autumn colours in October. It's a peaceful time to visit before the Christmas market season begins.
Find out about our trip to Slovenia here.
Oslo
October transforms Oslo into a canvas of colour. Forests surrounding the city blaze orange and red, and crisp air drifts off the fjord. Days are cool but bright, perfect for hikes, ferry rides, or warming up in a waterside sauna. It’s Norway’s short, beautiful pause before winter begins.Read our Oslo itinerary here.
Vienna
Autumn suits Vienna's elegant architecture and café culture perfectly. Cooler temperatures make it ideal for museum visits, long walks, and evenings spent in traditional coffee houses.
Find out more about our trip to Vienna.
Warsaw
Warsaw wears autumn well. The city’s parks glow with gold, terraces pull out blankets, and the season comes alive with colour. Temperatures are cool but comfortable, making it easy to explore museums, neighbourhoods, and riverfront paths without the summer rush.Here’s how we spent a long weekend in Warsaw here.
Where to go for a week in October
The Azores
Mist over crater lakes, sunshine on the cliffs… October in the Azores has both. The islands stay mild, with temperatures around 20°C, perfect for hiking or whale-watching without summer humidity. Rain showers pass quickly, leaving behind emerald-green landscapes and dramatic skies that make the archipelago feel wild and cinematic.
Find out how we spent three weeks in the Azores here.
Barcelona
Barcelona in October hits that perfect balance. The days are warm but not too hot, the beaches are quiet, and the locals are back after the summer break. You can stroll the Gothic Quarter, visit Gaudí’s landmarks, or sit by the sea with a late-afternoon vermut all without the crowds of high season.
Find out how we spent a week in Barcelona here.
Basque Country
Autumn brings out the best of the Basque Country. Vineyards are in harvest, markets overflow with mushrooms and seafood, and pintxos bars hum with locals rather than tourists. The weather stays pleasantly mild, ideal for coastal drives between Bilbao and San Sebastián or a detour into Rioja wine country.
Here’s how we spent a week in Basque Country.
The Canary Islands
October might be the Canary Islands’ best-kept secret. The summer heat has eased, but the sea is still warm and the skies stay clear. Expect 25°C days, perfect for hiking in Tenerife’s volcanic parks or lazy beach afternoons in Lanzarote, all with fewer people and softer light.
Croatia
October offers a quieter side of Croatia. The sea is still warm and the sun is still out in many areas, harvest season is underway, and popular destinations become far less crowded.
Find out about our week in Croatia here.
Italy
October is one of Italy's most rewarding months. Food festivals celebrate seasonal produce, temperatures are ideal for sightseeing, and autumn colours begin appearing in many regions.
Find out about our two weeks travelling around Italy here.
Santorini
Santorini settles into calm by October. The air is warm, the water clear, and the sunsets still spectacular, but the crowds have thinned. Ferries run regularly and prices drop, making this the perfect time to explore the caldera trails, visit wineries, and see the island at its most peaceful.
Find out how we spent a week in Santorini here.
Sicily
In October, Sicily’s heat has faded, the vineyards and olive groves are busy with harvest, and the sea stays warm enough for a swim. Days hover around 24°C, which is perfect for exploring the winding streets or Taormina, the cathedrals of Catania, or driving along the coast with the windows down.
Find out how we spent a long weekend in Sicily here.
Where to go for two weeks (or more) in October
Japan
October is one of Japan’s most balanced months. It’s calm, clear, and beautiful. The humidity is gone, skies are bright, and the first autumn colours appear in Hokkaido and the mountain regions. It’s a wonderful time for food festivals, garden walks, and scenic train rides before the full koyo season peaks in November.
Read our full Japan itinerary here.
South Korea
South Korea in October is picture-perfect. The air turns crisp, mountain trails glow red and orange, and the cities celebrate harvest season with street markets and lantern festivals. It’s one of the easiest and most rewarding months to travel with warm days, cool nights, and endless photo opportunities.
Read our two week South Korea itinerary here.
Namibia
October marks the end of Namibia’s dry season and the start of warmer days. Wildlife viewing is still exceptional as elephants, lions, and antelope gather at shrinking waterholes and the desert skies stay completely clear. By evening, temperatures drop and the Milky Way spreads bright across the horizon.
Read our two week Namibia itinerary here.
Australia
Spring in Australia is full of life. Wildflowers carpet the outback, vineyards start to buzz with new visitors, and coastal cities like Sydney and Melbourne enjoy blue skies and mild warmth. It’s a sweet spot before summer’s heat, perfect for road trips, surf lessons, or long lunches outdoors.
Read our full three week Australia itinerary here.