Where to go in Europe in October
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Events, seasonal highlights & travel tips
Warm seas: Cyprus, Crete, Sicily, and the Algarve offer excellent swimming.
Harvest season: Tuscany and Provence shine with food festivals and wine events.
Great for city breaks: Athens, Barcelona, and Lisbon feel lively and comfortable.
Hiking season: Madeira and Sicily offer lush trails and clear visibility.
Travel tip: October is perfect for travelers seeking warmth, culture, and quieter destinations.
Sicily — Palermo, Cefalù & the Val di Noto, Italy
October is one of the most pleasant months in Sicily. Warm days, gentle breezes, and quiet towns create perfect conditions for coastal walks and cultural exploration. Wander Palermo’s historic markets, swim along the beaches of Cefalù, or explore the elegant baroque towns of the Val di Noto under soft golden light. The sea stays warm, and local harvest events add authentic flavor to the season.
🌡 62–77 °F 🌊 73 °F ☀️ 7 hours 🌧 6 days
Crete & Western Greece — Chania, Rethymno & Zagori
Crete remains warm well into October, with clear seas, lively promenades, and mild days ideal for hiking the Samaria Gorge or exploring Venetian harbors. For a scenic contrast, pair the island with mainland Greece’s Zagori region — home to stone villages, ancient bridges, and dramatic autumn scenery. It’s a beautiful combination of warmth and wilderness.
🌡 61–77 °F 🌊 75 °F ☀️ 7 hours 🌧 5 days
Provence, France — Aix, Luberon & the Alpilles
October brings soft light, golden vineyards, and a relaxed atmosphere to Provence. Hilltop towns like Gordes, Bonnieux, and Saint-Rémy feel intimate, and local markets overflow with figs, chestnuts, and seasonal produce. It’s an excellent month for scenic drives, gentle hikes, and discovering the art-inspired landscapes of the region under mild Mediterranean weather.
🌡 52–70 °F ☀️ 6 hours 🌧 7 days
Andalusia — Seville, Córdoba & Ronda, Spain
October is one of the best times to explore Andalusia. Summer heat fades, revealing warm, clear days ideal for visiting the Mezquita in Córdoba, the Alcázar in Seville, or the whitewashed streets and dramatic cliffs of Ronda. Olive groves shimmer in golden light, and evenings are cool enough for relaxed tapas in atmospheric old towns.
🌡 55–80 °F ☀️ 7 hours 🌧 5 days
Lisbon, Évora & Alentejo, Portugal
Portugal feels calm and warm in October, with long sunny afternoons and fewer visitors. Lisbon’s hills and riverfront glow under soft autumn light, while Évora and the Alentejo countryside offer wineries, cork forests, and quiet medieval towns. Temperatures remain ideal for outdoor cafés, scenic drives, and coastal walks along quiet beaches.
🌡 59–75 °F ☀️ 7 hours 🌧 7 days
Ireland — Galway, Connemara & Achill Island
Ireland enters a vivid autumn season in October. Connemara’s mountains turn deep gold, the Wild Atlantic Way feels fresh and windswept, and islands like Achill deliver dramatic views under shifting light. Galway’s cafés, seafood restaurants, and arts scene add warmth to cooler days. It’s an inspiring time for photography, coastal walks, and cozy evenings.
🌡 46–57 °F ☀️ 4 hours 🌧 14 days
Scotland — Edinburgh, Pitlochry & Cairngorms National Park
October is one of Scotland’s most captivating months. Autumn colors sweep through forests and glens, lochs reflect rich seasonal tones, and cool air makes hiking especially rewarding. Explore Edinburgh’s historic streets, visit Pitlochry during peak foliage, or walk panoramic trails in the Cairngorms. Clear evenings bring atmospheric pubs and village inns to life.
🌡 42–54 °F ☀️ 4 hours 🌧 12 days
Bavaria, Germany — Munich, Berchtesgaden & Lake Königssee
Bavaria blends alpine peaks, bright forests, and glassy lakes that mirror the colors of early autumn. Hike around Berchtesgaden’s dramatic trails, take a peaceful boat ride across Lake Königssee, or enjoy Munich’s historic neighborhoods under crisp October skies. It’s an excellent choice for travelers who enjoy mountains without winter cold.
🌡 46–59 °F ☀️ 5 hours 🌧 10 days
Slovenia — Lake Bled, Bohinj & the Soča Valley
Slovenia is stunning in October. Lake Bled glows with gold and red foliage, Bohinj feels peaceful and reflective, and the Soča Valley delivers bright turquoise rivers framed by autumn forests. Clear skies and mild temperatures make it ideal for hiking, photography, and scenic drives.
🌡 45–63 °F ☀️ 5 hours 🌧 10 days
Norway — Bergen & the Fjord Region
October brings dramatic color to Norway’s fjords. Waterfalls remain active, hillsides turn golden, and crisp air creates crystal-clear visibility. Explore Bergen’s colorful harbor, ride the Flåm Railway, or enjoy wide-open views from fjordside trails under soft seasonal light.
🌡 45–54 °F 🌊 52 °F ☀️ 3–4 hours 🌧 15 days
Iceland — Golden Circle, South Coast & Snæfellsnes
October is a beautiful transitional month in Iceland. Days are still long enough for scenic drives and waterfall hikes, while early nights bring increasing chances of northern lights. Volcanic landscapes, glaciers, and black-sand beaches feel especially atmospheric in cooler autumn air.
🌡 36–45 °F ☀️ 4 hours 🌧 17 days
October experiences to plan your trip around
“Across the Luberon and Provence, autumn markets celebrate the season with regional produce, cheese, wine, and artisan crafts. The pumpkin and squash festival in Roussillon and the harvest fairs in Gordes and Bonnieux are especially atmospheric — perfect for travelers wanting local culture without summer crowds.”
Provence – Fête de la Courge & Village Harvest Fairs
Mid–late October
“One of Barcelona’s most charming autumn traditions. La Rambla is decorated with floral installations, open-air concerts, and events inside historic buildings that usually remain closed to the public. A lively cultural moment that pairs beautifully with October’s warm afternoons.”
Barcelona – Festa del Roser at La Rambla
Early October
“Dublin celebrates the life and legacy of Dracula author Bram Stoker with a citywide Halloween-inspired festival. Expect atmospheric night walks, literary events, themed performances, outdoor projections, and family-friendly activities across historic venues. The mix of Gothic architecture, storytelling, and autumn weather creates an incredibly atmospheric experience — one of Europe’s best October cultural events.”
Ireland – Bram Stoker Festival, Dublin
Late October–early November
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Warmest places in Europe in October
Cyprus
Warm seas, sunny days, and beautifully mild evenings perfect for beaches and coastal exploration.
🌡 64–82 °F 🌊 77 °F ☀️ 8 hours 🌧 2 days
Crete, Greece
Golden beaches, clear water, and warm weather ideal for swimming and hiking.
🌡 61–77 °F 🌊 75 °F ☀️ 8 hours 🌧 4 days
Sicily, Italy
Cultural towns, coastal scenery, and late-summer warmth stretching through the month.
🌡 62–77 °F 🌊 73 °F ☀️ 7 hours 🌧 6 days
Algarve, Portugal
Sun-drenched cliffs, warm Atlantic breezes, and excellent conditions for outdoor activities.
🌡 59–75 °F 🌊 70 °F ☀️ 8 hours 🌧 3 days
Malta
Crystal-clear seas, warm afternoons, and golden sandstone cities ideal for relaxed exploration.
🌡 66–77 °F 🌊 75 °F ☀️ 8 hours 🌧 5 days
