Best destinations to visit in October
Best destinations to visit in October
Bright golden canopy paths and pleasant southern grape harvest valleys in October
October settles into full autumn across the Northern Hemisphere, with cooler air, changing leaves and a noticeably quieter travel calendar.
Fall foliage draws travelers to certain regions specifically for the colors, timing trips around when the leaves are expected to peak. Halloween celebrations build through the month too, adding a bit of seasonal fun to city breaks and countryside trips alike. Hurricane season starts to ease in the Atlantic, though it remains active into the first half of the month. The Southern Hemisphere continues into spring, with warming weather and blooming landscapes in full swing. Shoulder season pricing also tends to hold through October, making it a popular month for travelers avoiding both summer crowds and winter cold. Harvest festivals also pick up in several wine growing regions around the world.
The destinations on our list cover that same range, from peak fall color to the height of Southern Hemisphere spring.
Lists by region
City in Germany
Munich
Bavarian capital of beer gardens and museums
Oktoberfest traditionally runs into early October at the Theresienwiese grounds. Beer tents fill with brass bands, pretzels and roast chicken during the festival. The Glockenspiel on the New Town Hall performs daily in Marienplatz. Mild autumn weather suits walking through the nearby Viktualienmarkt food market.
City in Japan
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
Autumn foliage begins turning red and gold across Kyoto's temple gardens through October. The Philosopher's Path follows a canal lined with maples that color as the month goes on. Fushimi Inari's thousands of vermilion torii gates climb a wooded hillside. Mild weather suits long days of walking between temples.
Town in Japan
Nikko
Tokugawa shrines, waterfalls and hot springs
Toshogu Shrine, the elaborately carved resting place of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, dates to the 1600s. Autumn foliage peaks around Lake Chuzenji and the Kegon Falls through October. Mild days suit walking the shrine complex's forested paths. A winding mountain road called Irohazaka offers views over the changing colors.
Country
Bhutan
Himalayan monasteries, dzongs and trekking trails
Punakha Dzong, built in 1637, stands where two rivers meet in a valley. Clear October skies often give some of the year's best mountain views. Tiger's Nest monastery clings to a cliff about 900 meters above the Paro valley. Thimphu's Tshechu festival often falls in autumn with masked dances.
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