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.
Autumn foliage draws travellers to certain regions specifically for the colours, 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 travellers 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 autumn colour to the height of Southern Hemisphere spring.
Lists by region
Country
Mexico
Land of diverse wonders
Día de los Muertos altars and marigold flowers fill homes and cemeteries across Mexico in late October. Families gather to honour relatives with photographs, candles and favourite foods. Mild autumn weather suits beach days from Cabo San Lucas to Cancún. Oaxaca and Mexico City host some of the country's largest celebrations.
Region in Spain
Andalusia
Flamenco, Moorish Palaces and Sun
Setenil de las Bodegas has streets running beneath huge rock overhangs. Mild October weather with highs near 24 degrees Celsius suits walking the white villages route. Tapas bars in Granada and Seville fill with locals as the summer heat fades. The Alhambra's gardens and courtyards stay comfortable for a full day of touring.
State/Prefecture in United States
Massachusetts
Historic Charm Meets Cultural Vibrancy
Autumn foliage peaks across the Berkshires and Cape Cod through October. Salem's history as the site of the 1692 witch trials draws crowds around Halloween. Mild days suit apple picking at orchards across the state. Boston's Freedom Trail stays comfortable for walking in the cooler autumn air.
City in United States
New Orleans
Jazz, Creole Flavors and Mardi Gras Vibes
Warm October days with highs near 27 degrees Celsius suit walking the French Quarter. Jazz clubs on Frenchmen Street fill with live music every night. Streetcars rumble along St. Charles Avenue past historic mansions. Halloween celebrations fill the city with costumes and parades late in the month.
City in Australia
Sydney
Where urban life meets stunning beaches
Mild spring weather with highs near 22 degrees Celsius suits walking the harbour foreshore in October. Sydney Opera House sits on Bennelong Point beside the harbour bridge. Bondi to Coogee's coastal walk passes beaches and ocean pools along the cliffs. Jacaranda trees begin blooming purple in parks across the city.
Country
Romania
Where history meets natural beauty
Bran Castle, often linked to the Dracula legend, perches on a hill in Transylvania. Autumn foliage colours the Carpathian foothills through October. Mild days suit walking the medieval streets of Sighișoara's old town. Peleș Castle, built in the late 1800s, sits amid forested mountains near Sinaia.
City in South Korea
Seoul
Where Tradition Meets High-Tech Marvels
Autumn foliage turns Namsan and Bukhansan mountains red and gold through October. Gyeongbokgung Palace stays mild and comfortable for a stroll in traditional hanbok dress. Bukchon Hanok Village preserves rows of traditional courtyard houses on a hillside. Street food stalls in Myeongdong stay busy into the cooler evenings.
City in United States
Asheville
Blue Ridge arts, brews and views
Autumn colours peak along the Blue Ridge Parkway's overlooks through October. Biltmore House, opened in 1895, sits amid gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Mild days near 18 degrees Celsius suit hiking trails around the surrounding mountains. Downtown Asheville's art deco buildings hold galleries, breweries and cafes.
State/Prefecture in United States
Vermont
Green Mountains, Maple Syrup, Pure Charm
More than 100 historic covered bridges still cross rivers and streams here. Autumn turns the hillsides red and orange through most of October. Small sugarhouses across the hills prepare for the maple season ahead. Quiet country roads link the bridges with villages and white church steeples.
Region in Italy
Tuscany
Rolling Hills, Wine and Renaissance Charm
Olive harvest begins across Tuscany's groves as the vineyard harvest winds down in October. Mild autumn weather with highs near 20 degrees Celsius suits driving between hill towns such as Pienza and Montepulciano. Cypress lined roads wind past vineyards near San Quirico d'Orcia. Fog often settles into the Val d'Orcia at dawn.
Country
Taiwan
Island of contrasts and culture
Mild October weather suits hiking Taroko Gorge's marble cliffs on the east coast. Night markets in Taipei fill with skewers, oyster omelets and bubble tea stalls. Taipei 101 rises 508 metres above the Xinyi district with an observation deck near the top. Sun Moon Lake's paths circle calm water framed by forested hills.
City in Argentina
Buenos Aires
Where Tango and Culture Thrive
Jacaranda trees bloom purple across Buenos Aires streets and parks in spring. Mild October weather with highs near 21 degrees Celsius suits walking through Palermo's parks. Tango shows fill small clubs in the San Telmo neighbourhood most evenings. Recoleta Cemetery holds elaborate mausoleums along narrow stone paths.
Region in France
Loire Valley
Châteaux, vineyards and riverside charm
Grape harvest wraps up across the Loire Valley's vineyards by October. Chateaux such as Chambord and Chenonceau draw crowds year round for their architecture. Mild autumn weather suits cycling between small towns along the river. Vineyard leaves turn gold as the season shifts towards winter.
City in Germany
Munich
Bavarian Tradition Meets Modern Flair
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 colour 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.
City in Czech Republic
Prague
A fairy-tale city with rich history
Mild October weather suits walking across Charles Bridge before winter sets in fully. The Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square has kept time since 1410. Autumn colours turn Petřín Hill's gardens gold through the month. Fewer crowds make popular sights easier to enjoy in October.
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 colours.
Island in Greece
Crete
A Journey Through History and Nature
The Palace of Knossos, associated with the myth of the Minotaur, dates back more than 3,500 years. Warm October days with highs near 24 degrees Celsius suit hiking the Samaria Gorge. Sea temperatures stay warm enough for swimming into autumn. Chania's old harbour is lined with Venetian buildings and small tavernas.
Region in Turkey
Cappadocia
A surreal land of fairy chimneys
Hot air balloons lift over Cappadocia's fairy chimney rock formations at sunrise most mornings. Mild October temperatures suit hiking through valleys near Göreme without summer's heat. Underground cities such as Derinkuyu were carved by early Christian communities seeking shelter. Cave hotels built into the soft volcanic rock offer a night close to the landscape.
City in United Kingdom
Edinburgh
History, Culture and Festival Fever
Mild October weather suits exploring Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile before winter sets in. Autumn colours turn Holyrood Park's hillsides gold beneath Arthur's Seat. Whisky distilleries across Speyside offer tastings and tours during the quieter season. Fewer crowds in October make popular sights easier to enjoy.
Country
Jordan
Ancient wonders meet desert landscapes
Warm October days with highs near 26 degrees Celsius suit the walk into Petra through the narrow Siq. The Treasury facade was carved into rose coloured sandstone by the Nabataeans. Wadi Rum's red desert stays warm for jeep tours and overnight camps. Floating in the Dead Sea suits the calmer autumn months.
Country
Cyprus
Mediterranean gem with diverse climates
Warm October days with highs near 27 degrees Celsius suit touring ancient sites at Paphos. Mosaics uncovered there date back to Roman times and remain remarkably detailed. Troodos Mountains offer cooler hiking trails away from the coast. Warm sea temperatures still suit swimming at beaches around Ayia Napa.
Island in Canada
Vancouver Island
Untamed Beauty and Coastal Charm
Chum salmon return to spawn in island rivers through October, drawing black bears to the banks. Mild autumn weather suits walking the trails of Pacific Rim National Park. Cathedral Grove's old growth Douglas fir trees tower over the forest floor. Storm watching along the west coast begins as autumn weather rolls in.
City in China
Beijing
Ancient history meets modern dynamism
The Forbidden City held Chinese emperors for nearly 500 years within its walled complex. Mild October weather suits walking restored sections of the Great Wall outside the city. Tiananmen Square sits just south of the palace's main gate. Fragrant Hills Park draws crowds for its changing autumn leaves.
Country
Malta
History, beaches and Mediterranean charm
Mdina, a walled hilltop town called the Silent City, was Malta's capital until 1530. Mild October weather with highs near 24 degrees Celsius suits walking the narrow lanes. Sea temperatures stay warm enough for swimming into autumn. Valletta's harbour forts date largely to the era of the Knights of St John.
City in Morocco
Marrakech
A vibrant maze of colors and spices
Mild October weather in Marrakech brings highs around 29 degrees Celsius, cooling from summer's peak. Jardin Majorelle's cobalt blue walls and cactus garden stay busy with visitors. The blue painted lanes of Chefchaouen sit a few hours north in the Rif Mountains. Evenings in the Jemaa el-Fnaa square fill with food stalls and performers.
City in Israel
Tel Aviv
Vibrant Beaches and Nonstop Energy
Warm October days with highs near 28 degrees Celsius suit Tel Aviv's beach promenade. Bauhaus buildings from the 1930s fill the White City district near the coast. Carmel Market sells fresh produce, spices and street food most days of the week. Jaffa's old port sits a short walk south along the shore.
City in United States
Sedona
Red Rocks, Vortexes and Starry Skies
October highs near 24 degrees Celsius suit hikes to Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock. Cottonwood trees along Oak Creek turn gold through the month. Airport Mesa remains a popular spot for sunrise and sunset views. Red rock formations glow especially warm in the autumn light.
City in South Africa
Cape Town
Mountains, Beaches and a Vibrant Culture
Table Mountain rises 1,086 metres above the city with a cable car to the top. Spring wildflowers bloom across the Cape's fynbos through October. Wine estates near Stellenbosch offer tastings on shaded terraces. African penguins waddle across the sand at Boulders Beach near Simon's Town.
Nature Reserve in China
Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve
Colorful lakes in Tibetan mountains
Turquoise and emerald lakes fill Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve's terraced valleys in Sichuan province. Autumn foliage turns the surrounding forests gold and red through October. Waterfalls cascade between the lakes through the colourful terrain. Tibetan and Qiang villages sit near the reserve's entrance gates each season.
Country
Mauritius
Tropical Bliss in the Indian Ocean
Calm lagoon beaches at Grand Baie stay warm through October's mild spring weather. Giant water lilies float in ponds at the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, dating to the 1700s. Chamarel's Seven Colored Earths show bands of red, brown and purple sand. Sugarcane fields cover much of the island's interior.
Archipelago in Portugal
Azores
Volcanic Isles of Atlantic Wonders
Whale watching boats spot sperm whales and dolphins offshore into early October. Twin crater lakes at Sete Cidades sit inside a single volcanic caldera. The thermal pools at Terra Nostra Park hold warm orange brown water in a shaded garden. Mild autumn weather suits hiking between villages along the coast.
Country
Nepal
Land of Himalayan wonders
Clear October skies often bring strong mountain views during the trekking season. Trekkers on the Annapurna Circuit pass through villages framed by snow capped peaks. Dashain, Nepal's biggest festival, often falls in October with family gatherings and kite flying. Kathmandu's Durbar Square holds temples and palaces from the Malla era.
Country
Mongolia
Land of endless steppes
Nomadic herders across the steppe live in round felt tents called gers, moving with the seasons. October brings cold nights as winter approaches across the grasslands. The Gobi Desert stays milder than the northern steppe through early autumn. Golden eagle hunters in the west prepare for their winter tradition.
Town in Chile
San Pedro de Atacama
Mars-like Landscapes and Starry Nights
The Atacama Desert around San Pedro is one of the driest places on Earth. Clear dry skies make the region popular for stargazing tours with powerful telescopes. Valle de la Luna's eroded rock formations glow at sunset a short drive from town. Geysers at El Tatio steam at sunrise near 4,300 metres above sea level.
Country
Madagascar
Unique biodiversity meets diverse landscapes
Baobab trees line an avenue near Morondava, some more than 800 years old. Dry season weather through October makes lemur spotting easier in the forests. Ring tailed lemurs gather in troops among the spiny forests of the south. Coastal Nosy Be stays warm for diving among coral reefs offshore.
Island in Australia
Kangaroo Island
Wildlife, Wonders and Rugged Coast
Sea lions haul out on the beach at Seal Bay year round on Kangaroo Island. Mild spring weather in October suits walking the trails of Flinders Chase National Park. Remarkable Rocks, wind carved granite boulders, perch above the coast. Local producers sell honey, cheese and wine from farms across the island.
Nature Reserve in Botswana
Okavango Delta
Africa’s Uncharted Water Wilderness
The Okavango Delta's floodwaters begin receding through October, concentrating wildlife around remaining channels. Mokoro canoe safaris glide silently through waterways lined with reeds and papyrus. Elephants and hippos gather along the delta's edges as the dry season peaks. Predators follow prey animals concentrated near the water.
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 metres above the Paro valley. Thimphu's Tshechu festival often falls in autumn with masked dances.
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