Looking for the best places to visit in October? Whether you want to escape to a tropical paradise or check out one of Europe’s top cities for a dose of culture, KAYAK has the low-down on the top spots to visit in early autumn,
Looking to stay a little closer to home? Enjoy crisp days and vibrant autumnal scenery right here in the UK. Explore one of the dozens of incredible national parks, stroll around gardens awash with bright red and orange leaves, or enjoy an off-season seaside escape.
The 10 best places to visit in October
- Mauritius
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Barcelona, Spain
- Galapagos Islands
- Peru
- Cairngorms
- The Cotswolds
- North York Moors
- Antrim Coast
- Wye Valley
Best places to visit in October outside the UK
One of the very best things about October, or autumn as a whole, is that it marks the end of the busy tourist season. No matter where you go, you’ll likely find fewer people and far more space to explore. Looking for an active or restful holiday? One of these international destinations is sure to catch your eye:
1. Mauritius
- Flight time: 14 hours
- Learn more: Mauritius travel guide
Dreaming of a tropical island escape? Mauritius is a year-round tropical destination with turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, flourishing vegetation, all kinds of activities, and a rich cultural experience.
October marks the very beginning of the summer season and it’s easily one of the best times to visit for peace and quiet. Most people flock to the island nation from December onwards, so getting there in October will see you avoid the high traffic of later months.
Some of the best things to do in Mauritius in October include exploring the Underwater Waterfalls, hiking through the Black River Gorges National Park and partying at Flic en Flac/Grand Baie over the weekend. And with average temperatures of 26°C, there’ll be plenty of reasons to hit the beach.
2. Prague, Czech Republic
- Flight time: 2 hours
- Learn more: Prague travel guide
Prague is the cultural capital of the Czech Republic, teeming with dramatic societies, theatres, art, music clubs, and a range of cultural programs to get involved in throughout the year. If you’re interested in a foreign culture,
Prague is one of the best places to visit in October in Europe because there are very few tourists and flights are often cheap. A few things worth checking out include the Designblok Festival of Fashion, the International Jazz Festival, the Autumn Festival, and the National Gallery Exhibitions.
Evenings and early mornings in Prague during October can be pretty chilly. Make sure you pack enough warm clothes. Also, due to the weather, some local attractions shorten their operating hours, so do your research before you go.
Prague’s fresh October nights are the best time to sample the city’s street food. Tuck into baked potatoes, roasted meats, and some traditional beer. Zdraví!
3. Barcelona, Spain
- Flight time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Learn more: Barcelona travel guide
Looking for somewhere to visit in the October half-term? Barcelona has plenty of things to do for the whole family. Spain’s most famous city is teeming with tourists during the summer months. Come early autumn, though, you’ll find it’s far calmer. The Barcelona weather in October is typically lovely, with wonderfully balmy daily average temperatures of 21°C.
Kids will love visiting the city’s soft-sand beaches for paddling and sand-castle building. Park Guell (Gaudi’s masterpiece) is enchantingly whimsical and great fun to explore as a family.
Football fanatics will love visiting Camp Nou, while Barcelona Zoo has been a popular attraction for over 100 years. You’ll also find plenty of delicious grub to fill your bellies. Don’t skip visiting La Boqueria Food Market for all kinds of local and artisanal delights.
4. The Galápagos Islands
- Flight time: 21 hours (via Guayaquil)
- Learn more: Ecuador travel guide
If you love animals and nature, you won’t want to miss out on a trip to the Galapagos Islands. These islands play host to a huge range of incredible animal life. They’ve flourished for hundreds of years thanks to very few predators and little human contact.
The islands give you the opportunity to get close to some of the world’s most remarkable wildlife in their natural habitats. Walk alongside giant tortoises that live to over a hundred years old, meet nearby perching birds and sit face-to-face on sandy beaches with the local sea lions.
Thanks to the minimal presence of people, you can experience these islands in their most natural and pristine state. October is a great month to book, too, as the weather is cool but dry and there are very few crowds.
5. Peru
- Flight time: 18 hours 30 minutes
- Learn more: Peru travel guide
For those looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, Peru awaits. It’s one of the best places to visit in October in South America and is most well-known for the legendary Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
Nestled high on the high slopes of the Andes, the ruins continue to reveal Inca Empire mysteries to this day and draw in millions of visitors every year. Book a trip in October (the final month of Peru’s dry season) and you won’t just have the chance to visit this historical site without the crowds. There are also scores of other legendary attractions scattered throughout the country.
Why not plan a hiking trip through the Colca Canyon? It’s twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and home to the town of Chivay with its highly sought-after hot springs. You could also visit the floating reed islands of Lake Titicaca: home to the Uros indigenous people that pre-date the Incan civilization. Or, consider exploring the Rainforest of the Peruvian Amazonia – the second-largest portion of the world’s biggest jungle.
Best holiday destinations in October in the UK
If you’d rather keep your flight domestic or travel by train, there are a bunch of destinations to check out in the UK during October. Many give you the chance to soak up some seriously spectacular scenery- think crunchy leaves, russet-hued forests and clear blue skies.
6. The Cairngorms
- Journey time from London: 1 hour 35 minutes flight to Aberdeen
- Learn more: Scotland travel guide
Scotland never fails to wow with its incredible scenery. The Cairngorms National Park in Aberdeenshire is no exception and it’s easily reachable via Aberdeen or Edinburgh from London.
The Cairngorms sit in the eastern Scottish Highlands and it’s the ideal place to spend your October trip thanks to its stunning autumn colours. The national park covers a diverse range of landscapes, from heather moorlands, mountains and wetlands to forests and even Loch Morlich Beach.
October is the perfect time to enjoy hiking and biking along the many routes available. The locals call their mountains ‘munros’ and bagging (conquering) one amid the autumn foliage is a popular activity. The area is also home to several historic gems, including Balmoral Castle and the Highland Folk Museum.
Why not also venture to Aviemore? While it’ll still be too early for snow, the mountain resort is awash with beautiful scenery and thrilling activity options.
7. The Cotswolds
- Journey time from London: 1 hour 30 minutes by train, 2 hours by car
- Learn more: Gloucester travel guide
The Cotswolds are easily one of the UK’s most idyllic regions for a relaxing break. The area, which is famed for its charming villages and bucolic scenery, is particularly breathtaking in the autumn months – including October.
Some of the very best autumn foliage can be found in Westonbirt. Also known as the National Arboretum, it’s a Forestry England park that you’ll find hidden away in the South Cotswolds. It’s about a 30-minute trip away from Bristol, too, if you fancy combining a visit with a city escape. Although Westonbirt is open all year round, it transforms into a colour-filled wonderland in October. Picture vibrant yellow Acers and Japanese Maples that look like they’re on fire.
Over 2,500 species of trees are spread out over 600 acres, meaning you could spend hours exploring. A few things worth checking out include the Treetop Walkway leading to the Concord Glade, the Colour Circle, Loop Trail and the Acer Glade.
8. North York Moors
- Journey time from London: 3 hours 30 minutes by train, 4 hours 30 by car
- Learn more: York travel guide
The North York Moors are a breath of fresh air throughout the year. Nevertheless, the picturesque and tranquil surroundings are especially gorgeous during the autumn months. The region’s vibrant colours and rolling landscapes are just begging to be explored, too.
October, and the cool, crisp air that comes with it is the perfect time to go hiking and biking in one of the most extensive heather moorlands in the UK. You’ll be able to gaze out at a purple haze of flowers as far as the eye can see! You can even make your way to the nearby Yorkshire Arboretum to experience a fungi foray.
Fancy a brisk seaside stroll? The North Yorkshire coastline is within throwing distance and inundated with charming seaside towns. Wander through the cobbled streets of the former-smuggling town, Robin Hood’s Bay. Or, if you’re visiting towards the end of October, you’ll find various spooky Halloween events being hosted at Whitby Abbey.
9. Antrim Coast
- Journey time from London: 1 hour 25 minutes flight to Belfast
- Learn more: Antrim travel guide
Another epic place to visit in October in the UK is the Antrim Coast. The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Northern Ireland hosts some of the country’s most photographed scenery – including the world-famous Giant’s Causeway.
By October, the summer crowds will have dispersed, although you might encounter more visitors during the October half-term. If you’re keen to soak up all the Antrim Coast has to offer, why not enjoy a road trip along the Causeway Coastal Route? It takes you between Belfast and Derry, passing through glorious glens and charming seaside towns.
Game of Thrones fans will be in heaven as the area was a key filming location for many of the series’ episodes. You’ll also have countless castles to explore, plus a few distilleries if you fancy sampling a local tipple.
10. The Wye Valley
- Journey time from London: 2 hours by train, 2 hours 45 minutes by car
- Learn more: Hereford travel guide
For a rural retreat to remember, say hello to the Wye Valley. It offers some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Britain, including the winding River Wye. The entire region borders South Wales and it’s truly breathtaking during the autumn months.
If you’re looking for the most iconic view in the Wye Valley, head up to Symonds Yat Rock. You’ll be able to see lush treetops for miles around, plus a truly idyllic section of the river. Afterwards, venture down to its shores and hop over on the old-fashioned ferry to enjoy a meal at Ye Olde Ferrie Inn.
One of the popular things to do in the Wye is to take to the river on a paddleboard, kayak or canoe. If you’re blessed with fair weather in October, head downstream and stop off at different B&Bs or campsites along the way. Or, wrap up warm and spend an evening atop the water while you watch the sun go down.
Other things worth exploring around the Wye Valley include Goodrich Castle: one of the finest and most well-preserved medieval castles in England. Alternatively, discover the ancient woodland in a little village called Fownhope. There’s also Lee Paget’s wood which offers hikers a chance to meander along the unbeaten paths while bird-watching through binoculars. Bliss.
Fancy a sunny beach break this autumn? Escape the chill and check out our guide to where’s hot in October and November around the globe.
