Looking for the best places to visit in October? Whether you’re craving a tropical paradise or a European city break, there are plenty of spots to visit in early autumn.
Looking to stay a little closer to home this October? Enjoy crisp days and 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.
Best places to visit in October in Europe
One of the best things about October, or autumn as a whole, is that it marks the end of the busy tourist season in Europe. No matter where you go, you’ll likely find fewer people and more space to explore. Looking for an active or restful holiday? One of these destinations is sure to catch your eye:
1. Prague, Czech Republic
- Learn more: Prague travel guide
- Why visit in October: Fantastic food and festivals
Prague is the cultural capital of the Czech Republic, teeming with dramatic societies, theatres, art, music clubs, and a range of cultural programs.
Prague is one of the best places to visit in October in Europe due to very few tourists and reasonable flights. The month has a jam-packed agenda of events and festivals too. My top picks include the Designblok Festival of Fashion, Signal Festival (when the city is illuminated by fantastic light installations) and the National Gallery Prague free admission day on 28th October.
Prague’s fresh October nights are a great time to sample the city’s street food. Tuck into baked potatoes, roasted meats, and some traditional beer. Or why not visit at the beginning of the month for the Brevnov Fair: an annual festival dedicated to traditional Czech cuisine?
2. Vienna, Austria
- Learn more: Vienna travel guide
- Why visit in October: Pop culture festivals and special late-night museum visits
Austria’s elegant capital is another of the best European cities to visit in October. Plus, according to KAYAK data, it’s one of the least popular months to visit. Meaning? Fewer crowds and cheaper hotel prices starting at around £130 per night.
Crowds and price aside, October is a great month for events. Check out Game City – a huge fair dedicated to all things gaming – in Rathausplatz from the 11th to the 13th of October. It’s free to enter and includes a cosplay parade that’s a true spectacle. There’s also AniMarkt on the 26th where you can browse heaps of manga-themed items and pick up some cool fan art.
Finally, 5th October is when Vienna hosts the Long Night of Museums. The single-ticket event gives you late-night access to a varied selection of the city’s top museums, galleries and cultural attractions. Many institutes even host special tours. Make sure to book well in advance.
3. Barcelona, Spain
- Learn more: Barcelona travel guide
- Why visit in October: for family-friendly fun
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 too, with 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 tapas to fill your bellies. Don’t skip visiting La Boqueria Food Market for all kinds of artisanal delights.
Best places to visit in October: long-haul
Wondering where to go in October a little further away? Whether you’re seeking sunshine or thrilling wildlife encounters, here are a few destinations worth having on your radar.
4. Mauritius
- Learn more: Mauritius travel guide
- Why visit in October: Calm beaches and lower prices
Dreaming of a tropical island escape? Mauritius is a year-round tropical destination with turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, a range of activities, and a rich cultural experience.
October marks the beginning of the summer season and one of the best times to visit for peace and quiet. Most people flock to the island nation from December onwards, so visiting in October will help 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.
5. The Galápagos Islands
- Learn more: Ecuador travel guide
- Why visit in October: Ideal weather conditions and fewer crowds
If you love animals and nature, take a trip to the Galapagos Islands this October. These islands host a huge range of incredible animal life that have flourished for hundreds of years thanks to few predators and little human contact.
On the islands, you can 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.
6. Peru
- Learn more: Peru travel guide
- Why visit in October: Outdoor adventures in dry weather
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.
7. The Cairngorms
- Learn more: Scotland travel guide
- Why visit in October: Outstanding autumnal scenery
Scotland never fails to wow with its incredible scenery. One of the best places to visit in October is the spectacular Cairngorms National Park in Aberdeenshire which is 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 the stunning autumn colours. The national park covers a 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. London
- Learn more: London travel guide
- Why visit in October: Cultural festivals
While London is an all-year-round destination, there are certain months when the streets are a little less chaotic and the weather is typically ideal for sightseeing, October is definitely one of them.
There’s plenty to soak up on an autumn weekend getaway to the Big Smoke. As well as ticking off some of its top museums (remember: it’s free to visit the permanent exhibitions!) and historic icons like the Tower of London, there are plenty of events to sprinkle into your itinerary.
Toast to a brilliant autumn ahead at London Cocktail Week. Immerse yourself in literary genius at the Southbank Centre’s London Literature Festival. Or satisfy your taste buds with various cookery demos and special tasting menus during the London Restaurant Festival.
You could also get involved with some spooky Halloween events – from ghost walking tours to immersive theatre shows.
8. North York Moors
- Learn more: York travel guide
- Why visit in October: Seasonal scenery and Halloween extravaganzas
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. 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
- Learn more: Antrim travel guide
- Why visit in October: A memorable autumn road trip
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
- Learn more: Hereford travel guide
- Why visit in October: Colourful countryside and castle visits
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 and campsites along the way.
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.
Data-backed picks from KAYAK
If seasonal events aren’t on your wish list, why not consider one of the below destinations? These destinations are based on KAYAK flight and hotel data, taking into account budget, weather, and popularity (so you can avoid the crowds). For personalised recommendations based on your location and chosen destination check out the Best Time to Travel tool.
More travel inspiration for autumn
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.
Whenever and wherever you go, cheap flights, car rental, and somewhere great to stay is what KAYAK does best.
