Where should you go in October? From warm seas in Greece and Cyprus to the Northern Lights in Lofoten and autumn colour in South Korea, these are the best places to go in October for sun, adventure and everything in between.
October is one of my favourite months to travel. The summer crowds have gone home, prices drop, and there’s still real warmth in the sun from the Aegean to the Algarve. Further north, the nights are long enough for the Northern Lights, and south of the equator it’s spring.
I’ve travelled in the shoulder seasons for years, and some of my best trips have happened in October: sunsets on Milos, dawn over Svolvær harbour in Lofoten and a trip around South Korea just as the air turned crisp. Here’s where I’d go, with the average daytime high and night-time low for mid-October so you know what to pack.
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Best beach holidays in October
Greek islands
Season: autumn
The Greek islands are a good bet in October for lots of reasons. The sea is still around 22°C, the light is softer and, outside half-term, even the busiest islands like Santorini are a lot quieter than in the peak summer months.
My last trip to Santorini and Milos ran from the end of September into October, and even then Oia was rammed at sunset. To get a decent spot, I had to arrive around 70 minutes early. If you want the view without the jostling, book a table at a bar or restaurant with a caldera view, or skip Oia and head to Akrotiri Lighthouse, which is far quieter. If I’m honest, I preferred the sunsets on Milos: every bit as good, without the crowds.
On Milos, I based myself in Pollonia, with its seafront tavernas, and stayed at Phos Milos, where a spacious junior suite cost €260 a night at the start of October. The highlight was a small-group boat trip along the south coast to Kleftiko, where white cliffs carved into strange, curving shapes drop into an impossibly blue sea. The two-hour ferry from Santorini does book out and can get choppy, so book ahead and take seasickness tablets if you need them.
Even during half-term (the last week of October for most schools in England), if you strike away from the most popular islands (Santorini, Crete, Mykonos and Corfu), you’re unlikely to find them overrun, a real boon if you want a relaxed escape with the family.
Why not consider Chios? It’s still relatively undiscovered, and its traditional villages are paired with stunning beaches and some cool diving spots for the more adventurous among you.
Read next: Why you’ll fall in love with Corfu Suggested stay: Melia Sol Art Studios, Chios
Dalaman, Turkey
Average temperature: 26°C high; 14°C low
Season: autumn
Turkey’s Turquoise Coast around Dalaman is one of the best places to go in October thanks to a winning combination of warm temperatures, great food and reasonable prices. The sea is still around 24°C.
Oh, and did I mention a coastline framed by clear, sparkling water where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean, dotted with pine-fringed coves and small islands you can explore when the thrill of relaxing in the sun wears off (if it ever does)?
When it comes to high-end stays, Hillside Beach Club’s combination of gorgeous rooms, stellar service and extensive amenities puts it at the top of the list.
I stayed in September, when the weather was neither too hot nor too cold but Goldilocks just right. On my first evening, I floated in the calm sea as it moved through pink, purple and then dark blue, one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen. One evening, the resort screened Bohemian Rhapsody on one of the adults-only beaches under the stars.
As well as its main beach, Hillside has two adults-only beaches, plus floating sea decks and nightly events, so it’s no wonder that guests rave about it and return time and time again. It’s a seasonal resort, so check it’s still open for your dates if you’re travelling late in the month.
Read next: Hillside Beach Club review Suggested stay: Hillside Beach Club
Mauritius
Season: end of the dry season
It’s no secret how much I love Mauritius. Sweeping landscapes, untouched beaches and balmy temperatures: if you’re wondering where to travel in October, Mauritius is a great choice.
Its seasons run the opposite way to Europe’s. October comes at the end of the cooler, drier winter, which runs from May, and the hot, humid summer and cyclone season starts in November. That makes October a sweet spot: warm, mostly dry and with the sea at around 24°C.
It also falls between the summer holidays and the Christmas rush, so it’s worth shopping around for deals on your stay.
With beaches this pretty, you’d be fully justified in just flopping and soaking up the sun and views for the duration of your stay. I spent five days at the Outrigger on the south coast, in a villa with a private terrace looking out to sea, and the resort is so spread out that I often had a whole stretch of beach to myself.
If you are able to tear yourself away, you’ll find cool spots like Chamarel Waterfall, the Seven Coloured Earth and (every rum lover’s dream) the Rhumerie de Chamarel distillery.
Read next: Why the Outrigger Mauritius is the perfect hotel for a Mauritian break Suggested stay: Outrigger Mauritius
Dubai
Season: autumn
I used to live in Dubai, so believe me when I say that it’s a great choice for guaranteed heat in October.
Forget travelling to the emirate in the summer, when you’re more likely to spend your time hiding from the 40°C-plus sun in air-conditioned rooms. By October, the heat is far more manageable, especially in the second half of the month, and the sea is still around 30°C.
Now, let’s face it, Dubai is a bit “bling”, but that’s no bad thing. Five-star hotels are ten a penny, as are Michelin-starred restaurants and swanky bars.
My favourite place to stay is the One&Only Royal Mirage, but the Atlantis is a fun alternative, especially with kids. Two of the city’s most famous hotels are closed for now: the Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, shut for renovation in April 2026, and the Burj Al Arab (often, unofficially, called the world’s only seven-star hotel) closed the same month for an 18-month restoration.
Before you book, check the latest UK Foreign Office advice for the UAE. Regional tensions involving Iran have led to periodic airspace closures and flight cancellations across the Gulf, and the situation can change at short notice.
Read more: The best winter sun destinations Suggested stay: Atlantis, The Palm
The Algarve, Portugal
Average temperature: 23°C high; 16°C low
Season: autumn
Portugal is one of my go-to choices for October thanks to lower accommodation prices, delicious food and warm weather.
In the south of Portugal, the Algarve has it all: sun, sand and sea for beach lovers, Atlantic swells for surfers around Sagres, and traditional inland villages and hill walking for those looking for something a little different.
October brings lower temperatures than the summer peak, but it’s still comfortable enough for sunbathing during the day, and the sea is around 20°C.
Head to the picture-perfect town of Tavira for a stroll and some of the best seafood to be had. Beach-wise, you’re spoilt for choice in the Algarve. My pick is Praia de Albandeira, surrounded by dramatic red cliffs and boasting warm, turquoise waters.
Take a detour to the nearby Benagil sea cave, a stunning natural cathedral of rock with a hole in its roof. These days you can’t land on the beach inside the cave or swim in: you see it from the water on a licensed boat trip or a guided kayak tour. And learn from my mistake. On one trip, I flew my drone into the hole at the top, it lost its GPS signal and crashed inside, and I had to charter a boat to rescue it.
Prices in European sunspots drop in September and October, and the Algarve is no exception.
Villa rentals at high-end resorts such as Four Seasons Fairways in Quinta do Lago, where three-bedroom villas come with their own private pool, cost a fraction of their August price once the summer holidays are over.
Hotels, like the Anantara Vilamoura, also do the same. What are you waiting for?
Read more: The best beaches in the Algarve Suggested stay: Anantara Vilamoura
Tulum, Mexico
Average temperature: 30°C high; 20°C low
Season: rainy season (hurricane season runs until 30 November)
Tulum is all about relaxing, bathing in the sun’s rays and doing it all in style. Sure, it teeters on the edge of being too cool for school, but there is something so irresistibly charming about it that you’ll love it anyway.
Sands as fine as a dusting of icing sugar, jade waters and a relaxed and friendly vibe: Tulum is no longer a secret Mexican hideaway, but it’s spectacular nonetheless. It’s where I started a two-week road trip that took me all the way to Mexico City and back again, 3,500km in all.
Visiting the dramatic Tulum ruins should be at the top of your list: a Mayan city in a gorgeous clifftop setting above the sea is never something to sniff at.
Diving, cenote swimming and good old sunbathing on your favourite beaches will keep you well and truly occupied during your trip. Tulum now has its own international airport, so you no longer have to fly into Cancún.
Do go in with your eyes open. October is still hurricane season on Mexico’s Caribbean coast and one of the wetter months, with a good chance of a shower on any given day, so take out travel insurance that covers storms and keep your plans flexible. The sea is a bath-warm 29°C.
Read next: The insider’s guide to visiting Tulum Suggested stay: Azulik Tulum
Cyprus
Average temperature: 26°C high; 17°C low
Season: autumn
Cyprus is one of the warmest places in Europe in October, with the sea still around 24°C and a wealth of beaches, historical sites and wine routes that are ripe for exploration. I first fell for it on a heady trip as a young teenager, and my trips since haven’t let those memories down.
Start off with a day in Nicosia, the island’s capital and the last divided capital in the world.
Meander through the narrow cobbled streets, making time to learn about and see remnants from the island’s long and interesting history at CVAR, then slough off the day’s sweat in the restored Ottoman bathhouse, Hamam Omerye (it’s closed on Mondays).
Wine lovers might be surprised by the island’s long-standing history of winemaking. Traditional wineries abound, but modern wineries such as Zambartas, near Limassol, and Vasilikon, in Kathikas near Paphos, are placing Cyprus firmly on the international wine map.
Take a day to explore the “wine villages” in the Troodos Mountains (whitewashed, higgledy-piggledy Omodos is a good place to start), and don’t forget to leave space in your suitcase to bring some home.
Spend a day or two in the wild Akamas region, too. I did it with George’s Jeep Safari, and in one day went wine tasting, off-roading, learnt to make traditional Cypriot coffee, stopped at a quiet Byzantine church and watched the sunset from a spot George promised would be a show-stopper. He was right. Near Pissouri, a visit to a small halloumi producer ruined supermarket halloumi for me forever.
When it comes to beaches in Cyprus, it’s a matter of taking your pick and settling in with a good travel book.
The waters are generally warm and clear, and if you steer away from the most popular beaches, there’s a good chance you can bag one all to yourself. If I had to pick one, it would be Latchi, for the smaller crowds and picture-perfect views from your sun lounger.
Read next: The best things to do in Cyprus Suggested stay: Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
Menorca, Spain
Average temperature: 22°C high; 16°C low
Season: autumn
Menorca, the second largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands and the quietest of the big ones, is a perfect place to put on your list for October. The sea is still around 22°C, and the island feels wonderfully calm after the summer.
With one of the cutest capitals in Europe (Maó, or Mahón in Spanish), you couldn’t be blamed for spending your days overlooking its picturesque harbour with a pomada (a local cocktail made with locally produced Xoriguer gin and lemonade) in hand.
Do that and you’ll miss the island’s many other draws: spotless Blue Flag beaches, laid-back tapas restaurants and sunrises and sunsets that are every Instagrammer’s dream (it’s a tough life, right?).
OK, so I’ve mentioned beaches in the previous entries, but in all good faith, I couldn’t recommend that you go to Menorca without mentioning that the beaches are, quite frankly, dreamy.
Cala Cavalleria is the beach I returned to again and again: a short path and a flight of steps lead down to your very own slice of beach-shaped paradise. But I’m happy for you to try them all and find your own.
Feeling adventurous? Walk the Camí de Cavalls, the 185km path that circles the island’s coast in 20 stages.
The route follows an old bridleway that dates back to the Middle Ages, when riders patrolled the coast watching for attacks from the sea, and it has the added benefit of taking you past most of Menorca’s beaches. Don’t forget your swimsuit.
A word on timing: many hotels and beach bars close for the winter at the end of October or in early November, so go earlier in the month if you can.
Still not sure? Here are the best things to do in Menorca Suggested stay: Torre Vella Fontenille Menorca
Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Average temperature: 26°C high; 20°C low
Season: autumn
If you want proper beach weather in late October without a long-haul flight, head south to the Canary Islands. Lanzarote is the most spectacular of them, with the sea still around 22°C and a landscape that looks like nowhere else in Europe.
It has a bit of a reputation for all-inclusive holidays spent lounging by the pool, but don’t underestimate it. More than 100 volcanoes erupted here in the 1730s, and the result is a stark, eerily beautiful world of black lava fields, red craters and white villages.
My favourite hike was up the Caldera Blanca, a moderate 9km loop through the lava fields from the village of Mancha Blanca to the rim of a huge extinct crater. Allow three to four hours, take a windproof, and give yourself time: I only walked a quarter of the way around the rim, as it was getting late and I didn’t want to lose the light.
Most of Timanfaya National Park can only be seen on the park’s own coach tour, which is worth booking early. At the Montañas del Fuego, the ground is still so hot that water poured into a borehole erupts as steam.
Then there’s César Manrique, the artist who shaped so much of the island. Don’t miss Jameos del Agua, a collapsed lava tube he turned into an underground lake (look out for the tiny albino crabs) leading to a palm-fringed turquoise pool.
The Papagayo beaches on the southern tip, a string of golden coves reached by a dirt track, were my favourites on the island. There’s a small charge to drive into the protected area, so bring some change.
Read next: The best things to do in Lanzarote Suggested stay: Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa
Where to go in October for outdoor adventures
October trips aren’t just about soaking up the sun. If you’re looking for where to go in October for an outdoor adventure, I have you covered.
Iceland
Average temperature: 8°C high; 3°C low
Season: autumn
The Northern Lights season in Iceland runs from September to early April, and by October the nights are long and dark enough to give you a real chance. The spectacle of the aurora borealis dancing in hues of pink, green and yellow is, quite frankly, unbelievable.
Iceland is a popular choice for seeing the Northern Lights: it’s well connected by air and easy to travel to, and it boasts a wealth of spectacular backdrops for making that incredible sight that little bit more incredible.
I went just before October, around the autumn equinox, and stayed at Hotel Rangá in the dark countryside of the south. I saw the lights two nights in a row, once after the hotel’s wake-up call dragged me, bleary-eyed, out of bed. October nights are still above freezing on average, though it can be wet, so pack waterproofs.
Spend your days exploring otherworldly sights such as Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Reynisfjara Beach and the ridiculous number of waterfalls in dramatic settings, before settling in to watch the night sky at one of the country’s spectacular Northern Lights hotels.
Read next: How to see the Northern Lights in Iceland Suggested stay: Hotel Rangá
Lofoten Islands, Norway
Average temperature: 8°C high; 4°C low
Season: autumn
My first trip to Norway’s Lofoten Islands was in October, and it’s still one of my favourite trips. It took two flights, a change in Oslo and a two-hour bus ride in the dark to reach Svolvær, so I only saw the place properly the next morning, when the sun came up over a harbour so picturesque it almost hurt.
It was a food-focused trip with the Norwegian Seafood Council, and it started at dawn on a fishing boat with XX Lofoten. The water was so glassy you could have mistaken it for the Caribbean, were it not for the snow on the mountains. The captain used a fish finder to put the boat right over the shoal, and I reeled my line in five times and landed three fish (one so small it went straight back). I tried stockfish for the first time at Paleo Arctic in Svolvær, and my meal at Lofoten Food Studio in Ballstad was one of the best I’ve ever had.
October is a brilliant time to go. The days are shortening fast, from around 11 hours of daylight at the start of the month to seven by the end, which means the Northern Lights season is in full swing. Lofoten can be cloudy, so watch the cloud forecast as closely as the aurora forecast (I use the cloud layers on Windy Premium) and be ready to drive to a clear patch of sky.
If you only do one trip, make it the sea eagle safari to Trollfjord. You cling on as the boat bombs through the fjords, then white-tailed sea eagles swoop down a few metres from you. When I came off the boat, all I could say was that it was the most ridiculous experience I’d ever had.
The easiest way to get around is to fly into Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes, and hire a car for the drive along the E10. Base yourself in Svolvær, which has the most restaurants and is where most boat trips leave from.
Read next: The ultimate guide to the Lofoten Islands Suggested stay: Thon Hotel Lofoten
Colorado, USA
Average temperature: 18°C high; 4°C low
Season: autumn
Giddy up, cowboys (and cowgirls), it’s time to hop in the saddle and explore Colorado’s diverse terrain on horseback. Early October can still catch the last of the golden aspens, and the summer crowds have gone.
I’d never heard of a dude ranch until an American rider I met riding around Costa Rica told me it was her favourite kind of riding holiday.
Curiosity piqued, it took me a couple of years, but I finally went on one, spending three days at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch near Red Feather Lakes, a couple of hours’ drive from Denver. If you’re reading this, Rachel, I finally understand where you’re coming from.
Dude ranches are ranches that open their doors to outside guests. They range from true working ranches where you’re expected to buckle up and muck in, to easier-going affairs where the emphasis is more on the ranch life experience.
Sundance Trail is one of the latter kind: a dream destination where friendly hospitality and spectacular rides are par for the course, along with plenty of Western activities and delicious food. If they’d asked me to stay a month longer, I would have. Gladly.
It’s open all year, and from October the ranch offers shorter stays of three to five nights. It sits higher than the Front Range cities, so the temperatures above (for nearby Fort Collins) are a guide: pack layers, as nights up there can drop below freezing.
Read next: Here’s why you need to visit a Colorado dude ranch Suggested stay: Sundance Trail Guest Ranch
Yosemite National Park, USA
Average temperature: 22°C high; 5°C low
Season: autumn
If you haven’t been to Yosemite, you should.
There really aren’t that many simple things in life, but this is one of them.
Yosemite is one of my favourite places to travel to in October, thanks to the changing colours in the valley. Just when you think this picturesque destination couldn’t get any better, wait until you see the oaks and maples turn red, orange and gold. Glacier Point, looking out over Yosemite Valley and Half Dome, is my favourite viewpoint in the park.
Buck the trend of driving between the big “wow” spots before heading off again, and take some time to do some hiking.
For such a popular park, it’s wonderful how quickly you can find yourself without another soul in sight when you venture out on two feet.
Check whether the park’s timed-entry reservations apply to your dates (none were needed in 2026). There’s also a catch for overseas visitors: since January 2026, non-US residents aged 16 and over pay a $100 surcharge on top of the standard entrance fee. Bear in mind, too, that the waterfalls are usually at their lowest in autumn, and Yosemite Falls can be a trickle or dry altogether.
Why not visit Yosemite as a detour on my West Coast USA road trip? Suggested stay: Yosemite Valley Lodge
Essaouira, Morocco
Average temperature: 24°C high; 17°C low
Season: autumn
While the days of Essaouira’s position as a go-to destination for the hippies of the sixties and seventies have almost passed, there are flashes of times past in the smaller nooks of this enchanting walled city. The first time I visited, I fell in love with it.
Back in the day, stars such as Jimi Hendrix and Cat Stevens were drawn to Essaouira by its laid-back culture and coastal location.
Not much has changed on that front. It’s still a relaxed destination, where you can start your day surfing, sweat it out in a local hammam and then feast on seafood at night. Wander down to the fish market to soak up the atmosphere (leave your sandals at the hotel, as it gets muddy).
Essaouira’s balmy temperatures are reason enough for inclusion on a list of the best places for sun in October, but October is also the start of the best surfing season in Morocco, so there’s no reason not to hit the waves and check out other places to visit in Morocco.
If surfing isn’t for you, Ranch de Diabat, a few miles out of the city centre, offers horse and camel rides along the dunes. Book onto one of the multi-day riding treks along the Atlantic coast for a glimpse of little-visited villages and untouched shoreline.
Read next: Fabulous things to do in Essaouira during your trip Suggested stay: Riad Chbanate
Other holiday destinations in October
Garden Route, South Africa
Average temperature: 21°C high; 13°C low
Season: spring
Sometimes, you just need to take a road trip: the open highway, the promise of new discoveries and a take-it-as-it-comes itinerary.
South Africa’s Garden Route is one of the world’s great road trips, and one of the most beautiful I’ve ever done. Starting in Cape Town and winding its way along the coast to Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), it’s defined by the wealth of vistas you encounter along the way. Before you set off, hike up Table Mountain: I took the Platteklip Gorge route, about two hours up, then saved my knees with the cable car down.
Thanks to its southern hemisphere location, October is spring in South Africa, and it’s also peak whale-watching season, with southern right whales close to shore along the coast.
Though it’s a relatively short stretch (you could drive the whole thing in a day if you put your foot down), you should allow at least a week, preferably two, to make the most of it.
Excellent beaches, unbelievable wildlife (this stretch of coast is famed for penguins, whales and dolphins) and beautiful terrain: what more could you want? Great white sharks used to be part of that list, but sightings have dropped sharply since orcas began preying on them around 2017, so don’t plan a trip around cage diving.
PS, be sure to make the short detour to Addo Elephant National Park, you won’t regret it. It’s one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had in all my travels. Book a full-day game drive, which comes with a braai lunch at Jack’s Picnic Site.
Peru
Average temperature: 21°C high; 16°C low in Lima; 19°C high; 6°C low in Cusco
Season: spring
Peru is one of the best countries to visit in October. Temperatures in the capital, Lima, hover around 20°C for most of the month, and the country’s rainy season hasn’t quite started.
If you’re planning on hiking to Machu Picchu, I’d recommend early October for the best chance of good weather, as the rains build through November. Book your Machu Picchu tickets well ahead. Otherwise, areas such as the Ballestas Islands and the giant sand dunes at Huacachina are worthwhile destinations.
The Ballestas Islands are one of my favourite spots in Peru. Catch a boat tour from Paracas, the nearest town, for a close-up view of one of the country’s most important natural habitats (Amazon excluded, of course). Take the early boat, as the water is calmer: it was on mine that I saw dolphins in the wild for the first time, and almost fell in trying to get one last picture.
You’ll spot endangered Humboldt penguins, pelicans, boobies and sea lions on your trip, and the tour also takes in the mysterious geoglyph carved into the hillside known simply as “the Candelabra”.
Machu Picchu isn’t the only breathtaking hiking destination in Peru: the Cordillera Blanca gets special mention thanks to its numerous hikes and stunning scenery, though its best hiking season is May to September, so early October is the tail end.
Read next: Two weeks in South America: five suggested itineraries for every kind of traveller Suggested stay: Innside by Meliá, Lima
Atacama Desert, Chile
Average temperature: 24°C high; 5°C low
Season: spring
The Atacama Desert is a landscape of superlatives: the driest non-polar desert in the world, some of the clearest night skies on the planet… you get the picture.
Still, nothing can quite prepare you for the sight of it in real life.
Bright green lakes, stretches of barren orange dust tufted with bright yellow grass, purple volcanoes: you could be forgiven for thinking that you were peering through a kaleidoscope.
October brings spring to the Atacama, and with it warm, sunny days, though nights in the desert are still cold, so pack a warm layer.
The biggest show is the one after dark. Kick back with a bottle of Chilean red in hand and watch as the stars pour out into the inky skies. There’s nothing like seeing the Milky Way to make you feel small. I watched them come out one by one from the banks of Laguna Tebinquinche, with nobody else around for miles.
Spend as little time as possible in dusty San Pedro de Atacama itself. The best way to explore the Atacama Desert is to rent a campervan or bed down in one of the area’s exclusive retreats (Awasi is a long-time fave). I hired a campervan and drove around 1,000 miles in a week, and it meant I had little-known places all to myself.
Read next: Cool things to do in the Atacama Desert Suggested stay: Hotel Pascual Andino
Bali, Indonesia
Average temperature: 31°C high; 24°C low
Season: end of the dry season
Bali is a cool place to go in October. It’s the tail end of the dry season, so the weather is still fabulous, but prices are much lower than in the peak of summer, when it can be crowded and hella expensive.
I love Bali, and I’ve spent a lot of time there on and off. Where else do you find a combination of eye-poppingly beautiful beaches, reasonably priced high-end hotels and the unique food and culture that sets it apart from the other Indonesian islands?
If you’re looking for culture, base yourself in Ubud in the heart of the island.
Prefer the beach? Hip Canggu is the cool kids’ favourite beach destination (think lots of surfers and chic cafes), though the beaches are volcanic and grey or black rather than white. It’s also where I’d go for brunch: Milk & Madu is one of my favourites.
Jimbaran, the Bukit Peninsula and Nusa Lembongan are better options if you’re after the brilliant white sands meets turquoise waters effect.
One practical note: every foreign visitor pays Bali’s tourist levy of IDR 150,000 per person, which you can pay online before you fly.
Read next: Two weeks in Bali Suggested stay: Alila Seminyak
South Korea
Average temperature: 20°C high; 11°C low
Season: autumn
I travelled around South Korea in October, and I can’t think of a better month to go. The days are mostly dry, clear and comfortably warm, the mornings are crisp, and by the end of the month the hillsides start to turn red and gold. Autumn colour usually peaks in late October in Seoul and the mountains of Gangwon, and from early to mid-November further south.
My trip took in Seoul, Jeonju, Andong, Busan and Gangneung, and getting around was easy. The KTX bullet train between Jeonju and Seoul was fast, comfortable and good value, and the metro and buses work with a top-up card. Download Naver Map or KakaoMap before you go, as Google Maps doesn’t really work in South Korea.
In Seoul, go hungry to Gwangjang Market and queue for mung bean pancakes at Sunhui-ne Bindaetteok (go for an early lunch to beat the crowds), then wander the palaces and the hanok houses of Bukchon. For a properly local experience, try a jjimjilbang: I went to Spa Lei, where the full-body scrub was so vigorous that I came out feeling like a new person.
Out on the east coast in Gangneung, ride the Jeongdongjin Rail Bike, a semi-powered pedal cart that runs along an old railway beside the sea. And in Busan, the steak grilled at the table at Korean Steak Grill was, honestly, my favourite meal of the whole trip.
UK passport holders are currently exempt from the K-ETA, Korea’s electronic travel authorisation, but the exemption is temporary and has been extended several times, so check before you travel.
Read next: The perfect South Korea itinerary Suggested stay: Four Points by Sheraton Josun, Seoul Myeongdong
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Average temperature: 27°C high; 21°C low
Season: spring
Is there a bad time to go to Rio de Janeiro?
This spectacular city never fails to impress visitors with its vibrancy, views and (ahem) caipirinhas. I’ve been going back time and time again for well over a decade, and it hasn’t lost its hold on me yet.
Rio de Janeiro is one of the best places for sun in October thanks to warm temperatures (expect them to be around 21 to 27°C) and the seemingly endless opportunities to go out and explore.
While it’s brilliant visiting Rio de Janeiro during Carnival (trust me, it really is that good), you have a much better chance of actually seeing the city if you visit at another time.
Take in the big sights such as Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain), Christ the Redeemer, Ipanema and Copacabana Beach during your first few days, and then take your time to explore neighbourhoods such as Botafogo and the vast Tijuca Forest.
Read next: The landmarks you shouldn’t miss on your next trip to Brazil Suggested stay: Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel
Oaxaca, Mexico
Average temperature: 26°C high; 13°C low
Season: end of the rainy season
If you want to see Día de Muertos (the Day of the Dead) at its most magical, plan a trip to Oaxaca for the end of October. The rains are tailing off, the days are warm and the evenings are cool, and the whole city builds up to the festival.
The comparsas (costumed street parades) usually start around 29 October and carry on through 2 November. Families build ofrendas (altars) piled with marigolds and photos of their loved ones, and on the night of 31 October the cemeteries at Xoxocotlán and Atzompa fill with candlelit vigils. It’s an intimate, family occasion, so be respectful: ask before you take photos, and keep your distance from graves. Accommodation books up months in advance, so book as early as you can.
Oaxaca was one of my favourite places on a five-week trip around Mexico, festival or no festival. It’s the country’s culinary powerhouse, and I ate my way through it, from my first grasshopper (chapulines, a real Oaxacan speciality, and good) to a cooking class that started with a trip to the market. In the grill alley at Mercado 20 de Noviembre, I ordered the dried meat and then complained it was dry, so learn from me and pick something else.
Take a day trip out of the city to the petrified waterfalls of Hierve el Agua, and to Santiago Matatlán, the heartland of mezcal, where I toured the Gracias a Dios palenque (distillery). If you’re around on a Sunday, the market at Tlacolula is unmissable: try tejate, a traditional Zapotec drink made from maize and cacao.
Stay in the streets around the Templo de Santo Domingo, which are close to the sights, bars and restaurants.
Read next: The best things to do in Oaxaca and my guide to mezcal in Oaxaca
Barcelona, Spain
Season: autumn
I might be a little bit biased because I’ve spent a month in Barcelona, but it truly is a wonderful year-round spot. Visiting in October means cheaper rates and smaller crowds than in summer, which I think is a win-win.
Early in the month, you can still swim (the sea is around 20°C), but by the end of October the evenings are cool and it’s ideal weather for exploring the city’s museums and galleries. The Picasso Museum and MACBA, the Museum of Contemporary Art, are two I highly recommend you check out.
Bring a jacket for the evenings and get ready to discover Gaudí’s weird and wonderful creations that dot the city, with fewer of the crowds that usually block the photos. End your day with paella and tapas, with a glass of something to ward off the evening chill.
Read next: Barcelona travel guide: insider tips to help you plan the perfect trip Suggested stay: Cram Hotel
October holiday destinations: map
Practical tips for travelling in October
October is generally a good time to travel, as it’s shoulder season in most destinations, which means fewer crowds and lower prices.
Watch out for half-term. Most schools in England break up for the last week of October, and prices for flights and family-friendly hotels jump that week. If you can, travel either side of it.
October is still hurricane season in the Caribbean, and on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, so you’re best off waiting until December if you want a guaranteed beach holiday in the region. If you do go, make sure your travel insurance covers storm disruption.
Check the travel advice before you book. The UK Foreign Office updates its advice for every country, and for parts of the Middle East it has changed often, so read it for your destination before you pay and again before you fly.
Remember the clocks go back on the last Sunday in October in the UK and the EU. You get an extra hour in bed, but it gets dark an hour earlier, so plan sightseeing in northern Europe around the shorter afternoons.
If you’re not fixed on your destination, spend some time comparing the places I’ve featured above: flights and hotels vary, and you can find an excellent-value trip if you’re willing to be flexible.
When it comes to booking, I compare flights on Skyscanner, Hopper and Google Flights, as they do come up with different results, and I set price alerts for the routes I’m watching.
For hotels, check both Booking.com and Hotels.com, as they can have different offers. It’s also worth checking the hotel’s own site, as they can offer great incentives for booking direct.
Read more travel guides
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- Greek island hopping: everything you need to know
- The best things to do in the Atacama Desert
- The ultimate guide to the Lofoten Islands
- The best things to do in Seoul
- The best places to travel in November
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