Where to Travel in October: Our Top Destinations for Your October Vacation

The Best Travel Destinations in October at a Glance

To give you a quick overview, we’re starting with a table of our 15 best places to visit in October.

There you can see at a glance what trip duration we recommend, how long the flight takes, and what price level you can expect for your October vacation.

* Basilicata: to Bari, from there it’s about another half hour by car
* Cinque Terre: to Pisa, from there it’s about another 1.5 hours by car
* Garden Route: to Cape Town, then about another two hours by car (e.g., to Hermanus)

October Travel Destinations in Germany

Need a quick change of scenery? Check the weather forecast and off you go! These destinations in Germany are still wonderful in October:

Bavaria

• Type of trip: Nature and active vacation, relaxing getaway
• Also a great time to visit: May through September
• Climate: 41–57°F, 9–11 rainy days

Bavaria is a seriously special October vacation destination. Amid Alpine panoramas, crystal-clear lakes, and cozy villages, you can go hiking, cycling, or stroll through charming towns like Regensburg, Passau, or Bamberg.

And of course, a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle, one of the most stunning attractions in Bavaria, is absolutely not to be skipped. In autumn, when the surrounding forests glow in shades of red and gold, the fairytale castle feels even more magical.

If you’re in the mood for a relaxing wellness retreat, Bavaria is totally the right call. The region is known for its cozy hotels with spa facilities and mountain views.

In October, nature puts on a show in fall colors, and at the mountain huts you can often still grab a last snack before they close for the season. It’s not really warm anymore, but with a light jacket, the fresh autumn air feels genuinely pleasant.

Berlin

• Type of trip: Culture and city trip
• Also a great time to visit: April through September
• Climate: 43–57°F, 3–8 rainy days

Our capital has a ton of culture and history to offer. On your first visit to Berlin, highlights like the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin TV Tower, and Checkpoint Charlie are absolutely not to be missed.

But Berlin is also Germany’s trendiest city, with cool neighborhoods like Kreuzberg, great street art, and a lively nightlife scene.

You can also just spend hours strolling along the Spree and hopping between the hipster cafés in Friedrichshain. There really is something here for every kind of traveler.

In October, the entire city becomes a work of art for ten days during the Festival of Lights. Many government buildings, embassies, and Berlin landmarks are lit up with massive light installations — one of the coolest events in Berlin, and best of all, it’s free.

Our hotel pick: Garden Living – a quirky boutique hotel with a garden in Berlin Mitte

October Travel Destinations in Europe

All across Europe, fantastic spots await for your October vacation — whether it’s golden fall in the mountains, sunshine on the Mediterranean, or exciting cities for a short break. Here are our best October travel destinations in Europe.

Prague

• Type of trip: Culture and city trip
• Also a great time to visit: April through September
• Climate: 41–57°F, 3–8 rainy days

Prague has everything a city destination needs in October — with all the highlights of the Czech capital, you’re guaranteed never to be bored!

Visit the medieval Prague Castle, the beautiful St. Vitus Cathedral, and the synagogues in the Jewish Quarter, stroll across Charles Bridge, or take a boat tour on the Vltava.

One thing that’s absolutely not to be missed on a trip to Prague is a stop at one of the many small breweries. The beer brewing culture in Prague is world-famous, and sampling a bottle or two is practically mandatory.

Prague is super easy to reach from many European cities — perfect for a spontaneous weekend trip in the golden fall, especially when the international music festival Prague Sounds takes place there in October.

Our hotel pick: NYX Hotel – a family-friendly design hotel in the New Town

Paris

• Type of trip: Culture and city trip
• Also a great time to visit: April through June and September
• Climate: 50–63°F, 5–8 rainy days

A photo in front of the Eiffel Tower, browsing art at the Louvre, or shopping on the Champs-Élysées — there are an incredible number of unique sights in Paris.

Personally, we’d also recommend Paris just for indulging in croissants and crêpes, wandering through streets lined with beautiful historic buildings, or taking a romantic boat ride on the Seine. A trip to Paris with kids is also really worth it — our kids absolutely love the city.

And what can’t be missed is an evening of cabaret in Paris at the famous Moulin Rouge.

Admittedly, Paris isn’t much warmer than Germany in October. But the city is especially beautiful when the trees glow in fall colors. Besides — who could possibly object to snuggle weather in the City of Love?

Our hotel pick: Solly Hôtel Paris – a charming little hotel in the Marais neighborhood

Basilicata

• Type of trip: Road trip, nature and active vacation, cultural trip
• Also a great time to visit: May, June, and September
• Climate: 50–66°F, 7–9 rainy days

Basilicata is a genuine off-the-beaten-path find for an October vacation. It’s one of Italy’s lesser-known regions, and that’s exactly what makes it so special.

Everything here is still completely unspoiled. Instead of tourist crowds, you’ll find authentic mountain villages, wild landscapes, historic towns, and genuine dolce vita.

You can wander through the cave settlements of Matera, whose stone-carved houses feel almost surreal. For hiking enthusiasts, the Pollino National Park with its gorges and ancient trees is a real standout.

As a fall destination, Basilicata is ideal: the intense summer heat is gone, temperatures are perfect for hiking and exploring the alleyways — and in the restaurants, you’ll now be sitting mostly among locals rather than tour groups.

Cinque Terre

• Type of trip: Nature and active vacation, relaxing getaway
• Also a great time to visit: November through March
• Climate: 55–68°F, 6–10 rainy days

Another incredibly beautiful part of Italy that’s perfect as a fall destination is the Cinque Terre. You’ve probably seen the colorful villages perched on steep cliffs in photos or on postcards.

Hiking with ocean views, wandering through narrow alleyways, eating fresh fish, sitting at small harbors — that sounds like a fantastic October vacation to us.

Whether it’s Vernazza, Riomaggiore, or Manarola — each of the villages has its own charm. And the best part: you can get from one to the next super easily by train or on foot.

In October, the crowds that pour through the alleyways from April to September are gone. Now you can enjoy the beauty of the region in a much more relaxed way.

Rome

• Type of trip: Culture and city trip
• Also a great time to visit: April through June and September
• Climate: 61–73°F, 7–8 rainy days

Rome is one of the most popular city trip destinations in Europe. And totally for good reason: you can visit the famous Vatican, learn all about gladiatorial combat at the Colosseum, and walk in the footsteps of ancient Romans through the Roman Forum.

But a Roman vacation isn’t complete without embracing the dolce vita. A pizza and a glass of wine at Piazza Navona is the perfect way to do it. And afterward, maybe a stroll through Trastevere with a gelato? Perfect!

In October, the temperatures for sightseeing in Rome are far more pleasant than in summer. Let’s be honest: who wants to stand in line outside the Vatican in 95-degree heat?

Our hotel pick: Palazzo Lupardi – super centrally located, with only 6 rooms

Alicante

• Type of trip: City trip, beach vacation
• Also a great time to visit: April through September
• Climate: 59–79°F, 5–7 rainy days

Alicante is one of the best october travel destinations if you want to soak up some sunshine without a long flight.

The city sits right on the Costa Blanca and has everything you need for a little getaway: cozy alleyways in the historic center, tapas bars around the Mercado Central, a castle with incredible views, and a long city beach right in the center.

Weather-wise, October is just right. Temperatures often still climb above 68°F during the day and the sun shines all day long. We even managed to go swimming in the ocean at the end of October!

And since the high season is now over, everything feels more relaxed: fewer crowds, more space in the café, no pushing and shoving on the beach. Honestly, we’re already itching for another Alicante trip — how about you?

Our hotel pick: Casa Alberola – a modern hotel with a great view of the harbor

Madrid

• Type of trip: City and cultural trip
• Also a great time to visit: April through June and September
• Climate: 52–73°F, 6–8 rainy days

In Madrid, you’ll experience Spanish culture at its finest. You’ll find grand landmarks like the Palacio Real, the Almudena Cathedral, and the bullring. There are also plenty of fascinating museums, like the Museo Reina Sofía.

In the nightlife district of Malasaña, you’ll find cool cafés and restaurants tucked between art studios and street art. Madrid also has a ton of great markets.

Madrid is located inland in Spain, and from personal experience we can say the city is simply way too hot in summer. October, on the other hand, is ideal: it’s still warm, it rarely rains, and the plazas and markets are filled with fewer tourists.

Our hotel pick: Hostal Central Palace – an amazing location with views of the Royal Palace

Crete

• Type of trip: Nature and active vacation, beach vacation, cultural trip
• Also a great time to visit: April through September
• Climate: 61–75°F, 2–4 rainy days

Crete is one of those islands in Greece where everything comes together: breathtaking beaches, stunning mountain landscapes, small winding villages, and plenty of history.

In the morning you can explore ancient ruins, in the afternoon relax by the turquoise sea, and in the evening enjoy fresh fish at a taverna with sunset views.

Whether you want to hike, stroll through Crete’s most beautiful spots like Chania or Rethymno, or just switch off completely — you won’t run out of things to do.

And why October specifically? Simple: the intense summer heat is gone, but the ocean is still bathtub-warm. Crete’s beaches are noticeably less crowded now, and prices for hotels on Crete are lower too. Awesome!

Our hotel pick: Bali Diamond – a cozy adults-only hotel with great value for money

Long-Haul Destinations in October

Feeling the pull of the wider world but not sure exactly where to go? Here are our recommendations for a long-haul trip in October.

New York City

• Type of trip: Culture and city trip
• Also a great time to visit: March through June, August through September, and December
• Climate: 50–64°F, 7–8 rainy days

New York is the dream city destination for millions of people! The Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street — there’s probably no other city with so many must-sees, several of which rank among the most famous sights in the world.

The Big Apple is simply always on trend and right at the pulse of things. And what we love most is how diverse New York is: whether it’s Brooklyn, SoHo, Chinatown, or Little Italy — every neighborhood is completely different.

In October, the weather is wonderfully mild and perfect for sightseeing in New York. On top of that, Indian Summer sets the city ablaze in every color imaginable. Truly a dream!

And if you’re into Halloween, the parade in NYC will blow you away!

Our hotel pick: citizenM – great design, prime location for first-time visitors

Northern Vietnam

• Type of trip: Cultural trip, nature vacation, road trip
• Also a great time to visit: March, April, September, and November
• Climate: 72–82°F, 7–9 rainy days

Vietnam is one of the most popular destinations in Asia. From sacred sites to cloud-covered mountain regions to lush green rice fields, northern Vietnam offers an incredibly diverse itinerary.

Particularly fascinating is the region of Sapa, where you can still encounter many indigenous hill tribes.

Top experiences also include a boat trip through Ha Long Bay with its many small islands, and of course a visit to the lively capital Hanoi.

For the north of the country, October is the ideal time to visit: the rainy season is winding down and temperatures become pleasantly mild. At the same time, hotel prices are still quite affordable. In central and southern Vietnam, on the other hand, there’s still a lot of rainfall and sometimes even typhoons.

Garden Route

• Type of trip: Road trip, safari and nature trip
• Also a great time to visit: year-round
• Climate: 57–75°F, 5–6 rainy days

The Garden Route is a roughly 300-kilometer coastal stretch in the south of South Africa and is considered one of the country’s most beautiful road trip routes.

Along the route between Mossel Bay and Storms River, dense forests, rugged coastlines, and wide sandy beaches alternate with one another. In between lie lively little towns like Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

There’s truly a ton to discover along the way. You can spot elephants, zebras & Co. on a safari along the Garden Route, hike through the national parks, or browse at cool markets at a leisurely pace.

In October, it’s South African spring and the region is at its best: during this time you get the most sunshine hours and pleasantly warm days. On top of that, it’s the peak of whale-watching season.

Japan

• Type of trip: Cultural trip, road trip, nature vacation
• Also a great time to visit: March through May, September, and November
• Climate: 50–72°F, 6–8 rainy days

Japan is one of the most fascinating and simultaneously wildly unique countries in the world: where else do you encounter high-tech toilets, conveyor belt sushi, outrageous cosplay trends, and ancient traditions all in one place?

What makes the country especially endearing is the extraordinary politeness of its people.

When we think of Japan, we immediately picture modern metropolises like Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto. But the country also has a lot to offer scenery-wise — from rugged mountain landscapes to remote islands. Perfect for a varied road trip through Japan.

Most people travel to Japan for the famous cherry blossoms, but the country is at least as beautiful as a vacation destination in October. That’s when everything truly glows in the most magnificent fall colors.

Western Australia

• Type of trip: Road trip, active and nature vacation, beach vacation
• Also a great time to visit: year-round (depending on the region)
• Climate: varies by region

Looking for a great October destination for a road trip? Then Western Australia is a top choice! Many people drive along the coast from Perth to Exmouth or take a detour into the red Outback.

Western Australia is a true adventure paradise. Whether you’re snorkeling with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, hiking through the Karijini gorges, or just chilling on the beach — boredom is simply not an option here.

In October, Western Australia is in spring — meaning it’s warm, but not yet too hot. The perfect time to visit for large parts of the region!

Frequently Asked Questions About Vacationing in October