Best holiday destinations in October
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Finding somewhere to go on holiday in October is a little easier than in the previous months, as long as you know what you want.
If you're craving seriously hot and sunny weather, be prepared to travel a little further; however, if it's a case of just escaping for some pleasantly warm and sunny conditions, ideal for doing a bit of exploring, you'll still find this within easy reach of the UK at this time of year.
Top five destinations to visit in October
Whether it's a half term holiday or a just a late break for some pre-winter sun, there's a wealth of short and long haul places offering perfect weather in October. Five of our favourite holiday destinations in October include:
1. Orlando, USA
- Flight time from London: 9 hours
- Daily high: 29°C
- Daily hours of sunshine: 7
The USA's number one playground for all ages, Orlando, is a wonderful option in October, as the weather starts to lose some of the aggressive heat of the preceding summer months.
Days are still long and hot but the heat and humidity level drops to moderate, making conditions much more comfortable, and there's only a slim chance of seeing any rain.
As well as delightful weather, Orlando makes a great destination simply because it has so many places to go and a seemingly endless list of things to do.
For the theme park hunters there's Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios (among many others), while water parks and wildlife parks keep big and little kids entertained.
Head to Restaurant Row for your pick of dining options, or try alternative activities such as stargazing and horseback riding.
Recommended for Florida
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2. Cyprus
- Flight time from London: 5 hours
- Daily high: 27°C
- Daily hours of sunshine: 8
- Sea temperature: 25°C
Cyprus makes our pick of top five destinations in October thanks to its enduringly good conditions.
Destinations to the east, including Larnaca and Ayia Napa, are arguably the best places to go, as they see the most sunshine, the highest temperatures, and the warmest seas, all paired with low heat and humidity.
Visiting Cyprus after the heat of the summer months also means it's that little bit easier to get around and explore without being too hot and sticky.
If you fancy a break from lounging on Ayia Napa's blue flag Nissi Beach, take a trip into the Troodos Mountains to see quaint hilltop villages or sample some of the freshest fish on Larnaca's promenade.
Recommended for Cyprus
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3. Cape Verde
- Flight time from London: 5 hours
- Daily high: 27°C
- Daily hours of sunshine: 8
- Sea temperature: 25°C
Cape Verde, the increasingly popular archipelago off the west coast of Africa, is another special destination if you're after some heat in October.
There's plenty of sunshine, virtually no rain, and the sea is nice and warm. Evenings also remain pleasant, rarely sinking lower than around 24°C, letting you sit out and enjoy the great weather.
There's a moderate level of heat and humidity, which can make it feel hotter than it actually is during the day, although this is in part countered by the cooling breezes which sweep off the surrounding Atlantic Ocean.
You'll also need to watch out for the high level of UV and pack a strong SPF. It's a superb beach holiday destination, with a load of water sports and numerous beaches to choose from.
Recommended for Cape Verde
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4. Marrakech, Morocco
- Flight time from London: 5 hours
- Daily high: 27°C
- Daily hours of sunshine: 8
Marrakech is a bewitching place much loved by everyone from city breakers to long term travellers.
If you're hoping to go somewhere in October that's perhaps a little different but with lovely weather, then Marrakech is likely to be for you.
During the day it's nice and warm, great for exploring the souk, enjoying a tagine on the terrace or visiting the stunning Ben Youssef Madrasa, while evening temperatures drop by more than 10°C to around 15°C, so you will want to pack a layer or two.
There's no heat and humidity to worry about, and at most only a passing rain storm. October is also a good time to get out of the city, whether you head into the Atlas Mountains or take a day trip to the Ouzoud Falls.
Recommended for Morocco
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5. Tenerife, Canary Islands
- Flight time from London: 4.5 hours
- Daily high: 26°C
- Daily hours of sunshine: 10
- Sea temperature: 23°C
Much closer to home in the year-round favourite of the Canary Islands is Tenerife, with its comfortable conditions, ideal when hoping to find somewhere in October in less than five hours.
Expect warm, sunny days with just the high UV to look out for. You might want to consider a hotel with a heated pool also, as the 23°C-sea temperature is verging on chilly, and may well be too cold for some.
Discover Teide National Park with its selection of walking routes across the highest peaks in Spain, go horse riding, cycling, or take big and little kids on an adventure at Monkey Park or the epic Siam Park.
Tenerife is full of things to do from January to December, proving it's not all about the beaches and sunbathing.
Recommended for Tenerife
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Alternative destinations to visit in October 2023/2024
If you're still unsure about where to go on holiday in October, we have a few more exciting destinations with great holiday weather at this time of year.
For somewhere a bit special, the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean is a real treat in every respect. Temperatures sit in the high twenties by day, falling no lower than around 23°C by night and only moderate heat and humidity.
The sky isn't completely cloudless but you'll enjoy plenty of long spells of sunshine, with around seven hours per day.
Watch out for the extreme UV during October, especially if you're making the most of the bath-like sea which is lovely and warm at 28°C. Expect the odd shower, but nothing that will dampen your holiday.
Heading east on a similar latitude, Bali remains incredibly inviting in October. Expect high temperatures and very high heat and humidity with warm seas.
There's also an abundance of sunshine, so if you're after somewhere to go on holiday in October with seriously hot and sunny conditions, this could be for you. Again, just be prepared for the extreme UV, which is vicious.
Continuing to circumnavigate the globe, the Pacific island of Hawaii is another winner in October. Hawaii is stuffed with scenic spots, tasty treats and an abundance of things to do, from surfing to hiking volcanoes; for those who love the outdoors, this is a great call.
You can look forward to daily highs of 29°C, and warm evenings in the low twenties. There's a touch more sunshine than you'd find in the Seychelles, although a similar chance of passing cloud and rain storms.
The sea is inviting at 27°C, but can be notoriously strong in terms of current and waves, so do check where it's safe to swim.
Finally, if you're after somewhere a little closer to home and a bit more budget friendly, we have to mention Turkey and its array of coastal resorts.
You may find it's too chilly to swim at 23°C (the highest on the coast at Antalya) but thanks to pleasant temperatures reaching 26°C with up to eight hours of sunshine, you could find yourself having a truly relaxing time sampling Turkish cuisine, indulging in a Turkish bath, and relaxing by a hotel pool - heated, of course.
Although summer in Europe may seem like a distant memory, deciding where to go in October for some deliciously hot and sunny weather isn't as difficult as you might think. It's just a question of making sure you know what you want to do, and finding the right location to do it in.
If it's a beach holiday with beaming sunshine and high temperatures you will be looking further afield, but if it's a more flexible break with warm and sunny conditions, you'll certainly find these slightly closer to home.
For more inspiration about where to go on holiday in October 2023/2024, visit our dedicated weather in October section, and be sure to visit our extensive travel deals section with the latest offers on everything from city breaks and holidays to flights and car hire - happy hunting!
Destination ideas for October 2023
- Month: October
- Daytime temperature: 22 - 28°C [remove]
- Sunshine hours: 8 hours or more [remove]
- Sea temperature: 25°C or warmer [remove]
| Rank | Rating | Score | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | 100% | Antalya Coast, Turkey |
| 100% | Cyprus | |
| 100% | Egypt | |
| 100% | Florida, United States | |
| 100% | French Polynesia | |
| 100% | Hawaii, United States | |
| 100% | Israel | |
| 100% | Madagascar | |
| 100% | Mozambique | |
| 100% | Queensland, Australia | |
| 100% | Red Sea, Egypt | |
| 100% | Texas, United States | |
| 100% | Tunisia | |
| 14 |  | 97% | Bahamas |
| 97% | China | |
| 97% | Guadeloupe | |
| 17 | | 96% | Dalaman and Marmaris Coast, Turkey |
| 96% | Mauritius | |
| 96% | Rhodes, Greece | |
| 20 | | 94% | Brazil |
| 94% | Cape Verde | |
| 94% | Jordan | |
| 94% | Kenya | |
| 94% | Puerto Rico | |
| 25 | | 93% | Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain |
| 93% | Georgia, United States | |
| 93% | La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain | |
| 93% | Malta | |
| 93% | South Carolina, United States | |
| 30 | | 92% | Fiji |
| 92% | Hong Kong | |
| 92% | Indonesia | |
| 92% | Jamaica | |
| 92% | Japan | |
| 92% | Martinique | |
| 92% | Papua New Guinea | |
| 92% | Samoa | |
| 92% | Seychelles | |
| 92% | St Vincent and the Grenadines | |
| 40 |  | 89% | Bali, Indonesia |
| 89% | British Virgin Islands | |
| 89% | Cuba | |
| 89% | Maldives | |
| 89% | Tanzania | |
| 89% | Virgin Islands | |
| 46 | | 88% | Bodrum and Izmir Coast, Turkey |
| 88% | Greece | |
| 88% | Kos, Greece | |
| 49 | | 86% | Antigua |
| 86% | Barbados | |
| 86% | Bermuda | |
| 86% | Dominica | |
| 86% | Grenada | |
| 86% | India | |
| 86% | Malaysia | |
| 86% | Panama | |
| 86% | Philippines | |
| 86% | Sri Lanka | |
| 86% | St Lucia | |
| 86% | Trinidad and Tobago | |
| 86% | Vietnam | |
| 62 | | 85% | Crete, Greece |
| 85% | Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain | |
| 85% | Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain | |
| 85% | Kefalonia, Greece | |
| 85% | La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain | |
| 85% | Peloponnese, Greece | |
| 85% | Sicily, Italy | |
| 85% | South Africa | |
| 85% | Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain | |
| 85% | Zante, Greece | |
| 72 | | 83% | Anguilla |
| 83% | Cayman Islands | |
| 83% | Curacao | |
| 83% | Dominican Republic | |
| 83% | Goa, India | |
| 83% | Lombok, Indonesia | |
| 83% | Mexico | |
| 83% | Oman | |
| 83% | St Barthelemy | |
| 83% | St Kitts and Nevis | |
| 82 | | 81% | Costa Rica |
| 81% | Kerala, India | |
| 81% | Caribbean Coast, Mexico | |
| 81% | Thailand | |
| 81% | Turks and Caicos | |
| 87 | | 80% | New South Wales, Australia |
| 88 | | 79% | Madeira, Portugal |
| 89 | | 78% | Gambia |
| 90 | | 77% | Costa Blanca, Spain |
| 77% | Formentera, Balearic Islands, Spain | |
| 77% | Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain | |
| 77% | Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain | |
| 77% | Lefkada, Greece | |
| 77% | Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain | |
| 77% | Santorini, Greece | |
| 77% | Spain | |
| 98 | | 75% | Cambodia |
| 75% | Palau | |
| 100 | | 72% | Aruba |
| 72% | Morocco | |
| 72% | Samos, Greece | |
| 72% | Venezuela | |
| 72% | Western Australia, Australia | |
| 105 | | 71% | Albania |
| 71% | Calabria, Italy | |
| 71% | Campania, Italy | |
| 71% | Corfu, Greece | |
| 71% | Ecuador | |
| 71% | Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain | |
| 71% | Paxos, Greece | |
| 71% | Sardinia, Italy | |
| 113 |  | 70% | Singapore |
| 114 | | 69% | Costa Almeria, Spain |
| 69% | El Salvador | |
| 69% | Peru | |
| 117 | | 67% | California, United States |
| 67% | Cook Islands | |
| 67% | Pakistan | |
| 67% | South Australia, Australia | |
| 67% | Tonga | |
| 67% | UAE | |
| 123 | | 66% | Azores, Portugal |
| 66% | South Korea | |
| 125 | | 64% | Algarve, Portugal |
| 64% | Argentina | |
| 64% | Costa de la Luz, Spain | |
| 64% | Costa del Sol, Spain | |
| 64% | Gibraltar | |
| 64% | Portugal | |
| 131 | | 63% | Corsica, France |
| 63% | Costa Dorada, Spain | |
| 63% | Mykonos, Greece | |
| 63% | Naxos, Greece | |
| 63% | Paros, Greece | |
| 63% | Syros, Greece | |
| 137 | | 61% | Lesbos, Greece |
| 61% | Namibia |
Metric (°C / mm) | Imperial (°F / inches)
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