Where will you go for a hot holiday this October? (Picture: Getty)
Much of Europe might be cooling off as October rolls around, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a hot autumn holiday.
Families looking for a half-term beach break with short-enough flight times still have plenty of choice, including Greece, Cyprus and Portugal – as well as the obvious Spain or Turkey.
Travellers seeking great food, cultural experiences and plenty of ‘things to do’ – along with the sunny climes the UK lacks – will also have their pick of city breaks and beach escapes.
Luxury island getaways and rainforest adventures are also possible, while Middle Eastern destinations such as Egypt and Oman see temperatures soaring at this time of year.
Need more inspiration? Here’s a handful of warm-weather destinations to consider for your October trip.
Where is hot in October?
Tenerife
Tenerife is hot, packed with beaches and great for hiking (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 26°C
Sunshine hours: Seven hours
Flight time: Four hours, 10 minutes
Tenerife is lovely in summer, but it’s year-round sunny weather make it an ideal place to be in autumn, too.
The possibility of 26°C, the average high for October, is too good to pass up – as is the fact that sea temperatures hit a gorgeously warm 24°C, and that you’ll be visiting just after the bulk of tourists (in August) and leaving just before the rainiest months.
So, what to do in Tenerife? The largest of all the Canary Islands, you can for an all-inclusive resort holiday, laze by the pool, beach or perhaps have a splash in waterpark Siam Park.
But if you can pull yourself off the sun lounger: take an island hike, marvel at Mount Teide in Teide National Park, enjoy a day trip to Garachico, check out Los Gigantes cliffs, or try whale-watching.
Athens, Greece
Is Athens your desired autumn getaway? (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 23°C
Sunshine hours: Six hours
Flight time: Three hours, 40 minutes
With its low 20s temperatures, you’ll be just warm enough (but not too hot) to discover everything Athens, the sprawling capital city of Greece, has to offer visitors.
Here, you can make your way to the Ancient Greek citadel Acropolis, and explore the old neighbourhood Plaka beneath it, or uncover the history of Greek mythology at the Temple of Poseidon.
Historic and UNESCO sites aren’t the only draw. You’re in Greece, after all, so there’ll be plenty of delicious food to try (and Athens is not short of guided tours on the subject).
There’ll be plenty of time to chill, too, in the city’s pretty National Gardens, or enjoy art at its contemporary museum. If you like to explore on foot, hike to the top of Mount Lycabettus, Athens’ highest point at 277 metres tall (or, if you don’t, just hop in the cable car).
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
Keen to go beyond Europe? Egypt is known for lovely beaches (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 31°C
Sunshine hours: 10 hours
Flight time: Five hours, 20 minutes
If you really want to feel the heat, Egypt in October does the trick – with average highs of 31°C, a sea temperature of 27°C, and cardigan-shunning evening temperatures of around 20°C.
After all, it is still technically summer, with Egypt’s (mild) winter not kicking in until November, lasting until mid-April.
Expect golden sandy beaches along the Red Sea, with plenty of resort hotels to choose from. If you’re keen to explore the area, try the local Old Market, which is home to the Al Sahaba Mosque.
Want more beach time? Na’amba Bay is known for its diving, snorkelling and watersports opportunities as well as its nightlife, while Ras Um Sid and Shark’s Bay Beach are also worth a gander.
Brisbane, Australia
Australia’s weather is nice and warm in October – so take your pick of destinations (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: Up to 26°C
Sunshine hours: Nine hours
Flight time: 22 to 23 hours
Travel to Australia was off the cards during the pandemic, but as Down Under begins to open up, it’s nice to dream about visiting again. Not so nice? The flight time. Oof.
Still, if you’ve got the time and money, Australia in October is a wonderful choice for a hot yet adventurous holiday – and Queensland, home to the Great Barrier Reef, is no exception.
The state capital, Brisbane, is a wonderful city focused around its huge river, from which you can hop on a CityCat ferry, or explore the river bank’s nearby parks.
It is also well-known for its restaurants and nightlife, and also for Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which is the largest koala sanctuary in Australia – also home to kangaroos.
Of course, it also worth the flight (or drive along the Queensland coast) to see (and dive in) the Reef. But in March 2022, there was talk of climate change damaging its UNESCO World Heritage status.
Tahiti
Tahiti is one of many islands in French Polynesia (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 26°C to 29°C
Sunshine hours: Eight hours
Flight time: 23 to 25 hours
It’s no walk in the park to reach Tahiti, as flight times vary wildly from 23 hours to well over a day including connections.
But surely a breathtaking paradise in the South Pacific is worth the extra effort. The island is also the major hub for, and largest island of the 118-island-strong archipelago French Polynesia.
Tahiti is famously figure eight-shaped, split into Tahiti Nui and the smaller Tahiti Iti, with both areas offering stunning beaches – surrounded by crystal clear ocean, ripe for swimming, snorkelling or Catamaran sailing.
Tahiti is also known for its black sand beaches, hidden caves, gorgeous lagoons, cascading waterfalls, and green mountain peaks encircling the island – all of which can be explored, ideally with a guide.
You can also experience the Municipal Market in Papeete, the capital of Tahiti and French Polynesia, as well as pay a visit to a museum dedicated to the archipelago.
The Seychelles
Got cash to splash? Visit The Seychelles for your autumn holiday (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 30°C
Sunshine hours: 12 hours
Flight time: 10 hours
Visit The Seychelles in October, and you’re practically guaranteed good weather: sunbathing-friendly low 30s in the day, with low 20s keeping you warm in the evenings.
However, it’s perhaps the rainiest month in this East African country, so expect a few scattered showers cooling you down throughout your holiday.
Even if it was freezing, it’d be impossible to get bored of the many islands making up The Seychelles, their white sandy beaches and endless views of the Indian Ocean.
Smaller islands to consider include La Digue – home to Anse Source d’Argent Beach, which really does look straight out of a postcard – resort island Ile du Nord, giant tortoise haven Curieuse, or Praslin, taken over by the lush Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve.
Mahé, however, is the main island, and is where you’d find the majority of Seychelles residents – as it home to the country’s capital city, Victoria. Here, you can expect to visit a vibrant local market, see interesting architecture, and enjoy more beaches.
Borneo
October is an ideal time to visit Borneo for good weather and rainforest adventure (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 28°C to 31°C
Sunshine hours: Six hours
Flight time: 15 hours
October is just at the end of Borneo’s peak season, making it an ideal time to visit, weather-wise and price-wise.
This South-East Asian destination is somewhere you go if you want to explore, and catch a glimpse of nature in all its glory – namely the many species of wildlife living in its 130-million-year-old rainforest.
Borneo is famously one of only two places where you can still find orangutans in the wild. According to Audley Travel, they can still be seen in their natural habitats in the month of October, though sanctuaries on the island also care for them year-round.
It’s also a wonderful time to try diving at Sipadan, a Malaysian island nearby. If you time things right, you’ll also be visiting during Diwali – the Hindu festival of lights.
Portugal
Europe’s hottest countries in October are as you’d expect – Spain, Greece – but what about Portugal? (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 23°C
Sunshine hours: Seven hours
Flight time: Two hours, 20 minutes
Portugal’s a safe bet in October. If you don’t get the average high of 23°C, you’ll hopefully be looking at 21°C but no less than 18°C – which compared to the UK’s chillier 13°C is rather pleasant.
The only problem? Deciding where in Portugal to go. Yep, you’ve got stacks of holiday options in this southern European gem.
A city break to Lisbon, the capital, is always a winner – as great views, delicious food (such as pastel de nata) and exciting excursions (such as to towns Sintra or Evora) are built right in.
There’s also the popular city of Porto, famed for its amazing bridges and incredible wine – or even a lesser-known destination, such as Braga, Coimbra or Aveiro.
Just want to chill on the beach before winter comes? Fair enough. Head to the gorgeous Algarve, which includes popular resort city Albufeira and the region’s historic capital Faro.
Dodecanese Islands, Greece
There are several Dodecanese Islands to explore (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 23°C
Sunshine hours: Eight hours
Flight time: Four hours (to Kos)
If you want to escape the cold this autumn, one of the Dodecanese Islands is a great place to holiday.
After all, it is often dubbed ‘the sunniest corner of Greece’, offering highs of up to 23°C in October.
You could opt to relax on the beaches of popular Kos, overlooking pristine turquoise Aegean Sea, or explore Rhodes – the islands’ capital, famous for its mountains, archaeological sites and medieval town.
If you want to veer slightly further away from the well-trodden islands, you could visit Symi, with its yellow-hued port town, or nature-packed Nisyros. Kalymnos, meanwhile, is known worldwide for its natural sea sponge. Yep, as in… actual sponges.
Fans of Greek island Crete should also consider Kasos, which the Visit Greece tourist website notes has many similar features.
Muscat, Oman
Muscat, Oman is an off-the-beaten-track option for sunseekers looking to go beyond the beach (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: Up to 35°C
Sunshine hours: 10 hours
Flight time: Seven hours, 30 minutes
For scorching temperatures in October, the city of Muscat in Oman delivers.
You’ll average around 30°C, typically hitting up to 35°C as the day progresses and the sun keeps shining through a cloudless, rain-free sky – staying warm in the evening at a balmy 25°C.
Thomas Cook also notes that the waters of the Gulf of Oman, which Muscat’s sandy shores overlook, are around 29°C at this time of year.
In addition to beaches, there is much to explore in this part of the Middle East, such as mountains, the souq [souk or market], Mutrah Corniche, the National Museum of Oman and stunning Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
Beyond Muscat, a visit to Wahiba Sands desert and the ethereal oasis of Wadi Bani Khalid are a must – which can both be visited as part of an arranged guided tour.
Paphos, Cyprus
Did you know? The Greek goddess of love was born near Paphos (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: 23°C to 27°C
Sunshine hours: Eight hours
Flight time: Four hours, 40 minutes
Paphos is a family holiday favourite, with plenty of hotels to choose from for a laze-by-the-pool getaway.
Sometimes, you just need a cocktail as you lay back on a sun lounger. Or a dip in the 25°C sea. Or the type of relaxing trip where warm evenings allow you to enjoy a late dinner outdoors.
However, you’d be wrong in thinking that this destination in south-west Cyprus has little else to offer, as it is also home to a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Both the neighbourhood Kato Paphos and nearby village of Kouklia are home to some seriously important ancient sites, including mosaics and archaeological remains of Nea Paphos (Aphrodite’s Sacred City) and the Temple of Aphrodite respectively.
In Kouklia, you’ll find the sea stack Petra Tou Romiou, aka Aphrodite’s Rock, which is mythologised as the birthplace of the legendary Greek goddess of love and beauty.
Dubai, UAE
If you’re looking for warm weather in autumn or winter, Dubai could be for you (Picture: Getty)
Temperature: Up to 36°C
Sunshine hours: 10 hours
Flight time: Seven hours, five minutes
Like Muscat, you can expect soaring temperatures in Dubai in October. 30°C climbing to highs of 36°C isn’t unheard of – while the average minimum is a still sunny 24°C.
Along Dubai’s beaches, a paddle in the ocean will keep you warm with water temperatures reaching 32°C.
Of course, Dubai isn’t just about the beach. It’s marvellously luxurious. Expect glamorous and expensive hotels (that are well air-conditioned, thankfully) and plenty of opportunities to shop.
Marvel at Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, or try to break away from the glitziness and pay a visit to a local souk, café or gallery in the Deira or Al Seef districts.
Also worth exploring is the historical neighbourhood, Al Fahidi, with its 18th century fort and carefully-restored houses providing a small glimpse into 19th century life.
Where is hot all year round? More sunny holiday ideas
Before you travel…
Many countries have dropped Covid-19 entry requirements, but some countries may still have them in place. And they could change quite quickly, too, with little notice.
Check your destination’s government website for their entry requirements and ensure you will meet any remaining testing or vaccination requirements before you buy (or fly there).
It’s also wise to check the UK’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office website for the latest travel advice.
In these uncertain times (be it through summer chaos at airports or lingering concerns around Covid-19), it is wise to book comprehensive travel insurance before you go on holiday to ensure you are covered should you fall ill – or in case your trip is cancelled.
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