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Where is hot in October?
Uncrowded beaches, sunny skies and bargain prices – October is one of the best months to take a holiday.
That’s especially true in 2025, amid concerns of overtourism during high season at some hotspots.
It’s finally mild enough to explore Athens’ ancient sights without running for shade. Visitors to Madeira will find a calmer, balmier oasis.
In Mumbai, the milder weather is making way for unmissable festivities like Diwali. And in Cape Town, spring has arrived – ahead of the peak summer crowds – making it the perfect time to enjoy its lush surroundings in bloom.
If you’re planning a last-minute October getaway, read on for our pick of the best short-haul and long-haul destinations, along with the cheapest places to go for trips this October 2025, to Europe and beyond.
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Best places to visit in October
- Dalaman, Turkey 26℃
- Madeira, Portugal 21℃
- Vienna, Austria 15℃
- Athens, Greece 22℃
- Cape Town, South Africa 20℃
- Mumbai, India 33℃
Where in Europe is hot and cheap in October?
Dalaman, Turkey
October high: 26℃
Trust Turkey to supply sweltering sunshine right into October and beyond. With flights as cheap as £64 return from London when we checked, it’s a no-brainer for holidaymakers looking to extend summer.
You’ll find plenty of fly-and-flop options in Dalaman if that’s what you’re looking for — but there’s far more to this region than its resorts.
Relax in soothing mud baths, spot turtles on riverboat expeditions, snorkel in clear-blue lagoons, browse food markets, tour ancient ruins and historic abandoned villages — and don’t leave without sampling a spread of freshly prepared meze.
Find holidays to Dalaman with Jet2 and Trailfinders.
Madeira, Portugal
October high: 21℃
By October, the peak tourist season in Madeira winds down, leaving more space for you to explore this floral Portuguese archipelago.
This popular destination is also one of the cheapest we found for October, with return flights as low as £61 from London.
Thanks to its subtropical climate — it’s off the coast of north east Africa — you can expect highs of 21℃. That, plus the promise of low humidity makes October ideal for exploring the rocky beaches, hiking its forests or enjoying a glass of famous Madeiran fortified wine at sunset.
The water’s also perfect for dips, lingering at 23℃ — warmer than in the Algarve (approximately 19℃ in October).
Find holidays to Madeira with Jet2 and Destination2
Vienna, Austria
October high: 15℃
Vienna isn’t necessarily hot in October, but with pleasant temperatures hovering around 15℃, it’s a great chance to enjoy sightseeing before temperatures plummet to averages of 8℃ in November and 3℃ in December.
With its baroque streets and imperial palaces, Austria’s capital never fails to dazzle. The filigree spires of St Stephen’s Cathedral soar from its fairytale centre – Innere Stadt – where you can hop between gilded concert halls and chic coffee houses (don’t miss a slice of layered chocolate cake, the Sachertorte).
The Lange Nacht der Museen (Long Night of Museums) is held on the first Saturday of October (4 October in 2025) – a celebration of the city’s culture. One ticket will get you into more than 100 venues, with many staying open until midnight.
It’s also harvest time in the vineyards on the outskirts of the city (famous for its Grüner Veltliner and Riesling), when winemakers hand out samples from the cellars.
Find holidays to Vienna with Which? Recommended Providers Jet2Holidays and Destination2.
Athens
October high: 22℃
Often overlooked by tourists on their way to the Greek islands, Athens is an incredible city in its own right. Thousands of years of architectural wonders are layered upon one another, from the 5th century BC Acropolis to Byzantine monasteries; and the classical to the neo-classical.
No wonder visitors awarded Athens the maximum five stars for tourist attractions in our survey of the best seaside and beach towns in the Mediterranean, as well as four stars for value for money and food and drink.
October temperatures are more suitable for exploring the city, and, in the mornings, you can have sites like the Parthenon practically to yourself.
When you’ve had your fill of culture, the islands of Aegina and Angistri are only a 30-minute boat trip from Athens’ port, Piraeus. Or explore the Apollo Coast’s lush beaches.
Book a holiday to Athens with Jet2holidays, Hays Travel and Trailfinders.
Best long-haul holiday destinations in October
Mumbai, India
October high: 33℃
If Mumbai’s on your bucket list, make October the month you go. We found plenty of cheap return flights, some as low as £267, for trips in mid to late October (exactly when temperatures begin to ease off).
The milder weather means many of the city’s cultural highlights come alive in October, like the Agera harvest festival (a traditional East Indian Catholic celebration in early October) and Navratri, a nine-night Hindu festival of music, dance and devotion that brings the city’s neighbourhoods to life with colour and celebration.
Another reason to visit — in 2025, Diwali (the festival of lights) falls on 29 October (rather than in November), with the full five-day festival kicking off on the 27th — visit around this time for street fireworks, illuminated promenades, and stunning Rangoli (a traditional art form where intricate designs are made on the ground using coloured powder, rice and flowers).
Even if you visit before Diwali begins, Mumbai is buzzing with things to do — from sunset strolls along Marine Drive and browsing the bazaars of Colaba to island-hopping across the bay to the ancient Elephanta Caves.
Book a holiday to Mumbai with Trailfinders and Destination2.
Cape Town
October high: 20℃
Glimmering between Table Bay and the Twelve Apostles mountain range, Cape Town is a brilliant city upstaged by an even better backdrop.
October is springtime and shoulder season in South Africa, so the days are warmer and drier, but prices are lower than in the busy peak periods.
It’s a city with a turbulent history to be explored (don’t miss the moving District Six museum); a place to shop, hike, or stroll along its pristine beaches. Climb one of the trails to the top of Table Mountain to see the Mother City unfurl beneath your feet.
Best of all, it's great value. A bottle of local beer is roughly £1.50 and a three-course dinner for two with wine costs around £35, according to the Post Office’s 2024 holiday money report.
Book holidays to Cape Town with Which? Recommended Providers Audley Travel, Trailfinders and Kuoni.