As autumn paints most of the Northern Hemisphere in shades of orange and gold, it’s about time to start looking south and to more long-haul destinations for that sense of summer. October can be an ideal time to travel – school’s back in session so there are fewer crowds and cheaper prices on offer. Plus, it’s not as cold as you think in many parts.
We’ve picked Seville in Spain as one of our hot picks – this city in particular is in its prime at this time. Croatia’s also a good shout close to home, and most people go there in summer, so it’s much quieter. Or, Oman, Egypt and Mauritius love the long-haul life and get good weather this month. Stay tuned for our plot twist further down, too – it’s somewhere you might not expect…
So, here’s your guide to the best places that are hot in October. If you’ve already spied your pick, then don’t wait for us… check out our deals page.
Spain
Hottest pick – Seville
Yes, Spain is a hot summer pick, but Seville is probably at its best in autumn. It’s the country’s hottest city, literally, so people tend to avoid visiting over Europe’s peak season and that’s when the locals escape on their holidays. October is one of the more popular months, so it’s not as empty as you’d think but the crowds are still smaller than in spring and September – it’s a bit of a sweet spot. Temperatures average 27°C but the mornings start off cool and a bit crisp, perfect to get in your sightseeing early before parking yourself by the pool.
Muscat, Oman
Oman sits on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula and stays hot throughout autumn. Summer boasts serious high temps but October levels out at around 35°C, which is a real treat at this time of year and a bit more manageable to still tick off some sites. Muscat is the capital city, with grand mosques, old souks and a load of beaches to pick from. Qurum Beach should be first on the list, it’s only a 10-minute drive from the city centre and you can get up close and personal with the Gulf of Oman’s waters. We imagine you’ll be spending most of your time along here… There’s also Wadi Shab’s cave pools and waterfalls to help you cool off.
Egypt
Hottest pick – Sharm El Sheikh
Run, don’t walk like an Egyptian, to 31°C days over in Sharm El Sheikh. There’s barely any rain at this time of the year and post summer, the temperatures are still soaring – just slightly more bearable than June, July and August. There’s over 35 kilometres of coastline to explore in this part of Egypt, known for world-famous dive spots and unreal marine life. Snorkel in Shark Reef, discover a sunken shipwreck at Yolanda Reef or just pick a sunbed on your hotel’s nearest patch of sand. Sharm shows there’s more than just the Pyramids to see here and makes a chill spot to soak up those rays from.
Mauritius
The best time to visit Mauritius is either October or November when the temperature’s rising but the rain and humidity hasn’t set in yet. This month averages around 27°C, so that holiday tan will be no problem. Park yourself on the best beaches along the east and west coasts for your pick of watersports and soft sands. It’s also spring and the perfect time to go hiking here, with everything coming into bloom. Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens is one of the world’s best, showing off big water lilies and loads of palm trees. Mauritius’ only national park, Black River Gorges, is another must-visit.
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Croatia
One of the most popular summer picks is actually a great shout for October – we’re looking at you, Croatia. Dubrovnik is still averaging 21°C and the entire Dalmatian Coast and Islands are around 20°C, too. It’s a second chance at summer, where the weather’s still warm but the crowds haven’t caught on yet… You’ll get the best spots on the beach and historical sites all to yourself, plus flights and hotels offer great-value prices. For a city break, it’s still a pleasant heat to explore without working up too much of a sweat and, as the water’s had the whole of summer to heat up, you’re in for a treat when it comes to a sea swim.
Plot twist…
Jamaica
We know, October is right in the middle of the Caribbean’s rainy season and one of the wettest months, along with November… but it’s still 32°C. And, for a bit of perspective, the average rainfall is only 166mm over the course of the month, which actually isn’t so bad. Jamaica doesn’t sit as far north as some of the other Caribbean islands and so isn’t as affected by the bad weather. So, you can still enjoy the beaches of Montego Bay, chase waterfalls like Dunn’s River Falls, and feast on some famous jerk chicken.
Ready to turn it up for October? Check out our holidays to narrow down your perfect pick.
Looking for more articles? You’ll find them on the Inspire homepage.
Author: Lily Owen
Last updated: 28/06/2024
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