The Best Places to Visit in October
By October, the warm season in many European countries is slowly coming to an end. However, for those that love the sun and are not yet ready for autumn and the changing weather, you can extend your summer in Southern Europe. Besides the many hours of sunshine, you can look forward to plenty of other benefits, such as avoiding the tourist crowds and enjoying the low-season prices, which makes these destinations the best places to visit in October!
Author: Annika Ziehen
Photo: Luaumesquet
Places to go in October for Sun
We have compiled a small travel guide for you with the best European travel destinations in October. Read on to find out where the sun is still shining and what you can experience locally.
Macedonia, Greece
If you’re looking for warm destinations in October, few countries are better than Greece. Now is the perfect time to travel here. Athens reaches up to 30 °C in autumn, and many islands are ready to greet you with warm summer temperatures.
If you don’t feel like taking the ferry, stay on the mainland and explore the Greek province of Macedonia. Start in the exciting metropolis of Thessaloniki, perfect for city outings and known for its innovative Greek cuisine and art scene.
From here, you’ll quickly reach the three-fingered peninsula of Halkidiki, a popular vacation spot for Greeks and visitors from abroad. The waters are crystal clear, and there are several campsites right by the sea, making the region a perfect beach escape.
Then it’s on to Kavala, where you can learn all about the city’s turbulent history in the beautiful old town centre. Be sure to stop at Biblia Chora on the way as it’s one of the best wineries in Greece!
Costa del Sol, Spain
As the name suggests, the sun loves to shine on the Costa del Sol! The coastal strip in Andalusia is one of the most popular holiday regions in Spain, with temperatures around 23 °C even in October.
In the uncrowned capital of the Costa del Sol, Málaga, you can hire a roadsurfer and set off from Nerja to Manilva, where some of the country’s most beautiful beaches await you. Some are shallow, crystal clear and perfect for a beach vacation with the family, while others have a wild charm with rocks and strong waves.
If you want to experience a bit of culture in addition to your beach getaway, stroll through the beautiful old town of Malaga and visit the house where Pablo Picasso was born. Marbella is a great place for people-watching, as the city is a popular vacation destination, especially for stars and starlets.
Looking for a unique camping experience? Find campsites and pitches with lovely hosts and amenities nestled in the great outdoors on roadsurfer spots.
Black Sea Coast, Bulgaria
The Black Sea coast of Bulgaria is a notorious destination for partying and an extended beach holiday. When travelling in October, however, things are much quieter, which makes the area particularly suitable for families.
The climate in October is a lot cooler than in the summer month with temperatures around 20 °C. If you want to swim, you should go to Sunny Beach, where the water is usually a few degrees warmer. It is best to plan your trip for the beginning of the month, because by the end of October, autumn will arrive on the sunny coast.
Prefer to explore something other than the beach and partying? Then drive along the coast to north-eastern Bulgaria. Here you will find romantic old towns, Roman ruins at Cape Kaliakra and the idyllic Durankulak Lake, which is a great destination for bird watchers. Make sure to stop in Tyulenovo – the small town is known for its delicious seafood, which comes fresh off the boats.
Puglia, Italy
Many regions of Italy could be on the list of the best travel destinations in October. And Apulia, the boot of Italy, is definitely one of them. The area is still warm in October with temperatures around 21 °C, and the water temperature is around 22 °C. You can hire your campervan from our station in Rome and then head south!
Dreaming of a beach holiday? Then go from the Gargano Peninsula to the Tremiti Islands or Torre Guaceto Beach! If you prefer to experience art and culture, we recommend visiting Castel del Monte and the cave town of Matera.
For pasta lovers, the best things to eat in Apulia are the famous orecchiette and the “ncannulato”. We can’t think of a better way to spend a warm autumn evening…
Adriatic Coast, Montenegro & Albania
If you fancy a beach holiday away from the busy tourist areas, we recommend a road trip along the Adriatic coast from Montenegro to Albania. With temperatures of a pleasant 22 °C, it is a brilliant October travel destination.
In Montenegro, there are 200km of coastline to explore. Fun fact: the country was one of the main filming locations for the movie Casino Royale! You can also mingle with the rich and beautiful in Sveti Stefan before diving into the history of the country in the Bay of Kotor.
Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve may no longer be one of the best kept secrets among travellers, but it simply cannot be left out of the best travel destinations for October. Hire a campervan from our Faro station and then head west along the coast.
Whether you are alone with your surfboard or with the whole family, the Algarve has something for everyone. Places like Sagres and Lagos are great for surfing and kite surfing, and golfers can look forward to some of the best golf courses in Europe in the region. Once the summer heat is finally over, you can play comfortably in the early autumn season.
Parents and children can relax on numerous beautiful beaches or go hiking in the nature reserves. Be sure to take a boat trip to discover the Algarve from the water and, if you’re lucky, see dolphins in the wild.
Wild camping is not allowed in Portugal and is punished with hefty fines. If you want that unique camping experience in the nature, you can legally book one of these great campsites on roadsurfer spots.