Where's hot in October in Europe

If you’re anything like us, the undeniable bite of autumn in the air has left you longing to extend summer. So, if you’ve been wondering “where’s hot in October in Europe?”— here’s a run-down of some sizzling autumn-sun destinations. Not only will these dazzlers defer the need to don winter garb, but they can all be reached via scenic ferry crossings. What better way to blow away winter blues than traversing ultra-blue seas to reach your sun-drenched destination? 

Covering glorious Greek islands, Canary Islands, and Gozo — plus a couple of North African gems — read on to find out where’s hot in October in Europe. Thinking of taking a later winter trip? These recommendations also apply to travellers wondering where’s hot in Europe in November, and where’s hot in Europe in December.

La Palma

It’s not for nothing that La Palma is known as La Isla Bonita (the Beautiful Island) and La Isla Verde (the Green Island). From its dramatic volcanic landscapes, to lush forests thick with native trees, the entirety of La Palma has been declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve. And, having a subtropical climate, travellers who head to this Canary Island idyll in October can expect average daily highs of 26°C.

Exploring Caldera de Taburiente National Park is a heady highlight of La Palma. Here at the heart of the island, the spectacular peak of Roque de los Muchachos delivers awe-inspiring views of the archipelago, along with epic walks on the wild side.

Meanwhile, the island’s capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, is a history-rich charmer. Add to that cliff-backed beaches, and La Palma amounts to the picture-perfect winter sun destination for travellers who appreciate natural beauty.

Editor’s tip: with ferries to La Palma running from Tenerife, Gran Canaria and La Gomera, the island is well-placed for exploring a few Canary Islands.

La Graciosa

Gloriously unspoiled, La Graciosa is a genuine gem for travellers hoping for sunny, scenic getaway. And in good news for seclusion seekers, you can easily take a ferry from Lanzarote to La Graciosa. 

The smallest of the Canary Islands, La Graciosa is blessed with a bounty of natural goodness — from golden-sand beaches you’ll most likely have to yourself, to the crystalline waters of a marine reserve. 

Beyond the coast, with few cars and a permanent population of little more than 700, it’s a joy to cycle the trails that snake around the island.

Editor’s tip: La Francesa Beach boasts dreamy turquoise waters that are perfect for snorkelling. Be sure to stay for the sublime sunset.

Kos

As Greek islands go, Kos — the third largest island of the Dodecanese — is something of an evergreen all-rounder. 

Want to bliss out on a beautiful beach with plenty of bars and tavernas to keep you well fed and watered? Kos has you covered. How about discovering ancient history in the birthplace of Hippocrates? You can do that here, too, along with cycling, hiking, sailing and windsurfing, with a whopping water park on hand to keep the kids happy. 

With an international airport, daily ferries from Athens to Kos, and average highs of 22°C in October, it’s clear why this dazzler deserves to be considered when planning a Greek island holiday, not least when you want some winter warmth.

Editor’s tip: for a taste of traditional life, visit the 3000-year-old village of Antimachia.

Rhodes

Playing host to some of Greece’s best beaches, a UNESCO-designated medieval Old Town, and exuberant nightlife, it’s clear why Rhodes is one of the most visited Greek islands. 

Offering a richness of ancient attractions, natural beauty, and vibrant social hubs, the island makes mixing pleasure and adventure a breeze. Take Traganou Beach, for example. While one area of this beauty spot is served by sun loungers and places to gorge on Greek grub, its northern end has a magical cave that’ll enchant snorkellers. 

Weather-wise, Rhodes averages a daily maximum of 25°C in October. Add to that the joys of smaller crowds and better deals to be had on accommodation, and autumn is an excellent time to visit Rhodes.

Editor’s tip: to reach Rhodes in a relaxing style, explore Greek Islands ferry schedules. After comparing schedules and costs for multiple operators, you can mix and match said operators to book your perfect trip. What’s more, the Ferryhopper app enables you to live-track your ferry. 

Gozo

With the ferry from Malta to Gozo taking just 45 minutes, little wonder this is a popular — and richly rewarding — day trip. That said, Gozo has plenty to detain travellers for longer.

That’s especially true if you’re looking for an October break that’ll have you living your best Mediterranean life from the moment you disembark.

Malta’s laidback little sister exudes an alluringly slower pace of life, and natural beauty that’s easy to be bewitched by. Think sweeping bays to stretch out on, coastal cliffs ripe for relaxing rambles, with sleepy villages speckling valleys and hills. 

As for higher-octane activities, Gozo has a growing reputation among outdoor adventurers. Take your pick from rock climbing, canoeing, and exploring some of the best dive sites in the Med.

Meanwhile, culture vultures will fall under the spell of Gozo’s honey-hued citadel, a UNESCO contender that dates back to 2500 BCE. Then there’s Dbieġi Crafts Village — the perfect place to pick up one-of-a-kind, locally-crafted souvenirs.

Editor’s tip: head to the Ta' Ċenċ Cliffs viewpoint to see soul-stirring sunsets.

Melilla

Sharing a border with Morocco on the northwest coast of Africa, Melilla is an autonomous city of Spain. Pleasantly warm in October, with average highs of 24°C, it’s a multicultural port town of Phoenician origin, with fabulous food, 9km of coastline, and seriously impressive architecture.

Easily reached by ferry from Málaga, Motril and Almería in southern Spain, Melilla la Vieja fortress stands as an imposing icon above the port. Skipping forward a few centuries, Melilla has Spain’s second-highest concentration of Catalan Modernisme buildings. That’s thanks to the fact that Enrique Nieto, Gaudi's apprentice, served as the city’s architect.

Mention must also be made of Melilla’s cool café culture and cuisine that’ll satisfy foodies who’ve “been there, eaten that” elsewhere in Spain. The fusion of Iberian and Moroccan flavours is chef’s-kiss delish.

Editor’s tip: don’t miss Playa de la Ensenada de los Galápagos. Flanked by medieval masonry and lofty cliffs, this cute cove is accessed via a tunnel under the fortress. 

Tangier

Though regions of Morocco were recently affected by an earthquake, the recovery response has been swift. In fact, with tourism central to Morocco’s economy, the country is safely welcoming tourists to areas that weren’t directly impacted. As a result, if you’re wondering where’s hot in Europe in autumn, we recommend visiting Tangier.

With several daily hour-long ferry crossings from Tarifa in Spain to Tangier, the city comes heartily recommended for travellers who are keen to experience a diversity of cultures. This comes courtesy of Tangier’s location at the convergence of two seas and two continents.

After losing yourself in the maze-like alleyways of Tangier’s walled medina, crawl the city’s countless cafés. Many of these come with noteworthy cultural connections. 

Take Gran Cafe de Paris, for example. Beloved by bohemian writers in the 1950s (among them William Burroughs), and oft-used as a movie location, it’s the perfect place to people-watch in atmospheric old-school surroundings. The coffee and croissants aren’t half bad, either. 

Editor’s tip: consider embarking on an unforgettable multi-destination break. In addition to regular routes between Tarifa and Tangier, you can also take a ferry from Algeciras, Motril, Málaga and Barcelona in Spain, Sète and Marseille in France, and Savona and Genoa in Italy. Inspired? Browse the ferry schedules.

Thinking of taking a trip in October? You’ll find inspiration in our guide to some of the best places to go in October. 

If you’re also wondering where’s hot in November and December, our run-down of the best winter sun destinations around the world will help you plan.

Alternatively, to skip the hassle of planning, talk to our local travel experts to start curating your dream tailor-made trip.

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This article was brought to you in partnership with Ferryhopper.