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Best holiday destinations for October
Uncrowded beaches, sunny skies and bargain prices - October is one of the best months to take a holiday.
It’s finally mild enough to explore Athens’ ancient sights without running for shade. While 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.
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Best places to visit in October
- Vienna, Austria 15℃
- Athens, Greece 22℃
- Costa Dorada, Spain 22℃
- Cape Town, South Africa 20℃
- Austin, Texas, USA 28℃
Best short-haul holiday destinations in October: Vienna, Austria
October high: 15℃
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 (October 5 this year) - 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 Inghams.
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.
Costa Dorada
October high: 22℃
As well as being blessed with 125 miles of beaches, Costa Dorada is home to the Roman town of Tarragona, which has an old town and a seaside amphitheatre. Barcelona and the Montserrat mountains are also an easy day trip if you hire a car.
Salou has Blue Flag beaches and Spain’s biggest theme park, Port Aventura. Another popular resort is Sitges – an attractive town with smart shops and chic restaurants.
You can enjoy six hours of sunshine a day in October, while the sea is still warm enough for swimming.
Find package deals in Costa Dorada with Which? Recommended provider Jet2holidays.
Best long-haul holiday destinations in October: 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.
Austin, Texas, USA
October high: 28℃
Quirky, outdoorsy and with a world-famous music scene, liberal Austin has an energy that is uniquely its own. There are parks (more than 500) and hiking trails a plenty.
The tree-shaded 10-mile path at Lady Park Lake, which forms part of the Colorado river, is a good place to start. Popular with runners and cyclists, it offers the perfect vantage point to take in the Austin skyline. You can take a dip in either Barton Springs or Deep Eddy Pool, spring-fed pools on either side.
Refuel at one of the many food trucks downtown. The city is famous for its slow-cooked barbequed meat and Tex-Mex tacos.
You can expect blue skies and comfortable warm days in October. Austin City Limits is also held this month at Zilker Park (4-6 and 11-13) - a two-weekend music festival that attracts rock, country and folk acts from around the world. The rest of the year, vibrant Sixth Street - with everything from dingy dive bars to upscale roof terraces - is the city’s live music epicentre.
Travel to Austin with Which? Recommended Providers Audley Travel and Trailfinders.
Weather data taken from Weather2Travel.com
