17 Best Places to Travel in October

Temperatures: Low 50°F • High 70°F

Highlights: Culture, ancient ruins, villages, museums, wine, cuisine, scenery

Other recommended travel times: February • March • May • June • September • December

Italy is a renaissance for your senses in October. The crowds have thinned, the weather has cooled, and the landscape changes color from north to south, revealing the endless beauty of the scenery and timeless allure of the culture. History reveals itself in ruins and catacombs, museum galleries and artistic grandeur.

Style radiates from antique arcades to the mastery of culinary feasts in the central markets. From canals to volcanic slopes, artistic masters to mouthwatering wines, October is the perfect time to indulge in Italy’s exceptional pleasures.

Learn more: Italy Tours & Vacations • Italy Travel Guide

Temperatures: Low 60.6°F • High 74°F

Highlights: Warm weather, culture, beaches, museums, cuisine, ancient ruins

Other recommended travel times: May • June • July • September

The stunning sights of the mountains and the astonishingly beautiful coastline beckon you when you visit Greece in October.

Pleasant weather and smaller crowds can create an unforgettable experience along the famous cliffs of Santorini, among the pillars of the Parthenon, in the mountain towns of Crete or the hanging monasteries of Meteora.

October brims with local spirit, authentic flavors, and limitless cultural treasures that are unobtainable in other months.

Learn more: Greece Tours & Vacations • Greece Travel Guide

Temperatures: Low 54°F • High 66°F

Highlights: Culture, beaches, museums, cuisine, hiking

Other recommended travel times: February • May

Croatia can feel like a fantasy at any time of year, but with the sapphire sea still warm enough to enjoy and the cool evenings offering a hint of the coming winter, October is a majestic time in which the scenery and culture sing.

Wander along ancient Roman ruins, sample endless feasts of truffles and wine, and embrace natural splendor that can take you from limestone karsts to the enchanting coastline, each new moment capturing a different perspective of Croatia’s majesty.

Learn more: Croatia Tours & Vacations • Croatia Travel Guide

Temperatures: Low 58°F • High 63°F

Highlights: Culture, beaches, museums, cuisine

Other recommended travel times: January • March • May • June • September

The October sunshine in Spain carries from the mountains to the coastline as the last remnants of summer dance across a country absent of crowds.

With an epic landscape that has inspired artists for centuries, Spain can feel like a fairytale brought to life.

With medieval towns, markets offering delectable local dishes, and the joys of flamenco that transcend language, October in Spain can take you beyond its most famous points to reveal the true wonder of the local, regional, and national spirit.

Learn more: Spain Tours & Vacations • Spain Travel Guide

Temperatures: Low 57°F • High 73°F

Highlights: Cherry blossoms, culture, temples, villages, cuisine

Other recommended travel times: March • May • April • November

With temperate weather and fewer crowds, you will discover the best of what Japan has to offer during October. Ancient traditions collide with visions of the future, while the natural world towers over contemporary industrial progress.

Tradition travels into the mountains, carrying into tea ceremonies and outdoor shrines, underpinning daily life. Whether watching a sumo match or sampling customary cuisine, Japan is a marvel of regional variation that celebrates its past, while looking to the future.

Learn more: Japan Tours & Vacations • Japan Travel Guide

Temperatures: Low 57°F • High 66°F

Highlights: Hot weather, culture, water sports, scenery, Great Barrier Reef, beaches

Other recommended travel times: January • February • March • April • November • December

October unlocks the treasures of Australia. As one of the best months of the year to visit the entire country, October offers access to the most remote and most famous corners of Australia, with temperate weather along the southern beaches, inland desert, and tropical north.

Whether cruising through Sydney Harbour, diving along the Great Barrier Reef, uncovering ancient heritage or winding through the vintage arcades of Melbourne, October can give you the best of Australia.

Learn more: Australia Tours & Vacations • Australia Travel Guide

Temperatures: Low 67°F • High 80°F

Highlights: Warm weather, culture, beaches, water sports, cuisine

Other recommended travel times: May • July

During October Tahiti and French Polynesia blur into the summer months with a serenity that emanates from its turquoise waters. The large crowds from the Southern Hemisphere’s winter have returned home and enjoy a secluded ambiance on white-sand beaches, in emerald jungle terrain, or sheltered blue lagoons.

Whether snorkeling in search of tropical marine life, cycling around the islands, lounging on the pristine coastline, or venturing into the mountains on a 4WD excursion, Tahiti and French Polynesia in October can be as relaxing or as adventurous as you prefer.

Learn more: Tahiti Tours & Vacations • Tahiti Travel Guide

Temperatures: Low 52°F • High 81°F

Highlights: Warm weather, wildlife, culture, beaches, scenery

Other recommended travel times: January • March • July • August • November

October in Tanzania is still part of the country’s dry season, a time with exceptional access to the country’s wildlife, wilderness, culture, and coastline.

Little vegetation makes it easier to spot lions and grazing herds, all the way from the forests to the Serengeti, while the snow-white sands of Zanzibar’s coastline feel warm and inviting.

The weather along the rising slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro remains pleasant for climbers and the local markets become a thrilling ambiance of banter and bartering. Whether looking for rhinos or snorkeling, adventure or relaxation, Tanzania in October provides much diversity.

Learn more: Tanzania Tours & Vacations • Tanzania Safari Guide

Temperatures: Low 49°F • High 76°F

Highlights: Scenery, culture, museums, wine, hiking

Other recommended travel times: February • March • November • December

Chile in October offers endless opportunities to take in the masterpiece that’s the open night sky, the crashing Pacific waves, and the shimmering Patagonian glaciers that decorate the country.

Chile emerges from the cold of the Southern Hemisphere winter in October, giving access to the remote wonders of Patagonia’s wilderness and wildlife, or the salt plains of the Atacama Desert. Chile can feel like an artistic discovery from Santiago to Valparaiso, or, from glacial lakes to erupting geysers, a picture of nature’s grand scale.

Learn more: Chile Tours & Vacations • Chile Travel Guide

Temperatures: Low 48°F • High 65°F

Highlights: Warm weather, culture, cuisine, hiking, scenery, wildlife

Other recommended travel times: January • March • May • August • September • November

October in Ecuador and the Galapagos is one thrilling adventure.

The wildlife embraces the cooler weather, bringing action from sunrise to sunset, while the smaller crowds make it easier to explore the beauty of the archipelago and preserved Andean towns.

Dazzling and daunting, Ecuador provides cultural charm and mountain adventure, the wonders of the Amazon Rainforest and the renowned splendors of Galapagos wildlife.

Learn more: Galapagos Tours & Vacations • Galapagos and Ecuador Travel Guide

Temperatures: Low 47°F • High 65°F

Highlights: Warm weather, wildlife, culture, beaches, history, villages

Other recommended travel times: February • July • November

Colombia is a breath of fresh air in October. From the towering Andes to the jungle terrain, the landscape is a treasure trove of natural delights until the final days of rain arrive across the Caribbean coast.

With pre-Colombian architecture, Amazon majesty, Spanish colonial towns, and vibrant Andean cities, Colombia is an extraordinary destination that can give you endless chances for adventure. Whether trekking in search of a forgotten citadel or looking for signs of wildlife, Colombia is a wonder to behold.

Learn more: Colombia Tours & Vacations • Colombia Travel Guide

Temperatures: Low 64°F • High 82°F

Highlights: Cool weather, culture, historical towns, museums, scenery

Other recommended travel times: January • November

October in Egypt unveils the magnitude of history and the crossroads of Mediterranean culture. The weather remains warm deep into the month, which keeps the crowds small, especially in the south.

The desert shines with beguiling layers of color and thousands of years of history emerge in the form of pyramids, temples, tombs, and ancient artifacts. Whether participating in daily life in the Grand Bazaar, sailing down the oases of the Nile’s riverbanks, or embracing the surprising beaches and exceptional scuba diving along the Red Sea, Egypt in October is sure to enchant you.

Learn more: Egypt Tours & Vacations • Egypt Travel Guide

Temperatures: Low 57°F • High 81°F

Highlights: Culture, cuisine, hiking, scenery, museums, beaches, ancient ruins

Other recommended travel times:

A world of wonder, hospitality, and desert beauty, Jordan in October balances the summer warmth and winter chill, with pockets of greenery scattered across mountains layered with arid sands that glow gold.

Follow the legendary King’s Highway that dates back to the ancient spice trade, witness the masterful architecture of historic Petra, or uncover the placid salt waters of the Dead Sea. October in Jordan makes even the most remote wonders reachable, from Roman ruins to crusader castles, colorful mosaics to exceptional scuba diving.

Learn more: Jordan Tours & Vacations 

Temperatures: Low 57°F • High 78°F

Highlights: Culture, architecture, cuisine, villages, hiking

Other recommended travel times: March • September • November

Morocco in October is perfection. The weather has cooled across the country, from the mountains to the sea, while the coastal waters remain warm enough to enjoy the beach. The mountains cool considerably for an epic contrast to the sand dunes that offer an adventure into the desert landscape.

Whether exploring the labyrinth of lanes in the medinas of the imperial cities, learning how to craft a traditional tagine, or trekking from a panoramic terrace to an Atlas foothill, Morocco in October is full of spirit, color, and adventure.

Learn more: Morocco Tours & Vacations • Morocco Travel Guide

Temperatures: Low 52°F • High 76°F

Highlights: Culture, temples, cuisine, villages, hiking, wildlife

Other recommended travel times: April • September

Nepal is considered Shangri-La in October. The remote country in the Himalayas glows with natural beauty and October’s ideal weather is perfect for trekking along the secluded trails or discovering ancient temples hidden in the mountains.

From charming villages to alluring jungles, captivating stupas to peaceful escapes, you can indulge in the celebrated cuisine, search for tigers and crocodiles, or trek the exciting Everest Base Camp to experience the true splendor of Nepal.

Learn more: Nepal Tours & Vacations

Temperatures: Low 83°F • High 92°F

Highlights: Warm weather, culture, scenery, temples, villages

Other recommended travel times: March • November

Laos in October shines like an emerald. The weather across the country is dry and sunny, which showcases the natural wonders of the mountainous regions, jungle terrain, and glistening waters around the river islands in the southern provinces.

With vivid natural sights, an energetic culture, and adventurous scenery, Laos creates a kaleidoscope of forests and rice fields, tea leaves, and mountain views.

Authentic heritage prevails in the villages and an eclectic culture combines the influences of the surrounding countries, layered histories, and dramatic natural beauty into one spellbinding destination.

Learn more: Laos Tours & Vacations • Best Southeast Asia Tours & Vacations

Temperatures: Low 66°F • High 80.6°F

Highlights: Warm weather, wildlife, culture, history, art

Other recommended travel times: January • February • March • April • May • September

The staggering colors of India return in October. As the monsoons retreat across the country, the weather turns pleasant and comfortable, with migratory birds carrying with them the vibrancy of autumn.

The sumptuous combination of tradition and spirit, architectural history and contrasting landscapes invites once again. Whether looking for golden fortresses in Rajasthan or meandering canals in Kerala, the Himalayan snow in Himachal Pradesh or the vibrant shades on the banks of the Ganges River in Varanasi, India is a majestic taste of the unexpected in October.

Learn more: India Tours & Vacations • India Travel Guide 

October embodies grandeur and grace as autumn and spring roll in across the world.

Discover grazing herds or sample delectable wines with stunning views, learn to cook authentic local dishes or embrace the colors of vibrant marketplaces – October can immerse you in the world’s wonders as you travel on a custom-tailored vacation.

Find inspiration for your next trip with our Trips of a Lifetime sample itineraries or explore your preferred month of travel with our Best Places to Travel By Month.