Are you planning for a Europe trip in October? The best places to visit in Europe in October include everything from mountain getaways and nature exploration to historical journeys and city escapades.
Some of my favorite spots include:
- Tenerife, Canary Islands
- Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
- The Greek Isles
- The Cotswolds, England
Let’s dive in and learn about the exciting cities, attractions, cuisine, and activities that you can enjoy when traveling in Europe during October!
15 Best Places To Visit In Europe In October (Weather Tips!)
Cinque Terre, Italy
Average temperatures and weather: highs of 69F (20.5C) and lows of 56F (13C); it rains around 9 days in October and you get around 6 hours of sunshine a day.
Visiting Cinque Terre in the shoulder season is a major bucket list item! I think it is truly one of the best places to visit in October in Europe as you can explore without the huge crowds that accumulate in the summer months.
Some of the best things to do in Cinque Terre in October include hiking, enjoying the grape harvesting season, watching the sunset, and of course, devouring all of the incredible coastal cuisine.
Paris, France
Average temperatures and weather: highs of 63F (17C) and lows of 50F (10C); it rains around 8 days in October and you get around 11 hours of sunshine a day.
Paris in October is seriously stunning! I just adore the beautiful fall foliage at this time of the year! Easily one of the best European cities to visit in October, Paris has a lot to offer visitors in the fall months.
You can explore the catacombs, enjoy Halloween festivities at Disney, enjoy a fountain light show at the Palace of Versailles which only happens from May to October, experience the Harvest Festival, enjoy the Autumn Festival, dive into the White Night festivities, and much more!
Tenerife, Canary Islands
Average temperatures and weather: highs of 78F (25.5C) and lows of 68F (20C); it rains around 2 days in October and you get around 7 hours of sunshine a day.
I love Tenerife in the fall! It is among the best places to travel in October in Europe for many reasons. One of the most exciting things is the lack of light pollution as it allows for incredible stargazing as the nights get longer in October.
Other exciting things to do in Tenerife at this time of year include celebrating Halloween at one of the nightclubs and enjoying the hiking conditions in the lush green landscape thanks to the increased rain in October.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Average temperatures and weather: highs of 58F (14C) and lows of 39F (3.8C); it rains around 8 days in October and you get around 4 hours of sunshine a day.
Plitvice Lakes National Park offers stunning autumn colors surrounding the stunning lakes and waterfalls in the park. Easily one of the best European destinations for October, this national park is something you won’t want to miss if you are visiting Croatia in the fall.
Some of the best hiking trails here include the Upper and Lower Lakes trail which showcases beautiful boardwalks and waterfalls that the park is famous for and the Plitvice Lakes Walking Route which is a bit shorter for those who want to enjoy the beauty without all so much effort.
Venice, Italy
Average temperatures and weather: highs of 65F (18.3C) and lows of 50F (10C); it rains around 5 days in October and you get around 6 hours of sunshine a day.
Venice is easily among the best October cities in Europe. Despite still being heavily visited during the autumn months, October is technically the shoulder season and a great time of the year to visit The City of Canals.
You should be sure to check out all of the famous things to do in Venice while you are there, but there are some October-specific things for you to check out as well! The Venice Marathon happens in October and opera season in the city starts in October; both are fun activities to make your time in Venice special.
Ireland
Average temperatures and weather: highs of 55F (13C) and lows of 42F (6C); it rains around 17 days in October and you get around 3 hours of sunshine a day.
I adore Ireland in the off-season. The autumn brings virtually no crowds to the most popular destinations in the country, giving you more space, better travel photos, and cheaper prices.
As one of the best places to visit in Europe in October, you can rest assured that there are loads of exciting things to do in the country during this time of year.
Some of the most appealing Ireland October activities are festivals. You can find food and music festivals galore during this time of year. October is also a great time for whale watching, especially in Cork.
The Dolomites, Italy
Average temperatures and weather: highs of 38F (3.3C) and lows of 27F (-2.7C); it rains around 6 days in October and you get around 10 hours of sunshine a day.
Visiting Europe in October is impeccable when you spend time in the Dolomites. The crowds start to disappear this time of year opening the mountains up for you to explore without having to share the hiking trails with loads of other people.
A few stunning places to consider visiting include the Lake Federa Hike, Lake Sorapis Circuit Trail, and Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint. Autumn travel in Europe is at its peak when you are relaxing in the mind-blowing Italian mountains.
Seville, Spain
Average temperatures and weather: highs of 79F (26C) and lows of 57F (13.8C); it rains around 5 days in October and you get around 11.5 hours of sunshine a day.
Are you looking for the best October weather in Europe? Well, Spain is one of the hottest European countries in October! Seville is a beautiful city in Spain known for its architecture, monuments, and tapas scene.
In October, you can enjoy the Festival of Nations where you can see colorful costumes and listen to traditional music from around the world. There is also a White NNight where all cultural establishments are free in the city!
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Average temperatures and weather: highs of 60F (15.5C) and lows of 45F (7C); it rains around 9 days in October and you get around 4 hours of sunshine a day.
Ljubljana is one of the must-see European countries in October for your bucket list. There is a fantastic restaurant week in Slovenia in the autumn where the finest restaurants are chosen to participate. This week allows you to enjoy nice restaurants at affordable prices.
Fall and spring are the best times to visit Ljubljana as the weather is mild and you can avoid summer crowds. As one of the best places to visit in Europe in October, don’t skip this beautiful city on your next fall Europe trip!
The Greek Isles
Average temperatures and weather: highs of 79F (26C) and lows of 55F (12.7C); it rains around 5 days in October and you get around 8 hours of sunshine a day.
Hands down one of the best October beach vacations in Europe, the Greek Isles in shoulder season are incredible! The weather all depends on which island you are on. You can find temperatures ranging from hot to mild. No matter which island you choose, visiting at this time of year is so nice!
If you plan on visiting Santorini, you will love how the weather is perfect for sightseeing. Another popular option is Mykonos where the summer crowds have diminished and you can enjoy lower rates as well. Be sure to consider Kefalonia and Corfu as well!
The Cotswolds, England
Average temperatures and weather: highs of 57F (14C) and lows of 44F (6.6C); it rains around 11 days in October and you get around 10.5 hours of sunshine a day.
The beautiful Cotswolds turn orange at the end of October when the vines on the historic buildings begin to turn beautiful autumn colors. During your visit in October, you can dive into local culture at a country show. These shows are popular in the fall and are important to local agriculture.
Other great options for activities include seeing the autumn colors at the Westonbirt Arboretum, foraging for autumn berries, enjoying the countryside, taking a ghost tour, and going stargazing. England is one of the best countries in Europe to visit in October!
Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Average temperatures and weather: highs of 45F (7C) and lows of 29F (-1.6C); it rains around 10 days in October and you get around 6 hours of sunshine a day.
Autumn in Europe is something that every traveler should try to see in their lifetime and one of the best places to visit in Europe in October is Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. This is the shoulder season for this stunning mountain town, so you can look forward to fewer crowds and still manageable weather.
Some top things to do in Lauterbrunnen include hiking, seeing the largest free-falling waterfall in Europe, and enjoying the breathtaking views. There are also a lot of opportunities for adrenaline enthusiasts to get their heart pounding as well.
Budapest, Hungary
Average temperatures and weather: highs of 62F (16.6C) and lows of 47F (8.3C); it rains around 4 days in October and you get around 5 hours of sunshine a day.
Budget travelers gather around! Hungary is among the must-visit cheap European countries in October. Visiting Budapest specifically is incredible this time of year. Oktoberfest, Hungarian National Day, art festivals, and more are all going on in October!
If you are a foodie, you will be happy to learn there are a lot of food-related activities to participate in in Budapest in October. There is the Chimney Cake Festival as well as Restaurant Week, among other events.
Lisbon, Portugal
Average temperatures and weather: highs of 73F (22.7C) and lows of 59F (15C); it rains around 8 days in October and you get around 7 hours of sunshine a day.
If you are looking for warm European cities in October, consider visiting Lisbon, Portugal! It is one of the best places to visit in Europe in October due to the incredible weather, lower rates, and activities during this time.
In October you can experience Europe’s oldest fashion week, Moda Lisboa, the French Film Festival, and the Lisbon Marathon. Of course, you should check out all of the top attractions like historical sites, cathedrals, and popular restaurants as well!
Mallorca, Spain
Average temperatures and weather: highs of 74F (23.3C) and lows of 59F (15C); it rains around 6 days in October and you get around 6 hours of sunshine a day.
Ready to check out some spectacular European beaches in October? Then, you will want to head to Mallorca! Fall in Europe doesn’t have to be all fall leaves and colder temperatures. In Mallorca, you can enjoy sunshine, palm trees, and sandy beaches.
One of the reasons that Mallorca is an easy pick for a list of the best places to visit in Europe in October is the festivals! There is the Pepper Fair, Feria de la Sobrasada, and Fira Dolca, among others. If you like to immerse yourself in local culture and cuisine, visiting one of these festivals is the way to go.
I know deciding where to go in Europe in October isn’t a super easy decision. However, you have a lot of great options at your disposal! You can choose from a variety of countries, cities, and landscapes to make your time spent in Europe in the fall magical.
Which of these best places to visit in Europe in October will you be visiting first?
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