Planning a trip to Europe in October is a fantastic idea. The weather is mild, often still warm, though not scorching hot like in the summer months. Major attractions, such as the Colosseum in Rome and Acropolis in Athens are less crowded, as are beaches and restaurants, too.
There’s plenty to consider when planning a trip to Europe in October, from the weather and what to pack, to where is best to go. From the beautiful Dalmatian coast to a Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, here are all the best places to go in Europe in fall.
Rome, Italy

Rome, Italy
Italy’s capital is a must-visit and October is as good a time as any to marvel at the revered Roman Forum and the colossal Colosseum. In October, temperatures in Rome range from 59°F to 72°F and it’s not uncommon to enjoy al fresco apéritifs under the early evening glow of the Mediterranean sun at a delicious neighborhood wine bar.
After you’ve toured the Capitoline Museums or Vatican City, venture into Monti, a historic neighborhood between Termini station and the Colosseum, filled with art galleries, boutiques, wine bars, and restaurants.
If you’re a movie buff, you could also head to the Rome Film Festival, held annually in the city in the latter half of October, with dozens of movies shown at the Auditorium Parco della Musica.
Funchal, Madeira

Funchal, Madeira
Known for its luscious mountains and black-sand beaches, Madeira is one of the best places to visit in Europe in October.
Madeira—part of a four-island archipelago—experiences gorgeous year-round warm weather, with ocean temperatures hovering around 73°F in October, making it perfect for restorative sea swims.

View from Cabo Girão, Madeira
Bathe on the breathtaking Praia do Porto do Seixal, an onyx-colored shoreline on Madeira’s north coast that’s snuggled between green-covered peaks. Walk Cabo Girão, a dramatic skywalk with a glass platform, suspended 1,902 feet above crashing waves below, making it the highest promontory in Europe.

Monte Sledges, Madeira
Ride the thrilling Monte Sledges from the village of Monte down to the center of Funchal. These handmade sledges are pushed by two drivers, known as carreiros, who dress in smart white uniforms, as they guide the sledges at speed down the 1.2-mile route.
After, browse the bundles of fresh tropical fruit at Mercado dos Lavradores and marvel at the adjoining fish market as fresh tuna and swordfish are auctioned off.
Florence, Italy

Florence, Italy
If you’re searching for the best places to visit in Europe in October, look to dreamy Florence, with the Renaissance City wonderfully mild and temperatures ranging from 52°F to 66°F.
If you’re lucky, you might catch a harvest festival, where a bounty of ripe Tuscan produce—chestnuts, grapes, olives, truffles, and pumpkins—is displayed like the subject of a 16th-century, still-life painting.
In Florence’s photogenic Boboli Gardens, admire the many Renaissance statues and shades of fall as leaves glow yellow and orange, mirroring the terracotta hue of the city’s rooftops, including the famous Duomo Cathedral.
Nice, France

Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France
With highs of 70°F, one of the best places to visit in Europe in October for a glamorous getaway is Nice.
Enjoy a long walk along Nice’s miles-long Promenade des Anglais. It’s one of Europe’s prettiest promenades, lined with tall palm trees, miles of beaches, and elegant buildings, including Nice’s historic opera house. October also sees the beginning of Opéra de Nice’s season with regular concerts and ballet performances.
Open Tuesday to Sunday, year-round, Cours Saleya is Nice’s sweet-smelling flower market, while the enchanting Old Town is filled with winding cobbled lanes and historic churches. Spend time browsing the galleries and boutiques, and admiring the Baroque Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice, without the crowds.

Old Town Nice, France
Visiting the Old Town is one of the best things to do in Nice. Here, you can stop for a bite to eat at delightful bistros and wine bars offering alfresco seating, where you can enjoy traditional Nicoise cuisine with a glass of red wine or chilled rosé. La Cave du Fromager is a sublime spot for cheese lovers, while Papilla Glacier serves up delicious ice cream.
Seville, Spain

Plaza de España in Seville, Spain
Orange-scented Seville is beautiful year-round, but you’ll find temperatures far more pleasant to explore its many landmarks in October. You could attend one of the city’s many fiestas, with parties and festivals taking place celebrating everything from flamenco music to food throughout October.
The Real Alcázar of Seville and its tranquil gardens are a masterpiece of Mudéjar architecture and one of the best places to learn about Moorish history in Seville.
Wander in Plaza de España within the extravagant Parque de María Luisa, with its fountains and Venetian-style bridges. You could rent a row boat and paddle the canal that circles the plaza. After, take in the striking Setas de Sevilla, officially called the Metropol Parasol, known for its towering wooden structure with markets on the ground floor and panoramic views from the viewing platform above.
Athens, Greece

Acropolis in Athens, Greece
The Acropolis with fewer crowds is reason enough to visit Athens in October. Add to that mild weather, with temperatures around 72°F to 79 °F, and Greece’s capital is one of the best places to visit in Europe in October.
Spend time browsing the modern Acropolis Museum, filled with ancient artifacts recovered from Acropolis Hill, and marvel at Athens’ other antique sites, such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus and ancient Agora.
Shopping in Athens is a highlight, including Ermou Street for Greek and international high street brands. Kolonaki is the place to go for designer boutiques, while Athinas Street and Athens’ Central Market are the spots for cheeses, olives, oils, herbs, and spices.
Istanbul, Turkey

Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey
What makes exhilarating Istanbul one of the best places to visit in Europe in October? A cool Bosphorus breeze meets warm air temperatures, making it a joy to explore the Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque, and the Hagia Sophia.
In October, Istanbul is in the midst of its International Biennial, which runs from September to November, with free exhibitions held at dozens of venues across the city, including Pera Museum and Istanbul Modern.
Istanbul’s International Bosphorus Folk Dance & Music Festival also takes place in the latter part of October, drawing enchanting folk, modern, and orchestral music events across the city. There’s more, including a bounty of exciting produce to sample in October, with juicy pomegranates, rich figs, and tart quinces available.
Palma de Mallorca, Spain

La Seu in Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Picturesque Palma basks in highs of 75°F in October with swimmable sea temperatures of around 72°F, making this Spanish island a luscious fall escape. Pack your bathing suit and swim off Palma’s nearby beaches, including the white-sand Cala Major and Platja d’Illetes.
Tackle a hike in the Tramuntana Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stretches across Mallorca’s north coast, or stick to the city to watch Palma’s magnificent cathedral bathed in October’s sunlight. The cathedral’s terrace remains open to the public through October, before closing for the winter season on November 3.
After, visit the 14th-century Bellver Castle. It’s roughly a 45-minute walk from the city center, with the hilltop castle surrounded by fragrant pine woods, offering serene views of Palma Bay.
Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal’s darling capital is one of the best places to go in Europe in October to enjoy picture-perfect streetscapes and historic landmarks in pleasant weather.
Breathe in the scent of roasted chestnuts, with October the month when most chestnuts are harvested, vendors selling them in squares and on street corners around the city.
You could get your bearings by riding the iconic Lisbon trams and head to one of the many miradouros—such as Miradouro das Portas do Sol or Da Senhora do Monte—to soak in scenes of this pastel-hued city.

Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon, Portugal
One of the best things to do in Lisbon is to visit the extraordinary Jerónimos Monastery near Belém Tower, and the Monument to the Discoveries, close by the waterfront.
Valletta, Malta

Valletta, Malta
As Europe’s southernmost capital, Valletta brings glorious weather in October with temperatures averaging around 77°F.
Explore this fortified city’s rich history at the lavish St. John’s Co-Cathedral, home to Caravaggio’s masterpiece “The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist,” and the Grand Master’s Palace in St. George’s Square.
Wander along Strait Street to admire the pretty balconied houses and take in the sultry views of the Grand Harbour from Upper Barrakka Gardens, just off Castille Square. Stop by at 12 p.m. or 4 p.m. and you’ll catch the firing of the cannons from the Saluting Battery below.
Santorini, Greece

Santorini, Greece
Santorini in October is blissful, with warm weather ranging from 68°F to 77°F and fewer crowds than summer. October temperatures are much more suitable for hiking, including the six-mile route from Fira to Oia, which takes around two and a half hours, passing the Three Bells of Fira Church.
Stroll around dreamy Oia, with its azure vistas, whitewashed houses, and cerulean-blue church domes, perched on the caldera’s edge. There are tavernas, galleries, and boutiques to explore.
Alternatively, laze on one of Santorini’s best beaches, such as the volcanic strips of Perissa or Perivolos, or the dramatic ochre sand of Red Beach.
Kotor, Montenegro

Old Town Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor—a poster child for the Adriatic’s Venetian walled cities—is typically 64°F to 72°F in October and perfect for a fall hike. Lying at the innermost point of the Bay of Kotor, Kotor is flanked by tall limestone mountains, with plenty of trails around the bay.
Try climbing the Ladder of Kotor, a mountain trail with over 70 hairpin turns that weave up the cliff behind the Old Town. Views of Kotor’s golden foliage, the Old Town’s terracotta rooftops, and the emerald water are magical. After, reward yourself with a carafe of local wine or a creamy gelato in the Old Town.
FAQs
What is the weather like in Europe in October?

Lisbon, Portugal
Though you might experience some crisp mornings and cool evenings, the weather in Europe in October remains mostly mild. There can be a mixture of sunshine, rain, and cloudy days—sometimes a combination of all three on the same day. The weather can also vary greatly within Europe, depending on your exact location.
Mediterranean beach spots in Southern Italy, Spain, and Greece, as well as Malta and Cyprus, where temperatures can peak at 77°F, remain blissfully warm.
If your plan is to take in a destination’s art galleries, historic sites, and cobbled old towns, you’ll also appreciate the milder weather that October brings in places such as Venice, Dubrovnik, Istanbul, and Lisbon.
Is October a good time to visit Europe?

Our Lady of the Rocks, Kotor
October is considered shoulder season in Europe, which firmly places it outside of the busiest season—summertime. This makes October a great time to visit Europe, with fewer crowds and lines to access the top attractions, beaches, and restaurants.
What should I pack?

Acropolis in Athens, Greece
Check the weather forecast in your destination as your vacation approaches to inform your packing decisions. Layers are a good idea to allow you to go from sightseeing and sunbathing to sun-dappled lunches or cool, breezy hikes in Europe.
If the forecast indicates cooler days, pack slacks, jeans, T-shirts, light jumpers, a raincoat, as well as comfortable walking shoes. If your plans involve hiking, pack comfortable athleisure pieces, such as lycra leggings, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and sneakers or hiking boots.
If you plan on sunbathing on an empty beach, pack swimwear and coverups. Similarly, in a warmer destination, pack light dresses, linen shirts, shorts, T-shirts, a sun hat, and sunglasses.
Are fall colors visible in October?

Belgrad Forest, near Istanbul
Soothing shades of buttercup yellow, radiant red, and glowing gold are visible in certain places in Europe in October. One of the best places to see fall shades is on vineyards, when green leaves begin to change color in Italy, Spain, France, and Greece.
Plitvice Lakes National Park near Zadar in Croatia and Florence’s Boboli Gardens in Italy offer lovely fall shades; and in Istanbul, Belgrad Forest, Yıldız Park, and along the Bosphorus sees trees turn golden and burgundy from mid October.
Can I still enjoy the beaches in Europe in October?

Athens, Greece
You can absolutely enjoy some of Europe’s beaches in October. Some of the best beaches in Malta, Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Montenegro are beautiful in October, water still warm enough to swim in, with lounge chairs, parasols, and beach bar facilities.

Florence, Italy
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