Where to Go in October: Trending Places Now

The silent revolution in travel is shoulder season. Better tables, softer light, and a sense that cities and landscapes are opening up just for you make October the month to go if you’ve been unsure where to go in October. Ten frequent travelers will give you ten different answers when you ask them where to go in October: vineyard picnics in Tuscany, whale song off a South African headland, and temple lanterns in Kyoto. Another reason October vacations are popular is that more tourists are delaying their sun and sea getaways into the fall to avoid the intense heat and crowds throughout Europe and beyond.

In addition to telling you where to go in October, this guide also encourages you to take your time, stay put, and let serendipity do the rest of the work. By the end, you’ll know where to go in October for big-sky adventures, harvest feasts, warm seas, and forests bursting with color.

Munich, Germany — a smarter Oktoberfest (and beyond)

Munich is alive with brass bands and cinnamon pretzels in early October, but you don’t have to be a big fan to enjoy the excitement. The first week of the month is still ideal for steins and dirndls in 2025, as Oktoberfest takes place from September 20 to October 5. This is the place to go in October if you want to experience big-city sparkle and beer-garden bonhomie. Incorporate a late lunch at a Wirtshaus and a stroll across Theresienwiese during the golden hour. Spend your mornings at the Lenbachhaus or taking loops through the English Garden. (Before making a reservation, confirm the festival dates.)

Kyoto, Japan — lanterns, pageantry, mountain air

October in Kyoto is like the city letting out a breath. Although the koyo (peak leaves) primarily await November, October triumphs in ritual: on October 22, Jidai Matsuri’s aristocratic procession rolls, and on the same evening, the Kurama Fire Festival fills a mountain village with drumbeats and torches. Pick Kyoto if you’re limited to one city with a lot of ceremony when deciding where to go in October. Take the train north to Kurama for nighttime magic after spending the morning in the temple gardens of Arashiyama and the afternoon with wagashi by Nishiki Market. (Check times a week out; both events are yearly, date-specific customs.)

Vermont & New England, USA — peak color, quiet roads

October would be the championship month if leaf-peeping were a sport. As the month progresses, color tends to flow southward from Northern New England, which tends to peak first. In the valleys, leaves can persist into late October. The White Mountains and the Green Mountains offer sugar-maple fireworks, farm-stand doughnuts, and town fairs brimming with plaid for tourists wondering where to go in October for quick, picturesque drives.

Build a loop connecting Stowe to the Kancamagus Highway, then head toward the Berkshires for galleries and cider mills, if you’re planning where to go in October for an unplugged long weekend. (Check foliage forecasts—keep in mind that some roads close when crowds on social media get out of control.)

Tuscany, Italy — vendemmia and villa life

Gold-mottled vine leaves. Sangiovese baskets. Shavings of truffle in a trattoria heated by butter. In October, Tuscany is the Italy of your dreams. The vendemmia (grape harvest) and olive pressing make October the month to go if you’re looking for food and wine, with harvest activities continuing into late October depending on the year and valley.

Establish a slow routine that includes market mornings, wine tours, naps, and lengthy dinners, either outside of Florence or amidst the patchwork hills of Chianti. Haute Retreats curates Tuscan villas, ranging from stone-built farmhouses near Florence to country estates with private pools and concierge, if your idea of where to go in October includes a private base.

Santorini, Greece — soft light, warm water, fewer crowds

Finally, Santorini breathes in October. The Aegean is still warm (about ~22–24°C/71–75°F), ferries are more tranquil, and sunsets feel more personal once more. Terraces above the caldera, leisurely swims, and tastings among volcanic vines will appeal to you if your map of where to go in October leans toward islands. A private villa may be a good option for travelers planning a romantic getaway in October. Haute Retreats offers slick hilltop retreats and cliffside properties that compromise seclusion for expansive views. (The best beach days are in early October; later weeks tend to be more comfortable and uncrowded.)

Marrakech & the Atlas, Morocco — golden hours, desert nights

By October, Marrakech’s furnace cools to a mild warmth, with crisp evenings that are ideal for rooftop dinners and mint tea. Average high temperatures hover around the upper 20s °C (high 70s to low 80s °F). This is the time to go if you’ve been wondering where to go in October without the summer heat. Incorporate a day hike in the Atlas foothills or an overnight camp in Agafay, then check out the souks in the morning before retreating to a palm-shaded riad for a swim. The Marrakech collection from Haute Retreats, which features courtyard mansions and oasis-style retreats just outside the medina, is a great choice for villa lovers this month.

Bali, Indonesia — last, lovely breaths of the dry season

October in Bali is the most beautiful month of the year, with lots of sunshine, a few lustful showers, and lush surroundings. The dry season (May–October) is still near its end, with cozy beach days and candlelit evenings in the jungle. Bali lets you combine Canggu surf mornings with Ubud rice-terrace walks and temple nights if you’re planning where to go in October and want beaches and culture. Haute Retreats provides fully staffed oceanfront compounds and jungle hideaways for a villa-forward stay, ideal for multigenerational families, friend groups, and honeymoons. Bali is the answer if you’re wondering where to go in October for easy logistics, sunshine, and spa time.

South Africa — whales, spring trails, safari skies

Inland, the bush thins just before the first rains, and game viewing is excellent. In the Cape, springtime brings fynbos blooms and southern right whales breaching off Hermanus. If you’re looking for a trip that switches between the ocean and the savanna in October, combine Cape Town’s pleasant days with a Hermanus whale-watch (the town’s festival is scheduled for October 3–5, 2025), and then fly to the Greater Kruger for braais under the Southern Cross.

Four nights in the city, two on the coast, and three on safari can be a simple itinerary for families deciding where to go in October. (In Kruger, the first showers may appear late in the month; it is customarily the end of the dry season.)

Jordan — rose-red cities, desert constellations

Jordan is at its most giving in October: Wadi Rum is gentle by day and starry at night; Petra is cool enough for a full day’s walk through the Siq and up to the Monastery. This is your window if you’re trying to decide where to go in October to experience both Bedouin hospitality and archaeology that will make your bucket list.

Create a route from Amman to Petra to Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea, making room for tea invitations and pause-worthy vantage points. Tented camps in the desert and sunset swims in mineral-rich water will appeal to couples who are deciding where to go in October. (Most people agree that one of the greatest times of year to travel is in the fall.)

The Balearics, Spain — Ibiza & Mallorca after the party

October is considered the locals’ summer on the Balearics. Hiking trails awaken, beaches breathe, and Ibiza’s closing parties taper. The sea remains swimmable well into the month (October temperatures on Mallorca average about 23°C/73°F), and the Serra de Tramuntana has a scent of pine and wild herbs. These islands are ideal if you’re trying to figure out where to go in October for a Mediterranean getaway without the midsummer heat. Villa enthusiasts who are unsure of where to go in October can peruse Haute Retreats’ Balearics pages for modern hideaways with private pools and cliffs.

Read More: 11 Best Luxury Villas in Spain 2026 Ibiza & Mallorca Edition

Patagonia — the gates swing open

In October, Patagonia comes alive with springtime: the steppe is ablaze with wildflowers, trails and refugios reopen, and although the winds are blusterier, there are fewer people. Torres del Paine is the place to go if you’re trying to decide where to go in October and want a landscape that will help you refocus your sense of scale. Be prepared for layers, weather-related patience, and the exuberant energy of the first season. Photographers choosing where to go in October will enjoy long, pearly evenings and snow on high peaks, while friends choosing where to go for a challenge can focus on the W Trek as camps reopen. (Park information: October through April is the main trekking season.)

Nepal — crystal skies on the great trails

Trekkers love October in Nepal because of the post-monsoon clarity: newly washed valleys, peaks piercing cobalt skies, and a vibrant village life filled with festivals. Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit, with their tea houses, prayer flags, and leisurely pace, are the places to go in October if you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime hike. Couples and friends deciding where to go in October can reserve a porter-guide and enjoy the long, clear days; singles contemplating where to go in October will find companionable company on traditional routes. (Autumn is frequently mentioned as the best time of year to go trekking.)

How to choose your perfect October

Consider the type of tale you wish to tell your family. Which would you prefer: warm seas (Santorini, the Balearics), wildlife (South Africa), rituals (Kyoto), feasts (Tuscany), or expansive landscapes (Patagonia, Nepal)? Plan the trip’s main attractions, such as a winery lunch, a guided city walk, a whale cruise, a desert camp, or a sunrise hike, after taking flight duration and daylight hours into account. Include slack to allow for serendipity, such as one free afternoon every three days.

Practical notes I always share

• Even in warm climates, bring layers. Anywhere there is altitude or desert air in October, the nights can cool rapidly.
• Set aside the essentials, such as festival spaces, restaurant tables, and permits for well-liked hikes.
• When possible, visit traditional hotspots during the week.
• I only mention Haute Retreats in this guide when a private base enhances the experience; for villas, I suggest committed experts.
• Create a backup plan for the weather. A quick shower or a misty morning can be a gift during shoulder season; you can still win the day by trading in an hour at the beach for a visit to a market or museum.
• Examine the calendars in your area. Around the world, October is full of festivals; if you plan ahead, a parade or harvest fair can be a highlight, but if you don’t, it can be a pain.

Lastly, keep in mind that place and travel work together. Treat every point of view as if it were someone else’s backyard, purchase from small producers, and take the train when it makes sense. Not only does this result in a better trip, but it also leaves a positive legacy for future generations.

The shortlist, matched to your mood

• Ceremony and culture: Kyoto.
• Immersion in wine and food: Tuscany.
• New England road trip for leaf-peeping.
• Santorini, Ibiza, and Mallorca are warm-water islands.
• South Africa: city + wild coast + safari.
• Jordan’s desert stars and ruins.
• Nepal: large treks, unobstructed skies.
• Patagonia’s wild springtime scenery.

A quick note on villas

A Chianti farmhouse, a Santorini cliffside retreat, an oasis outside Marrakech, Balearic fincas, or staffed compounds in Bali are just a few examples of Haute Retreats—and only Haute Retreats—when a private residence truly elevates the experience. If you want privacy, space, and concierge-level support, their regional pages are a good place to start.

Always double-check details (events, park openings, water temperatures) before committing to anything because festival dates, weather patterns, and access restrictions can change.