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Where to Travel in October

Oktoberfest, changing leaves, and island escapes.

While September offers travellers the chance to soak up the last rays of summer, October is all about enjoying the gentle splendour of autumn before temperatures begin to plummet - in the Northern hemisphere, at least!

For those looking to venture further afield it's also a relatively quiet time to take a long-haul holiday - but if you're looking for peace and quiet, watch out for school holidays towards the end of the month.


Here are some of our top picks for where to travel in October 2017.

Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech, Morocco in October

Marrakech enjoys warm-to-mild weather all year round, and in October a comfortable 21 degrees celsius is the norm, but the mercury can still hit temperatures of up to 30 degrees if you're lucky. This is the ideal time of year to explore the ancient and narrow streets, bustling souks, desert vistas and tropical gardens of this unique and romantic city. Don't miss the sunsets at the main square of Jemaa el-Fna, which comes to light at dusk as drummers take to the streets and traditional lanterns light up the early autumn nights.

Check out our 48 Hour Guide to Marrakech for ideas on making the most of your city break!


Vienna, Austria

Belvedere Museum in Vienna, Austria

In October, Austria's most important film event takes place inside some of the most beautiful cinemas in Vienna's historic centre. Over 94,000 visitors descend on the film festival to watch a selection of over 300 films from across the globe. While you're in Vienna we recommend taking in the baroque streetscapes, and stopping by the Belvedere to visit the world's largest collection of paintings by Gustav Klimt.


Beijing, China

A street at night in Beijing, China

Golden Week is China's national holiday taking place in October. Although it is peak tourist season, it's also the time to join in the celebrations and explore what Beijing has to offer. We'd recommend visiting the Forbidden City. It's China's largest and best-preserved collection of ancient buildings, and the largest palace complex in the world. It was off limits for 500 years, but has been listed a Unesco World Heritage since 1987.


Valletta, Malta

City of Valletta, Malta

Every October people flock to the annual Notte Bianca event in the cityscape of Valletta, Malta. The event is a huge celebration of people, culture and arts and is the perfect excuse to get a bit of October sun. The city's museums, art galleries and other attractions are open free of charge, and you'll find the city's finest musicians, dancers and other creative geniuses lining the streets - promising an unforgettable night for everyone.


Gran Canaria, Spain

Amadores Beach at Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria, Spain

For winter sun head to Puerto Rico in Gran Canaria, which is one of the island's best beach and sun hot-spots. It's only about 35 minutes south of the airport, passing the beautiful Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas on the way. It's absolutely stunning. The beautiful Amadores beach here is ideal for families or anyone who's not a particularly strong swimmer. There are great harbour walls and sea defences that mean that the waves are tiny and the water's nice and shallow. However, our favourite thing to do here by far is dolphin watching. We took a tour and it did not disappoint, we saw a whole pod of dolphins swimming around our boat. It was amazing!



More Great Places to Visit in October

Still not sure? We recommended some great places to visit in October 2016 too, which would all make fantastic locations for an autumn break this year.

Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia, Italy in October

The beautiful island of Sardinia comes to life in October, as the annual Autumn in Barbagia festival takes centre stage. During the festival the spacious courtyards of traditional villas are opened to the public, and a showcase of local cuisine, wine, dance and traditional craft takes place. Visitors come from all over Italy and beyond to experience this rare glimpse into rural Sardinian life, but you won't be having to compete with the crowds that flock to the island throughout the summer.

The cooler weather also provides a great opportunity to walk comfortably around the island's winding streets and enjoy the extraordinary murals painted on many of its old buildings. Puglia in Southern Italy is also a good bet for a sunny October break.


Munich, Germany

Munich, Germany in October

Munich is not only a beautiful place to explore in the autumn with its iconic Bavarian architecture, it's also a beer-lover's paradise as the annual Oktoberfest comes to town at this time of year. Whether or not you plan to partake in the swilling of ale, you can make the most of the mild weather by checking out the city's best-loved spots - from the traditional charm of the old town to the trendy Schwabing district with its upscale bars and pavement cafes.

Don't miss the Olympiagelände - the site of the 1972 Olympics - where you can survey the city from above, with spectacular views of the Bavarian Alps.


Cyprus

Cyprus in October

Didn't make it to any beaches in the summer? Don't fret. Cyprus is just four and a half hours away from the UK, and in October, the weather is still positively balmy. You can expect daytime temperatures of at least 27 degrees at this time of year, so this may well be the best chance you'll get this year to catch a tan within Europe.

The island's reputation as a holiday paradise is well earned, and by visiting outside summer months you'll avoid the busier times when it can sometimes feel a little crowded. The Turkish coast and many of the more Southerly Greek islands such as Crete, Rhodes and Kos also offer ample opportunities for European autumn sun.


Cambridge, UK

Cambridge in October

If you're looking for an October staycation, the dreamy spires of Cambridge hold a particularly mysterious appeal as early autumn sets in. Be prepared for any and all weather conditions when you visit the East Anglian seat of learning, and split your time between museum and library visits and punting trips along the river Cam.

Nearby Grantchester is particularly gorgeous at this time of year, and you can visit the idyllic village by water or road - with private punting tours taking around an hour and a half each way. The colleges will be packed with eager freshers at this time of year, but many will let you into the grounds for a nose around. The city's ancient rival, Oxford, is also a great place to visit in October.


New Hampshire, USA

New Hampshire in October

If you like your autumn leaves vibrant and colourful, any part of New England will delight your senses in October. From Connecticut to Vermont, 'Fall' is in full swing in America's North Eastern corner, but New Hampshire's White Mountains are thought to be particularly stunning.

Nobody, not even the locals, can tell when the maple leaves will be at their reddest and most beautiful but the last week of September and first week of October are considered to be safe bets. How you choose to experience the fabulous foliage is entirely your call, but many visitors like to explore the area on horseback or take a hike through the rugged country.


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