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October offers plenty of hot holiday options, whether you’re dreaming of a last-minute getaway to escape the autumn chill in 2025 – or planning ahead for 2026.
For fans of European beaches or shorter flight times, the usual culprits of sunny Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, and Morocco offer far warmer weather than typical for the UK.
Happy to travel further afield? You’ve got plenty of choice, from hot and humid Mexico (see: Cancun) to far-flung island paradises such as The Seychelles.
It’s not all about the beach, though – we’ve rounded up city breaks, wildlife-spotting and rainforest adventures, too.
Where is hot in October?
Tenerife, Canary Islands
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Temperature: Up to 26°C
Sunshine hours: Seven hours
Flight time: Four hours, 10 minutes
Tenerife is lovely in summer, but it’s year-round sunny weather makes it an ideal place to be in autumn too.
The possibility of 26°C, the average high for October, is too good to pass up – as are gorgeously warm sea temperatures of 24°C, and the fact you’ll be visiting just after the bulk of tourists (in August) and leaving just before the rainiest months.
So, what to do in Tenerife? The largest of all the Canary Islands, you can for an all-inclusive resort holiday, laze by the pool, beach or perhaps have a splash in waterpark Siam Park.
But if you can pull yourself off the sun lounger: take an island hike, marvel at Mount Teide in Teide National Park, enjoy a day trip to Garachico, check out Los Gigantes cliffs, or try whale-watching.
You also can’t go wrong elsewhere in the Canary Islands, as Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura all offer similar temperatures, along with lesser-known La Palma.
Quintana Roo, Mexico
Temperature: 32°C
Sunshine hours: Seven hours
Flight time: 10 hours, 30 minutes
The city of Cancun, which sits on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, is practically synonymous with winter sun. The Met Office says average temperatures hit 32°C in October, too. Bliss.
Flight times might be lengthy, but you’ve got plenty of direct options from multiple UK airports, with airlines including BA and TUI – Virgin Atlantic is even resuming their route to the popular spot from mid-October 2025.
It’s an ideal beach destination, and if you love to end a lazy beach day with a night out, then the nightlife in Cancun shouldn’t disappoint.
But if you’ve been there and done that, why not consider exploring more of the state of Quintana Roo?
It’s also home to Playa del Carmen, another resort city known for its beaches – from which you can also take a 40-minute ferry to the island of Cozumel. Carry on south down the coast and you’ll be in Tulum, where you can marvel at its Mayan archaeological site and swim in the nearby Gran Cenote.
Bacalar is a quieter getaway option, located near the Mexican border with Belize, and may suit if you’ve always fancied The Maldives – it’s earned comparisons thanks to its natural beauty and laidback vibe.
Kos and Dodecanese Islands, Greece
Temperature: Up to 24°C
Sunshine hours: Eight hours
Flight time: Four hours (to Kos)
If you want to escape the cold this autumn, one of the Dodecanese Islands is a great place to holiday.
After all, it is often dubbed ‘the sunniest corner of Greece’, offering highs of up to 24°C in October.
Opt to relax on the popular beaches of Kos, overlooking the turquoise Aegean Sea, or head off to explore Rhodes, the islands’ capital – famous for mountains, archaeological sites and medieval town.
You could visit Symi, with its dazzling yellow-hued port town, or if you want to veer slightly further away from the well-trodden islands, nature-packed Nisyros.
Kalymnos, meanwhile, is known worldwide for its natural sea sponge. Yep, as in… actual sponges.
If you’re a big fan of the Greek island Crete, why not consider Kasos? The Visit Greece tourist website suggests it’s an ideal alternative.
Sicily, Italy
Temperature: Up to 26°C
Sunshine hours: Five to six hours
Flight time: Three hours, 20 minutes
Sicily is no doubt at its hottest during summer, but the Italian island can offer high temperatures in October – around the low 20s, with an average daily maximum of 26°C.
Intrigued? Consider a city break to Palermo, or a trip to Taormina, a coastal town known for hikes and historic sites (like Teatro Antico di Taormina, the 3rd-century, ancient Greek theatre).
TV fans will also want to scout the Taormina locations used in the second season of HBO’s The White Lotus, which was set at San Domenico Palace – its Four Seasons hotel.
Nearby is the volcano Mount Etna – and October is among the quieter times to visit. Keep in mind that it’s an active volcano, as multiple tourists found out during a June 2025 eruption, and plan any visits wisely, ideally with a guide.
For something off the beaten track, exploring some of Sicily’s smaller and lesser-known villages might be more your speed.
The Seychelles
Temperature: 30°C
Sunshine hours: Eight hours
Flight time: 12 hours, 30 minutes
The Seychelles in October practically guarantees hot weather: low 30s in the day for sunbathing, and low 20s to keep you warm in the evenings. It’s hot year-round.
It’s a popular month to visit, too, just before the East African country enters its rainy season in November.
Even with the occasional spell of rain, it’s surely impossible to get bored of the many islands making up The Seychelles, their white sandy beaches and endless views of the Indian Ocean.
Smaller islands to consider visiting include La Digue – home to Anse Source d’Argent Beach, which really does look straight out of a postcard – resort island Ile du Nord, giant tortoise haven Curieuse, or Praslin, taken over by the lush Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve.
Mahé, however, is the main island, and is where you’d find the majority of Seychelles residents and the country’s capital city, Victoria. Here, you can visit a vibrant local market, see interesting architecture, and enjoy more beaches.
Paphos, Cyprus
Temperature: 23°C to 27°C
Sunshine hours: Eight hours
Flight time: Four hours, 40 minutes
Paphos is a family holiday favourite, with plenty of hotels to choose from for a laze-by-the-pool getaway.
Sometimes, you just need a cocktail to sip and a sun lounger to lie on. Or a dip in the 25°C sea. Or the type of relaxing trip where warm evenings allow you to enjoy a late dinner outdoors.
However, this destination in south-west Cyprus has more to offer, as it’s also home to a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Both the neighbourhood Kato Paphos and nearby village of Kouklia are home to some seriously important ancient sites, including mosaics and archaeological remains of Nea Paphos (Aphrodite’s Sacred City) and the Temple of Aphrodite respectively.
In Kouklia, you’ll find the sea stack Petra Tou Romiou, aka Aphrodite’s Rock, which is mythologised as the birthplace of the legendary Greek goddess of love and beauty.
Brisbane, Australia
Temperature: Up to 26°C
Sunshine hours: Nine hours
Flight time: 22 to 23 hours
If you’ve got the money and time, Australia is a wonderful choice for a hot yet adventurous holiday in October. And the state of Queensland is no exception.
The state capital, Brisbane, is a wonderful city focused around its huge river, from which you can hop on a CityCat ferry, or explore the river bank’s nearby parks.
Brisbane is also well-known for its restaurants and nightlife, and for the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the largest koala sanctuary in Australia.
The temperature averages at 26°C this month, so you’ll likely be exploring in the warm. And you could even be at the beaches of the Gold Coast in less than one hour.
Of course, it’s well worth the 45-minute flight (or some five-hour drive along the Queensland coast) to dive in the Great Barrier Reef – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Marrakech, Morocco
Temperature: Up to 30°C
Sunshine hours: Eight hours
Flight time: Three hours, 45 minutes
Marrakech in Morocco, located in North Africa, often lands on ‘where’s hottest?’ lists, thanks to its high temperatures.
In October, you can expect averages of 24°C, climbing as high as 30°C – with warm days, balmy evenings and very little rainfall a real possibility, a salve when arriving from the chilly UK.
Even if it ends up being a touch cooler, there’s plenty to keep you busy in this fast-paced city.
Popular places to visit include the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa market square, Jardin Majorelle gardens, local souks for shopping, and the Koutoubia mosque, which dates back to the 12th century. If you can, stay in a riad.
And if you’re after some shade, there are museums in Marrakesh, too – devoted to photography, Moroccan handicrafts, and the Algerian-born French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.
Portugal
Temperature: Up to 23°C
Sunshine hours: Seven hours
Flight time: Two hours, 20 minutes
Portugal’s often a safe bet in October, at least compared to the UK’s chilly 13°C average temperature.
The only problem? Deciding where in Portugal to go. Yep, you’ve got stacks of holiday options in this southern European gem.
A city break to Lisbon, the capital, is always a winner – as great views, delicious food (such as pastel de nata) and exciting excursions (such as to towns Sintra or Evora) are built right in.
There’s also popular Porto, a city famed for its amazing bridges and incredible wine – or venture out to a lesser-known destination, such as Braga, sometimes known as the ‘Portuguese Rome’, or Aveiro, which is often nicknamed ‘Venice of Portugal’.
Just want to chill on the beach before winter comes? Fair enough. Head to the gorgeous Algarve, which includes popular resort city Albufeira and the region’s historic capital Faro.
Aruba
Temperature: 30°C
Sunshine hours: Eight hours
Flight time: 12 hours, 40 minutes
Aruba’s weather in October is ideal: sunshine and low 30s temperatures during the day, and pleasant evening weather at night, with only the odd shower of rain in-between.
It’s the ‘A’ of the ABC islands (Bonaire and Curacao being the others), and located in the Caribbean Sea – so naturally known for its pristine beaches.
Eagle Beach is a popular spot to visit. Incredible snorkelling opportunities, at beach sites such as Mangel Halto and Boca Catalina, are also plentiful.
There’s even a beach where flamingoes roam freely, though you’ll have to pay for a visit to the private Renaissance Island to see them.
Beyond the beach, you could hike in Arikok National Park or spend some time exploring shops and museums in Oranjestad, the island’s capital city.
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
Temperature: 31°C
Sunshine hours: 10 hours
Flight time: Five hours, 20 minutes
If you really want to feel the heat in October, Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt does the trick.
It offers average highs of 31°C, a sea temperature of 27°C, and cardigan-shunning evening temperatures of around 20°C.
After all, it is still technically summer, with Egypt’s (mild) winter not kicking in until November, lasting until mid-April.
Expect golden sandy beaches along the Red Sea, with plenty of resort hotels to choose from. If you’re keen to explore the area, try the local Old Market, which is home to the Al Sahaba Mosque.
Want more beach time? Naama Bay is known for its diving, snorkelling and watersports opportunities as well as its nightlife, while Ras Um Sid and Shark’s Bay Beach are also worth a wander.
Borneo
Temperature: 28°C to 31°C
Sunshine hours: Six hours
Flight time: 15 hours
Borneo is a real bucket list destination for many travellers.
And October is just at the end of Borneo’s peak season, making it an ideal time to visit, weather-wise and price-wise.
This South-East Asian destination is somewhere you go to witness a glimpse of nature in all its glory – namely the many species of wildlife living in its 130-million-year-old rainforest.
Famously, it’s one of only two places where you can still find orangutans in the wild.
According to Audley Travel, they can still be seen in their natural habitats in the month of October, though dedicated sanctuaries on the island care for them year-round.
It’s also prime time to go diving at Sipadan, a Malaysian island nearby. If you time your trip right, you’ll also be visiting during Diwali – the Hindu festival of lights.
Muscat, Oman
Temperature: Up to 35°C
Sunshine hours: 10 hours
Flight time: Seven hours, 30 minutes
For scorching temperatures in October, Oman’s capital Muscat delivers.
You’ll average 30°C, typically hitting up to 35°C as the day progresses and the sun keeps shining through a cloudless, rain-free sky – staying warm in the evening at a balmy 25°C.
Thomas Cook also notes that the waters of the Gulf of Oman, which Muscat’s sandy shores overlook, are around 29°C at this time of year.
In addition to beaches, there is much to explore in this part of the Middle East, such as mountains, the souq [souk or market], Mutrah Corniche, the National Museum of Oman and stunning Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
Beyond Muscat, a visit to Wahiba Sands desert and the ethereal oasis of Wadi Bani Khalid are a must – both can be visited as part of an arranged guided tour.
Dubai, UAE
Temperature: Up to 36°C
Sunshine hours: 10 hours
Flight time: Seven hours
Like Muscat, you can expect soaring temperatures in Dubai in October.
The UAE city can see 30°C, with 36°C highs not unheard of. Along Dubai’s beaches, the ocean will keep you warm with water temperatures reaching 31°C.
Of course, Dubai isn’t just about the beach. Expect very glamorous and expensive hotels (that are well air-conditioned, thankfully) and plenty of opportunities to shop.
Marvel at Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, or try to break away from the glitziness and pay a visit to a local souk, café or gallery in the Deira or Al Seef districts.
Also worth exploring is the historical neighbourhood, Al Fahidi, with its 18th century fort and carefully-restored houses providing a small glimpse into 19th century life.
Or travel 90 minutes outside the city to Hatta, often dubbed the ‘Highlands of Dubai’.
Tahiti
Temperature: 26°C to 29°C
Sunshine hours: Eight hours
Flight time: 23 to 25 hours
Reaching Tahiti is no walk in the park, as flight times vary wildly from 23 hours to over a day, including connections.
But surely a breathtaking paradise in the South Pacific is worth the extra effort.
The island is also the major hub for, and largest island of the 118-island-strong archipelago French Polynesia.
Tahiti is famously figure eight-shaped, split into Tahiti Nui and the smaller Tahiti Iti, with both offering stunning beaches – surrounded by crystal clear ocean that is ripe for swimming, snorkelling or Catamaran sailing.
Tahiti is also known for black sand beaches, hidden caves, gorgeous lagoons, cascading waterfalls, and green mountain peaks encircling the island – all of which can be explored, ideally with a guide.
You can also experience the Municipal Market in Papeete, the capital of Tahiti and French Polynesia – as well as pay a visit to a museum dedicated to the archipelago.
Truly a once-in-a-lifetime type of destination.
More destination inspiration from Metro
This article was originally published in August 2023 and has been updated.
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