15 Best Places to Visit in October

From marveling at crisp maples in New England parks, lazing on uncrowded European beaches, and soaking in the early scent of spring in Sydney, October is a smart time to go on vacation.

The best places to travel in October also include Tokyo, a fast-paced city that offers shopping, gastronomy, culture, and nature; or off-the-beaten path in Tangier, Morocco, where travelers encounter a simmering melting pot of cultures. Closer to home, Aruba and the Bahamas offer sunshine and powder-soft beaches.

From the volcanic island of Santorini without the summer throngs to wildlife safaris in search of blacktip sharks and blue-footed boobies in the Galapagos, these are the best places to visit in October.

Aruba

Aruba makes for an idyllic October getaway with balmy temperatures of 88°F, bolstered by plenty of sunshine and long stretches of white sand to unwind on.

Shop for local souvenirs at the Aruba Made Mall and Renaissance Marketplace, located in the pastel-hued capital, Oranjestad. The National Archaeological Museum of Aruba is the place to learn about this Dutch island’s first inhabitants, the Caiquetio Indians of the Arawak tribe from Venezuela. Jewelry, pottery, and ceramic urns are displayed from the year 1,000 A.D.

Marvel at Caiquetio rock art in Fontein Cave within the cacti-studded Arikok National Park and at the monolithic Ayo Rock Formation. Or go explore the best beaches in Aruba, including Palm and Eagle beaches, just a few miles north of Oranjestad. They offer excellent facilities, including sun loungers, parasols, watersports, and beach bars.

CocoCay, the Bahamas

What’s not to love about a fall getaway involving cocktails and cabanas on a silky-soft shore? With year-round sunshine and delicious bath-like ocean water for swimming and paddling, CocoCay, a private island in the Bahamas, is a relaxing paradise with swaying palm trees and hazy blue vistas.

This action-packed island also has the eye-popping Thrill WaterPark, with 14 white-knuckle slides, the obstacle-filled Adventure Pool, and the biggest wave pool in the Caribbean. Adrenaline junkies favor the coiling Daredevils Peak; at 135 feet, it’s the tallest waterslide in North America.

Feel the sand between your toes and the salty tingle of the ocean on gorgeous South Beach and Chill Island Beach, some of the best beaches in the Bahamas. There are dining options galore with tasty barbecue dishes at Chill Grill and Snack Shack.

There’s more, including complimentary snorkel equipment rental, guided jet ski tours, and a whimsical tethered helium balloon ride that whisks sunseekers 450 feet above the island.

Santorini, Greece

Among the best places to visit in October is Santorini, where the air and water temperature averages around 73°F and the island is less crowded than in summer. Fall is a wonderful time for hiking here.

The result of a volcanic eruption in the 16th century B.C., this dramatic caldera rises from the sapphire-blue Aegean Sea. Santorini’s natural rugged landscape and back-sand beaches are in contrast to the whitewashed cube houses that cling to cliff sides in Fira and Oia, the island’s two main towns.

Red Beach on the south of the island has a deep rust-red hue, while White Beach has volcanic pebbles and dark sand, surrounded by gleaming white cliffs. These two dramatic beaches in Santorini are next to each other, with White Beach accessible from Red Beach via a hilly hike or a short boat ride.

One of the most breathtaking hikes on the island is from Fira to Oia, skirting a six-mile stretch of the coastline with views of the volcanic island of Therasia. Wander Oia’s narrow cobbled streets, with shops, galleries, bars, and restaurants. The island’s most photogenic landmarks are the sugar-white, blue-domed Three Bells of Fira and Santorini Oia Blue Dome Churches. You can see both on a hike or by catching the bus that connects the towns.

For a sublime seafood lunch, walk down the 300 steps below Oia to Ammoudi Fish Tavern in Ammoudi Bay. This quintessential Greek cove features bobbing fish boats next to waterfront tables, where dishes of Santorini tomatoes, zucchini tempura, and sun-dried grilled octopus are served.

Barcelona, Spain

With warm weather continuing into fall, one of the best places to visit in October is buzzy Barcelona. Barcelona is known for its enchanting Gothic Quarter, golden beaches, and the Antoni Gaudí-designed Sagrada Familia, all of which experience fewer crowds in October.

Stroll Las Ramblas boulevard and wander in and out of the Gothic Quarter’s maze-like streets to witness Barcelona Cathedral, and Roman ruins, and shop for one-of-a-kind gifts. Cross over to La Boqueria, the famous food market of Barcelona, for tasty cones of Jamón ibérico, cheeses, bread, and fresh fruit juices.

Stroll the fairytale-like Park Güell to see more of Gaudí’s masterpieces. The Art Nouveau works by the Catalan architect also include Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, and Casa Botines.

Ride the cable car from the port to Montjuïc Hill for some of the best views in Barcelona, or visit some of the city’s acclaimed museums, including the colossal National Art Museum of Catalonia and the Picasso Museum.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dazzling Dubrovnik has movie-star beauty thanks to its ancient Old Town, enclosed within 16th-century stone walls.

Dubrovnik draws plenty of crowds during peak season, summer, making it one of the best places to travel in October. Walk the city’s 1.25-mile walls for the best views of the Old Town’s terracotta rooftops, before wandering through the limestone-paved streets below.

Explore shops, churches, galleries, and wine bars along the pedestrianized Stradun, from Pile Gate and the 14th-century Franciscan Church and Monastery to the 16th-century Sponza Palace. Stop at Rector’s Palace, an elegant 15th-century Gothic-Renaissance building that’s home to the city’s Cultural History Museum.

One of the best things to do in Dubrovnik include taking a short boat trip from the old harbor to the wooded island of Lokrum. Visitors are met by secluded beaches, the remains of an 11th-century Benedictine monastery, a Napoleon-built fort, and a tranquil botanical garden with peacocks.

Sydney, Australia

Cosmopolitan Sydney is starting to warm up in October—the beginning of spring in Australia—with temperatures ranging from 52°F to 73°F. Pack your bathing suit for a dip on Bondi Beach and drink in Sydney’s rugged coastline, while enjoying the warm breeze on a 3.7-mile Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk.

Tick off popular Sydney landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour, with a walk across the iconic Harbour Bridge, a guided tour of the gleaming Opera House, and a tranquil few hours at the glorious Botanical Gardens.

For a mind-bending epicurean experience, make a lunch reservation at Peter Gilomore’s Quay restaurant in Circular Quay. You’ll dine on an elegant menu of Australia’s finest ingredients, with dishes of wild blacklip abalone, young octopus, and raw scallops and confit pig jowl—with a backdrop of Sydney Opera House.

Tangier, Morocco

Tangier is a melting pot of Arabic, French, English, and Spanish influences on the northern tip of Morocco. Tangier’s rakish charm, with Art Deco independent movie theaters, buzzy souks, and a characterful medina, has long lured writers, artists, and Hollywood stars such as Ava Gardner and Errol Flynn.

From the palm tree-lined Grand Socco, officially named 9 April 1947 Square, wander the whitewashed warren of the medina, home to artisan studios and museums. The Dar el Makhzen is a former palace displaying ancient Moroccan artifacts and the American Legation Museum shines a lens on early diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Morocco.

Admire the Grand Mosque of Tangier. Dating back to the eighth century, it features a beautiful main portal and towering minaret. After shopping and sightseeing, take a seat on the terrace of Gran Café Central to enjoy Moroccan mint tea in the leafy Petit Socco.

Lying on the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier also boasts several sandy Moroccan beaches, including the more tucked-away Merkala Beach and the central Plage Municipale and Plage Malabata for sea swims and sunbathing.

St. Lucia

Few places in the world are as beautiful as St. Lucia. This Caribbean paradise is epitomized by soaring volcanic peaks, including the symbolic Twin Pitons that rise on the west of the island.

The largest, the 2,530-foot Gros Piton, is considered the easiest to climb and offers spectacular views of Petit Piton, the surrounding Caribbean beaches, and the sparkling ocean. It takes around three hours to climb up, around 90 minutes down and is best navigated with the help of a local guide.

Due to the island’s geothermal nature, there are bubbling mud pools and steaming sulfur springs in the town of Soufriere. Join a guided walk to the dormant volcano before lathering mineral-rich mud onto your skin and soaking in the watering hole at Diamond Falls.

St. Lucia’s beaches are among the best in the Caribbean, too. For pristine white sand and aquamarine water, Reduit Beach in Rodney Bay is a big hitter with a splash park, watersports, and beach bars.

The Galapagos

The Galapagos are among the best places to travel in October, with hiking, snorkeling, diving, and kayaking offered to explore the islands’ extraordinary wildlife. In October, Galapagos fur seals begin their mating season, giant tortoises are laying eggs, and blue-footed boobies raise their offspring on Española island.

Ride a panga, don a snorkel and mask, or join a glass-bottom boat in the Bolivar Channel off Isabela Island. It’s one of the richest marine reserves in the world, home to seabirds including penguins, flightless cormorants, brown pelicans, as well as green turtles.

On Bartolomé Island, hike to the lookout point opposite Pinnacle Rock, a volcanic cone that pierces the sky next to the sweeping Playa Dorada. Visitors can swim and snorkel off the curved beach to marvel at the kaleidoscope of frolicking sea lions, Galapagos penguins, and white-tipped sharks.

Boston, Massachusetts

In fall, Boston is aglow with rich shades of burnt red, golden yellow, and shimmering bronze, making it one of the best places to visit in October. To witness the city’s blaze of color, spend time in Boston Common and Public Garden, the city’s answer to Central Park, in the historic Beacon Hill neighborhood.

Parallel to Boston Common, the tree-lined Beacon Street is home to the Massachusetts State House and the gold-domed State Library of Massachusetts.

Boston is known for its rich history. Learn about events that led to the American Revolution and the birth of America on the guided 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, covering 16 of the city’s historical sites, including museums, churches, and meeting houses.

The tour includes Granary Burying Ground at the northeast corner of Boston Common. It’s the resting place of prominent political figures, including the United States Founding Fathers Samuel Adams and John Hancock.

To warm up on a crisp fall day in Boston, order a thick and creamy clam chowder by the city’s glitzy waterfront. James Hook & Co. and Ned Devine’s at Faneuil Hall hit the spot.

Istanbul, Turkey

Lying on the Bosphorus Strait and the Golden Horn, and straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul offers a welcome assault on the senses with pleasantly warm weather in October.

Start at the sixth-century Hagia Sophia. One of the most famous religious landmarks in the world, this UNESCO World Heritage Site with a soaring dome was first a Christian church and is now a mosque and important cultural site.

Next, stroll through Sultanahmet Square to view the breathtaking Blue Mosque’s ceramic-tiled, blue domes. In the characterful Old Town, marvel at colorful houses and Byzantine churches, and visit Ottoman palaces, including Topkapi, where you can trace the history of the Ottoman Empire at the palace museum.

Wander the Grand Bazaar, where aromas of sweet black coffee, bergamot, and toasted golden sesame seeds float through the air and elders play games of chess next to stalls selling treasures and trinkets. One of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar is spread across 61 crisscrossing streets. It’s one of the best markets in Istanbul to pick up souvenirs.

Lisbon, Portugal

Crowds tend to disperse from Lisbon by fall, making this sun-kissed capital one of the best places to travel in October. One of the oldest cities in the world, Lisbon is known for its towers and churches, hillside neighborhoods, cobbled alleys, and pretty trams.

Explore the highlights—Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, Castelo de São Jorge, the National Pantheon, and the Bairro Alto neighborhood of Lisbon—ride the tram, and shop for ceramic souvenirs. The city boasts sugary beaches within easy reach and some excellent viewpoints, too, including the Miradouro das Portas do Sol for postcard scenes of the urban area.

A trip to Lisbon would not be complete without sampling excellent food, such as pastel de nata. These creamy custard tarts are found around the city, including at the failsafe Fábrica da Nata in Restauradores Square.

Florence, Italy

With grapes being harvested in the surrounding countryside, fragrant truffles lacing menus in the city, and temperatures beginning to cool, Florence is one of the best places to visit in October.

Dedicate plenty of time to the vast Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore and its museum. It’s one of the world’s largest cathedrals, with its striking Campanile accessed via a narrow 414-step staircase in Piazza del Duomo.

Roam Piazza della Signoria and the 13th-century Palazzo Vecchio before shopping for Tuscan olive oil and dried porcini mushrooms at Sant’Ambrogio Market. You’ll want to cross the river Arno via the three-arched, 14th-century Ponte Vecchio to reach Boboli Gardens—one of the most elegant gardens in Italy with sensational views of the city.

Tokyo, Japan

Rich foliage garlands Tokyo in fall, making it one of the best places to visit in October. Tokyo is a city of gargantuan contrasts, where shiny modern skyscrapers loom over shrines and temples built thousands of years ago. It’s a city where the latest technology and high-speed transport are valued as much as tranquil parks and gardens.

Explore the incense-scented Sensō-ji temple and its five-story pagoda, built in 645 A.D., before taking the Tokyo Metro to the frenetic Shibuya Crossing. Observe Koyo—the name given to vibrant autumn leaves—in the tranquil Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden or the gardens surrounding the Emperor’s Imperial Palace.

Scale the vermilion-red Tokyo Tower, one of the best places to visit in Japan. At over 1,000 feet it’s the tallest steel tower in the world and affords views of the snow-capped Mt. Fuji from its observation deck on a clear day.

At Tsukiji Market, embark on a tour of the sushi stalls for steaming bowls of rice topped with sashimi and umami-rich dishes of sea urchin, tuna, and octopus.

Read: Three Days in Tokyo

Valletta, Malta

Malta is famous for its year-round sunshine, which means October is a wonderful time to visit the pocket-sized capital, Valletta.

Explore this fortified, grid-style city, founded by the Knights of St. John in 1566, with its many museums, grand palaces, and baroque churches. Step inside St. John’s Co-Cathedral to gaze at the frescoed ceiling adorned with gold and “The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist” oil painting by Caravaggio.

Is-Suq Tal-Belt is a food court lined with stalls, cafés and restaurants on Merchants Street, just steps from the Grandmaster Palace Courtyard and St. George’s Square. Head to the rooftop’s Merkanti restaurant for lunch with sublime views of Valletta.

Walk off dishes of octopus stew and stuffed eggplant by wandering more of the old town. From Hastings Garden, walk the length of photogenic Old Mint Street.

Continue to the Upper & Lower Barrakka Gardens for sweeping views of the Grand Harbour. Factor in time to take a traditional Maltese water taxi, a dgħajsa, to hop across to the “Three Cities of Malta”—Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua—opposite Valletta.

Whether you prefer to kick back on a faraway beach or dive into the culture of a capital city, October is a wonderful time to go on vacation. Explore our exciting October cruises to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Japan, and Australia to book your next adventure.