Where to Travel in October

Enjoy the mellow mood and deep colours of autumn in some of Europe’s loveliest cities – especially Paris, Copenhagen, Rome and Istanbul. Head to the Mediterranean island of Malta for a last blast of summer, and discover some of Jordan’s deserts and ancient treasures. Alternatively, go on safari to Botswana to see some of the world’s greatest creatures in the wild.

Go wild in Botswana

Botswana

Catch the end of the dry season in Botswana, one of the world’s greatest locations for an exhilarating safari holiday. If you start in the capital, Gaborone, you’ll have the nature reserves of Gaborone and Mokolodi on your doorstep to whet your appetite before an adventure deeper into the wildernesses of this vast country. Go to the Okavango Delta and the waterways will be teeming with wildlife at this time of year. You’ll have the spectacular vision of incredible numbers of wildebeest, elephants, hippos, rhinos and zebras all heading for the area’s water sources after months of drought.

Straddle continents in Istanbul

Istanbul's Blue Mosque

At a crossroads between Europe and Asia, Istanbul never fails to fascinate – especially during October’s mild days. Lose yourself in the buzzing streets of Beyoğlu and Karaköy before crossing the bridge over the Golden Horn to the Old Town to see Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

Once you’ve checked out the stalls in the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar, take a commuter ferry across the Bosphorus to the Asian side. A visit to the food market in Üsküdar should be high on your list.

Dive into Malta’s history

This tiny Mediterranean country manages to squeeze in an extraordinary history that dates back to prehistoric times, plenty of handsome baroque architecture, a rich cuisine and superb beaches. Between Malta and its little sister island of Gozo – plus the diver’s paradise that is Comino – there is a dizzying number of places to discover.

Start in the sixteenth-century citadel capital, Valletta, before exploring the ancient Roman city of Mdina and relaxing in the resorts of St Julian’s. Then take the boat across to Gozo and hike around the Neolithic Ġgantija temples at Xagħra.

Explore Jordan’s deserts and seas

Jordan’s searing heat begins to mellow by the time October comes round, and that makes exploring its sights considerably easier. The lures of the ancient rose city of Petra and a trek across the sands of Wadi Rum are hard to resist, as is the thought of having a long, relaxing soak in the Dead Sea. Scuba divers head for the Red Sea at Aqaba to see its astonishing underwater world.

Food lovers will want to spend time in the capital Amman, where the choice is enormous – from fine dining to fantastic street food.

Have a party in Munich

Munich

Oktoberfest is one of the most compelling reasons to visit Munich, the Bavarian capital, when October comes around. Once you’ve had your fill of beer and bratwurst in one of the city’s many beer gardens, take time to get to know one of Germany’s most attractive cities. Prepare to be dazzled by autumn colours in the vast expanses of the Englischer Garten, which is the curtain-raiser to the beauties filling Munich’s main square, Marienplatz. Its gothic, Renaissance and baroque architecture is mesmerising – as is the wonderfully ornate Rathaus-Glockenspiel, with its life-size figures that perform twice a day.

Have Rome to yourself

October is one of the best times to visit Italy’s busy capital. Marvel at the autumn colours in Rome’s Villa Borghese and the Botanical Garden in Trastevere, and enjoy seeing the Vatican Museums, St Peter’s Basilica and the Colosseum with a fraction of its summertime visitors.

Time your visit for the first Sunday of October and you can join the fun at the Marino Wine Festival just outside the city. Whenever you visit, be sure to visit Testaccio’s fabulous market and its mouthwatering selection of street-food stalls.

Get active in Johannesburg

There are countless reasons to visit Johannesburg – arguably South Africa’s most vibrant city – but October has an especially irresistible one: this is the month that Joburg’s gorgeous purple jacaranda trees bloom. October’s low rainfall and warm weather also means getting active is a breeze and guests at the Protea Hotel Johannesburg Wanderers enjoy full membership of the city’s historic Wanderers Club, which offers a dazzling array of sporting activities. See another side of active Johannesburg by asking your hotel to book you a bungee jump from the iconic cooling towers in historic Soweto, then take a guided tour of the area for unforgettable insights into South Africa’s past.

Embrace the autumn in Paris’ parks

It’s hard to think of a month when Paris doesn’t sparkle, and October brings brilliantly hued autumn leaves to the city’s many parks. It’s also the time for the annual Nuit Blanche, when Paris’s top museums and galleries stay open for most of the night, making for a memorable cultural tour of the city.

Just below Sacré Coeur, the dazzling white basilica that rises over Montmartre, you’ll find the city’s only vineyard. And it’s in October that the annual wine harvest – the Vendanges de Montmartre – takes place.

Escape to Andalusia

Come October, this region of southern Spain becomes a laid-back place to explore, with agreeably mild temperatures. That makes it so much easier to visit one of Andalusia’s star attractions, the Alhambra in Granada, one of Europe’s great Moorish fortresses.

It’s also a prime time to wander through the narrow lanes of Malaga’s old town and get your cultural fix by popping into the Picasso Museum and the city’s impressive cathedral. Then head into the hills of Montes de Malaga Nature Park for rambles through pine woods.

Sample Copenhagen’s culture

Copenhagen

October in Copenhagen brings crisp autumnal days and a blazing display of colour in its many green spaces. It’s a great time to indulge in some hygge cosiness, of course, but it’s also when the wonderfully ornate Tivoli Gardens gets fully into the Halloween spirit, with elaborate decorations all over this nineteenth-century amusement park. Look out for the haunted hotel and the zombie dance shows.

If you want a crash course in Danish culture, join Kulturnatten which takes place every October. For one night, more than 200 cultural institutions – from theatres and galleries to parks and libraries – open their doors all night for a huge festive cultural celebration.

Published: October 07, 2024

Last Updated: November 28, 2024

Article Tags:  Andalusia , Botswana , Copenhagen , Istanbul , Johannesburg , Jordan , Malta , Munich , Paris , Rome