October is a fabulous month to visit Europe for many reasons. The weather is generally mild, making it a great time to explore the many sights and attractions that the continent has to offer. In addition, October is also a month when many of Europe’s most popular festivals and events take place. So whether you’re looking for culture, history, or just a great time, be sure to check out one of these 7 Hottest Places to Visit Europe in October.
Valletta, Malta
Malta is a small country in the Mediterranean Sea that is quickly becoming a popular tourist destination. The weather in October is still warm and sunny, making it a great time to visit the many beaches and historical sites that the island has to offer. In addition, Valletta, the capital city of Malta, is hosting the Malta International Jazz Festival in October. So if you’re a fan of jazz, be sure to check out this event.
Visit the beaches – Malta has some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. So if you’re looking to relax and soak up some sun, this is the place to do it.
Explore the historical sites – Malta is home to many historical sites, including the capital city of Valletta. There are also several museums on the island that are worth visiting.
Temperature Average 77 F and 8 hours of sunlight.
Limassol, Cyprus, in October
Cyprus is among the southernmost Greek territories in the Mediterranean Sea, so it is one of the best options for the late autumn sun. It is also becoming a popular tourist destination. In October, it’s generally warm ( average temp around 78.8) or hot throughout the country, except for the north, where temperatures drop a little. The climate is milder than further south, but it gets chilly during the winter months. Cyprus is more than a beach paradise; it offers an array of activities, including hiking, diving, and cycling. It is a great European destination for families and couples.
In October, it gets about 9 hours of sun per day, making it the perfect time to visit the many beaches and historical sites that the island has to offer. In addition, Limassol, the second largest city in Cyprus, is hosting the Cyprus International Film Festival in October. So if you’re a fan of films, be sure to check out this event.
Things to do in Limassol, Cyprus, in October
Visit the beaches – Cyprus has some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. So if you’re looking to relax and soak up some sun, this is the place to do it.
Explore the historical sites – Cyprus is home to many historical sites, including the city of Limassol. There are also several museums on the island that are worth visiting.
Check out the Cyprus International Film Festival – If you’re a fan of films, be sure to check out this event. It’s one of the biggest film festivals in Europe and takes place in the city of Limassol.
Madeira Portugal in the Fall
Maderia is a small island off the coast of Portugal that is quickly becoming a popular tourist destination. Madeira Island and nearby Porto Santo Island and Desertas Islands make great destinations for those seeking a warm climate and fewer tourists. Warm weather is typical throughout the year, and temperatures rarely drop below freezing. During October, the average temperature is around 72 degrees F.
Rainfall is low compared to mainland Portugal, so visitors do not experience the same amount of rain as they would if visiting the Azores. The islands are popular destinations during the summer, but why not go later in the year and avoid the crowd? Waiting in line and waiting in traffic may be much shorter during the off-peak seasons.
In addition, Maderia is also hosting the Madeira Island Music Festival in October.
So if you’re a music fan, be sure to check out this event. Essential Madeira states: The town of Machico holds one of the largest Madeiran folk festivals, the ‘Festa do Senhor dos Milagres’. It is an evocation of the storm of October 9th, 1803, which destroyed the chapel and dragged the image of the Lord of the Miracles down to sea. According to legend, three days later, this image resurfaced and returned to the chapel in 1813. Reason enough for celebrations on October 8th and 9th in Machico.
Things to do in Maderia Portugal in October:
- Check out the film festival
- Visit Diogo Goes’ cycle of exhibitions
- Attend Festa dos Senhor dos Milagres
- Attend the Madeira Nature Festival
- Dress up on Halloween and go bar hopping
- Visit the Apple Festiva ( Festa da Maca) In Camacha
- Visit the beaches
- Do shopping
- Eat amazing food
Lisbon Portugal
Is there ever a bad month to visit Lisbon? I think not! Lisbon is an incredible city full of richness, history, and cheap food, and in October, you can find some incredible travel deals. Lisbon is also not far from many beautiful beaches, so there are lots of half-day trips one can do if it gets hot.
The city also comes alive in the fall as it celebrates the culinary tradition of chestnuts. There are a lot of chestnut festivals. Read more about what you can o in Portugal in the Fall in my Blog post: Portugal in the Fall: The Perfect Time to Visit
Florence, Italy
If you love wine, then Tuscany can be the perfect October vacation for you. It is also super romantic! October is right after the new grape harvest season, so you can try so many different types of wines and do wine tours. You can stay in Florence as a base and make half-day trips to places like Sienna, Montepulciano, and San Gimignano. The temp can drop in the evening to the 50s, but during the day, it is typically in the high 60;s and even 70s. This will allow you to do many outdoor activities, and remember, in Florence, they have a lot of outdoor heated flooring and heaters.
If you need more tips on exploring Florence. Check out these blog posts.
: Romantic Things to do in Tuscany, Visiting Italy in the Fall, How do I save money for a trip to Italy
Puglia, Italy
In October, Italy can be a mixed blessing. In the northern regions, the weather can be distinctly cold; in the south, the sun shines longer and warmer. Tourism is not yet heavy in Puglia, and few Italians travel in October. So you can have a beautiful sandy beach almost to yourself. It’s an excellent place for food and wine – if you want to taste local wines, head to the wineries around Bari, such as Tenuta di San Marco. You can also explore the ancient Roman ruins at Oplontis and the medieval town of Trani.
Puglia has been on my bucket list, and I can’t wait to visit this beautiful region in Italy.
Things to do in Puglia
- Visit the Beaches
- Visit the White City of Ostuni
- Stay in a trulli in Alberobello
- Explore – the Grotte di Castellana (Caves of Castellana).
- Explore Bari’s Old Town
- Go hiking in Gargano National Park. …
- Cycle through the Itria Valley
- Dine in the meat markets in Cisternino
For more great things to do in Puglia, check out this incredible Puglia blog post by Indian Jo.
Marbella Spain
I had the pleasure of visiting Marbella this past June, and I learned why it’s called The Costa Del Sol. This Southern Spain region has sunny days 320 days a year! You can say it is very easy to plan o0utdoor events like weddings there as you will have minimal risk of rain. I love how you get the taste of luxury with Port Banus and the beach area as well as the old historical town. Here is a video of Marbella nights.
The churches and little corners you stumble upon in the old town are magical. This city is super clean, and this is where I found the cheapest grocery store I have ever visited. I stayed at the Senator hotel during the Tbex event, which was perfect. It was just two blocks from the beach, and I had an incredible time.
Marbella in October is a remarkable time to visit. The temperatures are pleasant and in the 70s, and the water is even warm enough to swim. It is less crowded, but the school does break out for mid-term break towards the end of October, so it would be best to visit before then.
You can also make day trips to Mijas ( A must-visit) and Malaga.
If I could go to Europe every October, I sure would! There are so many fascinating locations warm enough for this Florida gal. So which cities have you visited in Europe in October?
