Where is hot in October?

October is a fab month to travel in much of the world, with hot weather that’s less oppressive than the height of summer, and fewer crowds. Our guide to where’s hot in October features some of our most reliable destinations for winter sun, places where you can feel the warm sand between your toes in the daytime, and often get away with sandals and a light jacket in the evenings.

Home\Where to go when\Best places to visit in October

Where is hot in October?

October can be a great month to take a holiday, with lower prices and fewer crowds than the summer peak of July and August. Seas are warm, beaches are quiet, and in Europe and North America the delightful colours of autumn are to the fore, but there is still plenty of heat for those wanting to stave off the coming of winter a little while longer. Yes, October can be a roll of the dice, especially towards the end of the month, but your odds of dry, sunny and warm weather are a lot better than November. You might not consider October for a full week on the beach, but it’s a good month for active adventures – especially if you’re planning a half term getaway with the kids. Whether you’re looking for a short hop within Europe, or considering long haul, we’ve brought together a rundown of our top suggestions for where is hot in October.

See all our Best places to go in October Holidays

Give us a call

Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is lovely and hot in October – expect average temperatures around 30°C – before the scorching summer, and before the crowds. And October is dry season in the Pantanal region, the tropical wetland in Brazil’s southwest, making it a lot easier to get around. It also means you have a better chance of seeing wildlife such as jaguars and capybaras, as with water levels dropping they must come closer to waterways get a drink. Rio de Janeiro is also lovely and hot in October – expect average temperatures around 30°C – before the scorching summer, and before the crowds.

Think October for a tailor made wildlife holiday in Brazil

Canary Islands

The Canary Islands archipelago, just off northwest Africa, is one of the classic ‘winter sun’ destinations for Europeans feeling a chill in the October air and wanting to top up their Vitamin D levels before the weather turns completely. The islands, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, La Gomera, are reliably hot through October, with highs of around 26°C. An ideal climate, in fact, for walking, whale watching or whiling away your days on the beach.

Think October for a week-long Gran Canaria walking holiday

Cyprus

Cyprus is one of the hottest places in Europe in October (up to 30°C in coastal areas), predictably sunny throughout the month on a par with Greece and Turkey. You can expect the occasional shower towards the end of October, but with the very high temperatures of summer falling away this is an idyllic month for walking in the Troodos and Kyrenia mountains, or for cycling between villages along the Akamas Peninsula. The sea is lovely and warm, too.

Think October for a guided walking holiday in Cyprus

Egypt

Egypt is nice and hot in October – anticipate daytime temperatures above 30°C – but not the baking heat of high summer that makes touring ancient pyramids, temples and monuments an uncomfortable business. Rather, expect sultry cruising along the River Nile between Luxor and Aswan, perfect for evening cocktails on the sundeck. Egypt’s ‘Red Sea Riviera’ meanwhile, is lovely for snorkellers and scuba divers.

Think October for a luxury cruise along the Nile

India

It’s hard to generalise about India, given its size, but by October the country is reaching the end of monsoon season, with peak travel season around the corner. It tends to be drier the further north you go, though cooler. Look to the southern states, like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and average daytime temperatures can be as hot as 30°C – worth coping with the odd shower for. Keep an eye on Diwali dates, though – if the festival falls in October then flights and accommodation will be busy, and expensive.

Think October for a less busy Golden Triangle tour with added tigers

Morocco

Always a great option for a family holiday at half term, Morocco enjoys balmy temperatures in October, with the maximum around 27°C in Marrakech. It’s cooler in the Atlas Mountains (just an hour or so from Marrakech and so a perfect twin-centre option) and hotter in the Sahara Desert where camel treks and Bedouin camps await. October does signal the start of the rainy season, but it’s also the start of the date harvest, so a light jacket and a sweet tooth will stand you in good stead.

Think October for a Morocco family holiday with teenagers

Vietnam

Given its long, slender shape, Vietnam is always a mixed bag when it comes to the weather, but October is usually one of the most reliably good months to visit. Temperatures range from 25°C to 30°C while it’s dry in both the north and the south, though central Vietnam is wet and best avoided. Besides the pleasantly hot weather, another reason to come to Vietnam in October is to see the rice harvest being brought in, and the floating markets of the Mekong Delta swelling with fresh produce.

Think October for a small group tour of Vietnam packed with adventure and cultural discovery.