Wondering where is hot in October in Europe? That's hardly surprising.
Let's face it, October in the UK and Ireland is usually pretty grey. Grey skies, grey jumpers, grey moods.
But southern Europe in October? It's still sunshine central.
I'm talking 26 to 32°C in parts of Spain, Greece and Cyprus. The kind of weather that could tempt even the most autumnal among us to jet off for a week or so.
Where is Hot in October in Europe?
While everyone else is digging out their big coats, you could be sipping sangria in 28°C sunshine.
So, for those considering a cheeky jaunt, where is hot in October in Europe? And, with Christmas on the horizon, where is affordable?
Here's your guide to chasing the heat without burning through your savings this autumn.
You'll also find handy advice on staying connected with affordable data. Travel eSIMs can help you live your best life abroad, without worrying about shock roaming charges.
Need affordable holiday data fast?: Sorting an eSIM before you travel takes minutes, so no major planning is required. Head to the Airalo store, select your destination, how much data you need, install your eSIM before you go and you can be online as you touch down.
Where Is Hot in October in Europe? By Country
Here are some of the best hot holiday destinations in October across Europe.
Cyprus
Adobe Free Stock / KAL'VAN - October holidays don't come much hotter than Cyprus, where natural sea arches and blue skies set the scene.
Cyprus is the idyllic island that refuses to acknowledge that summer's over.
Daily highs of 28°C make it one of Europe's most reliable hot holiday destinations in October.
Skip the typical resorts and head west to the Akamas Peninsula. This protected area is known for its stunning natural beauty and rich biodiversity.
Here you'll find turquoise bays, wild trails, natural hot springs and October highs around 28 °C. Perfect for squeezing in one last summery swim.
Greece
Adobe Free Stock / pazyuk - Soak up the sunshine on Crete's golden beaches - one of the best spots if you're asking where is hot in October in Europe.
Greece keeps the Mediterranean dream alive in October.
Athens and Crete reach a pleasant 24°C, while Rhodes delivers proper beach weather at 26°C.
When it comes to crowd control, it's also just past peak season, leaving you with plenty of space and peace to enjoy your trip.
Madeira
Adobe Free Stock / Curioso.Photography - Porto Sando is a top October heat magnet you may not have heard of.
Madeira's little sister island, Porto Santo, is a wildcard worth knowing about.
Its nine-kilometre golden beach, calm Atlantic waters and 25 °C warmth make it one of Europe's most underrated October getaways.
Malta
Adobe Free Stock / Blogtrip - Sea caves and dramatic cliffs shape Gozo's coastline.
A short ferry ride from Malta's mainland, Gozo is the island's quieter, greener sibling.
Known for its dramatic cliffs, hidden coves and slower pace of life, it's where you go when you want all the sunshine without the crowds.
October still brings 26 °C days, making it perfect for hiking coastal trails, swimming in the Blue Lagoon or soaking up the last of the summer heat.
Montenegro
Image Owned By Author - With sandy beaches, a lively nightlife and an unbelievably pretty coastline, Montenegro deserves your attention in October.
Often overshadowed by Croatia, Montenegro's Budva Riviera delivers 25 °C sunshine in October.
You'll also find medieval Old Town streets, pebble beaches and lively cafés. This is pure Adriatic charm without the Dubrovnik price tag.
Portugal
Adobe Free Stock / mmuenzl - Cheap and cheerful doesn't get prettier than Portugal's Algarve, serving turquoise seas and warm sands well into October.
Portugal serves up consistent sunshine, particularly in the Algarve, where temperatures hover around 25°C.
Lagos and Faro offer perfect conditions for surfing and sunbathing.
Spain
Adobe Free Stock / Appreciate - If you'd rather swap beaches for culture, Seville’s palm-filled courtyards deliver heat and history in October.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Spain leads the charge for Irish and British holidaymakers in need of convenient, affordable Autumn sunshine.
At this time of year, Andalusia still sees daily highs of 30°C and Seville is even hotter at 32°C.
The Canary Islands also maintain their year-round reputation as Europe's winter sun magnet.
Gran Canaria and Tenerife bake at a steady 28°C with barely a cloud in sight.
Turkey
Adobe Free Stock / fromsalih - Turkey's Antalya coast is a classic hot holiday destination in October, with beaches and pine-clad hills made for late sun.
Turkey might be part-European, but Antalya and the Turkish Riviera are definitely serving Eastern-level heat in October.
We're talking 28°C and sunshine to warm your bones.
Where Is Hot in October in Europe? By City
These cities prove autumn can still feel like summer in October, with warm days, fewer crowds and plenty of cheap hot holiday options.
Antalya
Antalya can reach a toasty 28°C, making it one of the best spots for cheap hot holidays in October. Turkey's Mediterranean coast offers plenty of sun, sea and serious bang for your buck.
Chania
Chania on Crete delivers around 24°C with a side of authentic Greek living. The beaches are quieter, tavernas less hectic and the whole island feels calmer once summer crowds clear.
Funchal
Funchal in Madeira hovers at around 25°C in October. Ideal temperatures for hiking the levadas without melting, then cooling off with a dip in the Atlantic.
Seville
Seville often hits 30°C in October. It's as if Spain forgot to tell this city autumn exists. Pack suncream and prepare for tapas-fuelled evenings under cloudless skies.
Rhodes
Rhodes serves up 26°C days with seas still warm enough for swimming. The Old Town is calmer too, so you can wander its cobbled lanes without dodging giant tour groups.
Valletta
Valletta basks in 26°C sunshine and delivers some of the Mediterranean's most Instagram-worthy sunsets. Malta in October feels like summer, just with cheaper flights and fewer crowds.
Where Is Hot and Cheap in October?
Adobe Free Stock / gitanna
Looking for cheap hot holidays in October? Welcome to bargain shoulder season heaven.
Flight prices drop, hotels slash their rates and you won't have to queue behind a family of six just to get into a restaurant.
Best Budget Destinations for Sunshine
Cheap hot holidays in October bring you the best of everything. Tackle winter head-on with a shoulder-season rest and some vitamin D.
- Albania: Fast becoming a top holiday spot, Albania is the place to go for cheap hot holidays in October. Ksamil's still hitting 24°C, while the Durrës and Vlorë coastlines offer pristine beaches minus premium prices.
- Bulgaria: The Black Sea coast maintains 22°C temperatures while keeping costs low. Sunny Beach lives up to its name.
- Southern Portugal: On the quieter Alentejo coast, 25°C days come with significantly smaller price tags than the Algarve.
- The Canary Islands: Year-round heat with consistent value for money. Las Palmas and Santa Cruz offer 26°C and 24°C temperatures, respectively.
- Turkey: An ever-reliable destination that continues to deliver for British and Irish holidaymakers, Turkey's coastal towns offer plenty of sunshine for minimal spend.
Hot Holiday Destinations in October for Every Traveller
For Beach Lovers
Adobe Free Stock / Valentinos Loucaides - Ayia Napa's beaches are still giving in October.
Cyprus, Madeira, Crete and the Canaries are still well in the swing of summer vibes.
Water temperatures keep seas swimmable, the sand is still warm and beach bars keep those frozen cocktails flowing.
For Food and Drink Lovers
Adobe Free Stock / Marco - You may come home several pounds heavier after an October trip to Sicily - worth it.
- Porto maintains 24°C, perfect for port cellars, seafood terraces and riverside dining.
- Puglia hits 26°C while serving Italy's best-kept culinary secrets.
- Sicily delivers 27°C heat, not to mention the best cannoli and arancini on the planet.
For Adventure Seekers
Adobe Free Stock / Michael - Lush greenery, excellent hiking, great views - Madeira's levadas have it all.
- Madeira's levadas are walkable in the heat. Plus, there's always the Atlantic to help cool you down afterwards.
- The Azores offer 23°C hiking weather.
- Slovenia is still warm enough for outdoor adventures in October - without requiring thermal underwear.
For Digital Nomads and Remote Workers
Adobe Free Stock / neonshot - Mixing beaches and business is possible in October in Europe.
- Athens delivers 24-25°C with excellent internet and affordable co-working spaces.
- Valencia offers 25°C, brilliant connectivity and legendary paella.
- Lisbon provides 24°C temperatures, fantastic Wi-Fi and enough pastel de nata to fuel any deadline.
Six Tips for Booking Cheap Hot Holidays in October
- Set price alerts and pounce on flash sales. Booking early can be advantageous; airlines also love a good October flash sale and last-minute deal. Track both to cover your bases.
- Fly mid-week. Tuesday departures mean calmer airports and sweeter prices. And lowered chances of being wedged against rowdy stag parties on the plane.
- Use incognito mode when searching for 'cheap hot holidays in October'. While the jury is still out on whether this is true, rumours persist that companies track your searches and bump prices accordingly. Private browsing is worth a try, right?
- Don't blow your budget on roaming. We've all heard the horror stories about coming home to bills in the thousands after accidentally using roaming abroad. Travel eSIMs solve this problem - more on that shortly.
- Factor in 'not quite' airport transfers. If you're hoping to save by using a quieter hub, bear in mind that transfer costs can really add up. And that you might rather pay the extra to land in a major airport if the transfer takes hours.
- Book hotels with free cancellation policies. Flexibility lets you snag better deals if they appear and offers you the choice to switch hotels right up until you fly.
Stay Connected on Your Trip - Why Travel eSIMs are the Best for Europe
Nobody wants to wander unfamiliar streets on their October getaways hunting for café Wi-Fi when it's 30°C outside.
Travel eSIMs are the simplest way to stay online abroad.
Head to the Airalo store, download your eSIM for Europe or your specific destination before you leave, activate your eSIM when you touch down and voila! You're sorted for internet for your entire trip.
No hunting for local SIM cards, no deciphering mobile shop conversations and no swapping tiny plastic cards in and out of your phone.
Plus, choosing the best eSIMs for Europe mean you can avoid those shock roaming charges once you get home.
If you're planning your next adventure and want to stay connected, Airalo offers the best eSIMs for travel for Europe and beyond.
FAQs - Where Is Hot in October in Europe?
1. Where are the Best Places to Visit in October in Europe?
Look for destinations in Southern Europe, such as Spain, Portugal, Greece and Turkey. Temperatures are still in the 20s and 30s. Other options are the islands of Cyprus, Madeira, Crete and the Canaries.
2. What's the Best Travel eSIM for Europe?
Look for regional eSIMs from Airalo covering multiple countries. No shock roaming charges, no hassle, just reliable data across borders.
3. Do I Need an eSIM for a European Holiday?
If you're from the UK or Ireland, a travel eSIM is cheaper, easier and faster than international roaming charges.
4. Can I Use an eSIM Instead of a Physical SIM on Holiday?
Yes, most modern phones support eSIMs. They're convenient, secure and take just minutes to set up.
5. Where is Hot and Cheap in October in Europe?
Portugal's Algarve, Antalya in Turkey, Rhodes in Greece and Albania. This makes them top picks for affordable autumn sunshine.
