The October half term holiday is nearly here, and the cold snap we’re having may be prompting you to book a last-minute break in the sun.
Despite a warm start to autumn, storms raged and temperatures plunged throughout the UK this weekend – it doesn’t look like the forecast will improve any time soon either.
Thankfully, though, that’s not the case everywhere.
Many parts of Europe are still enjoying hot weather, meaning you don’t need to travel too far (or spend a fortune) to enjoy a bit of sun.
If you’re thinking of heading off to somewhere that doesn’t require multiple layers of clothing right now, we’ve rounded up some of the hottest destinations.
From mainland Spain to the Greek islands, whether you’re after a city break or a relaxing beach trip, there are plenty of options available. You may even get a tan!
The Canary Islands
Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura are usually a safe bet if you’re looking for autumn or winter sun.
Each of the Canary Islands has an average daytime temperature of 27ºC in October, with sea temperatures ranging from 22ºC to 23ºC, sunshine hours of roughly seven hours a day, and very little chance of rain.
Peak season here is between December and February, so you could bag a half-term bargain too.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers average daily highs of 26ºC, 10 hours of sunshine a day, and sea temperatures of 24ºC.
There are plenty of beaches along the Paphos coastline, and October is still warm enough to head to the Blue Lagoon for a dip or give watersports a go in the stunning Coral Bay.
Tips for October travel
Even if it’s hot during the day, it may get cooler in the evenings, so pack light jackets and jumpers to ensure you don’t catch a chill.
If you have your heart set on activities like boat trips or hiking, call ahead to check weather conditions are right. Stronger waves or winds during autumn could mean plans need to change.
On that note, it’s important to have other options in case your planned activities can’t go ahead. The tourist board website for wherever you are headed should have plenty of ideas.
Although it may not be peak season everywhere, October can be a popular month for tourists. To avoid disappointment and get ahead of the crowds, pre-book activities, meals or excursions.
Malta
October in Malta sees daily temperatures of 22ºC, similarly warm seas, and a 60% of a perfect sunny day or a 40% chance of both sunshine and clouds. Plus, as the humidity tends to be quite high here, it feels even nicer than the forecast may suggest.
Thanks to an average rainfall of 20mm (compared to over 62mm here in Britain), it’s great for an escape from the drizzly weather.
A decrease in visitors means you’ll get to experience historical sites and museums without fighting the crowds, and tours and events continue to run throughout the autumn season.
Southern Turkey
There are plenty of resorts to choose from on the south coast of Turkey that benefit from maximum temperatures of 27ºC and minimums of 17ºC in October.
Alongside hot days and balmy evenings, some people describe the Aegaen sea as ‘like a bath’ due to it having been warmed all summer. It’s also more comfortable to hike coastal paths or visit sites like Ephesus.
Antalya is among the warmest regions on Turkey at this time of year, but Bodrum, Marmaris are equally tourist-friendly.
Kos
With an average temperature in October of 26ºC, eight hours of daily sunshine and wind speeds of 4.1mph, Kos is beautiful at this time of year.
While largely dry and warm, though, there may be more cloud cover and an increased chance of rain, so factor this into your plans.
Otherwise, get ready to enjoy gorgeous coastlines and plenty of historic Greek island sights that are well worth visiting.
Rhodes
When visiting the Dodecanese island of Rhodes in October, you can expect highs of around 26ºC and a 70% chance of a perfectly sunny day.
Despite the 30% potential you’ll see some clouds, there’s a low 11mm rainfall this month as well as warm 24ºC seas ideal for swimming and watersports.
The party atmosphere here winds down towards the end of the season, making it a nice option if you’d like to see a different, more relaxed side of the popular Greek holiday spot.
The Algarve
The Algarve region in the south of Portugal actually enjoys more sunshine each year than California, with an average of just four rainy days in October.
October can be a colder month here due to the Mediterranean climate, which means the daily highs of 23ºC can be tempered by lows of 14ºC at night.
Yet with seven hours of sun predicted every day, cheap flight deals and journey times of around three hours from London to Faro, it makes a perfect half-term choice.
Sardinia
Many people choose to visit Sardinia during October as the weather is milder and more bearable than the scorching summers.
The temperature this month peaks at 22ºC, which may not be as warm as some places, but allows you to find a spot on the normally-packed beaches of Costa Smeralda and go hiking on the island’s stunning trails without getting overwhelmed by the heat.
Seville
Looking for a city break that’s still nice and warm in October? Seville, with its highs of 26ºC and daily seven hours of sunshine, could be the place for you.
It is possible you could see rain this month in the southern Spanish town, but it’s still temperate enough for exploring the sights, taking cycling trips, or paddleboarding on the Guadalquivir River.
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