Whether you’re ready to embrace the cooler temperatures of fall or looking to hang on to summer vibes just a little longer, these are some of the best places where you can go in October and reap the benefits of a quieter travel season.
Where to go in October
| Country | City | Average temperature in October |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Austin | 82°F / 28°C |
| Australia | Melbourne | 70°F / 21°C |
| Brazil | Trancoso | 84°F / 29°C |
| Morocco | Taghazout | 77°F / 25°C |
| Spain | Seville | 80°F / 26°C |
| Taiwan | Taipei | 81°F / 27°C |
| Vietnam | Ho Chi Minh City | 87°F / 31°C |
| Portugal | The Azores | 71°F / 22°C |
| USA | Kauai | 84°F / 29°C |
| Italy | Rome | 74°F / 23°C |
Where else to go in October?
As a shoulder month, October is ideal for planning that extra special getaway. So here are a few more handpicked destinations you might want to visit this fall.
1. Tromsø, Norway
If summer heat left you longing for respite, then a trip to Tromsø is a breath of fresh air. Known as one of the top places to see the northern lights, Tromsø attracts lots of tourist traffic during the winter months and, with it, a hike in prices. So, if it’s aurora borealis you’re after, you’ll catch plenty of spectral displays in the night sky in October when temperatures are perfect for that cozy new sweater. Or you can see the northern lights depicted in the intricate design of the Arctic Cathedral’s stained glass windows.
October also brings the annual Insomnia Festival (October 19-21, 2023) to the city, an electronic music party featuring artists from all over the world. Afterward, head to Pust, a floating sauna on the harbor where you can take a dip in the frigid Norwegian Sea. Make sure to explore the city’s plethora of fascinating museums, including Perspektivet, the Polar Museum, and the Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum. To truly experience Tromsø’s breathtaking beauty, see the city via a fjord cruise or hop on a Fjellheisen cable car for a bird’s-eye view. Grab a drink and reindeer hotdogs at Raketten Bar & Pølse, Norway’s smallest bar. Finally, wander around Tromsø’s historic city center, where you’ll find many charming shops, cafes, and restaurants in traditional red wooden houses.
Choose the waterfront Clarion Hotel The Edge, and you’ll enjoy delicious cocktails and spectacular scenery from the sky bar. But, if a rooftop jacuzzi that looks out to Tromsdalstinden mountain and the Arctic Cathedral is more your thing, then a few nights at the Clarion Collection Hotel Aurora is a better choice.
2. Albuquerque, New Mexico
The best part of Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta (October 7-15, 2023), the largest in the world, is that you don’t have to brave the crowds to see the mass of colorful balloons take flight across the vast skies of New Mexico’s Rio Grande Valley. But if you want to get up close and personal at the event, you can take part in a slew of fun activities on the festival grounds, including chainsaw carving, hot air balloon rides, drone light shows, fireworks, live musical performances, and nighttime glowing balloon flights.
Balloon festival aside, spend time in Old Town Albuquerque, home to a collection of pueblo-style architecture, museums, countless shops, restaurants, and galleries. Make a stop at the Indian Pueblo Kitchen, a restaurant inside the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center serving a menu that spans the area’s rich culinary history. Then, head Downtown to track down vibrant murals by local artists. Stick around for a taste of local nightlife along Downtown’s Central Avenue. Or make your way to the neon-lit neighborhood of Nob Hill. From the Sandia Mountains to the Rio Grande River, Albuquerque likewise offers visitors plenty of outdoor adventure activities, such as hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Stay at the lovely Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town, or bed down close to the main events at Balloon Fiesta Park in Quality Inn & Suites Albuquerque North, which will put you within a mile of the festivities.
3. Viti Levu, Fiji
An archipelago of more than 300 islands, Fiji is as close to paradise as it gets. From majestic mountain peaks with cascading waterfalls to pristine white sand beaches with crystal-clear waters, each island holds its own unique charm. And if you want to enjoy a little bit of everything that these islands have to offer, then Viti Levu, the largest and most populous island in Fiji, is an excellent place to start.
The island’s diverse landscape means that one day you can go whitewater rafting on Navua River or zip lining through lush rainforests, and the next exploring Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park or hiking in the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park. Viti Levu is renowned for its world-class diving and snorkeling sites, and it’s up to you if you want to swim among colorful reefs in Natadola Bay or dive with tiger sharks in Beqa Lagoon. Visit Navala’s traditional bure villages to learn Fijian age-old customs and rituals. Then, head to Suva Municipal Market to sample local specialties, such as kokoda (fresh seafood marinated in coconut milk) and Indian-inspired curries.
Stay at the 5-star, family-friendly Radisson Blu Resort Fiji Denarau Island, a sprawling luxury resort set on 10 acres of tropical gardens with waterfalls and private beach access. Or if you want to stay in the heart of Fiji’s Coral Coast without breaking the bank, book a room at Bedarra Beach Inn, which features a spa, restaurant, and beach access.
Can’t wait until October?
If you’re hoping for some fall adventures sooner than October, check out these last-minute deals to a variety of exciting destinations.
Where to go in October FAQs
October marks the end of Mexico’s rainy season. If you want to avoid crowds and have a variety of backdrops to the area’s gorgeous beaches, the Yucatan Peninsula, the island of Cozumel in particular, is a great choice for an October beach getaway. Málaga in Spain still sees plenty of sun seekers in October, especially those wanting to pay homage to Pablo Picasso’s birthplace and check out new art at the Centre Pompidou.
For a city break with music, choose Austin for its annual Austin City Limits Music Festival (October 6-8 and 13-15, 2023). Or book a trip to Paris as the city celebrates the grape harvest season at the Fête des Vendanges (October 11-15, 2023). Or visit the vibrant city of Nottingham, England, for its annual Robin Hood Beer Festival (October 11-14, 2023). Lastly, if you’re looking for a city break and a beach party, head to San Diego for the city’s Pacific Beachfest (October 7, 2023).
Because October marks the start of the low travel season in many parts of the world, consider planning trips to dream destinations like Fiji, Bali, Machu Picchu, or the Himalayas. If you’ve got your eye on Europe, concentrate on northern and central countries like Hungary, Slovakia, and Estonia, as those are seeing fewer visitors as temperatures take a dip.
