October

It’s easy to understand why so many people choose the Canary Islands for their holidays. With sunshine all year, dramatic volcanic scenery, lovely beaches and a mix of Spanish and island culture, there’s plenty to enjoy. Visitors can go hiking, stargazing, taste local wine, join in with Carnival, or simply relax and enjoy the friendly, laid-back way of life. The Canary Islands saw almost 18 million visitors in 2024, which was a record and two million more than the year before

A European city is known as one of the top places in the world to see the magical Northern Lights. This natural display is on many people’s travel wish lists, and this city is one of the best spots to finally witness it for yourself. This place in Iceland offers plenty of special tours made for “light hunting” during the main viewing season, but catching the lights isn’t always as simple as you might think. October is one of the best months to go, with long, dark evenings tha

A lively European city known for its history, culture, and stunning scenery has officially been named the continent’s “sunniest” spot. This place, found on Spain’s southeast coast in the Valencia region, is famous for its rich past, gorgeous beaches, buzzing nightlife, and lovely Mediterranean weather. Based on data from 2009 to 2021 collected by World Weather Online, Holidu, and timeanddate.com, the city enjoys an average of 349 hours of sunshine every month. kallerna, CC BY

If you want a sunny break in autumn, there’s a lovely European spot that still enjoys warm temperatures of around 22C in October. This beautiful part of Portugal is perfect for anyone hoping to enjoy nature, adventure, and a bit of calm. The islands stay mild all year, so they’re great for escaping the chill back home. These islands are known for their green hills, steep cliffs, and dramatic volcanic scenery. If you want a pretty seaside city, Funchal, the capital, has lively

The bright and lively capital of Albania has recently been ranked one of the cheapest European cities for Brits to visit this year. And with flights starting at just £26 in October, according to Skyscanner, it’s easy to see why. Experts at eurochange say the city is full of character and colour. They explained: “One of the nicest ways to explore is simply by walking around and following the bold street art, murals and quirky graffiti.” “The city is also brilliant for anyone w

When booking European city breaks, most people usually think of places like Paris, Rome and Barcelona. But a new study shows that these well-known spots are not actually the best Europe has to offer. Consumer group Which? asked 1,600 of its members to rate their experiences in cities across the continent. The Polish city of Krakow came out in first place, while Venice took second. In third place was the beautiful city of Valencia, which beat every other Spanish city, includin

As autumn arrives, the temperatures begin to drop and the days get shorter, so many people in the UK start looking for somewhere warmer to visit. Sun-lovers choose places where the weather stays hot so they can enjoy the last bit of summer, and European destinations are a favourite for Brits because they are only a short flight away. Countries such as Spain, France, Greece and Italy are regular choices for UK travellers. When planning a trip to Italy, most people think of wel

A beautiful seaside city could be an ideal place for a holiday this autumn, as it stays warm even in October. This place sits on the southwest coast of Turkey. It lies along the Turkish Riviera and is backed by the tall Taurus Mountains. In October, the city's average daytime temperature is around 21°C, though it can fall to 16°C and climb to 27°C. Its hottest month is August, when the average temperature reaches 29°C and highs of 35°C are common. Lonely Planet describes the

Though summer may have passed, there is still time to enjoy some autumn sunshine next month. One beautiful Greek island stays warm throughout October and even has direct flights from the UK. Set in the Aegean Sea as part of the lovely Dodecanese islands, this island is well known for its gorgeous beaches, gentle climate and long history. In October, this peaceful island enjoys an average daytime temperature of 20°C and can reach highs of 26°C, making it perfect for a late bre

October in the UK usually brings dull skies, chilly weather and lots of rain. But in other parts of Europe, there are still places where the sun is out and it feels as if summer is hanging on a little longer. One of these places is Italy, a country loved for its amazing food, history and warm climate. And while the summer months attract big crowds and higher prices, October offers a much calmer and more relaxed experience. With far fewer visitors, many of Italy’s prettiest de

As autumn arrives and the days begin to grow shorter and cooler, the Greek island of Kos stays warm and sunny, making it a brilliant place to escape to. Set in the Aegean Sea and part of the beautiful Dodecanese islands, this gem is well known for its lovely beaches, gentle weather, and long history. In October, the island enjoys daily highs of around 26°C, which is perfect for a late-season break. Chris Vlachos, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wi

When October arrives and the UK turns cold, wet and gloomy, many people start dreaming about escaping to somewhere sunny. The good news is that autumn is often one of the cheapest times to go abroad, and with schools back, popular holiday spots are much quieter too. While most European beaches begin to cool down, there’s one small island that stays warm and sunny, and it’s actually closer to Africa than to mainland Europe. This beautiful volcanic island in the Atlantic enjoys