Best places in October
Destinations ranked by overall draw and how well October fits each.
Best picks for October
United States
A continent pretending to be a country — cities, deserts, and the best national parks anywhere.
France
Paris is only the opening act — wine country, the Alps, and two coastlines.
Italy
The benchmark for food, history, and beauty.
Greece
Ruins in the morning, a swim by noon, taverna until dark.
Japan
Extraordinary food, culture, and cities. Nothing quite prepares you for it.
Spain
Food, beaches, and three or four cities that each justify the trip.
Australia
Vast, varied, relaxed. Reef, Sydney, and proper wilderness in one.
China
Ancient history and hypermodern cities at a scale that's hard to grasp until you're there.
Croatia
Dubrovnik, the Adriatic coast, ancient cities. Compact and beautiful.
Hawaii
A handful of islands where the landscapes and the ocean genuinely earn the flight.
Lisbon, Portugal
The best value city in Western Europe.
South Korea
Seoul alone justifies the flight — food, nightlife, and mountains inside the city.
Trending in October
Underrated spots having a moment this October.
Japan
Extraordinary food, culture, and cities. Nothing quite prepares you for it.
Lisbon, Portugal
The best value city in Western Europe.
South Korea
Seoul alone justifies the flight — food, nightlife, and mountains inside the city.
Hong Kong
One of the great dense cities — skyline, dim sum, and hiking trails minutes from the towers.
Skip in October
Off-season for these places — rainy, too hot, or limited access.
Frequently asked
Where's best to go on holiday in October?
United States leads our October list — A continent pretending to be a country — cities, deserts, and the best national parks anywhere. For a holiday you also want France or Italy; the full ranking above is sorted by how well October fits each place.
Where's the best place to travel in October?
United States. A continent pretending to be a country — cities, deserts, and the best national parks anywhere. October is peak season there.
Where should I avoid in October?
Places like The Alps, Costa Rica, Norway are off-season — rainy, too hot, or limited access. Worth checking the calendar on the destination page before you book.
What's a good budget destination in October?
France, Italy, Greece all sit in the budget-to-mid range and work well in October.
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