Hottest Countries in Europe in October: Where to Go (I’ve Been to All of Them)

What are the best countries to visit in Europe in October? And if by best, you mean hot countries in Europe in October, then I’ll share my personal insights on what’s better and my favourite warmest places in Europe in October. 

Over the last few years, social media created hype over the European summer concept, and Americans spending their summer holiday in Europe is a thing now. 

But summer in Europe is also expensive, crowded, and too hot to enjoy. As a European, I wouldn’t go to half of these dream summer destinations during summer. But do you know when I’d go? In October. 

By October, almost everyone is done with their summer holidays, and everyone is back to work and already planning for their Christmas holidays. But if you’re not into Christmas-y things, know that I also have a list of warm places in Europe during winter, which is basically where you’ll find me during our long European winter.

This means that Europe is finally being allowed to breathe, and popular tourist spots are now less crowded and less expensive. And since we do have snow in Europe, we always crave warm destinations and happy sunny days. 

Yes, October is literally the middle of the fall and the shoulder season. It’s one of those months when you don’t know if you need to pull your coat out of the closet or if you’ll survive with your sandals on. 

After visiting all the countries in Europe, I have some personal recommendations on where to find the best European destinations in October if you’re looking for warm places. 

So, let’s start. 

Tl;DR Hottest Countries in Europe in October

If you want the short answer: Cyprus and Malta are the hottest in October, followed closely by Greece and Portugal.

But the best destination depends on your budget and travel style. Let’s talk about each one before you decide.

Hottest European Countries in October: Quick Comparison

Not sure which destination suits you best? Here’s a side-by-side comparison of temperatures, sunshine and the best spots to head to in each country in October.

Temperatures are averages for October. Cyprus and Malta are consistently the hottest, while Slovenia is the coolest on this list, but still offers pleasant shoulder season weather.

For accommodation, I always use Booking.com with the free cancellation filter. October prices are significantly lower than summer across all these destinations.

Where Is It Hot in Europe in October? (Temperatures & My Picks)

Portugal: Warm Beaches & Cliffs in October (Still 22–25°C)

I loved Portugal for its breathtaking cliffs sculpted by the Atlantic Ocean.

Many choose to visit Portugal to chase some of the Fado charms of old Lisbon, but I’d recommend escaping the urban crowds and exploring more of its coastal cities and small villages. 

I recommend checking out the Algarve region in Portugal, which is an absolute dream for anyone looking to spend some time in a warm place in Europe in the month of October. In October, the Algarve averages around 22°C with 8 hours of sunshine.

The Benagil Cave boat tour is still running in October with far fewer crowds than in summer.

I spent more than a month in February in the Algarve, and it was one of the best destinations in Europe during the winter months. Portugal is definitely a lovely destination in October as well. If you’re heading to the Algarve, I’d book a coastal kayak trip in advance (they fill up even in October).

Spain in October: Costa del Sol, Andalucia & Tenerife

By now, it’s not a secret that Spain is a dream destination for anyone in Europe, but also for anyone from anywhere else on the globe. Spain has it all, and it’s a lovely destination all year long. While Madrid tends to get cold in October, coastal cities like Valencia or Malaga are still whispering summer. 

I’d recommend that you visit the Andalucia region in Spain anytime outside the summer months, when it’s literally too hot to even breathe outside. So, for that, October in Spain is probably the best. October is perfect for a Seville food tour as the heat has finally dropped enough to enjoy walking the city.

And let’s not forget the popular Tenerife. It is popular for a reason, and you can visit Tenerife all year long for a beach holiday (including in January). If Tenerife is on your list, October is honestly the perfect month, and you can go on a tour of the island without all the crowds.

Italy in October: Sicily and the South Are Still Summer

Italy is a big country (by European standards). While some northern parts of Italy are ready to embrace winter in October, southern parts are still in summerland. And let’s not forget Sicily, which is an absolute dream destination in Europe. 

If I were to visit any part of Italy, I’d start by planning a trip starting in October.

October is actually my favourite time for Sicily, book an Etna wine tour when the harvest season is in full swing.

Cyprus in October: The Hottest Island in Europe This Month

Not many consider Cyprus to be a warm destination in Europe, but it is. Sure, it’s closer to the Middle East than it is to Europe, but Cyprus is part of the EU and, at least half of it, is a European destination. 

I visited it in January, and it was nice, although it wasn’t exactly beach weather. But I suspect that October is the perfect time to visit Cyprus. 

A jeep safari around Cyprus is worth booking for October. The landscape is beautiful after the first autumn rains.

Croatia in October: Warm Waters, Half the Crowds

Croatia is one of the most popular destinations in Europe year-round, but I’d stay away from it during the summer when it gets more expensive than anything else in Europe. 

However, if you fell in love with its turquoise waters and Game of Thrones cities, then plan for a visit to Croatia in October, when the weather is still super warm, but at least some of the crowds are gone. 

I truly believe that Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian coast in October are dramatically better than in summer. And that’s the best time to do a tour in Dubrovnik.

Montenegro in October: The Adriatic’s Best Kept Secret

The secret pearl on the Adriatic Sea (which isn’t so secret anymore) is a top destination year-round, but I’d stay away during summer and visit it in the shoulder seasons, including October.

I visited Montenegro in May, and it was acceptable. The weather was nice. In October, you should have more autumn vibes, but with some luck, it will almost feel like summer, so you will enjoy some hot days in October in Europe. 

Albania in October: Warmest Budget Destination in Europe

Albania wants to step into the tourism scene and promote its seaside resorts to compete with its neighbours ( Greece and Montenegro).

The views are divided, and it’s mostly a matter of personal preferences, but Albania is worth considering if you’re looking for the warmest places in Europe in October and you’re on a budget. 

If budget is what you’re concerned about, then Albania might take the gold medal. But know that Albania isn’t in the EU, and some standards might be a bit different.   

For road-tripping between these destinations, I always compare rental prices on DiscoverCars. I use it because it’s consistently cheaper than booking directly.

Greece in October: 6,000 Islands, Most of Them Still Warm

As a European, and especially one who can drive right now to Greece and be there in less than 10 hours, I feel like it’s a bit overrated. As someone flying over the ocean to Europe and looking for a warm place in Europe in October, I think Greece is a great option. 

I think Greece deserves its place on the list of the hottest countries in Europe in October because it is. And Greece is a big country with more than 6,000 islands. Crete is the largest one, and it is truly a Mediterranean island where summer never seems to go away. 

Crete in October is genuinely one of my top recommendations — the sea is still warm, and the tourist buses are gone. Check out the best tours in Crete for October.

Slovenia in October: A Hidden Slice of the Adriatic

When thinking about the warmest places in Europe in October, we consistently think about beach places because beach resorts are associated with summer holidays.

And that’s actually what a lot of people want to find when looking for a place to spend holidays in Europe in October. 

What not a lot of people realise is that Slovenia also gets a tiny but beautiful share of the Adriatic coastline. It only has 46 kilometres of coastline, but it’s truly magical, and I think it’s still one of Europe’s best-hidden gems. 

Slovenia is a true mix of Italian architecture and Mediterranean coastal vibes, tucked away from where not a lot of foreigners can find it. Slovenia checks all the boxes, and I wouldn’t be sharing this if I hadn’t been there to see it with my own eyes. 

Malta in October: The Best Time to Visit This Tiny Island

I’d stay away from Malta for about half a year and then come back in October when the summer weather doesn’t feel unbearable to breathe. 

Malta is scorching hot during the summer months, and the water issue is truly an issue (the island doesn’t have a natural source of sweet/potable water). So, the best option is to go when the weather gets normal, and it truly feels like a European summer. 

In my opinion, Malta is the go-to place in Europe in October and any other time during the Northern Hemisphere winter if you want to experience the European summer vibes when there’s no summer in Europe. 

Malta is small enough that a guided tour with the highlights and Mdina on your first day genuinely saves hours of confusion. Also, a Valletta guided tour in October is genuinely pleasant because the cooler temperatures make walking the city comfortable.

Best place to visit in Europe in October

I hope this list of the hottest European countries in October will help you plan your next trip to Europe.

I truly believe that October is one of the best months to visit Europe and, dare to say, visit the most popular or touristy places in Europe as well. 

Many travellers include these destinations during a longer Europe road trip through southern Europe.

Because those touristy places just happen to be in warm enough places in Europe that are still charming and hot during October, but not as unbearable as they are during summer months, and much less crowded. 

I would personally never recommend going anywhere around the Mediterranean Sea during the European summer months, but October is the month to visit those places. 

These countries in southern Europe are an absolute gem and deserve to be visited. Just because a place or a city is one of the best cities in Europe to visit, it doesn’t mean you should visit anytime, so pick your holiday month accordingly.

But do yourself a favour and don’t visit them during summer, but in the shoulder season, like May or October. Sure, the weather can play tricks on you, but I’d much rather take that chance than be suffocated, figuratively and literally, by visiting them during the summer months. 

If you’re hopping between multiple countries on this list, a Holafly eSIM covers all European destinations without swapping SIMs.

And if you’re visiting later in the autumn, check out my guide to the warmest countries in Europe in November as well.

Enjoy your trip to the best places in Europe in October.