As the heat of summer begins to fade into a distant memory, the beauty of autumn starts to take hold. Green leaves make way for a cacophony of striking colours that make it hard to believe you’re looking at the same scenery. The gradual transformation of seasons in October brings distinct beauty to different places around the world.
October is the perfect time to sneak away to recover from the summer blues before the impending holiday season gets into full swing. You can either embark on a solace trip or an adventurous journey. Not to forget, it is the Halloween season in many countries. Travel down to different places to have a taste of the varying “ghosts” in distinct cultures!
I’ve put together a list of the best places to visit in October 2023 to give you some inspiration for your next trip.
Here are the best places to visit in October 2023
Where to go in October in Asia
- Bali, Indonesia – For an affordable and enjoyable trip
- Hong Kong – For an easy springtime holiday
- Kyoto, Japan – For the Cherry Blossom season
- Lhasa, Tibet – Experience Mount Everest like never before
- Mon State, Myanmar – Revel in the cultural heritage of this ancient city
Where to travel in October in the US and the Americas
- Vermont, United States – For an authentic Autumn experience
- Honolulu, Hawaii – For sunshine at great prices
- Buenos Aires, Argentina – To experience wildlife and nature
- Antarctica – To discover an untouched snowy paradise
Best places to visit in October in Europe
- Rome, Italy – Walk the pantheon in Autumn
- Munich, Germany – Drink and be merry at the legendary Oktoberfest
- The Canary Islands, Fuerteventura – Sun, surf and sea in Europe
- Algarve, Portugal – Continue your summer at the beach
Where to go in October in Oceania
- Great Barrier Reef, Australia – Explore the great depths
- Barossa Valley, Australia – Fine wine tours under the sun
Best places to visit in October in Asia
Bali, Indonesia
Explore the rich culture without causing a hole in your wallet
October is the dry season in Bali and the month also hosts one of the least tourists to this popular destination. Imagine being able to visit ancient temples, stay in lavish resorts or private-pool villas with fantastically-tasty food all in one place at an affordable rate. That’s Bali for you.
You can visit the Tegalalang’s Rice Terraces, Tanah Lot Temple, or take a stroll down Campuhan’s Ridge Walk to immerse yourself into the unique culture in Bali. In October, you can still catch a glimpse of their cultural dance performances by hiking to the top of Mount Batur.
As flights to Bali are widely available and relatively cheap, it is the ideal destination for you to take a break from the bustling urban life and relax before the crowd heads down in the upcoming holidays. Truly one of the best places to visit in October!
Hong Kong
Enjoy spectacular views in Spring weather
October sees the end of the rainy season in Hong Kong, which makes it the perfect time of year to explore. With more hours of sunshine and temperatures not typically dropping lower than 23°C, I’d recommend taking a trip up to Victoria Peak and getting a panoramic view of the entire city.
With a clear sky and dry weather, you can go for hikes around Hong Kong in October. Hong Kong has several small islands such as the Cheung Chau island, for a more rough paved trial or Lantau island, for a more relaxing trip.
If you arrive on the 1st of the month, you will get to experience China’s national day. It brings about mass celebrations and fireworks and means it’s one of the best places to visit in October.
READ MORE: The Chairman restaurant in Hong Kong is ranked as one of the best restaurants in the world
Lhasa, Tibet
Experience Mount Everest like never before
October is one of the best months of the year to appreciate the astonishing beauty of Lhasa, Tibet. Clear skies mean an unmatched view of the stunning Tibetan landscape, including Mount Everest.
October is also an excellent time for trekking around Mount Everest National Park and Mount Kailash, as the clear skies and low rainfall make up for the cold.
However, early October is a busy period for the country, especially the major cities, as Chinese tourists take advantage of their National Day, which is a week-long holiday. Do plan ahead and book your tickets and accommodations early to ensure that you are able to visit places on your wishlist. Due to the current travel restrictions, remember to get your travel permit and China visa via guided tour agencies to get into Tibet!
READ MORE: Mount Everest is one of the seven wonders of the world, do you what are the other ones?
Mon State, Myanmar
Revel in the cultural heritage of this ancient city
Every visitor to Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) must see Kyaiktiyo, the gravity-defying golden rock which is sacred to the people of Myanmar. Located on the Paunglaung mountain, it is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
Enjoy the river cruises in the early mornings and even during the evenings to catch the sunrise and sunset respectively. The best thing about going in October is the pleasant climate, right between the monsoon season and the tourist season, so prices are also a bit lower.
READ MORE: Discover why Myanmar is one of the safest countries to visit
Kyoto, Japan
Revel in the Cherry Blossom season
Kyoto looks stunning when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in the month of October. The whole city comes alive and travellers from across the world flock to this city just to witness the sight of these flowers in bloom.
One of the most popular areas to see these trees is Maruyama Park, as well as many other parks and areas situated throughout the city.
One of the top October travel destinations in Asia, Kyoto is an amazing city to visit. Visitors enjoy the 20°C to explore the bamboo forests in Arashiyama and visit the Zen temple at Ginkaku-ji.
However, Japan still has relatively strict travel restrictions. Tourists are only allowed to follow guided tours and not to wander around alone. Do remember to book your guides beforehand when you plan for a visit to Kyoto!
READ MORE: Find out why Kyoto is considered one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world
Where to go in October in the US and Americas
Vermont, USA
For an authentic autumn experience
If you want an authentic Autumn experience, Vermont is one of the best places to travel in October. It is renowned for the incredible change in the colour of its maple and oak trees. You’ll get to experience fiery red, yellow, and orange leaves as you’ve never seen before.
I’d recommend taking the opportunity to go apple picking in the area, it’s great fun, and you’ll get the chance to try homemade treats like cakes, doughnuts and cider.
Other than the beautiful fall in October, there are also plenty of events happening throughout the month. Join their Vermount Sheep and Wool festival that celebrates small fartms and natural fiber that offers unique fiber supplies and local food with contests and classes! Alternatively, you can join their Dead North event, an annual nighttime haunted event, embark on their dirt trails and experience Vermount’s halloween!
READ MORE: Top 5 family vacation ideas that are fun for everyone
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Wine, cheese, sun and great prices
As well as having great weather all year round, Hawaii has so many hidden gems that are worth exploring. In October you can take part in the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival, which runs for three weeks and has an outstanding selection of food and drink on offer.
Other than food celebrations, Hawaii also has great celebrations for their Halloween! There are a few Halloween-themed events in Hawaii and they vary across the years. Travel down to Hawaii in October to choose your preferred way of celebrating Halloween.
Prices also tend to be lower at this time of year, and there are fewer crowds which makes it one of the best places to visit in October.
READ MORE: Hawaii is also one of the best places in the world for swimming with dolphins
Buenos Aires, Argentina
To explore the rainforests in Autumn
Buenos Aires is an exciting and always vibrant city that is also the Argentinian capital. Springtime in Buenos Aires is one of the best times to visit for the mild temperatures and always exciting rainforests teeming with life.
Immerse yourself into the astonishing sights of nature as there are plenty of waterfalls for you to explore! You will also catch stunning wildflowers across the country during this blooming season.
Clear and sunny skies without the sweltering heat and humidity, make Buenos Aires one of the best places to visit in October. Being off-peak, October is also a great time to visit one of Argentina’s most popular tourist attractions – Iguazu Falls, which is one of South America’s Big Five. It is just a short plane ride from the city and offers a break away from the city.
READ MORE: Find out why we named Argentina as one of the world’s best and safest places for solo female travel
Antarctica
Discover an untouched snowy paradise
Probably one of the best times to explore this icy continent, October should see the first Antarctica cruises leave the shores. Though the tours go on for five months, the month of October offers travellers a view of a pristine and untouched ice paradise.
If you are an adventurer, then this is the best time to visit Antarctica as you are one of the first people to see this forever changing landscape.
Early season cruising also means lower prices and smaller crowds, so this can be a huge benefit for being the first.
READ MORE: Travel bucket list? Here are 10 places to visit before you die
Where to travel in October in Europe
Rome, Italy
Experience history in Autumn
Rome is beautiful any time of year. However, the benefit of going in October means you get the warm weather throughout the day, which slowly fades to a pleasant cool in the evening.
It makes exploring the Colosseum and the Pantheon a pleasure. Aside from the temperature, the early sunsets shine beautiful shadows on all the stunning architecture. Fall is also the harvest season in Italy. Hence, there will be loads of food and wine festivals for you to satisfy your tummy and experience their harvesting culture!
I’d recommend going early in October as schools break up later in the month and it can make the city seem even more hectic.
READ MORE: The Colosseum is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, can you guess the others?
Munich, Germany
Drink and be merry at the legendary Oktoberfest
Munich comes alive in October with the legendary Oktoberfest. The three-week festival is non-stop fun, make sure to bring your lederhosen or dirndls, the traditional clothes of the event.
With side stalls, games, a diverse range of food, and live music, there is plenty to do on top of exploring the city itself. Make sure to get yourself one of the 7.7 million litres of beer that are served up at the event.
Do note that Munich in October has an average temperature of 9.1 degree Celsius (48 Fahrenheit), so do pack slightly more if you fear the chill!
READ MORE: First solo trip? Read this guide before your first solo travel
Canary Islands, Fuerteventura
Sun, surf and sea in Europe
If you’re not sure where to go in October but want to catch some rays, I’d highly recommend Canary islands.
For you sun-starved travellers, there is an average of 11 hours of sunshine each day, and temperatures rarely fall below 21°C—however, the temperature drops at night which makes for a much more pleasant sleeping experience.
Treat yourself to the many water sports and activities such as scuba diving, windsurfing, cycling, and fishing that are available at some of the island’s 150 beaches.
READ MORE: Discover the best places to scuba dive in the world
Algarve, Portugal
Continue your summer at the beach
When considering where to travel in October, the weather will be a prime factor. The Algarve remains warm at this time of year but has the added benefit of thinner crowds. Best known for its amazing beaches and golf resorts, it is a great way to carry on your summer activities and fun.
Fewer crowds provide a slightly slower pace and give a real sense of relaxation. Also, the lower temperatures make exploring one of the many surrounding castles a breeze. On that note, if you are on a budget for a travel to Europe in October, Algarve is actually one of the least expensive destinations in Europe!
READ MORE: Here’s Travel Wanderlust’s own selection of the most beautiful beaches in the world
Best places to visit in October in Oceania
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Explore the great depths
Visiting Australia in October is a great opportunity to get into watersports. From surfing and scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, this is one of the best destinations for the month of October. With Australia relaxing its travel restrictions, making a visit in October is nothing of a hustle to plan for.
The weather in Brisbane, Australia is perfect for spending time on the water, so for those who live for the sea, this is a definite destination on your checklist.
Just a short boat ride from Cairns or Brisbane city, the Great Barrier Reef offers so much choice for water sports and activities when you travel.
READ MORE: Immerse in some of the best virtual tours of famous landmarks while staying at home
Barossa Valley, Australia
Fine wine tours under the sun
There’s nothing better to start off your October than a glass of fine wine. A great place to experience different vintages would be Barossa Valley in South Australia.
Australia in October is when the new leaves begin to form and the warm weather makes a cross-country road trip an amazing experience. Travellers can enjoy the countryside scenery while sipping wine in the sun.
This is a popular tourist destination during October, but it is worth the crowds.
READ MORE: Make sure you bring plenty of reef-safe sunscreen before travelling to sunny Australia
Plan a trip in October 2023
October is a fantastic time to travel and soak up the culture of a new destination. If you’re not sure where to travel in October, consider how active you want to be. The best places to visit in October for something lowkey are the beaches. But for out and out exploring you have plenty of options too! Be sure to check the restrictions and requirements for each country before you head down to book the tickets.
