Sunny, quiet and cheap: travel experts reveal exactly where to go this autumn, the best bargains and places to stay… and where you can still lie on the beach
While in the UK the leaves are turning brown, temperatures are dropping and the skies are turning grey, much of Southern Europe remains delightfully warm.
Temperatures can reach 25 degrees or higher well into October around the Mediterranean and further south in Spain’s Canary Islands. Beaches, meanwhile, are not nearly as crowded as they are in summer, with lower hotel and flight prices.
Turkey sizzler
In summer, the sleepy sailing town of Göcek on Turkey’s Lycian coast can reach a scorching 30 degrees. In October, however, it’s not quite as hot. Less hectic than Turkey’s more famous resorts, you won’t have to fight for a spot on the beach. Just gaze out over the sea or take a walk in the beautiful surrounding countryside.
How to do it: Layla Göcek is an adults-only hotel close to the beach. It has a large pool and double rooms from £160 (laylagocek.com); return flights Gatwick to Dalaman from £233 (ba.com).
Highest temperature October: 26c
Make it Malta
With temperatures averaging 18-25c in October, Malta is another good choice. Spinola Bay in the lively area of St Julian’s has a pretty harbour and some fine beaches. The waters here are also popular with divers.
How do you do that: The smart, modern AC Hotel St Julian’s by Marriott has a rooftop pool and double rooms from £160 (marriott.com); return flights to Manchester from £175 (ryanair.com).
October high: 25c
Perfect Portugal
The Algarve’s famous resorts stay sunny well into autumn, and are often a lot more relaxed than in summer. Head to the port town of Sagres, where Praia de Baleeira is popular with sun worshippers and windsurfers.
How do you do that: The modern Memmo Baleeira Hotel with sea views has double rooms from £143 (memmohotels.com/baleeira); return flights from Manchester to Faro from £179 (easyjet.com).
October high: 23c
Cypriot hotspot
With October temperatures teasingly approaching 30 degrees, Cyprus is another reliable hotspot. The UNESCO World Heritage city of Paphos on the island’s west coast is also home to some of the island’s finest beaches, not least the Blue Flag-awarded Coral Bay.
How do you do that: The five-star adults-only Cali Resort & Spa has double rooms from £356 (caliresortandspa.com); return flights from Luton to Larnaca from £150 (wizzair.com).
October high: 28c
Roasting in Rhodes
Faliraki, once known as a party town, is now more likely to be a place for families and couples. It is a real draw, with its golden sandy beach and fantastically clear, shallow waters. Even in October, it is still warm. Go diving, snorkelling and boat trips or just wander the cobbled streets of the old town.
How do you do that: The beachfront Elysium Resort & Spa has double rooms from £156 (elysium.gr); return flights Manchester from £178 (ryanair.com).
October high: 24c
Sicilian sun
The tiny UNESCO-protected island of Ortigia, connected by a bridge to the city of Syracuse on Sicily’s southeastern coast, is often cited as one of Sicily’s most beautiful destinations, with beaches and culture in abundance. It’s also wonderfully warm. Hit the beaches or take a leisurely stroll through the Baroque town centre with its churches, piazzas and trattorias.
How do you do that: The stylish 15th-century Maecò Ortemisia B&B has double rooms from £134 (bbmaeco-ortigia.it); return flights from Luton to Catania-Fontanarossa from £70 (easyjet.com).
Highest temperature October: 22c
Beautiful Montenegro
The stunningly picturesque Bay of Kotor, nestled amid Montenegro’s Dinaric Alps mountain range, is delightfully warm in autumn. Explore the nearby beaches and the 12th-century cathedral of the UNESCO-listed town of Kotor.
How do you do that: The beachfront Hotel Carubba has double rooms with bay views from £159 (septemberhotels.com/carruba-tivat); return flights from Luton to Tivat from £94 (easyjet.com).
October high: 22c
Crete heat
While Crete may not reach the dizzying temperatures of other places, you’ll rarely find it colder than 20 degrees in October. The water is still warm enough to swim in, and the blissful beaches around the port city of Chania are less crowded than in summer.
How do you do that: Overlooking the old harbour and lighthouse, the glamorous Domus Renier Hotel offers rooms from £238 (domusrenier.gr); return flights from Manchester to Chania from £153 (ryanair.com).
Highest temperature October: 21c
Andalusian sunshine
In some places on the southern coast of Spain you can almost see North Africa. It is therefore not surprising that the temperatures remain pleasantly warm long after the summer.
For a Blue Flag beach and miles of powdery golden sand, as well as cycle paths, water sports and a golf course, look no further than the family-friendly beach resort of La Barrosa, near the ancient port city of Cadiz.
How do you do that: The glamorous Iberostar Royal Andalus has double rooms from £122 B&B (ihg.com); return flights from Stansted to Jerez from £66 (ryanair.com).
October high: 23c
Fuerteventura Guarantee
With almost year-round guaranteed sunshine and miles of sandy beaches, it’s no surprise that the second-largest Canary Island is a favourite in October. Caleta de Fuste, an east coast resort, is ideal for families and couples, with its sheltered beach and golf courses.
How do you do that: The Sheraton Fuerteventura Beach, Golf & Spa Resort has double rooms from £194 (marriott.co.uk); return flights Birmingham from £124 (ryanair.com).
October high: 26c
Sunny Puglia
With its beaches and historic villages, the lush region of Puglia sits right on the heel of Italy’s ‘boot’, and being so far south it enjoys a good six hours of sunshine a day well into autumn. Hit the sandy, unspoilt Rosa Marina beach backed by dunes, or explore Ostuni, Italy’s ‘white city’, with its whitewashed buildings, cobbled streets and 15th century Gothic cathedral.
How do you do that: The smart Ostuni hotel has double rooms from £145 (ostuniamare.com); return flights from Stansted to Brindisi from £49 (ryanair.com).
October high: 22c
Sardinian warmth
Like its neighbour Corsica, Sardinia is one of the warmest enclaves in southern Europe, with temperatures lingering in the early 20s long after the British summer. Dune di Campana on the south coast has fantastic beaches of powdery sand and shallow water, ideal for families.
How do you do that: Hotel Village at the Chia Laguna Resort offers free shuttles to the beach and has double rooms from £172 (chialagunaresort.com); return flights from Stansted to Alghero from £34 (ryanair.com).
October high: 23c
Charming in Croatia
On the coast of Croatia, T-shirt season lasts well into October, especially on the beautiful Cavtat peninsula. Lesser known than Dubrovnik, Cavtat Bay is surrounded by pine forests, with lovely beaches, a charming harbour town and countryside just begging to be explored.
How do you do that: Boutique Hotel Villa Pattiera is close to the seafront and has double rooms from £167 (villa-pattiera.hr); return flights from Stansted to Dubrovnik from £133 (jet2.com).
October high: 22c
Warm in Ibiza
Ibiza may never quite shake off its party-island image, but it’s also a winner for families looking for a warm autumn break. With temperatures soaring well above 20 degrees, Ibiza is ideal for that elusive Indian summer. The resort of Santa Eularia des Riu has wide sandy beaches and a palm-fringed promenade.
How to do it: The sea-view Hotel Tres Torres has double rooms from £116 (hoteltrestorresibiza.com); return flights Stansted from £32 (ryanair.com)
October high: 28c
Sultry Madeira
Madeira is reliable for balmy autumn temperatures. For dramatic scenery of cliffs, forests and dark sandy beaches, head to Porto Moniz on the north coast. The saltwater rock pools are not to be missed.
How do you do that: Aqua Natura overlooks the sea and has double rooms from £150 (aquanaturahotels.com); return flights Gatwick £204 (easyjet.com).
October high: 23c
Beautiful Greece
The Greek island of Spetses, known for its beautiful beaches and grand neoclassical mansions, is a favourite with holidaying Athenians thanks to its proximity to the mainland. It also stays fantastically warm, with temperatures a pleasant 23 degrees well into October. Enjoy the warm waters at Agios Mamas Beach in Spetses Town or nearby Kaiki Beach.
How do you do that: The glamorous Poseidonion Grand Hotel has double rooms from £156 (poseidonion.com); return flights to Luton from £74 (wizzair.com); return ferries from Athens to Spetses from £84 (ferryhopper.com).
October high: 23c
Tenerife is boiling hot
With their proximity to the West African coast, it’s no surprise that the Canary Islands are warm in autumn. As the largest, Tenerife has beaches in abundance, and this is the time to grab a bargain. Puerto de la Cruz is the best-known resort, but for a quieter spot, the former fishing village of Garachico, with its brightly painted houses, has volcanic rock pools perfect for swimming.
How do you do that: The 17th-century La Quinta Roja Hotel in Garachico has double rooms from £133 (quintaroja.com); return flights Stansted from £94 (jet2.com).
October high: 29c
