Top 12 Best European Places To Go In October

October transforms Europe into a canvas of autumn colors and perfect weather. Destinations like Lisbon, Seville, Tuscany, and Prague offer mild temperatures and fewer crowds. The Cotswolds displays golden fields while Lake Bled reflects fall foliage.

Keep reading as we uncover the best European places to go in October that combine ideal weather, stunning scenery, and authentic local experiences for your perfect autumn getaway.

1. Lisbon, Portugal: Tiles and Golden Light

October brings Lisbon's best weather—warm days, cool nights, and that famous Portuguese light that photographers chase. The city's azulejo tiles seem to glow differently in autumn's softer sun.

Take Tram 28 early in the morning before tourists fill the narrow streets. The ride through Alfama's winding alleys reveals hidden courtyards where locals hang laundry and tend small gardens.

I remember standing in Miradouro da Senhora do Monte at sunset, watching the Tagus River turn copper. A local fisherman told me October is when the river gives up its summer secrets—the best time to see it truly.

Quick Facts

• Peak Season: May-September
  
• Getting There: Lisbon Airport, metro connection to city center
  
• Entry Fees: Most viewpoints free, museums from €5
  
• Suggested Stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-See Areas: Alfama, Bairro Alto, Belém, Chiado
  

2. Seville, Spain: Where Autumn Feels Like Spring

Seville in October means temperatures drop to a comfortable 75°F after a scorching summer. The orange trees haven't fruited yet, but their leaves catch the light in Barrio Santa Cruz's narrow passages.

The Real Alcázar's gardens bloom again after the summer heat. Early morning visits reveal peacocks strutting through the courtyards while gardeners tend to fountains that actually flow year-round.

Locals know October signals the return of outdoor living. Tapas bars set tables in plazas again, and you can walk the city without seeking shade every few blocks.

Quick Facts

• Peak Season: April-June, September-November
  
• Getting There: Seville Airport, bus to city center
  
• Entry Fees: Alcázar from €13, Cathedral from €11
  
• Suggested Stay: 3 days
  
• Must-See Areas: Barrio Santa Cruz, Triana, Cathedral, Alcázar
  

3. Chania, Crete, Greece: Swimming Season Extended

Chania keeps its summer charm well into October. The sea temperature holds at 70°F while crowds thin to manageable numbers. The Venetian harbor reflects fewer yacht masts and more fishing boats returning to work.

October mornings in the old town reveal Chania at its most authentic. Shopkeepers sweep marble steps while cats stretch in doorways of century-old buildings. The light hits the lighthouse differently now—less harsh, more forgiving.

Local fishermen return from night fishing as tourists head out for breakfast. Their catch fills the morning market with octopus still glistening with seawater.

Quick Facts

• Peak Season: June-August
  
• Getting There: Chania Airport, 20-minute drive to old town
  
• Entry Fees: Most sites free, museums from €3
  
• Suggested Stay: 4-5 days
  
• Must-See Areas: Venetian Harbor, Old Town, Balos Lagoon, Samaria Gorge
  

4. Algarve, Portugal: Summer's Last Stand

The Algarve refuses to surrender to autumn. October brings perfect beach weather without July's overwhelming heat. The cliffs at Ponta da Piedade glow golden in the softer light.

Portuguese families reclaim their beaches in October. Children play in waves while parents finally relax without fighting for umbrella space. The water stays warm enough for swimming until November.

In Lagos, I watched dolphins surface just beyond the rock formations. A local boat captain said they come closer to shore in October, following fish that return when the water cools slightly.

Quick Facts

• Peak Season: June-September
  
• Getting There: Faro Airport, rental car recommended
  
• Entry Fees: Beaches free, boat tours from €25
  
• Suggested Stay: 5-7 days
  
• Must-See Areas: Lagos, Sagres, Tavira, Benagil Cave
  

5. Palermo, Sicily, Italy: Ancient Streets, Perfect Weather

October returns Palermo to the Palermitani. Summer's tourist buses disappear, leaving authentic street food markets and conversations in rapid Sicilian dialect. The temperature drops to a perfect 75°F.

The Ballarò market becomes manageable again. Vendors call out prices in sing-song voices while the scent of fresh arancini fills narrow streets. You can actually stop and examine the day's catch without being pushed along by crowds.

Norman churches reveal their true character when empty of tour groups. The light through ancient windows creates patterns on worn stone floors that change throughout the day.

Quick Facts

• Peak Season: May-September
  
• Getting There: Palermo Airport, bus to city center
  
• Entry Fees: Most churches free, Palazzo Reale from €12
  
• Suggested Stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-See Areas: Ballarò Market, Norman Palace, Quattro Canti, Mondello
  

6. Bavaria, Germany: Oktoberfest Afterglow

Bavaria in October means Oktoberfest crowds have departed, leaving crisp air and forests painted in amber and gold. The beer gardens still serve warmth in ceramic mugs, but with space to breathe.

Neuschwanstein Castle emerges from morning mist like a fairy tale made real. The surrounding valleys display every shade of autumn while Alpine peaks catch the first snow of winter.

I remember driving the Romantic Road on an October morning when fog lifted to reveal villages that seemed untouched by time. Church bells echoed across valleys where cows wore ceremonial bells for the autumn descent from high pastures.

Quick Facts

• Peak Season: December-January (Christmas markets), June-August
  
• Getting There: Munich Airport, train connections throughout region
  
• Entry Fees: Castle tours from €15, many hiking trails free
  
• Suggested Stay: 4-6 days
  
• Must-See Areas: Neuschwanstein, Rothenburg, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Berchtesgaden
  

7. Tuscany, Italy: Harvest Gold

October transforms Tuscany into a living painting. Vineyards heavy with grapes create patterns across rolling hills while cypress trees stand like exclamation points against amber fields.

This is harvest season. Small wineries welcome visitors to watch ancient rituals play out in modern settings. The scent of fermenting grapes fills the air around hilltop towns like Montalcino and Montepulciano.

In Siena, I joined locals celebrating the grape harvest in the Piazza del Campo. The medieval buildings glowed in October light while vendors sold chestnuts roasted over open fires—a tradition unchanged for centuries.

Quick Facts

• Peak Season: April-June, September-October
  
• Getting There: Florence Airport, rental car essential for countryside
  
• Entry Fees: Most vineyards free, wine tastings from €10
  
• Suggested Stay: 5-7 days
  
• Must-See Areas: Chianti, Val d'Orcia, San Gimignano, Montepulciano
  

8. Lake Bled, Slovenia: Mirror Perfect

Lake Bled in October reflects autumn's fire in still water. The island church seems to float on liquid glass while Bled Castle perches on cliffs painted in gold and crimson.

Early morning brings mist that lifts slowly to reveal the lake in perfect stillness. Swans glide between reflections of beech trees that have turned the color of old amber. The famous cream cake tastes better when eaten beside windows overlooking this scene.

Local rowing clubs practice in October's calm conditions. Their oars barely disturb water so clear you can see fish swimming beneath the surface.

Quick Facts

• Peak Season: June-August
  
• Getting There: Ljubljana Airport, 45-minute drive
  
• Entry Fees: Castle from €13, island boat trip €18
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-See Areas: Bled Castle, Vintgar Gorge, Bohinj Lake, Island Church
  

9. The Cotswolds, United Kingdom: Honey Stone and Golden Fields

October paints the Cotswolds in shades that match its honey-colored stone buildings. Footpaths wind through fields where sheep graze peacefully and hedgerows display berries in deep red clusters.

Villages like Chipping Campden and Bourton-on-the-Water reveal their true character when summer crowds depart. Pub fireplaces crackle to life while locals reclaim their favorite corners for conversations over proper English ale.

The morning I walked from Stow-on-the-Wold to Lower Slaughter, mist clung to valleys while church bells marked time in villages that have heard the same sounds for centuries.

Quick Facts

• Peak Season: May-September
  
• Getting There: London airports, train to Moreton-in-Marsh
  
• Entry Fees: Most villages free to explore, National Trust sites from £8
  
• Suggested Stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-See Areas: Chipping Campden, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Broadway
  

10. Hallstatt, Austria: Alpine Perfection

Hallstatt in October offers crisp mountain air and lake views without summer's overwhelming crowds. The village nestled between mountains and water creates reflections so perfect they seem painted.

Morning light illuminates 16th-century buildings while swans patrol waters that mirror Alpine peaks dusted with early snow. The salt mine that built this town still operates, offering tours through chambers carved centuries ago.

I remember taking the funicular up to the viewing platform on an October afternoon when golden light turned the entire Salzkammergut region into a postcard that couldn't possibly be real—but was.

Quick Facts

• Peak Season: June-September
  
• Getting There: Salzburg Airport, train to Hallstatt station
  
• Entry Fees: Salt mine tour €37, Skywalk €17
  
• Suggested Stay: 2 days
  
• Must-See Areas: Historic village center, Salt mine, Dachstein Skywalk, Lake Hallstatt
  

11. Prague, Czech Republic: Gothic Gold

Prague's spires catch October light like golden needles threading autumn sky. The Charles Bridge empties of summer crowds, leaving space to appreciate Gothic arches reflected in the Vltava River below.

Beer gardens transition from summer refreshment to autumn comfort. Czech lagers taste different when accompanied by roasted pork and sauerkraut while leaves fall from centuries-old linden trees.

In the Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock chimes over fewer heads but seems louder somehow. Street musicians play for locals again, their melodies echoing off buildings that have heard similar songs for seven centuries.

Quick Facts

• Peak Season: May-September, December (Christmas markets)
  
• Getting There: Prague Airport, metro to city center
  
• Entry Fees: Castle complex from €12, most squares free
  
• Suggested Stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-See Areas: Old Town, Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Jewish Quarter
  

12. Budapest, Hungary: Thermal Comfort

Budapest's thermal baths feel perfect when October air turns crisp. The Széchenyi Baths steam in outdoor pools while bathers soak in mineral-rich water heated by underground springs.

The Danube divides Buda from Pest like a silver ribbon reflecting Parliament's Gothic spires. October sunsets paint both sides of the river in warm light that illuminates the city's mix of Ottoman, Habsburg, and Soviet architecture.

Locals know October signals the return of hearty Hungarian cuisine. Goulash and chimney cake warm bodies preparing for winter while outdoor terraces extend their season with heat lamps and blankets.

Quick Facts

• Peak Season: April-June, September-October
  
• Getting There: Budapest Airport, metro to city center
  
• Entry Fees: Parliament tours from €17, thermal baths from €20
  
• Suggested Stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-See Areas: Parliament, Castle Quarter, Széchenyi Baths, Great Market Hall
  

October offers Europe at its most authentic—after summer crowds depart but before winter closes doors. These destinations prove that shoulder season often provides the best European places to go in October.

Pack layers for changing weather. Book accommodations early since locals know October's secret.

Your perfect European autumn awaits in cities where leaves crunch underfoot and the light seems painted just for you.