10 Great Countries to Travel in October

10 Great Countries to Travel in October

If your body and mind are worn out from the relentless sun and sweltering heat, anyone would call autumn the season that shines. Unusual weather keeps making autumn shorter and shorter, and perhaps that’s exactly why I love this all-the-more-precious season so much. Autumn feels all the more beautiful for its crisp breeze and refreshing air, its high skies, and its blazing red-and-gold foliage. At times like these it’s lovely to quietly read a book or meditate, but it’s also hard to resist the urge to just get away somewhere. In fact, autumn in North America boasts brilliantly colorful foliage, while autumn in Europe is the season for relaxed city sightseeing. So today I’ve put together 10 great countries to travel to in October. I hope it helps those of you who love autumn even more than summer—let’s begin!

1. Germany — Munich

You can’t talk about great October destinations and leave out Munich, Germany. As you well know, Munich hosts a world-famous beer festival—Oktoberfest, held from late September into early October. Famous not only in Germany but across Europe, Oktoberfest is a traditional folk festival where you can experience a slice of history and culture. Over the festival’s 16 days, more than 6 million visitors are said to flock in. Munich also has the English Garden, a Chinese Tower, and a Japanese teahouse, along with attractions like Marienplatz, the Glockenspiel, the Residenz museum, and Neuschwanstein Castle. Among them, Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in the world, famous for having inspired Disney’s Cinderella Castle.

2. Spain — Barcelona

As far as I know, Spain is a country you won’t regret visiting any time of year. That said, its cities differ, so even for the same Spain, the city I’d recommend changes with the season. For October, I recommend a trip to Barcelona. The reason is that Barcelona is in its off-season around this time, so you can tour the city at your own relaxed pace. Airfare and lodging also become relatively cheap. With pleasant weather, leisurely sightseeing, and beautiful autumn foliage all together, I’d venture to promise it will give you an experience you’ll never forget!

3. USA — New York

Honestly, New York may be best visited at the end or start of the year, since around that time all sorts of shops run various events and sales. But if shopping isn’t your only reason for visiting New York, you can also consider it a great October destination. Known as a big city, New York lets you encounter October foliage and brilliantly artistic ridgelines just a short way outside the urban core. The foliage blooming like flowers across lush mountains, paired with deep-green lakes, is said to create an utterly overwhelming sight. New York also has attractions like the New York State Museum, Storm King Art Center, and the Walkway Over the Hudson. If you want sights, things to do, and shopping all at once, set off for the U.S. this fall!

4. USA — Hawaii

It’s clearly part of the United States, yet doesn’t feel like it—Hawaii is another great October destination. A beloved getaway, Hawaii offers all kinds of food, beaches, and water sports. October in Hawaii is the off-season, so you can find relatively clear waters, and the clear weather makes everywhere ideal. Standouts include Waimea Canyon on Kauai, the Punakea Palms coconut farm on Maui, and Diamond Head on Oahu.

5. Canada — Ontario

You can hardly talk about great October destinations without Canada—the land of maple leaves, right? Within Canada, though, I recommend southern Ontario. The reason is that you can soak up the friendly people and the vast, beautiful nature. When autumn comes, tourists gather to see Ontario’s breathtaking scenery. Around this time each year you can enjoy fresh, crisp air and mild temperatures, too. Signature attractions include Toronto, Ottawa, and Niagara Falls—and if you want to really take in the foliage, I recommend Algonquin Provincial Park and Killarney Provincial Park near the town of Huntsville.

6. Egypt

October in Egypt boasts pleasant temperatures, cheap hotels, and relaxed sightseeing. If you’re keen on history and culture, you’ve probably dreamed of a trip to Egypt’s Great Sphinx, pyramids, mosques, and sun temples. In particular, this year, 2024, the Grand Egyptian Museum—displaying over 100,000 Egyptian artifacts—is scheduled to open. As of this writing on June 17, some sections are open for a trial run; as the largest museum in the world, expectations are high, and since you can see actual mummies, it looks like you’ll be able to experience Egypt’s living culture firsthand. I’d love to go at least once before I die, but it’s notoriously unwelcoming to East Asian visitors, so I sometimes hesitate. 😢

7. Canary Islands

The Canary Islands, which may be somewhat unfamiliar, are volcanic islands off the northwest coast of Africa. The reason I recommend this place as a great October destination is its warm, mild temperatures. Being volcanic islands, they let you take in beautiful nature, along with fine sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. If you love hiking and climbing, Gran Canaria is a great choice, and if you prefer a resort getaway, you can book a relatively affordable yet luxurious resort. Located off the African continent, the journey there won’t exactly be smooth, but visiting once is sure to bring you novel memories and experiences.

8. Polynesia — Tahiti

Polynesia is a region of Oceania—1,000 islands scattered across the central and southern Pacific. Among them, Tahiti boasts fantastic weather every October. The temperatures are just right, it rarely rains, and since it’s the tail end of peak season, there aren’t many tourists. Tahiti’s most famous beach is Lafayette, the world’s largest black-sand beach, and its top attractions include the Paofai Gardens, the Vaipahi Water Gardens, the municipal market, and the Faarumai Waterfalls. Touring the sights is great, but as a renowned resort destination, you should also stroll the beaches and chase the coral reefs while snorkeling or scuba diving. Water sports in October will be a worthwhile experience in their own right.

9. Nepal

You can probably guess why I recommend Nepal as a great October destination: it’s one of the best times to trek the Everest range. Some people dislike hiking, but there are also more mountain lovers—people who adore not just hiking but mountains themselves—than you might think. If they visit Nepal in October, they’ll be able to climb toward Everest in pleasant weather that isn’t cold. And it doesn’t have to be an Everest climb. You can observe wildlife in Chitwan National Park, or tour the sights in the capital, Kathmandu. The traditional food sold in Nepal’s markets is also said to tantalize the taste buds. How about planning your October trip to Nepal, where trekking, climbing, sightseeing, and food are all on offer?

10. Indonesia — Bali

The tenth great October destination I’ll introduce is Bali, Indonesia. Bali is such a captivating destination that, as they say, there may be people who’ve never been, but no one who’s been only once. Indeed, you can relax at a relatively affordable resort, enjoy all sorts of water sports on the beach, and tour historic temples found only in Indonesia. Bali is also famous for low prices, so it puts little strain on your travel budget. During this period, Bali’s weather is less humid and less hot, too—so if you’re craving a trip to Asia, I recommend Indonesia!

And so we’ve toured a total of 10 great countries to travel in October. I’d wanted to focus mainly on Asia, which is relatively close by, but there were so many appealing places that I ended up introducing a variety of regions. I’m also trying to mix in a share of lesser-known spots rather than only the usual ones—partly so I can remember them for myself, and partly because I want to recommend off-the-beaten-path destinations to seasoned travelers. I hope this was helpful to anyone, and I’ll be back in the next post with even more fun and useful information. Bye for now!