Where to Travel in October
There are plenty of experiences to fill the month with wonder, from occult festivals to glacial adventures and autumn leaf-peeping.
Folklore, legends and eerie tales set the scene for October. Whether it’s Scotland’s fiery Samhuinn Fire Festival celebrations (31 October) or haunted road trips through Romania, there are myriad spooky experiences to embrace. While autumn leaf-peeping beckons travellers to places like New York City’s Central Park, spring blossoms and off-peak deals are among the main draws for destinations in the Southern Hemisphere. Be one of the first to hike the freshly reopened glacial trails in Patagonia or get a taste for Argentina’s culinary offering during Bariloche a la Carta (5-12 October). Elsewhere, Egypt is perfect for extending summer a little further while Madagascar welcomes a new generation of ring-tailed lemurs.
1. New York City, New York, US
Temperature: 15-17C (59–63F)
Best For: An urban escape
Whether it’s admiring Central Park’s golden foliage, sipping pumpkin spice coffees or spending cosy afternoons indoors, New York City’s autumn is perfect for discovering the city in a new light. Now is the ideal time to benefit from lower prices and a flurry of unique events. Off-Broadway Week (5-18 October) offers two-for-one tickets to a host of shows and plays, including comical murder mystery hit The Play That Goes Wrong. Elsewhere, nosy travellers can peek behind closed doors during the annual Open House New York Weekend (16-18 October), during which 300 of the city’s usually off-limit sites run tours and activities. Past participants have included the rooftop gardens at the Rockefeller Center, the Hudson River Park's River Project Wetlab and the New York Sign Museum. For glittering nights out on the town, try the New York Burlesque Festival (2-4 October), where spectators can enjoy drag and cabaret performances.
Like a Local: Sample the autumn harvest on a tasting tour at Brooklyn Grange, one of New York City’s first soil-based rooftop farms. Here, you can snack on field-fresh carrots and radishes with unbeatable views over the iconic skyline at golden hour.
(10 of the Best Hotels in Manhattan, From New York Icons to Art Deco Divas.)
2. Madagascar
Temperature: 24-33C (75-91F)
Best For: Wildlife-watching
The final few weeks of the dry season make this tropical island off the eastern coast of Africa a calm, lush pocket of paradise, and this month its wildlife population springs into action. Ring-tailed lemurs enter their breeding window; the proud parents and their goggle-eyed babies can best be spotted in Isalo National Park. Meanwhile, creatures such as chameleons, geckos and frogs emerge from dormancy with the arrival of spring in areas like Andasibe-Mantadia and Ranomafana National Park. Elsewhere, the streets and highlands of Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital city, are dotted with blossoming jacaranda trees and it’s also the perfect time to see bulbous baobab trees against a dramatic sunset backdrop at the iconic Avenue de Baobabs.
Like a Local: Taboos, or ‘fady’, dictate many daily interactions. In some regions that might be certain foods that are off-limits, in others it might be pointing at a tomb. Check with a local or guide to avoid social missteps.
(Land of the Lemurs: the Race to Save Madagascar's Sacred Forests.)
3. Argentina
Temperature: 14-23C (57-73F)
Best For: Food and birdwatching
October marks the arrival of spring in Argentine Patagonia, whose elevated meadows are dotted with a kaleidoscope of wildflowers. Trails have opened for the season in Los Glaciares National Park, offering ideal hiking conditions, while bird species like the strange-tailed tyrant can be observed with fresh plumage in the Ibera wetlands — the country’s largest freshwater ecosystem. Elsewhere in Patagonia, the region’s biggest gastronomical fair beckons hungry travellers to San Carlos de Bariloche. Offering everything from cooking classes to tasting sessions and one-off menus created by some of the country’s most celebrated chefs, Bariloche a la Carta (5-12 October) guarantees a heavenly week for food-lovers. Plus, it all takes place against the backdrop of the glacial Nahuel Huapi Lake and Andean peaks. Meanwhile, in Buenos Aires, trumpet-shaped jacaranda flowers paint the streets in bright shades of sapphire.
Like a Local: It’s Mother’s Day in Argentina on 18 October and most residents of the capital head for a picnic in the Plaza Holanda rose garden. Bring empanada pastries from La Cocina, a legendary hole-in-the-wall restaurant that’s been a Buenos Aires staple since 1977.
4. Scotland
Temperature: 9-13C (48-55F)
Best For: Occult experiences
As the breeze grows crisper this month, Scotland prepares for Samhuinn (31 October), the Gaelic version of Halloween. This ancient harvest festival commemorates the passage into darker months and, according to local lore, otherwordly realms. Whether it’s Glasgow’s Witchy Bazaar (4 October), an indoor market for occult souvenirs, or exclusive ghost tours at 800-year-old Fyvie Castle, there are plenty of themed events to partake in. The Samhuinn Fire Festival is among the biggest spectacles and takes place in the Scottish capital. It’s on Edinburgh’s volcanic Calton Hill that hundreds of fire-eaters, drummers and performers orchestrate a display of towering flames late into the night. Alternatively, wander past the foggy rocks, lochs and waterfalls on the Isle of Skye. Strike lucky and you might even catch one of the first showings of the Northern Lights in places like Rubha Hunish and Glendale.
Like a local: Although all of the UK uses the pound sterling, the notes used in Scotland are printed by the Bank of Scotland. Even though it's a legal tender in all of the UK, some shops, smaller restaurants and cafes south of the border, as well as foreign currency exchange in other countries might not accept the notes. It's best to exchange your cash before leaving.
(Why Edinburgh is Europe's Ultimate Escape for Book-Lovers.)
5. Egypt
Temperature: 26-33C (79-91F)
Best For: Ancient adventures
Egypt’s peak desert heat has started to dissipate in October, making way for more comfortable exploration of the country’s emblematic archaeological sites in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. A brief transitional season also brings about slightly lower prices as well as less crowds. Marvel at the world’s largest collection of Egyptian artefacts at the Grand Egyptian Museum, which opened in November 2025 after two decades of construction. Alternatively, head for southern Egypt, where the biannual Abu Simbel Sun Festival (22 October and 22 February) invites visitors to celebrate Egyptian engineering first hand. As the sun ascends, its rays neatly align with an opening to the inner sanctum of the Great Temple of Abu Simbel, coating most of the statues within in golden light. Stay for the parade of traditional dances and music that takes place in front of the temple.
Like a Local: Egypt has a tipping culture, known as baksheesh. Always carry small-denomination bills to discreetly pass on during a handshake (placing a tip on the table or tipping with coins can sometimes be seen as impolite).
6. Romania
Temperature: 13-19C (55-66F)
Best For: Cultural road trips
October is the last month in which the Transfăgărășan — a 56-mile highway that winds through the peaks and valleys of the southern Carpathian Mountains — is fully open to visitors (for the rest of the year the sheep and brown bears have it all to themselves). It’s at its most scenic in autumn when the landscape is awash with amber foliage. For those seeking full immersion into Romania’s more mystical history and culture, Transylvania is the ideal roaming ground. Follow in Count Dracula’s footsteps on a tour of the region’s famed Bran Castle — nicknamed Dracula's Castle due to its resemblance to the home of the fictional Transylvanian vampire — before heading to nearby Brașov to see its gothic Black Church. Or follow the Transfăgărășan to the country’s eastern reaches for a stroll through the Hoia-Baciu Forest, which is known for its abundance of rugged hiking paths, crooked trees and paranormal tales.
Like a Local: Kürtőskalács, or chimney cake, is a must-try delicacy that’s served year-round but best enjoyed on chilly autumn afternoons. They can be bought at street-food markets and from carts parked by popular attractions.
(Dracula-Hunting and Bear Hides—Inside the Romanian Region That Has it All.)
