Where To Go In October
Autumn is undoubtedly with us in October, but that doesn’t mean we need to hunker down and resign ourselves to staying at home. October is a prime month for jetting abroad and seeing the world at a calmer pace and with fewer crowds than in summer, and we wouldn’t want it to go to waste.
As seasons shift across the globe, there’s a tantalising choice of destinations to choose from. Whether you’d lean towards Amsterdam for club nights, Barbados to soak up sunshine, or Slovakia to soak up culture, October has a holiday that’s the right break from the norm. Here’s our pick of the best destinations this month.
Trencin, Slovakia
Shoulder season is the ideal time to take advantage of fewer crowds and mild weather that invites exploring. Trenčín in Slovakia is handily set up for this remit, especially as a European Capital of Culture in 2026.
Festivities steam into autumn with a wide choice of talks, exhibitions, walks, events and performances. Catch an interactive exhibition at the KKC Hviezda, expand your mind at a locally curated TEDx conference, or peruse an exhibition spotlighting brutalist architecture – there’s enough to keep your mind nourished for days.
Away from the special events, the town has a long history that’s worth delving into. Start a walking tour at Mierové Námestie (Peace Square), lined with well-kempt Baroque buildings. Then veer through the cobbled streets, across the Váh River, and up to the spectacular Trenčín Castle (Trenčiansky Hrad), perched high on a rock cliff where its majesty can be seen throughout the city.
It’s less than two hours from the capital of Bratislava by train, car or bus, so it’s highly accessible from the UK. Better still, it’s easy on the wallet: a three-star hotel costs around £65, and if it’s located by Mierové Námestie, you won’t have to fork out for transport to sightsee.
Barbados
If the darker nights and chillier temperatures have you yearning for a taste of summer, would it help to know British Airways is upping its flights to Barbados? Supplementing its route from London Heathrow, and Virgin Atlantic’s flights from Manchester and London Heathrow, the national carrier will be flying between London Gatwick and the island from October.
It’s tempting news: Barbados is the archetypal Caribbean paradise and holiday playground, and October is when hurricane season subsides and makes way for reasonable prices and bright blue skies.
While all-inclusive hotels are plentiful and of an impressive standard, there’s much more to do than lounge around the world-famous beaches. Journey deep under a crystalline limestone cave on a tram, see if you can spot the island’s green monkeys, or explore the island on horseback with a guide to help riding novices.
Visit at the end of October, and you’ll be just in time for the Barbados Food and Rum Festival. With its own flavoursome cuisine that draws on its African heritage, Caribbean ingredients and British influence, you’ll want to sample Bajan staples like flying fish, cou cou (a polenta-like dish), snow cones, guava cheese and cutters (crusty bread rolls crammed with cheese, egg, ham or flying fish). It’s just the ticket as part of an indulgent break.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Travellers barely need an excuse for an Amsterdam weekender, but the Amsterdam Dance Event is a tempting highlight. One of the world’s biggest electronic music gatherings, it celebrates its 30th year from the 21st to 25th October with an extra-special programme of 1,500 artists.
You’ll see the finest contemporary acts, from buzzworthy newcomers like Angel D’lite and Bad Boombox to heavyweights like Skepta, Armin van Buuren and David Guetta – who brings his awe-inspiring Monolith Show, which features an enormous vertical LED monolith and 3D mapping. There are also peripheral events, like a music industry conference, and ADE Lab, an academy programme to nurture tomorrow’s best artists.
Add to that the city’s usual charm – from relaxed canalside restaurants to world-class galleries – and it’s the makings of an eventful city break.
The Andaman Islands
With destinations like the Seychelles, Maldives and Mauritius, the islands off the coast of India are well-known for their clear turquoise waters and thriving reefs. If that’s your dream holiday except you prefer things more relaxed, try the Andaman Islands, an archipelago consisting of 572 barely touched islands.
It needs a connecting flight from India’s main hubs like Delhi, Chennai or Kolkata, so it’s not yet on the radar in Europe. Yet it offers miles of glistening coastline and white sandy beaches. Divers and snorkellers will adore the thriving coral reefs, schools of brightly coloured fish and resident dolphins. On land, the archipelago is brimming with interest. You’ll find dense forest, volcanic peaks and tribal communities who welcome respectful travellers.
In October, the monsoon season comes to an end and moves into the drier season. Temperatures are in the high 20s, so it’s safe to leave your woollies at home – just remember a coat for your return journey!
Wherever you plan to head this October make sure to protect your travels with one of Switched On’s feature packed travel insurance policies. Find out more here.