October 2026 journey information: The place to go, what to see and the brand new accommodations to guide

October brings a welcome change of tempo for travellers, with autumn colors showing throughout Europe, temperatures cooling in lots of well-liked locations and a brand new season of occasions, exhibitions and openings to find.

It’s an excellent time to get away, whether or not you’re in search of a metropolis break, a dose of autumn sunshine or someplace new to discover.

From the locations price including to your journey checklist and the largest happenings going down across the continent to the accommodations opening their doorways this month, right here’s Euronews Travel’s information to the place to go and what to see this October.

Destinations

Transylvania, Romania

Although there’s completely extra to Transylvania than vampires, October is however a fairly good time to embrace the spooky aspect of the Romanian area.

Bran Castle, higher generally known as Dracula’s Castle, is an apparent cease, however the actual draw at the moment of 12 months is the surroundings. As autumn takes maintain, the forests of the Carpathian Mountains flip vivid shades of pink, orange and gold, with the area’s various altitudes serving to to stretch the show over a number of weeks.

Base your self in Brașov, an exquisite metropolis with loads of environment of its personal, and use it as a place to begin for exploring the encircling mountains. Back on the town, eating places profit from the crisp autumn climate with outside heaters and blankets, so you’ll be able to sit outdoors with out having to retreat indoors.

Malta

If you’re keener on getting the final of the 12 months’s sunshine – and heat – you would possibly wish to head to Malta.

The Mediterranean island has common highs of 25°C in October, however there’s extra to Malta than sunshine and seashores – though they’re undoubtedly perks.

History buffs have lengthy recognized that the island is an interesting mixture of influences, having been dominated over by Arabs, Italians and the British over the centuries, with every leaving their mark.

More not too long ago, Malta has been getting deserved consideration for its meals and tradition scenes. Its capital, Valletta, is especially stunning, with one of many world’s most spectacular pure harbours and ION Harbour by Simon Rogan, the island’s solely two-Michelin-starred restaurant.

Be certain to take a ship journey out to the Maltese archipelago and particularly to the Blue Lagoon, a remarkably stunning turquoise cove situated on the tiny, principally uninhabited island of Comino. Next, head onto Gozo, famed for its slower tempo, dramatic coastal landscapes, and historic historical past, which really feel extra rustic and peaceable than Malta itself.

Hotel openings

Corpus Christi Lisboa – Leonardo Limited Edition

Leonardo Hotels is increasing into Portugal for the primary time with the opening of Hotel Corpus Christi Lisboa – Leonardo Limited Edition in October.

Set in a former 18th-century monastery within the coronary heart of Lisbon’s historic Baixa district, the 132-room resort has been created following a delicate renovation that preserves the constructing’s listed options. It can even mark the Leonardo Limited Edition model’s debut on the Iberian Peninsula, with a high-end restaurant including to the providing.

Native by Numa, London

Native by Numa will open its newest aparthotel in London’s Fitzrovia in October – and it’s additionally housed in a spiritual constructing, specifically a former convent.

Set on Margaret Street, near the enduring procuring hub of Oxford Circus, the 29-room property combines the constructing’s heritage with Fitzrovia’s inventive character.

Rooms vary from compact studios to one- and two-bedroom flats, all with kitchenettes, whereas authentic arched sash home windows and different architectural particulars have been preserved. Bold colors, retro-inspired furnishings and assertion bogs add a up to date contact, and workspaces imply it’s a terrific guess for these on a workcation.

Events

San Sebastián Gastronomika, San Sebastián, Spain

For food-focused travellers, October is a good time to go to San Sebastián, with town’s well-known pintxos bars and Michelin-starred eating places joined by San Sebastián Gastronomika from 5-7 October.

The three-day meals congress brings collectively main cooks who pioneered the Basque cookery fashion for talks, dwell cooking, tastings and demonstrations, with this 12 months’s occasion celebrating 50 years of New Basque Cuisine. The occasion additionally features a world cod pageant, making it a very good time to eat your method across the metropolis.

Púca Festival, Midland Region, Ireland

If you’re in search of a correctly spooky – and conventional – autumn occasion, head to Ireland’s Midlands, the place Halloween has its roots within the historic Celtic pageant of Samhain.

In truth, the realm is the place Halloween was first celebrated, and the Púca Festival, operating from 29 October to 1 November, marks the season with music, folklore, hearth and loads of supernatural environment.

You also can discover historic websites together with the Hill of Ward and Hill of Tara, the place Celts as soon as lit fires to push back spirits.

Attractions

Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany

Although Oktoberfest is, confusingly, held principally in September, it truly all the time concludes on the primary Sunday in October. That’s on the 4th this 12 months, which suggests you’ve gotten 4 days to have a good time Bavarian tradition with conventional music, meals, and beer.

While there are lots of Oktoberfest occasions across the globe as of late, it have to be skilled in Munich a minimum of as soon as.

Oktoberfest transforms town into one big Bavarian celebration, with the Theresienwiese filled with monumental beer tents, brass bands, steins of native beer, conventional meals and fairground rides, whereas revellers sporting lederhosen and dirndls fill the streets.

Biennale d’Art Contemporain, Lyon, France

Lyon’s biannual Biennale d’Art Contemporain returns this autumn, bringing modern artwork to galleries, museums, former industrial areas and surprising corners of town.

The 2026 version, which runs from September 19 to December 13, explores new concepts round artwork, society and the longer term, with artists from all over the world presenting formidable installations, performances and works.

It’s additionally an excellent purpose to go to fairly Lyon and discover its cultural scene past its well-known meals and historic streets.

Planning forward: What to guide now for the longer term

Following August’s historic astronomical occasion, the following huge photo voltaic eclipse is already inflicting a rush for flights and accommodations.

On 2 August 2027, the trail of totality will sweep throughout southern Spain, Gibraltar, North Africa and the Middle East, with the longest interval of totality – round six minutes and 22 seconds – in Egypt.

Already being billed because the “eclipse of the century”, travellers are clearly taking discover.

EasyJet has recorded a 70% enhance in bookings to locations alongside the trail of totality, whereas bookings to Spanish locations together with Seville, Almería and Málaga have risen by 69% because the 2026 eclipse.

With the perfect viewing spots anticipated to be in excessive demand, and a few lodging already turning into tough to seek out, that is one journey that basically wants reserving now, reasonably than at a later date.