Lately in London, the weather’s been changing; what was once a bright and warm summer is turning into Gilmore Girls weather; a nip in the air, more grey in the sky, leaves on the ground. I love autumn—it’s my favourite season—but I’m a little sad that summer is over.

So I’ve decided to take a trip in October, just to take advantage of one last week of summer! There are a ton of places within Europe that are summer-friendly. If you’re looking to get some extra rays this autumn, here’s where I’m considering:

Valletta, Malta

Plane Ride Time from London: 3.5 hours

Temperature: 18 – 25 degrees Celcius

Why go here? I’ve never been to Malta, but friends that have visited have said nothing but positive things about this small European country. Technically, this is their “off” season, so October is the perfect time for fewer crowds at historic sites and cultural landmarks. If you’re a history buff, look no further—UNESCO has dubbed Valletta “one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world”. It’s on the coast, so: culture and coastline, all in a capital city. Who wouldn’t want to go?

Paphos, Cyprus

Plane Ride Time from London: 5 hours

Temperature: 18 – 25 degrees Celcius

Why go here? I’ve never been to any Cyprian city, but Paphos is especially intriguing to me due to its mix of archaeological sites and beaches. It’s a coastal town, and looks a bit touristy on first glance; but in my research I found that the Greek myth of Aphrodite (the goddess of beauty and desire) is traced back to this coastal city, as her birthplace is rumoured to be this town. For nature lovers, Paphos Forrest contains roaming hills, lakes, and woodland—or if you’re looking to relax, collapse on a nearby beach!

Marrakech, Morocco

Plane Ride Time from London: 4 hours

Temperature: 17 – 28 degrees Celcius

Why go here? The people who have told me tales of Marrakech have mostly been recounting stories of very lavish hen dos/bachelorette parties, but I wouldn’t be looking to exhaust myself partying. I would want to go for the hot days, and cool nights; I’d want to go to the souk markets and try to haggle. I’d also want to visit the palaces, tombs, and mosques that adorn the city; I’ve only seen Morrocan architecture in books, and would love to see these buildings with my own eyes!

Ksamil, Albania

Plane Ride Time from London: 3.5 hours

Temperature: 20 – 30 degrees Celcius

Why go here? I’m not going to lie—the videos of spa weekends in Albania have been all over my Tiktok feed this summer, and I have been SO jealous. Some of them look like the Maldives of Europe, with hammocks overlooking the ocean at sunset. Ksamil boasts the best beaches in the country, and Butrint National Park for all my wilderness walking needs and my ancient ruin interests, this feels like a perfect fit for me!

Split, Croatia

Plane Ride Time from London: 3.5 hours

Temperature: 18 – 25 degrees Celcius

Why go here? I loved my time in Cavtat last year, and would definitely go back to Croatia. Split is a city that’s four hours away from the capital of Dubrovnik. It’s a history-rich city on the Dalmatian coast (egg on my face when I realized that this is where Dalmation dogs get their names from!) is famous for Diocletian’s Palace, Roman streets, and beautiful beaches. It’s also got lots of little islands to visit for day trips; so between exploring the nature and the historical landscape, I can imagine having a really great time here!

Are you planning on travelling in October? Would you lean into the hot weather, or are you planning on leaning into the autumnal weather? Let me know in the comments—and as always, happy travels!