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Are you done with summer and looking forward to crisp mornings, the changing leaves, and more clothing layers? Me too! So here are some of the best cities to visit in October to fully embrace the fall spirit!
From cities with unique festivals, breathtaking fall foliage, cozy coffee shops perfect for chilly afternoons, and vibrant fashion and dining scenes, there’s truly something for everyone on this list.
As the Germans love to say, there is no bad weather, only bad clothes. So bundle up, pack an umbrella and/or a rain jacket—mine is from Rains and makes being a tourist in rainy cities a breeze—and get ready to explore the best cities to visit in October!
As someone with very random time off during the year due to my particular job of touring the world with a circus show, I tend to book a holiday based on where I want to go and not really on what the weather will look like there.
This has landed me in some amazing destinations during the shoulder season, and with “less than ideal” tourist weather. However, instead of souring the trip, this has made me incredibly fond of some cities, like Paris, even during their gloomy season.
Paris must be an incredible destination to visit during the spring and summer, but somehow I always end up there during the fall or winter, and for me, that offers a unique charm to it.
The streets are emptier, most tourists are gone, and you get a more local sense of the place, with Parisians living their day-to-day lives. And don’t even get me started on the fall fashion in this city—it’s like a walking Pinterest board!
All of this is to say that not all of these cities will have perfect getaway weather, but for some of them, that is also part of why I prefer to visit them in the fall, it feels like it just fits the vibe of the city better. You will see…
So without further ado, here are some of the best cities to visit in October around the world!
Best Cities To Visit In October: Your Ultimate Fall Travel Bucket List
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London, England
There is no wrong time to visit London, however, its imposing architecture and big city energy make it an ideal fall/winter destination for me. Perfect for coat-wearing days, with an umbrella in hand, hopping around the shops in Covent Garden.
London also has to be considered one of the best cities to visit in October because even when the weather is not on your side, you can always pay a visit to one of the many incredible and free(!) museums in the city.
If museum hopping is not your style, don’t fret, there are plenty of other fun things to do in London on a rainy day. Such as shopping at the iconic Liberty, having afternoon tea, or hopping around some of the best coffee shops in London.
A London bucket list is never-ending, but if you are visiting London in October then a walk through Hyde Park should undoubtedly be at the top of your list, to enjoy the fall foliage and the aggressively cute squirrels.
October weather in London, England:
(All of these are according to National Centers for Environmental Information)
- Temperatures: 16/10 °C – 61/50 °F
- Rain: 10 days
Copenhagen, Denmark
If you are in desperate need of feeling the brisk chill of European fall, then heading up north to Copenhagen will feel like the fall hug you’ve been craving.
With its incredible and unmatched Scandi fashion style, its adorable and cozy coffee shop scene, and of course, its bakeries known for the tasty cardamom buns, Copenhagen is one of the best cities to visit in October for the perfect fall city escape.
For picture-perfect fall foliage in the city head to the Assistens Cemetery, which is also a park, lined with colorful trees changing leaves in the middle of October.
I know it sounds creepy, but the park cemetery is an everyday commute for locals with bicycles riding up and down it, and families walking through the main pedestrian path on their way to the cute cafes in the Jægersborggade neighborhood.
October weather in Copenhagen, Denmark:
- Temperatures: 12/7 °C – 53/44 °F
- Rain: 9 days
Antwerp, Belgium
Antwerp is another one of those cities that I somehow ended up in in the middle of winter, and I am so happy I did. The weather was cold and biting but the Gothic architecture just screams gloomy weather destination to me, so much so that I cannot imagine this place in the summer.
However, to not freeze to death like I was, visiting Antwerp in the fall is your best option, and that is why I think is a great city to visit in October.
The weather is fresh but not freezing, and the historic and unique city architecture is the perfect backdrop for a movie-like European fall trip.
Some of the top things to do in Antwerp during a fall trip have to include exploring the city’s beautiful old town all bundled up in a coat and a scarf, with a tasty hot chocolate in hand—one of my favorite ones is from Quetzal Antwerpen.
October weather in Brussels, Belgium:
- Temperatures: 15/ 8 °C – 59/46 °F
- Rain: 9 days
Edinburgh, Scotland
Continuing with my theme of Gothic cities being specifically fall/winter destinations, another incredible city to visit in October is Edinburgh, Scotland.
Spending even one day in Edinburgh is enough to fall in love with this city.
Its stunning Gothic architecture, the city’s deep appreciation of literature—since Edinburgh is a designated UNESCO City of Literature— and its cozy cafes and tea houses just scream fall vibes to me.
Because what is more autumnal than browsing old bookshops, sitting at literary cafes while it pours outside, or exploring Edinburgh University—which looks straight out of a Harry Potter movie—with an umbrella in hand?
There are many top things to do in Edinburgh, however, one that you should not miss is to take a stroll in the picturesque Princess Street Garden for some fall foliage with a view of the iconic Edinburgh Castle.
October weather in Edinburgh, Scotland:
- Temperatures: 13/6 °C – 55/42 °F
- Rain: 11 days
Paris, France
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, Paris is another city that I have visited on multiple occasions. All of them during the shoulder or the off-season. And I have loved it every single time!
Rainy days? You can always visit one of the many iconic museums in the city, leisurely sip on a latte at one of the top specialty coffee shops in Paris, or browse the never-ending supply of unique boutiques. Besides, there’s something special about strolling Paris in the rain.
Paris is also one of the best cities to visit in October to get a better sense of the city, enjoy the incredible Parisian fall fashion, and peacefully wander the stunning streets empty of the summer crowds.
For unique fall Parisian views head to the city’s popular gardens, like Jardin des Tuileries and Jardin du Palais Royal, to admire the changing leaves on a crisp morning with a pain du chocolate in hand. Pure Parisian bliss!
October weather in Paris, France:
- Temperatures: 17/ 10 °C – 62/50 °F
- Rain: 8 days
Seoul, South Korea
I know I mentioned I normally travel places without necessarily planning the trip around the weather, however, for Seoul you will definitely want to be well informed about the weather conditions.
Avoid visiting in the middle of winter at all costs, as I can tell you from experience—we were there for work—it will be so cold you won’t be able to feel your face, and exploring outdoors will be unbearable.
That is why October is the perfect time to visit Seoul before the aggressive winter rolls around. With enjoyable crisp temperatures—perfect for hopping around Seoul’s best coffee shops—and bright yellow ginko trees lining the streets and framing the city’s iconic hanoks, Seoul is one of the best, and most picturesque, cities to visit in October.
If serious fall foliage is what you are after then visiting Bukhansan National Park, as well as taking a day trip to Nami Island, have to be at the top of your list of things to do in Seoul in autumn.
For more fall foliage views in the city center, make sure to explore the iconic Bukchon Hanok Village, and particularly pay a visit to the Gyeongbokgung Palace, where the colorful leaves frame the hanoks and decorate the lake.
October weather in Seoul, South Korea:
- Temperatures: 19/ 10 °C – 66/50 °F
- Rain: 4 days
Toronto, Canada
Toronto might not be at the top of your list when you think of fall travel, however, October might be the perfect time to visit before the temperatures drop dramatically, giving a comfortably chilly weather to explore the city all bundled up in the fall spirit.
If you need extra clothing layers you are in luck as one of my favorite shops in the world is a Canadian native, Aritzia, where you will find the most stylish clothes perfect for your fall capsule wardrobe.
Some of my favorite things about Toronto after living there for almost three months, have to be its incredible culinary scene, its walkable downtown area, its unique bars, and the beautiful city parks by the marina which make it a perfect fall city escape.
A true highlight of visiting Toronto in October is a visit to the gorgeous Dundas Peak Trail a short drive out of the city, which becomes a kaleidoscope of fall colors come October.
Other places to visit in Toronto in the fall include Toronto Island and Coronation Park for stunning fall foliage by the water.
October weather in Toronto, Canada:
- Temperatures: 15/ 8 °C – 59/46 °F
- Rain: 8 days
Oaxaca City, Mexico
Oaxaca City is one of the best cities to visit in October if a sunny destination to escape dreaded gloomy weather is what you are after.
With comfortably warm days, smaller crowds, and tons of cultural and historical heritage to explore, Oaxaca City is worth visiting for many reasons.
The city’s colorful colonial architecture, its charming papel picado dangling from the streets, bright mural art, and unmatched culinary scene are sure to captivate even the pickiest of travelers.
In addition, is an incredibly affordable destination for the international traveler and small enough that three days in Oaxaca offer plenty of time to cover the highlights of the city. Perfect for a weekend getaway.
If you visit Oaxaca more towards the end of October you might even get a chance to witness the preparations for the Day of the Dead.
October weather in Oaxaca City, Mexico:
Temperatures: 28/12 °C – 82/53 °F
Rain: 4 days
Munich, Germany
If you are thinking about traveling anywhere in October, I feel that it’s almost impossible not to think of Germany and its legendary Oktoberfest in Munich.
Even if you are generally not a beer drinker—I am not—this festival is something worth checking out at least once in a lifetime, especially if you are already making your way to Europe for the fall.
There is more to Oktoberfest than just drinking, with the whole grounds becoming a lively fairground, with games, street food stands similar to the ones at the Christmas Markets, and a very jolly atmosphere in the air.
Besides visiting the legendary Oktoberfest—which oddly enough ends the first week of October—visiting Bavaria also puts you in a prime spot to enjoy the stunning nature in the south of Germany.
Or if getting out of the city is too much of an effort, visiting the central English Garden in Munich will surely fill that fall foliage void.
October weather in Munich, Germany:
- Temperatures: 14/5 °C – 57/41 °F
- Rain: 8 days
Barcelona, Spain
You might think of Barcelona as a summer destination, and that is exactly why Barcelona is one of the best cities to visit in October, everyone else would have been there in the summer.
Visiting beloved Barcelona in the fall means way smaller crowds, allowing you to enjoy wandering the streets of the Gothic quarter without having to push yourself through a crowd of tourists.
This can also translate to shorter wait times for the city’s main attractions, shorter lines for some of the best places to eat in Barcelona, and a cool local fashion sense that comes out when the temperatures drop.
Barcelona is a quintessential summer destination don’t get me wrong, but after being there in the chilly months, I have a fond appreciation for Barcelona during the shoulder season. When you can warm yourself up with some churros con chocolate, or a perfect cafe con leche at one of Barcelona’s top coffee shops.
October weather in Barcelona, Spain:
- Temperatures: 23/17 °C – 73/62 °F
- Rain: 6 days
Kyoto, Japan
Japan has so much to offer no matter the season of the year you decide to visit. From incredible snowboarding in the winter to the bucket list-worthy cherry blossom season in spring, to gorgeous changing leaves come fall.
After living in Japan for nine months last year, and experiencing most of the seasons from February to September, I was incredibly sad to miss fall, especially fall in Kyoto.
At the end of September, I was able to see a bit of the fall foliage peaking through the gardens of the stunning Tenryu-ji Temple and the surrounding Arashiyama in Kyoto.
However, to witness Kyoto in its full fall splendor October is the best time of the year to visit. When the many historic temples in Kyoto will be framed by colorful trees, and the hills of Arashiyama will turn into all shades of orange, red, and yellow.
Visiting Kyoto in October should be on every fall travel bucket list, I know it is definitely at the top of mine.
October weather in Kyoto, Japan:
- Temperatures: 23/13 °C – 73/55 °F
- Rain: 7 days
Whether you are looking for the most stunning fall foliage, a warm and sunny getaway destination, or a unique new city to explore, I hope this list of the best cities to visit in October inspires you to book your next trip for the perfect fall getaway.
Which one of these cities to visit in October is at the top of your list? Let us know in the comments.