Autumn sun holiday destinations

Planning an autumnal escape? Let us help you find the ideal destination with our pick of the best destinations by month. You can also use our autumn holiday destination finder that lets you browse places that match your specific criteria.

September
October
November
Winter

Did you know? Our autumn holiday finder is based on the northern hemisphere when autumn runs from September to November, while the southern hemisphere's autumn season is between March and May.

Autumn holiday ideas

Our bespoke autumn holiday finder lets you search for destinations based on your preferred weather, how far you want to travel and the type of holiday you're looking for.

Best autumn sun destinations by month

Deciding where to go can be a real head-scratcher, which is why using the weather as a critical factor is an excellent way of narrowing down your search. Even then, creating a list of finalists is tricky - trust us, we know!

We've paired our detailed weather data and expert knowledge of destinations to create an eclectic selection of places for September, October and November that promises to offer something for everyone.

Beach at Lindos, Rhodes, Greece © imrek - Fotolia.com

The one thing you can count on is sunshine! Every place listed offers an average of at least six hours of sunshine per day, if not more.

Top autumn holidays in September 2024/2025

Bodrum, Turkey
Rhodes, Greece
Bali, Indonesia
Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain
Crete, Greece
San Francisco, USA
Tuscany, Italy
Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Hurghada, Egypt

The arrival of September heralds the beginning of the end of summer. It's also a great time to go on holiday as it is, typically, that bit quieter than July and August in many of the major destinations, there are loads of good value deals to be had and the weather remains reliably warm and sunny within Europe.

For those of you who avoid those searing hot places in the height of summer, September is an ideal time to visit the likes of Bodrum in Turkey and islands in eastern Greece, such as Rhodes. Daytimes still see high temperatures with ample sunshine but the air is a little fresher and evenings cooler.

As for the volcanic Canary Island of Lanzarote, September is the warmest month of the year. Although, with average daily highs coming in under 30°C and low heat and humidity plus ever-present sea breezes, this isn't too hot.

A hot day in Tuscany, Italy © Zsolt Biczó - Fotolia.com

For a slice of idyllic countryside with a side of Renaissance attractions, Tuscany doesn't disappoint. Whether you opt for a cypress tree-lined villa in the rolling hills or a city break delving into the wonders of medieval Florence, you can bank on warm days followed by cooler nights and very little rainfall.

An excellent long-haul urban option in September is San Francisco, whose days promise on average 10 hours of sunshine each day and comfortably warm temperatures to accompany your sightseeing.

If, however, you're on the hunt for some seriously sultry conditions, then pack your bags for Hurghada on Egypt's Red Sea coast.

Here, you'll find hot, sunny days perfect for snorkelling, quad biking, fishing and so much more, not to mention a host of really good value deals on autumn holidays.

About September weather >>

Top autumn holidays in October 2024/2025

Red Sea, Egypt
Maldives
Florida, USA
Dubai, UAE
Kenyan coast
Cape Verde
Seychelles
Cyprus
Antalya coast, Turkey
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

October is a funny month weatherwise as it straddles the end of summer and the beginning of autumn in Europe.

Plenty of places reap the benefits of a long hot summer, such as the eastern Med, yet excitingly it's also a great time to visit some truly exotic destinations that bit further away.

The good news? You don't have to fly halfway around the world to find hot, sunny weather for your late summer or half-term] getaway.

For much the same reason as September, Egypt's Red Sea coastal resort of Marsa Alam features in first place because it really is that good, especially given the time of year and proximity to the UK. This is where to go for a beach break in October as it enjoys loads of sun and temperatures remain high.

October is also the first month since the crazy heat of summer that Dubai enters the frame. Gone are the dangerous highs of peak summertime to be replaced with temperatures in the mid-thirties, balmy sea temperatures and warm evenings.

Did you know? While Dubai is rightly regarded as a wonderful beach destination, it can be unbearably hot in summer. Daytime temperatures in July and August can exceed 50°C, which is dangerously hot.

The one thing that you might think could help cool things down, the sea, is, in fact, the main culprit: evaporation from the sea increases humidity levels which, at the height of summer, results in sauna-like conditions.

For platinum beaches shrouded in a little luxury, the tropical vibes of the Maldives make it a strong contender. Expect warm-to-hot days, eight hours of sunshine and delightfully warm seawater for swimming, snorkelling or watersports.

Find a bit of luxury in the Maldives in October © Martin Valigursky - Adobe Stock Image

Indian Ocean compadre the Seychelles also makes our list as October sees the archipelago between its two monsoon seasons, which means things are nice and calm although, conversely, it isn't the sunniest time to go.

It is, however, definitely one of the best months to visit with light winds and up to seven hours of sunshine per day.

The Cape Verde islands off the west coast of Africa make a wonderful late summer vacay destination for those in the market to really 'holiday'. By that, we mean enjoy lying in the sunshine with your feet up and plenty of amenities on hand.

There's lots of lovely sunshine and temperatures are high, although seas can be a little rougher owing to its position on the eastern edge of the Atlantic.

About October weather >>

Top autumn holidays in November 2024/2025

Dubai, UAE
Cuba
Cape Verde
Gambia
Oman
Luxor, Egypt
Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Cyprus
Dominican Republic

November is a great out-of-season time to get away for some late autumn sunshine. There are often loads of good value deals to be had on flights, holidays and accommodation, although for really warm temperatures you will need to travel further than in previous months, we're talking at least a five-hour flight.

Sunny day on Marina Beach, Dubai © Miroslav Petrasko - Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

As you can see, Dubai in the UAE takes the top spot for November as it's a truly delightful time of year to visit this notoriously scorching Gulf nation. It's hot but not too hot and there's plenty of sunshine; around nine hours per day compared with two in the UK at the same time. The water is also deliciously warm.

The platinum beaches of Cayo Coco in Cuba come in at a close second for their dreaminess and postcard-perfect beach holiday conditions. You can also fly direct from the UK to this archipelago paradise - win, win!

Meanwhile, Cape Verde in the eastern Atlantic is one of the closest hot and sunny destinations in November for some autumn warmth, although it is a little cooler than the likes of Dubai and Cuba's cays.

Unsurprisingly, Gambia, which sits around 550 miles southeast of Cape Verde offers similar, if hotter, conditions. Returning to the Middle East, Oman is another hit in November for much the same reasons as Dubai.

Over in North Africa, Luxor in southern Egypt offers a neatly tied bundle of culture, history and great weather, although you should seek out accommodation with a heated pool if you fancy going for a swim.

For adventures further afield, Cairns, the door to the Great Barrier Reef, in northern Queensland, Australia, is beginning to bask in its southern hemisphere summer in November, guaranteeing hot days and warm water for snorklelling or paddleboarding.

Aus is, however, a long way to go even for those wonderful conditions: you could look to the Caribbean, which is not only closer but where you'll find the Dominican Republic serving up similarly hot and sunny weather.

Finally, Cyprus is in our top 10 as it's the closest warm destination you can go for some autumn sun in November - just book a hotel with a heated pool if you want to swim as even the eastern Med is on the chilly side at this time.

About November weather >>

Whatever type of weather or holiday you're looking for, hopefully our autumn holiday finder and pick of the top 10 destinations based on the weather by month have given you lots of tempting possibilities.

Ready to book? Don't miss our selection of travel deals and discounts on autumn holidays from the biggest names in the business. Search and book holidays, flights, hotels, car hire and so much more.