The Best European Cities to Visit in October

You’ll find many of the best European cities to visit in October are located in Northern Italy. Sure, it won’t be as sunny as summer, but the streets of Milan and Florence will be far less crowded – and if it does rain, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants and museums. Explore the ruins of Rome, visit wineries and medieval cities in Tuscany and see the art and Renaissance palaces of Florence. You’d also do well to visit foodie capital Bologna, Parma and Lake Como – or you could head to fashion capital Milan, which will be just as worthwhile a visit.

Visit Istanbul in October and you’ll miss the big summer crowds and the fierce summer heat as you draw into its glorious autumn. The grounds of the Topkapi Palace are resplendent in autumnal colours – while sights like the Grand Bazaar and the Blue Mosque aren’t quite so busy as they can be earlier in the year. But there’s much more to see over the Bosphorus. Istanbul is your gateway to Asia – as well as Europe – so, why not also take a trip to Antalya – Turkey’s top Mediterranean city – and soak up the last of the sun or take a dip in the Mediterranean before heading back home.

October is harvest time in Georgia and far from being just a rural event, the cities are flooded with fresh fruit and produce from the villages – and there’s plenty of Georgian “supras” to celebrate. The Georgian capital, Tbilisi, is a satisfying place for foodies in autumn – where you can experience the culinary delights of the Dezerter Bazaar, as well as cheese-breads and local wines. After eating your way through Tbilisi, head to the Kakheti region and learn how to cook and drink Georgian-style as the harvest is brought in around you before returning to soak in Tbilisi’s sulphur baths.

October might just be the best time to visit Italy’s cities. You’ll miss the scorching summer heat – but don’t worry, it’s still going to be very warm. Best of all, you’ll miss the summer crowds. Our top pick in October is Naples – the birthplace of pizza and home to some of Italy’s tastiest pasta, pastries and parmigiana. You can start with a culinary tour in Naples before exploring the Amalfi Coast – in October, you’ll have entire stretches of coastline to yourself. You can also visit wineries and valleys, before visiting Puglia’s most historic cities. In Otranto, you can see an 11th-century cathedral – while in Lecce, you’ll admire the baroque palaces of a city that’s often claimed to be the Florence of the South.