Last updated on April 16, 2026
October is one of my favourite times to go away – a chance to embrace Autumn or have a final hurrah of sunshine before the winter sets in.
Here are some ideas for places to travel in October with kids.
10 places to travel in October with kids
Texas
I love being in the States for autumn, and especially Halloween. It’s such a fun experience for kids. We loved our Texas road trip, which was a great combination of cowboys in Bandera, wine country in Fredericksburg, OTT trick or treating in Austin, and Day of the Dead festivities in San Antonio. It’s also a great time of year to be in California or New England.
Where to stay: Outdoorsy Hill Country (Fredericksburg) | Austin Motel | InterContinental San Antonio
Spain
We often go to Barcelona in October and love the cooler, but still sunny, days. Malaga is also meant to be great in October with warm temperatures in the early 20s. And you’ll still get sun and pleasant days in the Balaerics.
Where to stay: Casa Bonay (Barcelona) | Marbella Club | 7 Pines (Ibiza) | Torralbenc (Menorca)
Dolomites
Sometimes it’s best to lean into European autumn rather than seek out sun, and the Dolomites are a perfect place for it. The crowds have gone, but the scenery is just as spectacular. Plus they have lots of cosy hotels to indulge in.
Where to stay: Feuerstein | Aki Family Resort
Iceland
For a big adventure, Iceland is a great choice in October. Do an Iceland road trip and discover waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches and hot springs, Plus you have a good chance of spotting the Northern Lights in October, and you can go whale watching too.
Where to stay: Reykjavik Residence
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are probably your best bet for reliable sunshine in October in Europe. With beaches, volcanic landscapes and plenty of family-friendly resorts, they’re a good choice if you want an easy, warm escape.
Where to stay: La Casa de los Naranjos (Tenerife)
Japan
A longer-haul option, but Japan is incredible in October. The autumn leaves are stunning, the temples and castles look especially atmospheric, and it’s an amazing cultural adventure for kids and adults alike.
Where to stay: Ryokan Shigetsu | Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Morocco
October is great for travelling to Morocco. It’s significantly cooler than the scorching summer, so good for exploring Marrakech souks, the Atlas Mountains, or glamping in the desert. It’s the start of the surf season too.
Where to stay: Easy Surf Morocco
Turkey
Turkey is another good option for October sun. The coastal towns are still warm (albeit chilly at night) and it’s a good time to visit Cappadoccia too.
Where to stay: Kelebek Cave Hotel | Hillside Beach Club
Mauritius
If you’d like something tropical, October is one of the best months to go to Mauritius. We had part of our honeymoon there, but it’s also great for families. The other part of our honeymoon was in Cape Town, which is also great in October.
Where to stay: Heritage Le Telfair
Theme Park holiday
Theme Parks love to celebrate Halloween with spooky-themed nights. All the big ones do it, including Universal Orlando, Disney World, Disneyland (California), and Disneyland Paris. And parks closer to home will also likely have fun Halloween-themed events. Maybe do a weekend trip to Alton Towers or wherever your nearest theme park is.
Where to stay: My guide to where to stay for Disney
Pacific Coast Mexico
When we lived in Mexico, October was one of my favourite times to be there. It’s the end of rainy season on the Pacific and the busy period is just starting, but not hectic yet. Plus you might also catch the Day of the Dead celebrations.
Where to stay: See my guides to San Pancho