Why October is the Best Month to Visit These European Beach Destinations
Throughout the summer months, Instagram feeds become advertisements for the Amalfi Coast and the Greek Islands, with images of colorful hillside towns and stone white buildings. As enviable as a summer in the Med may appear to onlookers at home, what these images don’t show (unless your friend has a good sense of humor) are the crowds of tourists lining up to take the same exact photo. Feeds also neglect to reflect the amount of time wasted negotiating a reservation at the islands’ best restaurants—often to no avail. This ultimately begs the question: was it really all that great?
Instead of planning a summer trip, we suggest holding out for early fall. October is the best time to visit these charming European coastal destinations when they finally return to their version of normalcy. Prices drop, the crowds vanish, and the weather and sea are still warm enough to soak up what’s left of the summer and early autumnal sun. Year-round residents outnumber the tourists as they’ve all returned from their respective holidays, giving you a little bit more of the relaxation you came for in the first place. As you fantasize about your next getaway, these are the places to consider first:
Mallorca, Spain
Mallorca is the most popular of Spain's Balearic Islands and it’s no wonder why crowds make their way to this mountainous paradise with its high-end resorts, island coves, and beachside restaurants. Yet despite the rise of tourism during the summer season, it has still remained beautifully rustic. From swimming in empty coves to exploring the local markets, visiting artisan workshops and embarking on light hikes, local-savant and retreat curator Carmen Ruiz de Huidobro of Españolita suggests that October is the best time to enjoy the simple charms of Mallorca and the authentic Spanish way of life. “There is a romantic stillness in the landscape in October,” says Ruiz de Huidobro, whose retreats are dedicated to presenting the side of Spain that high season travelers don’t get to see. “Once the crowds have cleared and the days are less unbearably hot, Mallorca starts getting green again from the early fall rains, and the wine harvest happens and the olive pickers get ready.” Stay at the Belmond La Residencia in the vibrant Matthew Williamson suite or in the charming, rustic family-owned home, Son Rullan for a more local feel.
Paros, Greece
October is a magical time to explore the lesser-known island of Paros in the Cyclades region, with its perfect blend of culture and natural wonders of the Greek Islands. Post up at the well-located Villa Ilona of White Key Villas which is a close drive to the beautiful Naoussa and one of the best beaches on the island, Santa Maria. “In October, you’re able to feel Paros’s real spirit and sensibility like a local,” Andria Mitsakos, owner of Andria Mtsakos PR, says of the island she grew up visiting. “Now, the box-ticking and IG-posting tourists have gone and it’s a beautiful time to take that baptismal plunge into the Aegean from one of the island’s now deserted beaches or explore the abundant hiking trails.” Above all else, it’s the local culture you’ll come to enjoy. “Shop owners and residents are relaxed, and you never have to make a reservation anywhere. It’s also the time of the harvest, so grapes are at their peak, and friends have ‘suma parties’ which celebrate the distillation of the local spirit made from grape leftovers.”
Algarve, Portugal
Over recent years, Portugal’s Algarve region has become a hotbed for beach-goers seeking a European getaway that’s a little bit more laid back than the Amalfi Coast or French Riviera. And while high season in the Algarve ends and harvest season begins, the weather remains the same, making October the best time for a road trip to discover the charming Portuguese coastal cities and hidden, undeveloped beaches that have put Portugal on the map. “Local life takes its normal pace after the busy summer activity. Harbors and fish markets are back to local speed, beaches are all for you and the water is still perfectly warm. Relaxation is really in motion now and time has a different meaning,” says Lionel Alvarez, General Manager of Vila Monte Farm House, which is just a short drive from the scenic city of Tavira on the eastern side of the Algarve. There, you can enjoy the many cultural sites of the city and the neighboring beaches without the crowds. Then venture to the western and more popular region of the Algarve to Lagos and post up at the charming Casa Mãe. As Lagos is known for some of the Algarve’s best beaches, it can be best enjoyed during a month free of crowds.
Puglia, Italy
While Puglia is most frequented in summer months, warm days in the southern region that forms the heel of Italy's boot stretch well into October. Stay in the luxurious Borgo Egnazia or in one of Thinking Traveler’s stunning villas to immerse yourself further into Puglian culture during the slower season. "I find it the ideal time to mix culture and beach,” says Italian native and Founder of The Thinking Traveler, Rossella Beaugié. “It’s the perfect temperature to visit the little towns and markets. At the same time the sea is still warm and the beaches are super quiet as Italians kids are back to school, so—especially during the week—you can have the beach and the many seafront trattorie for yourself.” Beaugié recommends shopping in the bigger towns such as Bari, Lecce, and Taranto. In the evening, it’s all about wandering into a little restaurant “where you can have the most incredible dinner just on antipasti - with their great variety of cooked local vegetables, homemade pasta and of course burrata!”
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik’s mesmerizing views present themselves quickly. You’ll see them while cruising through the winding hillside roads from the airport to your hotel, with cypress and palm trees lining the city’s coastline and the glimmer of the Adriatic in the near distance. In October, the cruise ship crowds and Game of Thrones fans fade away, and you can enjoy your walk around the ancient city walls or your cable car ride to Mount Srd at your leisure. Zrinka Marinovic, Dubrovnik native and public relations manager of Adriatic Luxury Hotels, also notes that visiting the islands is better off-season. “Ferry prices drop considerably in autumn, so it’s the perfect opportunity to visit the three main islands of the Elafiti archipelago: Koločep, Lopud and Šipan. With their outstandingly beautiful, undeveloped beaches, many consider these to be some of the best coastlines in the area.” Visit seaside restaurant BOWA for a freshly caught lunch on the water and scenic views. “In town, you'll also find cheaper accommodations and perhaps a few kuna knocked off the menu too,” says Marinovic. Stay at the newly renovated Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik for sprawling views, or at the uber luxurious Villa Orsula Dubrovnik for that old European charm.
Originally Appeared on Vogue
