Autumn 2026 travel ideas for Irish travellers
Looking for the best autumn 2026 destinations for Irish travellers? Our current picks are the Canary Islands and Madeira for reliable sun through October and November, Malta and Cyprus for late Mediterranean warmth, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey and Jordan for a proper autumn adventure — plus Rome, Lisbon, Prague, Budapest and Krakow for city breaks that finally feel like the right season.
🎃 Booking for October mid-term?
Halloween week (26 October — 1 November) is Ireland's biggest family travel window of the autumn.
For reliable warmth and short flights, our top picks are the Canary Islands, Madeira, Malta and Cyprus — look for the 🎃 tag on the cards below, with tours, activities and hotel links.
🎃 Halloween Trips & Experiences for October Midterm 2026
Fancy something a little darker this October mid-term? We’ve rounded up spooky trips and experiences from TourRadar, GetYourGuide and Klook — from Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania and Derry Halloween to Edinburgh ghost tours and Disneyland Paris. Tap any card to view the experience.
Swipe or use the arrows to see all six.
TourRadarHalloween at Dracula's Castle
TourRadarHalloween Party in Ireland
GetYourGuideEdinburgh Terror Tour
KlookEdinburgh Ghost Bus
KlookOld Town & Underground Ghost Tour, Edinburgh
KlookDisneyland Paris Halloween
Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this Halloween section are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Availability, dates and prices can change, so always check the provider page before booking.
⭐ Tours and Experiences We've Done Ourselves
These three we booked and did ourselves. Everything else on this page is a destination we'd recommend — these are the ones we can vouch for directly.
Morocco
We travelled Morocco ourselves and it left a huge impression — Marrakech's souks, the Sahara, imperial cities and the Atlas Mountains. Autumn is the ideal time to go, before the summer heat and winter cold. This is the exact tour we did.
Sintra Day Trip from Lisbon
We day-tripped from Lisbon to fairytale Sintra for palaces and misty forests, and it was brilliant. This is the exact tour we took.
Iceland's Golden Circle
Autumn is when the Northern Lights season begins and the Golden Circle looks stunning in late-season colours. This is the exact Golden Circle tour we took.
☀️ Autumn Sun — Where the Warmth Still Is
Long after the rest of Europe cools down, these destinations keep delivering — the Canaries and Madeira stay warm right through winter, Malta and Cyprus stretch the Med season into October, and North Africa and the Middle East finally become comfortable to explore properly. Morocco, which we've done ourselves, is featured just above.
Gran Canaria
Reliable 25°C+ temperatures well into November, spectacular volcanic landscapes, sand dunes and family-friendly resorts. One of Ireland's most-booked destinations for late-autumn sun.
Tenerife
Ireland's favourite Canary Island — the biggest, warmest and most varied. Mount Teide, Loro Parque, black-sand beaches and dependable winter sun. Direct flights from Dublin, Cork and Shannon.
Lanzarote
The most striking of the Canaries — Timanfaya's lunar volcanic landscapes, César Manrique's architecture and calm resort towns. Less crowded than Tenerife but every bit as warm through autumn.
Canary Islands Sailing
Island-hop across the Canaries by sailboat — see multiple islands in one trip, snorkel in calm bays and travel the way the locals used to. Great if you fancy an autumn holiday that isn't just a resort.
Madeira
Portugal's Atlantic gem — dramatic cliffs, subtropical gardens, world-class levada walks and mild temperatures right through winter. Increasingly popular with Irish walkers and couples looking for something a bit different.
Malta
Late-summer weather stretches well into October in Malta — Valletta's honey-coloured streets, Blue Lagoon boat trips and some of the Mediterranean's best-preserved history. English is widely spoken, which makes it very easy for a first proper trip abroad with kids too.
Cyprus
October in Cyprus still delivers 27°C+ and warm sea temperatures. Paphos, Ayia Napa and the Troodos mountains — brilliant for a proper beach holiday exactly when the rest of Europe starts pulling out the woolly jumpers.
Egypt — Cairo & Luxor
October and November are the peak season for Egypt — the summer heat finally lifts, temperatures become ideal for the pyramids, Nile cruises and Luxor's temples. One of the great trips of a lifetime and far more accessible from Ireland than most people realise.
Turkey
Antalya's coastline, Istanbul's markets, Cappadocia's hot-air balloons — Turkey is one of the biggest fast-growers with Irish travellers this year. Autumn temperatures are ideal for city sightseeing and coastal breaks alike.
Jordan — Petra
Petra is one of the great sights of the world — a rose-red city carved into cliffs. Autumn is the perfect season to visit before winter chill sets in. Wadi Rum's desert landscapes make it even more extraordinary.
🏛️ Autumn City Breaks — Finally the Right Season
Summer crowds gone, prices settled and weather that actually lets you walk around all day. Autumn is when Europe's best city breaks stop feeling like a marathon in the heat and start feeling like proper holidays again.
Rome, Italy
Rome in October is one of Europe's great city breaks — warm days, cool evenings, thinner crowds than summer. The Vatican, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and unbeatable food. A skip-the-line Vatican tour is worth every cent.
Lisbon & Sintra
Lisbon has been on every Irish traveller's list for years — and rightly so. October is peak weather. Our Sintra day trip from Lisbon is featured near the top of this page.
Porto & Douro Valley
Autumn is harvest season in the Douro Valley — the terraced vineyards look extraordinary and the port wine tastes even better. Porto itself is one of Europe's most atmospheric cities and much cheaper than Lisbon.
Seville, Spain
Summer in Seville is brutal — but October is exactly right. Cool enough to walk the streets, wander the Alcázar and enjoy proper tapas evenings. A completely different city in autumn.
Krakow, Poland
One of Europe's most affordable and moving city breaks — Krakow's Old Town, Wawel Castle and a day trip to Auschwitz for anyone who wants to properly understand European history. Autumn light on the market square is beautiful.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is at its best in October — the Danube looks incredible, the thermal baths steam in the cool air and there's still plenty of energy in the ruin bars. A completely different vibe to summer Budapest, and better for it.
Prague, Czech Republic
One of Europe's most beautiful cities is even better in autumn — golden light, thinner crowds and cooler temperatures for wandering. Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and the world's best value beer.
Iceland
Autumn is when the Northern Lights season begins. Reykjavik is buzzing, the Blue Lagoon still hits and the weather isn't yet peak winter. Our Golden Circle pick is featured near the top of this page.
✈️ Big Trips — Autumn is the Sweet Spot
Some of the world's most incredible destinations peak in autumn — Japan's foliage rivals its cherry blossoms, and Dubai's summer heat finally breaks into perfect exploring weather.
Japan
October and November are one of Japan's most beautiful seasons — autumn foliage (kōyō) rivals the spring cherry blossoms. Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima. The JR rail network makes it easy to chase the colours south as they change.
Dubai, UAE
October and November are the sweet spot for Dubai — the summer heat breaks, outdoor activities become pleasant and the winter tourist rush hasn't yet peaked. Great as a standalone break or a stopover on the way to Asia.
🧭 Why Book an Organised Tour Through TourRadar?
- Compare organised adventures from many different tour operators in one place.
- Review itineraries, departure dates and traveller reviews before you book.
- TourRadar can suit travellers who'd rather have the planning and itinerary already arranged for them.
- Booking through our tracked links supports Two for the Row'd at no additional cost to you.
Disclosure: If you book through this link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
✨ TourRadar+ automatic savings up to 7%
Every booking through TourRadar saves you 3%, 5% or 7% automatically — no code needed, applied at checkout.
🎄 Coming in November — our Christmas Markets guide
Alsace, Prague, Vienna, Budapest and more, landing on the site in November.
❓ Autumn Travel FAQs
Where is warmest in Europe during October?
The Canary Islands (Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote) and Madeira stay warm right through October and into winter. Cyprus and Malta also hold onto Mediterranean warmth well into October before cooling for the rest of Europe.
Where is best for the Irish October mid-term?
For reliable warmth and short flight times during Halloween week, the Canary Islands, Madeira, Malta and Cyprus are our top picks — all covered above with tours, activities and hotel links.
Are organised tours more expensive than travelling independently?
It depends on the tour and destination. Organised tours bundle transport, accommodation and often guiding into one price, which can work out good value for complex itineraries, but prices vary a lot by operator and season. Check the individual tour page on TourRadar for current pricing.
What does a TourRadar tour normally include?
Inclusions vary by tour and operator — some include accommodation, transport and guiding, others are more basic. Always check the itinerary and inclusions listed on the specific tour page before booking.
Are flights included in TourRadar tours?
This varies by tour. Some organised tours include flights, many don't. Check the inclusions on the individual tour page on TourRadar to confirm before booking.
Do I pay extra when booking through Two for the Row'd?
No. Booking through our links costs you nothing extra. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Can Nicola and Podge help me choose a tour?
Yes — send us your dates, destination and approximate budget using the ‘Ask Nicola and Podge’ button near the top of this page and we'll help narrow down the options.
When should I book an autumn holiday?
Popular autumn dates, especially around the October mid-term, can book up and change in price as the season approaches. If you've found a tour or dates you like, checking availability sooner rather than later is generally sensible, but exact timing depends on the specific destination and operator.
Not sure where to go?
Browse all our destination guides for honest reviews from two Irish travellers who've been there — or head to TourRadar to see what tours are available for your dates (with your TourRadar+ saving applied automatically at checkout).
Affiliate disclosure: links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.