If your summer holiday feels so far away you can hardly even remember it any more, it’s not too late to book a last-minute escape and catch glorious autumn sun before the winter chills set in. To keep your chances of basking on the beach during the day and dining al fresco at night as high as possible, you need to choose your destination carefully. Although the climate in Europe and its neighbouring countries is hugely varied and can be unpredictable, these locations are generally dry, warm and sunny between October and November.
Best Places to Catch Glorious Autumn Sun
Marrakesh, Africa
This desert gem in the north of Africa is about as exotic as you can get without boarding a long-haul flight, if you’re travelling from the UK. During autumn, average temperatures vary between 21°C and 17°C, with over seven hours of sunshine each day and little more than the odd shower. The breath-taking temples, beautiful art exhibitions and captivating museums in Marrakesh provide a wealth of entertainment for culture vultures, whilst a plethora of intoxicating markets, flavour packed eats and relaxing hammams offer a much-welcomed break from sightseeing.
Pick up some unique souvenirs at a souk in Marrakesh: Image via Flickr, Jorge Láscar / CC BY 2.0
Canary Islands, Spain
The Canary Islands are always promoted as an amazing year-round holiday destination. This isn’t just travel agent spiel – it’s true! The average temperature in the south of Tenerife and Gran Canaria is between 24°C and 21°C in autumn, with seven hours of daily sunshine and very rarely even a spot of rain. These two popular holiday destinations are perfect for families who want to spend sun-filled days lounging by the pool and action-packed nights hitting the family bars with live entertainment. To pack more into your holiday, book a Canary Island cruise and explore the surrounding islands of Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma and El Hierro, too!
Take it easy on a beach during your autumn break in the Canaries
The Algarve, Portugal
Offering a slightly cooler climate than the others in this list, the Algarve has an average temperature of 19°C-16°C in autumn which often feels much warmer, making it a popular destination to catch glorious autumn sun which prevails for 6-7 hours each day. The mild temperatures and low rainfall make the Algarve the perfect place for a round of golf on its championship courses, exploring unchanged local villages and having a laugh at the many water parks, while the warm sea water temperature (19°C-17°C, on average) makes this season perfect for whiling away lazy days at the beach.
Grab a club and enjoy a round of golf in the Algarve: Image via Flickr, Golfocus Lda / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Cyprus
Proudly boasting one of the mildest climates in the Mediterranean, Cyprus is a top pick for anyone who wants to mix fascinating cultural experiences with picture-perfect beaches. This small island enjoys warm temperatures of between 21°C and 17°C in autumn, with 7-8 hours of sunshine each day and a gorgeous average sea water temperature of 25°C-22°C. Here you can spend days exploring ancient castles, magnificent churches and beautiful monasteries before taking a well-deserved break on the golden shores of the island’s many bays and beaches.
The golden beaches in Cyprus are a great place to chill out this autumn.