Autumn sun and warmth: where should you go?

September feels most Mediterranean, while November shifts reliable warmth south

September is best for warm seawater and a summer feel in Mallorca, Crete, Rhodes, Cyprus and Turkey's southern coast. In October, Makadi Bay is usually warmest, Playa Blanca is among the driest choices, and Costa Adeje is the best practical option for many. In November, Egypt brings the most heat and warmest water, while the Canary Islands combine a broader package selection with a more manageable journey. Choose September for the Mediterranean, October for a balance of warmth and travel choice, and November only if you are willing to prioritise the Canary Islands, Egypt or Cape Verde.

Adjust the autumn search to your trip

The initial search is for two adults, no children, one bedroom and 6–9 nights, departing between 1 September and 30 November 2026 and returning no later than 8 December. It covers the destinations in the monthly comparisons and is sorted by price. Adjust the airport, travellers, dates, duration, board and hotel rating to see relevant offers.

The cheapest package matching every visible choice is shown with its total, hotel, destination, airport, dates, nights and board basis. Price and availability can change before the operator confirms the booking.

Three lower-priced autumn packages

September is best for a late Mediterranean holiday

Alcudia, Chania, Faliraki, Side and Protaras are natural starting points when you want to keep the summer feel. Costa Adeje provides an alternative outside the Mediterranean seasonal pattern. The table is a concise comparison of historical averages, not a forecast.

Choose September if warm seawater and a resort still operating in summer mode matter most. The end of the month is often milder, but the weather also becomes less settled. Travellers who dislike strong heat should consider late September and check shade, air conditioning and walking distances.

October requires a clearer choice of weather group

Paphos and Side retain more of a Mediterranean setting, while Costa Adeje, Puerto Rico, Playa Blanca and Makadi Bay provide more southerly options.

Choose Cyprus or Turkey when warm sea swimming and the destination matter more than dependable weather. Choose the Canary Islands or Egypt when sun and swimming are the main aim. The October guide examines these six destinations, their weather and package search in more depth without repeating the full comparison here.

November moves the practical shortlist south

The Canary Islands balance journey time, hotel choice and mild weather. Makadi Bay and Sharm el Sheikh are warmer, while Santa Maria in Cape Verde is drier but more exposed to wind.

Choose Costa Adeje or Puerto Rico for a broad package selection. Choose Egypt when warm water matters most. Choose Cape Verde when dry days outweigh wind and flight time. The November guide compares these weather groups in more detail.

The best month depends on the compromise you can accept

• September: warm sea and the widest Mediterranean choice, with strong heat still possible.
• October: a useful balance, but a larger difference between early and late month.
• November: a better chance of warmth further south, in exchange for a longer journey or less Mediterranean atmosphere.

Families should assess flight times, transfers, pool temperature and room layout alongside the weather. Couples with flexible dates can more often choose between price, area and journey time. For an active holiday, milder days may be more useful than the highest possible temperature.

How we made the comparison

The weather figures are historical monthly values from the Open-Meteo Historical Weather API, Open-Meteo Marine Weather API and NASA POWER. They show common patterns and cannot predict a particular holiday week.

The package search covers the stated autumn dates and the visible filters. Prices, match counts and last-checked times come from Sydenkupp's current package data. The travel operator confirms the final total, room, inclusions and availability. Verify pool heating and seasonal openings for the hotel you are considering.

More autumn guides

Price is the main focus in the cheap autumn holidays guide, while families can use the more targeted family autumn guide.