Itching for an October escape somewhere in Europe? We feel the same! Let’s explore what the continent has in store for you.
October is that month when nobody knows what’s really going on in Europe; it’s too early to plan for Christmas, the evenings are getting shorter, and the weather isn’t exactly appealing, depending on where you are, of course. So, why not book a trip?
Here are a few ideas to help you choose where to embark on your October adventure.
Stay Active With a Holiday to the Tatras, Slovakia
In the north of Slovakia, in the Prešov Region, lies some of Europe’s most stunning mountains, the Tatras, which spread across both Slovakia and Poland.
If the sight of towering peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and roaring waterfalls gets your heart racing, this is a place you can’t afford to miss. The entire national park covers 211.6 km², so it’s best to plan out in advance which area you want to trek through; the three main sections include the Western Tatras, Belianske Tatras, and High Tatras. There are trails to suit all levels of fitness here, but the big feat everyone wants to achieve is the colossal Gerlachovsky Stit, which is 2,655 meters high. For the daredevils who want to take it on, a guide is compulsory for safety purposes due to the harsh terrain of the peak, so don’t try to tackle it alone, or you’ll get in trouble.
Entrance to the Tatra National Park from the Slovakian side is free of charge, but if you want to use any of the cable cars, prices range between €13 and €16 for return tickets, depending on the journey you take.
You’ll most likely be coming to the Tatra National Park from Bratislava, which is around 334 km away, so it’s quite a ride. The easiest way to get there is by taking Bus 61 for €1.61 from Bratislava Airport to Bratislava Hlavná Stanica. There, you’ll take the train to Poprad; the ticket prices vary, but expect to pay around €14.84 for the 4-hour journey. From Poprad Bus Station, you need to take the FlixBus to Tatranská Lomnica; ticket prices start from around €5.98 for the 30-minute ride.
Escape to Dubrovnik, Croatia for a Romantic Getaway While the Crowds Are Low
The chances are if you know someone who’s been to Dubrovnik, they’ll probably tell you it was absolutely mobbed with tourists when they visited. Unfortunately, this can turn many people off from traveling there. But if you put off your trip to this stunning city along the Dalmatian coast in southeastern Croatia until October, you’ll find it much less crowded.
Like most people, your trip to Dubrovnik will begin in the city’s Old Town, and let me just say, it’s nothing short of incredible; there’s so much character to it; between the terracotta-rooftop stone buildings and fortified walls, all I can say is wow. You’ll be able to stop outside many free sights while you’re walking around here, like the Sponza Palace, Dubrovnik Cathedral, Rector’s Palace, Dominican Monastery, and the Jesuit Stairs. If you want to go inside some of them, you may have to pay a fee, but no cost is involved peaking from a distance.
You couldn’t come to Dubrovnik and not take the classic tourism pilgrimage around the Old City Walls. Up to 1940 meters of stone walls with towers, bastions, and fortresses surround the Old Town, which dates back to the 13th century. Their purpose was to defend the city from any attacks from outside invaders; when you see their sheer size, you’ll be amazed at how innovative people were so long ago. The tickets aren’t the cheapest; they’re priced at €35, but it’s a proper bucket list item for many.
Following a few days of hearty servings of Ćevapi, you’ll want to burn off the calories, and what better way to do so than taking on the challenging hike up to the top of Mt Srđ to see Dubrovnik from a bird’s eye view? The hike itself isn’t that long, it’s only 2.1 km one way, but the climb is quite steep and can be tough in the heat. The trailhead is a 20-minute walk from the Old Town; you’ll be able to find it on Google Maps named ‘Staza Prema Utvrdi Imperial.’ Be sure to bring plenty of water for you to stay hydrated, and if you’re regretting your decision halfway through, just think of the fabulous coastal vista that lies ahead.
Dubrovnik International Airport is well connected to the city center, so you’ll easily find a way to get to your accommodation. For flights that land during the day, various bus companies offer affordable direct services into the city. Libertas Dubrovnik is the cheapest, offering bus fares for around €3.55, but prices vary. Uber is also available in Dubrovnik for those who land at night. The 25-minute journey from the airport costs around €25. However, demand and time of day will dictate the price.
Chase the Sun in Gibraltar
If you were to mention Gibraltar to some people, they probably have never heard of it, but it’s actually a British overseas territory sitting far south of the Iberian Peninsula, bordering Spain. Due to Gibraltar’s location on the Mediterranean, you’re guaranteed some fantastic weather here during October, with average temperatures of 20°C.
The weather isn’t the only thing Gibraltar has going for it; this strategically important area has an interesting past. Between the Great Siege of Gibraltar and its place in WW2, anyone who’s interested in history will be amazed by all the cannons and military installations scattered around the Rock of Gibraltar. Additionally, the Great Siege War Tunnels are another defense system open to tourists. You can walk through the passageways developed by the British army on the north side of the Rock of Gibraltar around the time of the Great Siege. Entry is included with the Nature Reserve Pass, which also gives you access to many other attractions, including the Rock; it costs GIP 19 (€22.49).
After you’ve bought the Nature Reserve Pass, you might as well get your use out of it and visit some of the other sites that come with it, like the Windsor Suspension Bridge, St. Michaels Cave, and Moorish Castle. All of them are in the same area, but you squeeze them all in within one day as long as you’re smart with your time.
Following your landing at Gibraltar Airport, you’ll be able to take any of the Citibus routes, including 10, 5, and X5, into the center. Single tickets cost for the buses £1.60 (€1.89), but I think it’s better to purchase a day pass, which will allow you to use the buses as much as you want for one day; it’s priced at £6 (€7.10).
Book a Last Minute Trip With Your Friends to Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest is one European city that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. It’s edgy, super cheap, and has an artsy kind of vibe to it; some compare it to the likes of Berlin, but you can be the judge of that when you visit in October.
You’re bound to visit a handful of museums when you’re here; they’re everywhere. It’s estimated there are around 60 of them in total, so you’ll want to choose your battles wisely. The National Museum of the Village is well worth a look at; you’ll get a fascinating insight into rural life in some of Romania’s well-known ethnographic areas like Transylvania and Maramures, entry LEI 30 (€6.04). Another good one is the Museum of Communism; here, you can see what times were like in the city under Communist rule, entry LEI 40 (€8.05).
One place you’ll hear lots of people talking about in Bucharest is the Therme Spa. It’s the biggest thermal spa in all of Europe, with mineral pools, fun waterslides, saunas, wavepools, and restaurants; whatever way you like to relax, they probably have it here. The whole complex is split up into three zones with separate tickets for each: Galaxy, the Palm, and Elysium; each has its own unique attractions, so you should do your research before to see which one you prefer. Each zone’s tickets cover you for a three-hour slot each, but they’re priced differently based on the day of the week and what’s on offer in each area (prices between LEI 63 (€12.67) and LEI 137 (€27.56).
You may not have heard before, but Bucharest has quite a thriving hospitality scene. If you like to dine out, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Easily, the most famous coffee shop here is the Grand Café Van Gogh; sip a nice espresso (LEI 9.50 (€1.91)) among the Dutch painter’s finest works like the renowned Starry Night. To try some Romanian specialties like Mici, I suggest you head to La Mahala in the Old Town. The food is phenomenal here, and it’s affordable when considering the central location. They offer pieces of Mici for LEI 7 (€1.41) a pop; that’s cheap for the capital city.
Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport is around 20 km from the city center. The Express 100 Express Line bus (formally known as the 783) operates 24/7; it runs every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes at night. The tickets only cost LEI 3, so it’s very inexpensive, and it drops you right into the main center where you’ll most likely be staying.
Get Your Hands on Some Cheap Flights to Skopje, North Macedonia
Skopje is wild and wonderful, plus the North Macedonian capital has a quirky reputation, but you can’t grasp it until you witness it for yourself. If you type Skopje into Google, the first thing that will probably pop up is the statues that the city is known for; many of them popped up from 2008, like ‘The Great Warrior’ with Alexander the Great. While the intention was to draw more tourists to the country, Skopje has a wealth of exciting attractions beyond just that.
The Old Bazaar in Skopje is so nice; it has that traditional Ottoman feel you get in these types of marketplace. On both sides, you’ll see classical Ottoman-style buildings transformed into cute cafes, souvenir shops, and restaurants. Since you’re in the area, you might as well pop in to see Kuršumli An, which is an old caravanserai; these are lodgings that were used by travelers on the old Silk Road (free entry).
As the day comes to a close, there’s no better place for a sunset in the city than Skopje Fortress. This monumental structure provides an unbelievable view over Skopje; it dates back to the 6th century AD, but you wouldn’t think it; there has clearly been a big push to preserve its beauty. The walk up from the Old Town takes around 20 minutes, depending on how fast you go, but it’s not a tough climb. Plus, you don’t have to pay anything to enter; it’s free.
Skopje International Airport is around a 25-minute drive from the capital; a shuttle bus runs every few hours with tickets priced at MKD 199 (€3.23). However, depending on your arrival time, it may not be suitable to go with this option as you might have to wait around for a while. Taxis from the airport are also quite cheap; it’s possible to pick up a one-way fare for around MKD 613 (€9.96), but you’ll need to pay in cash, so try to exchange some local currency upon your arrival.
Where Will This October Take You?
Traveling through Europe in October is always a good idea. You won’t find a cheaper month than this; there are no Christmas markets, summer holidays, or big events to worry about unless you know someone who celebrates Halloween abroad.
So, what adventure awaits you this October? It could be an exciting few days in a Balkan capital like Skopje or a sunny getaway to a British Overseas territory like Gibraltar. We can’t wait to see where your travels take you in Europe.