THERE’S a specific point during every peak-summer holiday when even the most committed sun worshipper has to admit it’s all getting a bit much.
The beach is shoulder-to-shoulder, the sand is hot enough to cook an egg and you’ve started timing dinner around whether you can secure a table without joining a queue.
That’s why I’ve become a massive advocate for the October break.
Across the Mediterranean, daytime temperatures comfortably hover in the mid-twenties and, even in October, there are hours and hours of proper sunshine every day.
Meaning you can still pack your swimwear, bring the sun cream and expect to come home a lot more tanned.
And my favourite part is: you enjoy all of that without the intense August heat, peak-season crowds or, most importantly, peak-season prices.
I crunched the booking data across our most popular summer resorts and found that October breaks are up to 49 per cent cheaper than their peak-August counterparts.
So these are the seven classic summer spots where October can genuinely be a better and much cheaper time to travel.
7. Hersonissos, Crete – 40 per cent cheaper
Crete is one of the best places to squeeze a final dose of proper Greek sunshine out of the year.
As one of Greece’s most southern major holiday islands, it holds onto summer far longer than many of its northern neighbours.
October in Hersonissos still serves up highs of 24°C and warm seas, keeping proper beach-and-pool days firmly on the menu.
Hersonissos also stays lively well into autumn, and the gentler heat also means exploring Heraklion or visiting the Palace of Knossos doesn’t turn into a sweaty endurance test.
Matched booking data shows that October packages here are, on average, 40 per cent cheaper than in August.
And I found a four-star, all-inclusive stay at Hotel Heronissos, just 100m from the beach.
It has a huge outdoor pool and puts you within walking distance of the resort centre, while your meals, snacks and local drinks are all included.
The full package works out at £320pp for 7 days – roughly £46pp a day – including the flights. Bargain.
Book a 7-night all-inclusive stay at Hotel Heronissos from 8 October 2026, with direct return flights from Bristol, for £320pp.
6. Cala Millor, Majorca – 40.1 per cent cheaper
Majorca doesn’t just pull down the blinds the second September finishes, you know?
October in Cala Millor can still hit highs of 25°C earlier in the month, with sea temperatures sitting at a very swimmable 23°C.
But the biggest win in October, by far, is the elbow room.
In August, finding a towel-sized patch on Cala Millor’s huge sandy bay feels like bidding for a London flat – but in October, you can just walk down and lay your towel out.
Booking data shows that October packages are, on average, 40.1 per cent cheaper than in August, which is a pretty crazy saving for Majorca.
I found a four-star, half-board stay at Bakour Garbi Cala Millor, which sits just 400m from the beach, has a large outdoor pool, kids’ club and playground, and its heated indoor pool and spa area is ideal for an October break.
It gives your family a built-in back-up plan if an autumn cloud briefly rolls past.
Book a 7-night half-board stay at Bakour Garbi Cala Millor from 14 October 2026, with direct return flights from Bournemouth, for £340pp.
5. Afandou, Rhodes – 43.7 per cent cheaper
Rhodes is arguably the strongest weather bet on the entire list for autumn.
October brings highs of 25°C, around nine hours of sunshine a day and sea temperatures of approximately 24°C.
That is still proper tanning weather, and feels particularly nice when everyone back home has already turned the central heating on.
Afandou is ideal for a quieter escape, with one of the longest beaches on Rhodes and a traditional village centre.
The slightly gentler heat also means you can explore the island properly without spending the entire day desperately seeking shade.
My booking data shows that October packages are, on average, 43.7 per cent cheaper than in August – another massive saving.
I tracked down a room-only stay at Golden Days Aparthotel, a simple, cheap-and-cheerful base with an outdoor pool, a separate children’s pool and a tourist train running down to Afandou Beach.
Getting a full week on one of Greece’s warmest islands for under £190pp is an absolute steal. In fact, I’ve paid more than that for a train ticket to London this year.
Book a 7-night room-only stay at Golden Days Aparthotel from 2 October 2026, with direct return flights from East Midlands, for £185pp.
4. Albir, Costa Blanca – 44 per cent cheaper
Albir delivers Costa Blanca sunshine without putting you in the middle of Benidorm.
That being said, Benidorm is still close enough for waterparks, nightlife and an emergency tribute act, but Albir itself stays super-relaxed.
October brings highs of 24°C and around eight hours of sunshine a day, alongside a palm-lined promenade overlooking the pebble beach.
The cooler autumn breeze also makes it a far better time to tackle the scenic walk up to Albir Lighthouse without desperately searching for shade every five minutes.
Booking data shows that October packages are, on average, 44 per cent cheaper than in August.
And I spotted a four-star, bed-and-breakfast stay at Sun Palace Albir in a quiet part of the resort.
It has an outdoor pool, a big sunbathing terrace and a spa area for when you fancy taking relaxation very seriously.
The stand-out feature here, though, is its restaurant terrace, which has panoramic views across the mountains and out to sea, a far better spot for breakfast than a rainy motorway service station – speaking from experience.
Book a 7-night bed-and-breakfast stay at Sun Palace Albir from 20 October 2026, with direct return flights from Manchester, for £305pp.
3. Kusadasi, Turkey – 44.3 per cent cheaper
Kusadasi stays properly hot into October, with daytime temperatures reaching highs of 26°C along the Aegean coast – and I have to say it’s absolutely gorgeous.
You could easily spend seven days flitting between the pool and the buffet, but October’s gentler heat also makes exploring the ancient marble streets of nearby Ephesus infinitely more enjoyable than during the height of summer.
When I took a peek, matched booking data showed that October packages to Kusadasi are, on average, 44.3 per cent cheaper than in August.
And to highlight that value, I found a four-star, all-inclusive stay at Marbel Hotel.
It has a huge outdoor pool, tennis court, gym and Turkish hammam bath house, with your meals and drinks wrapped into the price.
It’s a great choice if you want plenty to do at the hotel while remaining close enough to dip into the centre of Kusadasi.
Book a 7-night all-inclusive stay at Marbel Hotel from 7 October 2026, with direct return flights from London Stansted, for £365pp.
2. Laganas, Zante – 45.7 per cent cheaper
Laganas in August and Laganas in October feel like two completely different worlds.
Peak summer brings wall-to-wall crowds and full-throttle nightlife, but by October, the volume turns right down, but temperatures can still reach highs of 25°C.
You get to enjoy Laganas’ vast golden-sand beach and the clear Ionian Sea without sharing them with thousands of foam-party-obsessives.
Some seasonal bars and clubs begin closing as the month progresses, but for me that’s part of the appeal.
You still get the sunshine, warm sea and beautiful coastline – just with considerably less people around.
And booking data shows that October packages are, on average, a whopping 45.7 per cent cheaper than in August.
I found a bed-and-breakfast stay at Atlantis Hotel Zante, and this place is just 7km from the airport.
That means you can be beside the pool remarkably quickly instead of spending the first afternoon touring every hotel on the island aboard a transfer coach.
The hotel has an outdoor pool, a separate children’s pool and a Jacuzzi, while the rooms include a mini fridge, kettle and toaster to keep the snack admin easy.
Book a 7-night bed-and-breakfast stay at Atlantis Hotel Zante from 13 October 2026, with direct return flights from London Stansted, for £255pp.
1. Oropesa del Mar, Costa del Azahar – 48.6 per cent cheaper
Taking the top spot for the biggest seasonal saving is Oropesa del Mar on Spain’s underrated and underdiscovered Costa del Azahar.
October temperatures here can still climb to highs of 25°C, allowing summer to stretch on long after the UK has descended into grey drizzle.
This purpose-built Spanish resort has broad beaches and wide promenades that feel calm and effortless once the July and August rush clears out.
The slightly gentler temperatures also make October a much better time to explore the coastline or head towards Castellon and Valencia.
My booking data shows that October packages are, on average, a staggering 48.6 per cent cheaper than in August – nearly half the price for the same Spanish coastline.
I found a bed-and-breakfast stay at Magic Sports Hotel, part of the Magic World resort and a real gem of a hotel for the easily-bored holidayers among us (guilty).
It has sports simulators, themed rooms, huge swimming pools and an on-site waterpark with slides inspired by everything from Formula 1 to winter sports.
Finding seven nights here with direct return flights for £265pp feels, quite frankly, ridiculous – and it’s my pick of the deals, for sure.
Book a 7-night bed-and-breakfast stay at Magic Sports Hotel from 3 October 2026, with direct return flights from London Stansted, for £265pp.