Where is hot in October on a short-haul flight?

October in brief (short-haul)

Marrakech leads the table with 27°C by day and 13°C at night and 4 rainy days (3 h 36 min from London). Agadir leads with 27°C by day and 18°C at night, a 20°C sea and 3 rainy days (3 h 48 min from London). Sousse leads with 27°C by day and 17°C at night, a 24°C sea and 7 rainy days (3 h 6 min from London). Gran Canaria leads with 26°C by day and 21°C at night, a 23°C sea and 5 rainy days (4 h 24 min from London). Fethiye leads with 25°C by day and 15°C at night, a 24°C sea and 6 rainy days (4 h 18 min from London).

Warm rather than hot (20-25°C): Antalya 25°C, Marmaris 25°C, Tenerife 25°C, Hammamet 24°C, Kusadasi 24°C, Crete 24°C and 45 more. For scale, London averages 15°C in October.

By flight time from London

• Under 3 hours: Seville 25°C, Costa de la Luz 24°C, Albufeira 23°C, Benidorm 23°C, Ibiza 23°C, Valencia 23°C, Alicante 23°C, Majorca 23°C
• 3 to 4.5 hours: Marrakech 27°C, Agadir 27°C, Sousse 27°C, Gran Canaria 26°C, Fethiye 25°C, La Gomera 25°C, Antalya 25°C, Marmaris 25°C

By region

• Europe: 74 destinations, warmest Gran Canaria (26°C)
• Africa: 4 destinations, warmest Marrakech (27°C)

For the most heat: Marrakech or Agadir

Marrakech and Agadir both reach 27°C by day, so they suit travellers who want a clear change from autumn at home. Agadir is the better fit if you prefer milder evenings: nights sit at 18°C, while Marrakech drops to 13°C and calls for a warmer layer after dark. Agadir also has fewer rainy days, with 3 against Marrakech's 4. The catch is the water: Agadir's sea is 20°C, so do not assume the hottest destination gives you the most comfortable swim. Flights are similar at 3 h 36 min for Marrakech and 3 h 48 min for Agadir. Keep strenuous outdoor plans away from the midday heat.

For swimming: weigh Tunisia against Turkey

Sousse offers a strong balance of heat, sea warmth and flight time: 26°C days, a 24°C sea and a flight of 3 h 6 min. Its catch is 7 rainy days, so leave room to shuffle outdoor plans. Hammamet has the same sea temperature and flight time but cooler daytime air. Antalya suits travellers who put swimming first, with sea and daytime temperatures both at 25°C, although the flight stretches to 4 h 24 min. Marmaris and Fethiye have 24°C water; Marmaris has slightly fewer rainy days and warmer nights. Kusadasi is less compelling for a sea-led trip: its 21°C water is cooler despite daytime warmth similar to the other Turkish options.

For warm evenings or less time flying

Gran Canaria suits travellers who dislike a sharp chill after sunset: daytime highs of 26°C ease to 21°C at night, with a 23°C sea. La Gomera trades a little daytime heat for warmer nights and water, while Tenerife offers 24°C days and sea temperatures. The compromise is flight time, listed at 4 h 24 min for these islands. If less time flying matters more than swimming, Seville is a useful alternative: 25°C days with a flight of 2 h 42 min. Pack for 15°C nights and allow for 7 rainy days. For gentler daytime warmth rather than heat, consider Alicante, Valencia or the Algarve, all at 23°C.