The 10 Best Places to Honeymoon in October: Weather and Travel Guide

Where in the world to get those golden hues.
Kyoto in October
Photo: nattanan726 | Shutterstock
james wong - the knot contributing writer and travel expert
by
James Wong
james wong - the knot contributing writer and travel expert
James Wong
Travel Writer & Expert
  • James Wong is a freelance travel writer and expert.
  • He's reported for publications including VOGUE, GQ, Time Out and Thrillist.
  • James has lived in London, Tokyo and New York; and has traveled to almost every corner of the world.
Updated Dec 17, 2024
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Get ready to fall head over heels for the best honeymoon destinations in October. For couples tying the knot in late summer and early fall, your newlywed adventure coincides with a sprinkle of golden goodies. In much of the world, October is considered shoulder season, making normally pricey trips more affordable honeymoon destinations, alongside conditions that are just right. At least in the Northern Hemisphere (including some of the top US honeymoon spots), you're blessed with milder temperatures, nature in vibrant color and fewer crowds since the kids return to school. You'll walk hand in hand like it's a rom-com movie set.

Couples in search of the perfect romantic getaway across all budgets will find something that works for them in our top honeymoon spots in October, whether they're culture vultures or simply seeking R&R at an all-inclusive resort. We've rounded up all the best honeymoon destinations by month, like this October guide.

Marrakech, Casablanca and Rabat, Morocco

Luxury hotel openings and a new high-speed train linking three major Moroccan cities have seen the 'Four Seasons Morocco Collection' trending among European honeymooners. US couples are wise to join the route, which ticks off the greats including the under-the-radar capital of Rabat. October is when temperatures hover around 75 degrees and your chances of suite upgrades are high. Spend the trip discovering intricate mosques, shopping in souks and indulging in traditional Moroccan hammam therapies.

Things to Do: Visit Marrakech's film and TV spots including its vibrant medina (Sex and the City 2) and the Jardin Majorelle (Inventing Anna); take a private tour of the huge Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca; and make your own tajine with a Moroccan cooking class in Rabat.

Places to Stay: The official Four Seasons Morocco Collection itinerary starts at Four Seasons Resort Marrakech, moves up to Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca and culminates at the former royal residence, Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr.

Bordeaux, France

The heat and the crowds calm down in France come October, meaning you can wine-taste the region in relative peace. Don't miss the charming boutique town of Saint-Emilion, home to one of the world's finest wine houses, Chateau Quintus. Besides the grape, Bordeaux has a slew of tourist draws, such as its Central Plaza, the Place de la Bourse and a beautiful Gothic cathedral called Cathédrale Saint-André Bordeaux. The city center is also a haven for shopping, museums and French gastronomy.

Things to Do: Providers such as Viator offer excellent food and wine tours of the city so you can sample the greats. The company also hosts wine-tasting tours in Saint-Emilion.

Places to Stay: Mama Shelter is in the heart of the city center action, but over in Saint-Emilion, The Chateau Grand Barrail Hotel offers a romantic stay for couples with vineyard vistas.

Kyoto, Japan

One of those out-of-this-world places you simply must see once in your life, October sees Kyoto's atmospheric temples and tranquil gardens surrounded by golden hues. However, if climate change delays the changing colors of leaves, you can always get your gold fix at Kinkakuji, Kyoto's striking Golden Pavilion temple. Easily one of the most romantic cities in all of Japan and a stunning October honeymoon destination.

Things to Do: Wander through the stacks of red tori gates at the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, marvel at the towering Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (insider tip: arrive at dawn to beat the crowds) and find out all about the resident Geishas with a Gion Geisha District walking tour.

Places to Stay: The Japanese Seibu Prince Hotels have a price point to suit a range of honeymoon budgets, starting with the well-located Prince Smart Inn Kyoto Sanjo, the mountainside Prince Kyoto Takaragaike (a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel), and the luxurious Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu, which was converted from a former elementary school.

Venice to Milan, Italy

While it's a popular hotspot for US tourists in the summer, as an October honeymoon destination you'll have a lot less competition for space in Northern Italy. River cruises are especially popular in the region during this time, like CroisiEurope, which sails and drives its boutique guests across Venice, Verona, Padua and Burano. Honeymooners can also build their own trips with ease up to the fashion capital of Milan.

Things to Do: The route is bookended with two Gothic greats; the Duomo di Milano in Milan and Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice. Of course, being in a floating art museum, you'll want to enlist a Flytographer for the perfect couple's photography on a gondola.

Places to Stay: Galleria Vik Milano - Townhouse Galleria is situated right inside Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Lovers are spoiled for choice for honeymoon hotels in Venice, including Aman Venice, JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa and San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice.

Boston, USA

There's something magical about Boston in the fall. Walking hand in hand along park trails or university grounds vibrant with foliage, cups of hot tea at a farmers market and driving out to a pumpkin patch to canoodle in the hay make this one of the best honeymoon destinations in October. Boston is also a great option for couples seeking history, sport and a dash of luxury.

Things to Do: Eat your way through the Boston Public Market and the Time Out Market. Explore the historic Freedom Trail, or if it's too chilly out then make it a museum day at the Boston Tea Party Ships, the Museum of Fine Arts or the Museum of Science. Of course, no trip here is complete without cheering on the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Places to Stay: The Ritz-Carlton Boston, Mandarin Oriental Boston and Raffles Boston are the most sumptuous stays for a honeymoon.

Tirana, Albania

If you're looking for something offbeat and affordable for your honeymoon consider Tirana in Albania. While its neighbors in Greece and Montenegro get all the glory, Albania boasts beaches, culture and nightlife with equal allure. You'll do it all in luxury because it'll be at a fraction of the price. The capital, Tirana, is packed with romantic pedestrianized streets, boutique shopping, museums and restaurants serving generous helpings of the country's signature tavë kosi (baked lamb and rice).

Things to Do: Immerse in culture with two Bunk'Art museums, fill up your Away luggage with bargains from Toptani Shopping Center, and get outta town and into nature with GetYourGuide's Bovilla Lake, Canyon and Gamti Mountain Hike tour.

Places to Stay: The most luxurious stay in town is the Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana (and you're looking at less than $200 per night). Both Airbnb and VRBO offer even sweeter deals for couples who want to feel like locals.

Montreal, Canada

Fall is an ideal time to visit Montreal, when temperatures are around 50 to 60 degrees. You'll feel snug in your hats and jackets as you wander the cobbled streets of Old Town. This is also when Canadian Thanksgiving takes place, celebrated on the second Monday of October. In that long holiday weekend, the city comes alive with public markets and installations, and locals head to apple-picking locations in and around the city. Then at the end of the month, things get extra festive for Halloween.

Things to Do: It's all about Old Town, where the star attraction is the Notre-Dame Basilica, aka the church where Celion Dion was married. Mount Royal Park offers one of the city's largest green (or in fall, yellow and orange) spaces to wander, but when things get a little nippy you can continue getting steps in at the climate-controlled Underground City.

Places to Stay: Marriott Bonvoy loyalists can select between the W Montreal, Renaissance Montreal Downtown Hotel and Humaniti Hotel Montreal, one of Quebec's first Marriott Autograph Collection hotels.

San Pedro, Belize

If you're not into fall foliage, then head to Belize for sun, sand and swimming pools for your honeymoon vacation in October. San Pedro Town is the best place to disconnect from the office and reconnect with each other. Lined with sandy streets, wood houses and luxurious resorts, you can hide out and surface as frequently as you desire. Everyone is on island time here. Alternatively, extend your trip and explore the country (don't worry, it's small) with our Belize honeymoon guide.

Things to Do: When you're done relaxing on the resort, sign up to Viator for snorkeling at Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley, go fishing and cook your catch on the beach or get physical with cave tubing and zip lining.

Places to Stay: El Pescador Resort is the top-rated all-inclusive resort. Other options include Alaia Belize from Marriott's Autograph Collection and Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club from Hilton's Curio Collection.

Jersey, The Channel Islands

For fall vibes on an island, try Jersey. Measuring nine by five miles, you'll need to rent a car to take to its quaint country lanes, get to independent beachside restaurants and meet their famous Jersey cows, known for producing some of the best milk in the world. Superman, Henry Cavill, is a Jersey boy, so the proof is in the muscle. One of the lesser-known tourist destinations, the beauty here is that you'll play tourists without the other tourists. Anyone from New Jersey? This is where your state name originated.

Things to Do: Come hungry, because Jersey's bounty of freshness awaits, including seafood at Jade-S Fisheries Jersey, creamy goodness at Woodlands Farm and the island's very own Michelin-starred restaurant, Bohemia Restaurant. Go foraging with Wild Adventures Jersey and learn about life on the island during World War II at the Jersey War Tunnels.

Places to Stay: There are many cute boutique stays like The Moorings Hotel, Longueville Manor and La Haule Manor.

Zurich, Switzerland

There are two excellent reasons to visit Zurich in fall: one, its hilly formations are sprawling in reds, oranges and yellows, making for strolls around the lake a picture-perfect scenario. And two: it's the home of Lindt chocolate, so you get plenty of excuses to indulge in melty goodness and sweater weather means nobody back home will know. The city is also famously one of the happiest cities in the world. Must be all that chocolate.

Things to Do: Lindt Home of Chocolate is like Disney World for chocoholics, with a museum, restaurant, superstore and chocolate-making workshops held daily. See the fall foliage from Zurich Botanical Garden and Lake Zurich and don't miss their top art museum either, Kunsthaus Zurich.

Places to Stay: 25hours Hotel Langstrasse has the coolest social spaces, The Dolder Grand has the best spa and the Zurich Marriott Hotel is excellently located.

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