Best warm destinations from the UK in October

By October, a few days of eating outside can sound like a very good idea. No elaborate itinerary. Just somewhere you can leave the house without checking whether you need another layer.

The tricky part is deciding what you mean by warm. Walking around in a T-shirt is one thing. Spending every afternoon swimming is another. An October holiday can deliver either, but the destination matters — and so does which end of the month you travel.

These are the places I would put on the shortlist, depending on what you want from the week.

Tenerife: my first search when warmth matters most

If the main reason for going away is the weather, I would start with southern Tenerife. AEMET's historical averages for Tenerife South Airport put the October average daily maximum at 26.8°C. That's a useful guide to the climate, rather than a forecast for your particular week. AEMET climate data.

The practical choice is a base where you can walk to dinner, the waterfront and a few places for breakfast. A cheaper apartment loses some of its appeal if every evening begins with a taxi.

Before booking a hotel for its pool, check whether it is heated and whether heating operates during your dates. A sunny photograph tells you very little about how the water will feel.

Cyprus: worth considering for a longer break

Cyprus belongs on an October shortlist if you want to give a beach holiday a proper chance. The official tourism climate table lists an October coastal mean maximum of about 27°C. Conditions vary across the island, and the same table shows cooler temperatures at higher elevations. Visit Cyprus climate table.

For two people, I would compare a week here with a shorter trip elsewhere, including the flights and transfers. The headline room price isn't enough to make the decision.

Choose the exact area before choosing the hotel. Think about whether you want restaurants on foot, a resort stay, or days out with a car. Those are quite different holidays, even on the same island.

Mallorca: a good choice if the beach is only part of the plan

Mallorca still has a case in October. Palma Airport's historical average daily maximum is 23.9°C, although the month also brings rain. I would plan for a mixture of outdoor days and time in town, rather than assume uninterrupted beach weather. AEMET Palma climate data.

For a short couples' break, Palma would be my starting point. Having cafés, dinner options and somewhere to wander nearby makes a change in the weather easier to work around.

If you prefer a coastal resort, check what will actually be open during your stay. Look at recent reviews from the same season, not just the photographs taken in July.

The Algarve: for a gentler few days

I would consider the Algarve when the plan is more about being outdoors, walking and taking time over lunch than chasing the highest temperature. October is a transition month, so leave room for cooler or wet days.

Faro or Tavira would be places to compare for a town-based trip. Tavira has a railway connection on the line between Faro and Vila Real de Santo António, which is useful if you want to investigate a holiday without hiring a car. Check the actual timetable before committing to that plan. Visit Portugal's Tavira guide.

How I would make the final choice

Search the same dates for all four places and compare the whole trip: flights for two, the room, bags, transfers and the cost of getting around. Check the school holiday dates relevant to your departure area, too; “October” covers very different travel weeks.

If warmth is the deciding factor, I would begin with Tenerife and Cyprus. If you would be equally happy exploring town on a cloudy afternoon, Mallorca and the Algarve become interesting alternatives.

Then look closely at the flight times. A slightly more expensive flight that gives you a usable first day may be the better purchase. When you've only got a few days together, those hours count.