Skip to Content

Turquoise Seas & Smaller Crowds: 3 Warm Coastal Destinations To Visit In Europe This Fall

Share The Article

Last Updated


With leaves turning brown and starting to gather on the sidewalk, days getting shorter and colder as early as September, and multiple cities seeing record rain, you may be wondering whether there's still any hope left for a sunny getaway to Europe in the coming weeks.

Panoramic View Of Malaga, Spain

While pumpkin season has arrived sooner than expected this year, with much of France, Germany, and Poland reporting colder temperatures already, there are parts of the Old Continent where locals are living in an endless summer.

If you're looking for that milder weather, the turquoise seas, and those last elusive rays of sunshine, these are the 3 coastal destinations you should hit this fall:

Costa Del Sol

Malagueta beach in Malaga. Costa del Sol, Andalusia, Spain

Located in Southern Spain, the aptly-titled Costa Del Sol (literally translated as Sunny Coast) stretches for 93 miles along an azure sea, including quaint coastal towns like Nerja and Estepona, but also the bustling, flagship resort city of Malaga.

It is one of the sunniest coastlines in all of Europe, enjoying a whopping 300 days of sunshine per year, with only about 50 rainy days, and if you're wondering whether temperatures drop after summer, you're in for a surprise:

Empty Picturesque Street Of Small Whitewashed Village Of Mijas, Andalusia, Spain, Southern Europe

Costa Del Sol is one of the nearest points between Europe and North Africa.

Thanks to its Mediterranean location and the hot winds blowing from the Sahara, it continues to register an impressive average daily temperature of 75.2°F in October.

Whether you're chilling by the beach in an iconic Malagueta or going out shopping in the upbeat Marbella, it's short shorts and light, summery shirts you should be wearing––you can save the ‘just in case' jumpers and pullovers for that Amsterdam layover.

Sicily

View of the Levanzo island, smallest of the Aegadian Islands in the Mediterranean Sea in Sicily, province of Trapany, Italy

The largest island in Italy, Sicily boasts fine, white-sand beaches, picturesque ancient temples overlooking the Med, and Instagram-ready pastel-colored towns, so it's no wonder it's brimming with culture buffs and beach bums alike in the hotter months.

If you're clever enough, however, you'd avoid visiting Sicily between June and August: take it from us, the heat can be rather unforgiving, and the excessive crowding in touristy towns like Taormina, the whitewashed Cefalù, and Sicilian capital Palermo can ruin the whole vibe.

Cefalu, medieval village of Sicily island, Province of Palermo, Italy

You're coming to lounge on a beach by crystal-clear waters and sip some full-bodied Grecanico as you watch the sunset over the temple-dotted Agrigento hills––well, the good news is, you don't need to go to Sicily in the peak of summer for that sun-soaked idyllic getaway:

Sicily is incredibly warm to visit this season, with temperatures across much of the coastal region ranging from 60.8°F in the cooler evenings to 71.6°F during the day and the water itself averaging a pleasant 72°F––still perfect for swimming!

Algarve, Portugal

Panoramic View Of Carvoeiro, Bounded By The Atlantic Sea, The Algarve, Southern Portugal, Southern Europe

The southernmost coast of Portugal, the Algarve runs for a whopping 127 miles of uninterrupted stretches of sand, historic whitewashed villages that look frozen in the 15th-century––in the best possible manner––and lively coastal cities where nighttime fun is a week-round affair.

It's truly got something for everybody: whether you're seeking some peace and quiet in a luxury villa nestled in the coastal hills, or you'd like to be in the heart of it all, preferably a bustling, tourist-frequented Albufeira or Portimao, there's no doubt your needs as a traveler will be met.

Lagos Portugal

On that note, similarly to the neighboring Costa Del Sol in Spain, the Algarve is one of the warmest coasts in the Old Continent, averaging a similar 300 sunny days a year, and even if you're visiting in winter, it'll probably feel more like spring.

This fall, the average daily temperature will range from 59°F in the early mornings, to 73°F throughout the day, ideal if you're the outdoorsy type, and you're planning on walking a beach-lined, coastal trail from Lagos to Ponta da Piedade, or booking this best-selling $37.94 dolphin-watch boat trip.

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!


SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path's latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.