Looking to enjoy some last minute sunshine and treat the family to an October half term getaway? Whether you are after a relaxing beach holiday or an active holiday, we've got some great holiday deals. October half-term is the last chance to feel the warm sand between your toes before you pull your scarf and gloves out of the bottom of your wardrobe.
With leaves falling from the trees and winter coats coming out in the UK, a number of destinations are still warm and sunny in Europe. There's no need to take the children on a long-haul flight.
October half term is an ideal time to enjoy a family activity holiday, whether it be learning a new watersport, playing tennis on one of our courts or exploring the local area by bike. It can also be an ideal time for visiting ancient sites.
At Mark Warner, we've handpicked the best family destinations to visit in autumn. With our 50 years of holiday expertise, we know just where to that perfect October half term holiday. Read on to discover your next family adventure?
Best October Half Term Holidays
Sometimes it can be hard to decide on where to go at October half term. So, to help you make up your mind, here are some of the Mark Warner's best October half term holiday destinations:
1. Ionian Coast, Greece
Our Paleros Beach Resort is on the beautiful Ionian Coast, Greece. Paleros offers sunshine and balmy seas well into October, with pleasant and mild temperatures reaching 23 degrees – and staying as high as 16 late into the evenings.
There are direct flights to Preveza from London Gatwick – meaning you’re just a few hours away from a resort set between calm, warm seas, and majestic views inland. It’s a perfect getaway for families, where little ones can splash about, and older children can try their hand at watersports and land sports too. Whichever activity you're into, from waterskiing, wakeboarding, and rowing, to stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing, or windsurfing, you'll find a wide choice, with our friendly staff ready to set you up. Parents can make full use of our free market leading childcare and kids clubs during October half term.
To get your heart pumping, you can take out one of our mountain or road bikes, either on your own or in an organised bike tour (children aged 13 plus can cycle, but have to be accompanied by a parent). Or take a swing at tennis – we have four courts, with racquets and balls provided – and friendly, expert coaches offering free clinics, and more focused coaching (a fee applies).
What puts Paleros at the top of the list? It’s the shortest journey time from take-off to Mark Warner resort – with a Sunday arrival and departure - and its unique geography means the winds pick up in October, making it an ideal place to take advantage of our free sailing and windsurfing options. The mild climate is also perfect for outdoor activities too.
Weather in the Ionian in October: 23 degrees
Where to stay in the Ionian: Paleros Beach Resort
View our Paleros Beach Resort, Paleros
2. Rhodes, Greece
Head to Rhodes, one of the warmest and sunniest islands in Greece. With temperatures around 24 degrees, the sea temperature is also warm.
Our family-friendly Kamari Beach Resort on Lardos Beach, has stylish family accommodation, free childcare and an action packed programme of activities to keep the kids entertained from stand-up paddle boarding, learning to sail or windsurf, kayaking or a game of water polo or volleyball or padel. Parents can also get active and choose from our wide range of activities from watersports such as sailing and windsurfing tuition, tennis and padel, and complimentary fitness classes.
To get a close-up look at the beautiful Rhodes scenery, there’s no better way than joining one of our guided cycling tours (available to anyone over 13, children must be accompanied by an adult).
The sandy beach, protected by a calm bay, equipped with a plentiful supply of sun beds and beach parasols, is perfect for sunbathing and swimming. And if you prefer a splash without salt – there’s a choice of pools, for families, and adults-only.
Greece’s fascinating history is nearby – with Lindos, one of the top attractions on Rhodes, just a short drive or taxi ride from the Kamari Beach resort. It’s home to a magnificent Acropolis, a church located where St Paul is reputed to have preached two thousand years ago, and a charming old town with whitewashed houses, full of winding streets and ideal spots to eat and drink.
And getting there couldn’t be easier… Rhodes is just a 4-hour flight from London Gatwick, with a quick 1-hour transfer to the resort and a Saturday arrival and departure.
Weather in Rhodes October: 24 degrees
Where to stay in Rhodes: Kamari Beach Hotel
View our Kamari Beach Resort in Rhodes
3. Aegean Coast, Turkey
Looking to relax on a sandy beach with turquoise water this October half term? Izmir, Turkey's up and coming holiday destination on the western Aegean coast, offers plenty of sunshine and the sea is still warm enough for swimming and watersports.
Our Phokaia Beach Resort, set in private grounds in a secluded bay near Foca on the Turkish Riviera, provides a perfect blend of beautiful beaches, charming villages, rich history and shopping.
Our family resort in Turkey offers a great choice of spacious family accommodation including villas for larger parties. There is plenty to occupy the children in half term – free childcare and age appropriate kids clubs with a programme of exciting activities that will keep them happily occupied, alongside children of the same age.
It’s easy to stay (or get!) active with four pools, three flood-lit tennis courts, three pickleball courts, and a wide range of watersports including free sailing and windsurfing tuition included in your holiday.
For something truly memorable, you can take the children to see Turkey's impressive ancient temples. The milder (but still warm) October temperatures mean that a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ephesus (just a 1 hour 45 minute drive away) is a perfect time to take a younger history enthusiast. They’re sure to enjoy seeing ancient Roman and Greek cities for themselves – as they follow in the footsteps of the likes of Cleopatra and Marc Anthony.
And if you are hoping for a bit of me-time… then take advantage of our excellent on-site childcare while you indulge in our impressive spa featuring Turkish hammams, a sauna, and treatment rooms.
With just a 4 hour 15 minute flight direct flight with BA from Gatwick, the Aegean Coast in Turkey is a top pick for an October half term getaway.
Weather in Turkey in October: 24 degrees
Where to stay in Turkey: Phokaia Beach Resort
October Half Term Activities
Our Paleros, Kamari and Phokaia Beach Resorts offers a fantastic choice of October half term activities.
1. Watersports activities
Children booked into our childcare—the Junior (6-9 years), Kidz (10-13 years) and Indy (14-17 years) clubs—can enjoy free taster sessions and free watersports lessons from sailing, windsurfing, stand-up paddle boarding to kayaking alongside their new friends.
2. Learn to sail or windsurf
Each of our resorts in Greece and Turkey offer the RYA sailing and windsurfing courses for children for stages 1 to 4 from 6 to 13 years old. Parents can also try their hand at sailing or windsurfing and join one our free sailing and windsurfing clinics for beginners and improvers or book the RYA courses.
3. Snorkelling
Families can join one of our snorkelling trips with PADI instructors. Enjoy a half day boat trip and snorkelling in crystal clear water in the Med. Please note that our snorkelling trips are an additional cost to your holiday.
4. Learn how to play tennis
Each of our resorts also offer the mini LTA tennis courses for children from 3 to 5 years and also the junior LTA course 6 – 12 years. Please note that the LTA tennis courses are an additional cost to the holiday.
5. Padel & Pickleball
Families can also play a game of padel at our Kamari resort in Rhodes or pickleball at our Phokaia Beach Resort in Turkey. Both padel and pickleball are easy to pick up and are fast growing sports.
6. Cycling
Why not enjoy a family cycling trip on holiday? Children 13+ can hire the mountain bikes and road bikes for free or join one of our guided bike tours to explore the local area.
7. Family pools
Each of our resorts has good sized family pools, and toddler pools for the younger children. Children can enjoy fun games in our pools. Teens can also participate in other sports such as water polo and water rugby.
8. Holidays With Childcare & Kids Clubs
Mark Warner’s highly popular and market-leading childcare is available at all of our Mediterranean resorts in Greece and Turkey. Booking in advance to secure a place for your child or children is advised.
Best October Half Term Holidays FAQs
Still have questions? We've got you covered! Here are some common queries about October half term getaways:
Where is best for October half term?
Greece and Turkey are great picks for family activity holidays during October half term. Weather is warm and the sea and pools have warmed up too.
Where is warm in October for a family holiday?
Southern Europe tends to remain warm during October half term so families can still fly short haul to destinations such as Greece and Turkey to grab some last minute sun.
Where in Europe is hot in October half term?
Cyprus is warm followed by Greece and Turkey. The Mark Warner resorts, which are located in Rhodes, Paleros on the Ionian Coast, Greece and the Izmir regions on the Turkish Aegean Coast, enjoy mild and pleasant temperatures during October half term.
What are the best family holidays in October?
Families can enjoy a relaxing beach holiday or an active holiday in the Med with Mark Warner, with a wide choice of watersports and land activities for everyone in the family. The Mark Warner family-friendly resorts are also close to several ancient sites so families can also have the best of both worlds.
Ready to book your October half term getaway with Mark Warner
In need of some last minute sun before Christmas? Treat your family to one of the best family holidays in October half term with Mark Warner.
With a choice of resorts in Kamari (Rhodes), Paleros (Ionian Coast, Greece) and Phokaia (on Turkey's Aegean Coast) Beach Resort, you are sure to find your family's perfect combination of activities, childcare, indulgent dining and stylish accommodation. Or if you still have questions, contact us to find out more.
Find further blogs
Best places to visit in October in Europe
The benefits of family tennis holidays
How to make a family holiday fun for the whole family
