With temperatures dropping to new lows in Europe as early as September and the rainy season starting pretty early this year, you may be wondering whether a Transatlantic trip should even be in the cards this fall.
As beautiful as Europe is, walking cobbled streets in the pouring rain is no fun.
While it’s true places like London, Paris and Amsterdam have already transitioned into a damp, rather-chilly fall, there are a handful of countries that are still enjoying significantly-high temperatures, and near-perfect climate, and will remain warm until late October.
What’s more surprising, even? They’re expecting fewer tourists than your usual vacation hotspots in Spain and Italy.
Located in the turquoise Mediterranean, this island duo are two of the sunniest countries across the pond right now:
Malta
Situated halfway between Sicily, an island in Italy, and the North Coast of Africa, Malta is an archipelagic nation comprised of three islands, named after its largest, where all of the major points of interest, as well as the charming capital city, are located.
Considered by some a micro-state, Malta (the main island) is 17 miles long from north to south and 9 miles wide at its widest point, covering a total land area of 95 square miles––not big at all, but that’s not too say it lacks cultural wealth or sights.
It plays host to a number of Europe’s most ancient citadels, from La Valletta, a spire-dotted capital found at the mouth of an azure bay, to the walled, cobblestoned Mdina, to the centuries-old, ocher-colored villages in the tiny island of Gozo.
Every Maltese municipality seems to be dominated by a richly-decorated Baroque church, and considering the island’s compactness, you’re never too far from a beautiful sandy or fine-pebble beach, lapped by turquoise waters, making it the perfect fall destination.
How Hot Is Malta In The Fall?
If you’re wondering how hot Malta gets in the off-season, we suggest you don’t go about unpacking your summer-themed bags just yet––well, throw in a light jacket or a jumper, just in case the odd evening turns a little chiller than usual.
Usually, the island stays significantly warmer than mainland Europe throughout the year, recording temperatures as high as 77°F (and as low as 63°F) in October, and it’s a particularly good season for swimming, as the water temperatures are yet to completely cool down.
Keen on extending that Mediterranean summer a little bit longer?
Look no further than St Paul’s Bay, in the Northern Region, where an overnight stay at a beachfront Porto Azurro Aparthotel will set you back a reasonable $66 per night.
Cyprus
Tucked away in the Eastern end of the Mediterranean, Cyprus boasts a rich History spanning several millennia––with a high concentration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Ancient Greek ruins, at that––and lively resort zones frequented by families and stag-doers alike.
In sum, it it is every European’s go-to sunny getaway this fall, with Ayia Napa standing out as a bustling resort town full of youth-frequented bars, and Protaras as the paradisiacal strip of soft, white-sand, of the kind you’d expect to find in the Caribbean, not this far east in the Med.
Cyprus’ political status is a complex one, as the island is divided between a Greek-administered south, and a Turkish-controlled north, and its inland capital Nicosia is shared by both entities, being infamously considered the last divided capital in the world.
Crossing from south to north is permitted, and we must say the Turkish part of Cyprus is just as beautiful, with honey-colored sands hugged by crystal-clear seas and fortified coastal towns without the usual crowds, but you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the rules for visiting in advance.
How Hot Is Cyprus This Fall?
Before we proceed, we’d like to ask you to open up the Google Maps app on your phone, type in Cyprus on the search bar, and zoom out on the country’s geographical placing: is it… in the Middle East? That’s a touchy subject, but technically, yes, it is.
Cyprus may be geopolitically European, and a member of the European Union, at that, but its closest neighbors are actually Türkiye, Lebanon and Syria––no need to fret, though, it is one of the safest countries in the Mediterranean.
The reason we pointed that out is so you wouldn’t think we’re lying when we say that, as late as October, it can be a balmy 78°F on the Cypriot coast during the day, largely thanks to its far-east location; we’re telling you, Cyprus doesn’t do fall like its European counterparts.
How To Get To Malta And Cyprus This Fall
There are no nonstop flights between the United States and Malta or Cyprus, but Americans can still reach these sunny islands with one-stop flights, connecting in major hubs like London, Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt.
Flying from London to Luqa International Airport (LQA), the only commercial airport serving Malta, you’ll find one-way tickets for as cheap as $31, while flights to Larnaca (LCA) in Cyprus average an affordable $40 for the month of October.
Traveling nonstop from Paris to Paphos, a resort city on the West Coast of Cyprus famous for its UNESCO-listed archeological sites and pristine beaches, you’ll be paying a negligible $33 for the outbound trip, and going to Malta is even cheaper, starting from $27.
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