How Manchester Airport can help you enjoy 30c sunshine this October from just £46 per person return
The nights are drawing in and Autumn is officially here – but if you’ve not had the chance to get away yet this year, it’s not too late to book a sunshine break.
Manchester Airport’s route network of more than 200 destinations, served by upwards of 50 airlines, means there are plenty of options for ‘shoulder season’ holidays – destinations with fewer crowds at famous sites and popular beaches, but broad sunshine and balmy temperatures persisting well into the autumn.
Early to mid-October is a great time for couples and families with preschool-age children to enjoy a quieter getaway, while the end of the month will see the first half-term of the new academic year, with destinations like the Canary Islands still enjoying comfortable beach weather even as Halloween decorations start to appear.
Here we look at some of the best shoulder season deals available at the North’s hub airport – with prices from just £46pp* return.
Malta
Fly direct from Manchester to Malta with Ryanair from £46pp return.
Average daytime high temperature in October – 25C.
Malta’s stunning beaches – including its famous Blue Lagoon – are thronged with visitors in the busy summer months, but a little quieter by shoulder season, and temperatures remain perfectly beachy.
Tenerife
Fly direct from Manchester to Tenerife with Ryanair from £58pp return.
Average daytime high temperature in October – 25C.
Tenerife is consistently in Manchester’s top five destinations by passenger numbers, and it’s easy to see why. There’s something for everyone, from the family beach resorts in Costa Adeje to the nightlife scene around Playa de las Americas and the quiet mountain retreats in the island’s north. Better still, temperatures are reliably in the mid-twenties well into Autumn.
Madeira
Fly direct from Manchester to Madeira with Ryanair from £70pp return.
Average daytime high temperature in October – 22C.
Visitors to this lush Portuguese island in the North Atlantic are bowled over by its volcanic landscapes and black sand beaches. It’s also the birthplace of football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, and a museum in his hometown of Funchal displays more than 100 trophies and medals he has won during his career.
Larnaca
Fly direct from Manchester to Larnaca with TUI from £134pp return.
Average daytime high temperature in October – 26C.
Cyprus is a firm favourite for families and couples, and shoulder season is in many ways the perfect time to visit – avoiding the roasting temperatures of midsummer and allowing you to explore cultural sites like ancient ruins of Kition, near Larnaca, along with enjoying its blue flag beaches.
Heraklion
Fly direct from Manchester to Heraklion with TUI from £113pp return.
Average daytime high temperature in October – 23C.
Heraklion is the gateway to eastern Crete, Greece’s largest island. Cooler autumn temperatures lend themselves to exploring its Old Town and storied Venetian fortress. Autumn is also grape harvesting season at many of the region’s wineries, which often host festivals, with tours and stays available.
Agadir
Fly direct from Manchester to Agadir with Ryanair from £61pp return.
Average daytime high temperature in October – 25C.
Temperatures push 30C along the North African coast well into autumn – which means weather reminiscent of Europe in summer, but without the crowds. Away from the seafront, visitors to the Moroccan city of Agadir enjoy exploring its themed gardens, Museum of Arts, and shopping for handmade souvenirs at the Souk El Had market.
Fuerteventura
Fly direct from Manchester to Fuerteventura with Ryanair from £58pp return.
Average daytime high temperature in October – 26C.
Fuerteventura is the least-visited of the four major Canary Islands (the others being Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria) – and crowds will be even fewer in shoulder season, but you can still enjoy endless white sand beaches, warm year-round sunshine with over 3,000 hours of sun per year, and world-class water sports like windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Antalya
Fly direct from Manchester to Antalya with Sunexpress from £111pp return.
Average daytime high temperature in October – 26C.
Antalya is the biggest city on, and entry point into, Turkey’s Turquoise Coast – more than 600 miles of coastline with sandy beaches, ancient historical sites like the ruins of Side, and rugged mountainous terrain. Its natural beauty can be enjoyed on the Lycian Way hiking trail – and the cooler climate of autumn is the best time to do that.
Palermo
Fly direct from Manchester to Palermo with Jet2.com from £110pp return.
Average daytime high temperature in October – 23C.
Founded over 2,700 years ago by Phoenician traders, Palermo is one of Italy's and Europe's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Its history greets you at every turn, from its centuries-old Cathedral and Norman Palace to its museums and galleries. Travel a few miles out of the city in an easterly direction and you’ll find some of Sicily’s best beaches.
Cape Verde
Fly direct from Manchester to Sal with easyJet from £172pp return.
Average daytime high temperature in October – 30C.
The West African island nation of Cape Verde is having its moment in the sun, after its national team’s huge overachievements at this summer’s World Cup. Sal is one of its most popular tourist spots and offers an almost Caribbean vibe, with straw umbrellas, beach bars serving up local beer, caipirinhas and fresh grilled seafood, and a relaxed feel to its cobbled streets and markets.