Antalya tops 2026 shoulder season index this autumn

The Antalya region of Turkey has been named the best destination for a shoulder season getaway, outranking popular holiday hotspots like the Algarve, Crete and Tenerife – as nearly half confess to hunting for off-peak sunshine.

Travel insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk have created the 2026 Shoulder Season Index to help holidaymakers find the best places in southern Europe for autumn sun without the extreme heat and hefty price tag.

Shoulder season travel – the period between peak season and off-season – is growing in popularity for many holidaymakers, with travel trade association ABTA dubbing its growing popularity ‘Super September’. Interestingly, the continued surge in demand is evident across all age groups, not just older travellers.*

Quotezone’s survey supports the findings with just under half (48%) of travellers saying they would consider moving their annual holiday to autumn instead of during the peak summer months.

Extreme heat across much of Europe is driving the change, with more than half of holidaymakers (52%) saying they would actively avoid southern Europe in summer because of the heat.

This year, western Europe has experienced its hottest June-to-July period on record,** with wildfires burning across parts of several countries including France and Spain – only one year on from the worst recorded fire season in the European Union.***

For more than a quarter of holidaymakers, it’s not just the soaring temperatures that make these pre-winter months so appealing – 26% said cheaper prices influence their decision to travel in autumn. More than 4 in 10 (42%) are open to holding out for a last-minute price drop before booking their autumn break, and 11% confirmed they always wait for an autumn deal.

Avoiding the summer rush was also key, with 21% saying their main reason for autumn travel was that it was less crowded, had fewer children (16%), and was easier to get time off work (3%).

As autumn approaches, the experts at Quotezone looked at some of the most popular southern European holiday destinations, ranking them based on factors such as sea and air temperature, hours of sunshine, average rainfall and cost of accommodation.

The research revealed Antalya – part of the Turkish Riviera, or the Turquoise Coast – as the best destination for shoulder season travel, particularly for travellers chasing late-season sun.

Holidaymakers can enjoy 9.5 hours of daily sunshine and average temperatures of 27.6°C across September and October, while sea temperatures of 27.5°C make it comfortable for swimming and enjoying beach activities.

With average rainfall of 42mm across the two months, visitors can expect it to stay mostly dry, and for those looking for a bargain, the lowest price of a 3-night stay at a 3-star hotel can be found for £127.

Second on the list is Tenerife – part of the Canary Islands – with the popular year-round destination standing out for its warm average temperatures, minimal chance of rainfall, and low cost of accommodation at £108 for a 3-night stay.

The island is also home to one of Europe’s best national parks – Teide National Park – giving holidaymakers the chance to experience its striking volcanic landscapes and enjoy other pastimes such as hiking, better suited to the cooler autumn temperatures.

In third place is the Cypriot town of Larnaca, where visitors can enjoy beach days at one of Europe’s best beaches – Nissi Beach – well into autumn with a sea temperature of 27°C, average temperatures of 25.5°C, and only 12mm of rainfall over the two months.

Greece’s largest island, Crete, takes fourth spot, offering holidaymakers eight hours of daily sunshine, while across the Mediterranean, Malta rounds out the top five – providing warm sea and air temperatures late into the season.

Temperatures begin to cool for the remainder of the list but stay above 18°C, providing pleasant conditions for outdoor activities and sightseeing.

Budva in Montenegro is in ninth, and Croatia’s Dubrovnik rounds out the list in tenth – with the most likely chance of rain, less average hours of sunshine and slightly more expensive accomodation.

Helen Rolph, travel insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk said: “As extreme summer temperatures become an increasing consideration for travellers, autumn is emerging as one of the most popular times for holidaymakers to enjoy a getaway.

“The shoulder season can offer the best of both worlds, with plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures, but without the intense heat and high prices found during peak season.

“Antalya’s combination of sunshine, warm temperatures, sea conditions and affordable accommodation makes it a particularly strong choice for holidaymakers, but our index shows there are plenty of alternatives across southern Europe for those looking for some late-season sun.

“Those travellers jetting off on last-minute trips should be careful not to forget to book travel insurance as soon they book the trip, to help ensure they are covered for any issues in the build up to their autumn break.”

As one of the UK’s largest price comparison sites, Quotezone helps over 4 million people every year compare and find savings on bills and essentials, including travel insurance. 

Full table:

Rank	Destination	Average temperaturein Sept/Oct (°C)	Average hours ofsunshine in Sept/Oct	Average rainfall (mm)	Average sea temperature (°C)	Lowest pricefor 3-night stay (£)	Total points
1	Antalya, Turkey	27.6	9.5	42	27.5	127	42
2	Tenerife, Canary Islands	26.3	7.5	27	23.5	108	37
3	Larnaca, Cyprus	25.5	9.5	12	27	173	36
4	Crete, Greece	21.1	8	59	24.5	122	32
5	Malta	26	8	61	25.5	138	30
6	Algarve, Portugal	20.9	8	34	20	104	28
7	Sicily, Italy	22.8	7.5	60.5	24.5	128	26
8	Costa del Sol, Spain	21.1	7.5	38	21.5	125	24
9	Budva, Montenegro	20.7	7	120.5	22.5	136	12
10	Dubrovnik, Croatia	18	7	111	23	164	10

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References:

*Super September, page 3 https://www.abta.com/sites/default/files/media/document/uploads/Travel%20Trends%202026%20-%20FINAL%20241125.pdf
**https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gxy0wqqd9o
***https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and-updates/2025-was-eus-most-destructive-wildfire-season-record-2026-03-31_en

Photo credit – iStock.com Aleh Varanishcha

Quotezone.co.uk’s findings are based on a randomised survey of 1,000 respondents across the UK during August 2026, which represents a margin of error of approximately 5% at a 95% confidence level.

Methodology:

All sources and information are correct as of 14/08/2026. Each destination was given a nominal score, which was totalled up to give a final ranking. Each destination was ranked 1–10 on each metric and the ranks summed. In the event of a tie, as was the case with average hours of sunshine, the destination with the highest average temperature was the deciding factor.

Ten destinations were selected from countries classed as southern Europe. As with many unofficial geographic regions, sources differ on exactly which countries are part of Southern Europe. While Cyprus is sometimes classed as southern Europe, and Turkey rarely, both have been included in the index. Tenerife was included as it forms part of the Canary Islands, an autonomous community of Spain classed as southern Europe.

Source: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/southern-european-countries

Average temperature in September/October (°C)
https://climograph.org/

Average hours of sunshine in September/October
https://www.weather2travel.com/

Average rainfall (mm)
https://www.weather2travel.com/

Average sea temperature (°C)
https://seatemperature.net/

Cost of accommodation (£) (Based on 2 travellers for a 3-night stay between 29/09–02/10, at 3* or above hotels)
https://www.expedia.co.uk/

This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.