Summer has officially slipped its moorings; and the sun is clocking off earlier; for those of us in northern Europe the barbecue is being wistfully rinsed and put away. But head south by ship and you can still collect those soft, honeyed evenings (linen shirts at 7pm, supper outdoors at 8) well into October and even November. 

This is our carefully curated list of easy, cruise-friendly ports where the mercury stays favourable, and you'll find the kind of end-of-season glow that flatters everyone.

Canary Islands (Tenerife & Gran Canaria), Spain

Why now: The Canaries are Europe’s cheat code for late warmth: sub-tropical latitude, trade-wind breeze, and seawater temperatures that still behave like it's July. In October, Santa Cruz de Tenerife averages ~27–26°C daytime highs, easing to ~24°C in November; sea temperatures hover around 23–24°C, which is shorthand for “still eminently swimable.” 

Evening vibe: Stroll Las Canteras in Las Palmas or bar-hop around Santa Cruz’s old quarter; a light jacket is strictly optional.

Practical: Daylight slips from ~11 hours in early November to ~10½ by month’s end, so plan your beach time accordingly (sundowners are very much still on). 

Funchal (Madeira), Portugal

Why now: Garden-island calm with amphitheatre views and pavement cafés that stay chatty after dark. Expect ~23°C highs in October and around 20–21°C in November in Funchal, balmy enough for levada walks by day and terrace poncha by night.

Evening vibe: Amble along the sea-front promenade, then take the cable-car up for a dusk look at the harbour’s string of lights.

Limassol (Cyprus)

Why now: Shoulder-season Cyprus is a slow exhale; warm water, long espressos, late dinners on the marina. October averages ~28–24°C high sliding to ~24–20°C in November, comfortably T-shirt territory after sunset. 

Evening vibe: Mezze that turns into a second bottle; the shawl only for show.

Rhodes (Greece)

Why now: Medieval lanes, Aegean glow, and a climate that'll have you questioning whether summer ever actually ended. October in Rhodes typically sits around 26–22°C for daytime highs while the sea lingers about 23°C—swimmable without blue lips. 

Evening vibe: Aperitifs under bougainvillea in the Old Town; with a light autumn breeze that stays reasonably gentle.

Valletta (Malta)

Why now: Golden-stone theatre sets, alfresco steps, and a harbour that looks best in the soft light of an autumn evening. Average highs are ~26–23°C in October and ~23–18°C in November, warm enough that dinner outside still makes perfect sense most nights. 

Evening vibe: Pastizzi in one hand, a harbour view in the other; bring a cardigan purely to tie around your waist.

Crete (Heraklion), Greece

Why now: Big-island energy without the big-summer crowds. October highs roll from ~26°C down to ~22°C; November eases to ~21–18°C, ideal for eating grilled octopus under a pergola and pretending emails are mere folklore. 

Evening vibe: Tavernas with fairy lights, the scent of oregano and wood smoke; minor jacket diplomacy after 9pm.

Málaga (Andalucía), Spain

Why now: Museum-bar-beach triangle with Mediterranean evenings that will almost certainly outlast your resolve. Expect ~26–22°C highs in October and ~21–18°C in November; still perfect for a late paseo and an outside table for espetos. 

Evening vibe: Warm tiles underfoot, guitar drifting from a doorway, and the world’s most persuasive tapas menu.

Sicily (Catania/Palermo), Italy

Why now: Lava-black beaches, cinnamon-gold light, and cannoli taken as a medical necessity. Around Catania, October commonly sits ~27–22°C by day; Palermo in November offers ~21–17°C—not tropical, but absolutely gelato-on-a-bench weather. 

Evening vibe: Aperitivo hour that encourages second/third rounds; shawls deployed for style not survival.

Two reality checks (and a tip)

• Daylight ≠ summer-length: Even in the south, clocks and latitude trim the evenings. The win is temperature, not 9pm sunsets; take your golden hour a little earlier and make peace with an earlier dinner.
• Weather is weather: Autumn occasionally throws a squall; averages are our best guide, not a guarantee.
• Tip: Book late-sitting dining on board and linger ashore; most of these ports keep their terraces lively well past dusk in October.