Antalya has been named Europe’s best destination for a shoulder season getaway as holidaymakers can enjoy sunshine, warm temperatures and cheap breaks outside the peak summer months. The Turkish Riviera destination came top in a new 2026 Shoulder Season Index ahead of Tenerife, Larnaca and Crete.The research, from travel insurance experts Quotezone.co.uk, comes as almost half (48 per cent) of Britons consider moving their annual holiday from summer to autumn.Rising temperatures play a role in this, with 52 per cent of holidaymakers saying they would actively avoid southern Europe during the summer because of heat.Antalya came out on top for its combination of warm weather, boasting the hottest temperatures on the list | GETTY Cost is another factor, with 26 per cent saying the lower prices influence their decision to travel in autumn. More than four in 10 are also willing to wait for a last-minute price drop before booking.Antalya ticked the most of these boxes, thanks to its combination of warm weather, sunshine, sea temperatures and accommodation prices.It has the highest average temperature in the ranking at 27.6°C across September and October, as well as 9.5 hours of sunshine a day – matching Larnaca for the most sunshine of any destination on the list.The Turkish destination also has an average sea temperature of 27.5°C, while rainfall averages 42mm across the two months. A three-night stay in a three-star hotel can cost as little as £127.Best autumn destination for summerAntalya, Turkey (42)Tenerife, Canary Islands (37)Larnaca, Cyprus (36)Crete, Greece (32)Malta (30)Algarve, Portugal (28)Sicily, Italy (26)Costa del Sol, Spain (24)Budva, Montenegro (12)Dubrovnik, Croatia (10)Tenerife came second, with average temperatures of 26.3°C and 7.5 hours of daily sunshine. However, it has the lowest accommodation price in the entire ranking, with a three-night stay available from just £108.The Canary Island also has relatively little rainfall, averaging 27mm across September and October, and its pleasant temperatures make it a popular year-round destination.Larnaca took third place and shares Antalya’s 9.5 hours of sunshine per day, making it one of the sunniest options on the list. Average temperatures reach 25.5°C, while sea temperatures sit at 27°C and rainfall is particularly low at just 12mm across the two months.Tenerife has average temperatures of 26.3°C and 7.5 hours of daily sunshine | GETTY For a Greek getaway, consider the island of Crete | GETTYCrete was fourth, with eight hours of sunshine a day and average temperatures of 21.1°C, followed by Malta in fifth with average temperatures of 26°C and eight hours of sunshine.The weather becomes cooler further down the ranking, but all 10 destinations record average temperatures of at least 18°C during September and October, so there is plenty of choice new matter where you want to go.Travel insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk, Helen Rolph, 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 as they book the trip, to help ensure they are covered for any issues in the build-up to their autumn break.”