In a nutshell
- Looking for the perfect spot for your September vacation? We’ve rounded up the 14 best places to visit in September from around the world — so you can stop scrolling and start planning.
- From laid-back beach destinations to city breaks and epic long-haul adventures, there’s a great option for every travel style on this list.
- We’ll tell you what makes each destination special in September, where it’s still wonderfully warm, and where you’ll save money compared to peak summer.
- Our personal favorites: the Moselle Valley in Germany, the Algarve in Europe, and Peru for the ultimate long-haul trip in September.
The Best Travel Destinations in September at a Glance
Before we dive in, here’s a handy overview table of our top picks for where to travel in September. We’ve included our recommended trip length, flight duration, and price level for every destination.
This way you can see at a glance which spot fits your travel style.
| Destination | How much time to plan? | Flight duration | Price level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moselle Valley | 3–7 days | none (car/train) | moderate |
| Munich | 2–4 days | none (car/train) | high |
| South Tyrol | 5–10 days | none (car/train) | moderate to high |
| Warsaw | 2–3 days | from 1 hour | low to moderate |
| Lake Garda | 1–2 weeks | from 1 hour * | moderate to high |
| Milan | 3–4 days | from 1 hour | moderate to high |
| Elba | 4–7 days | from 1 hour * | moderate to high |
| Normandy | 7–10 days | from 1.5 hours * | moderate |
| Costa Brava | 7–10 days | from 1.5 hours | moderate |
| Kefalonia | 7–10 days | from 2 hours | moderate |
| Algarve | 1–2 weeks | from 3 hours | moderate |
| Namibia | 2–3 weeks | from 9.5 hours | high |
| Los Angeles | 1–2 weeks | from 11.5 hours | high |
| Peru | 2–3 weeks | from 15.5 hours (with stopover) | low |
* Lake Garda: fly to Verona, then about a 30-minute drive
* Elba: fly to Florence, then about a two-and-a-half to three hour drive
* Normandy: fly to Paris, then about a two to three hour drive
September Travel Destinations in Germany
Want a great vacation in September but only have a few days off? No problem — you don’t have to travel to the other end of the world. Here are two wonderful September travel destinations in Germany.
Moselle Valley
- Type of trip: Nature and active vacation, relaxation vacation
- Also a good time to visit: May through August and October
- Climate: 57–68°F, 3–8 rainy days
The landscape in the Moselle Valley really does look like something out of a storybook: the river winds through green vineyards, past ancient castles and picturesque towns with charming half-timbered houses.
The two larger cities of Koblenz and Trier are especially well known, but many of the smaller towns have a lot of charm too.
We’re not exactly unbiased here — after all, the beautiful Traben-Trarbach on the Moselle was Jenny and Basti’s home for years.
If the Moselle region is famous for one thing, it’s its delicious wines! The grape harvest kicks off in September, and that’s when wine festivals and tastings pop up all along the river.
Our hotel pick: Goldene Traube – charming boutique hotel in Traben-Trarbach
Our best tips for the Moselle region:
Munich
- Type of trip: City and cultural trip
- Also a good time to visit: May through August and October
- Climate: 54–68°F, 7–9 rainy days
Munich is just a glitzy, stuck-up city? Not at all! When you actually spend time there, you quickly realize: tradition and laid-back coziness meet pure joie de vivre.
One of the top highlights in Munich is the beautiful historic center surrounding the Frauenkirche. There are also tons of great museums in Munich, like the Pinakothek galleries and the Deutsches Museum — the largest science and technology museum in the world.
September is a really great time for a trip to Munich. The weather is pleasantly mild, perfect for strolling, day trips around Munich, or a visit to the English Garden.
And then of course there’s the Oktoberfest, which actually kicks off in September. If you prefer something a bit quieter or are visiting Munich with kids, we recommend the smaller, more traditional Oide Wiesn as a great alternative.
Our hotel pick: Louis Hotel – sweet boutique hotel right in the old town
Our best tips for Munich:
September Travel Destinations in Europe
Want to soak up a little late-summer sun but not travel too far? These are our favorite September travel destinations in Europe:
South Tyrol
- Type of trip: Active and nature vacation, relaxation vacation
- Also a good time to visit: year-round
- Climate: 52–77°F, 4–6 rainy days
South Tyrol is absolutely worth a visit in September. The mix of stunning mountain scenery, sweeping valleys, and charming towns like Bolzano or Merano makes the region truly special.
You can hike in South Tyrol, go cycling, or simply enjoy the nature — whatever you feel like. Or explore the many historic castles, small museums, and wonderful old quarters in the most beautiful villages in South Tyrol.
And if you just want to switch off completely, you’ll be in great hands at one of the many wellness hotels in South Tyrol.
For us, September is one of the best times to visit South Tyrol — it’s no longer as crowded as peak summer, yet it’s still genuinely warm. And best of all: hotel prices drop quite a bit.
Our best tips for South Tyrol:
Warsaw
- Type of trip: Cultural and city trip
- Also a good time to visit: June through August
- Climate: 48–70°F, 5–6 rainy days
Warsaw is a city of contrasts: historic old town, modern skyscrapers, alternative up-and-coming neighborhoods. As you stroll through the alleyways around Castle Square or explore the creative Praga district, you quickly sense how exciting the mix of old and new really is.
The highlights include the Warsaw Uprising Museum, the POLIN Museum, and Łazienki Park with its impressive palaces — the perfect places to dig into the city’s turbulent history.
In September, Warsaw shows its relaxed side. Peak season is over, but the weather often stays mild and sunny.
Add to that the autumn atmosphere as the parks slowly turn golden. And here and there you’ll even stumble across cool festivals or open-air concerts. Seriously great!
Our hotel pick: Hotel Indigo Warsaw – stylish hotel in a premium location
Our best tips for Warsaw:
Lake Garda
- Type of trip: Active and nature vacation, relaxation vacation, beach vacation
- Also a good time to visit: May through August
- Climate: 59–81°F, 4–6 rainy days
Pizza, pasta, and delicious vino — a vacation in Bella Italia is always a good idea. And you don’t need to deal with a long journey to get there — just head to Lake Garda! Though “lake” doesn’t quite capture it for us, because you really feel like you’re by the sea.
There are wonderful resort towns like Malcesine, Limone, and Riva, where you can wander through cobblestone alleyways and browse little boutiques. The region is also a paradise for windsurfers and kitesurfers, as well as hikers and mountain bikers.
Lake Garda is especially ideal as a September destination. It’s still pleasantly warm, and with water temperatures around 68 to 72°F, you can even take a comfortable swim in the lake.
And the best part: the biggest tourist crowds have cleared out, so you can enjoy the stunning scenery in a much more relaxed way.
Our best tips for Lake Garda:
Milan
- Type of trip: Cultural and city trip
- Also a good time to visit: April through August and October
- Climate: 61–77°F, 5–6 rainy days
On a city trip to Milan there’s plenty to see. The standout attraction in Milan is of course the Cathedral with its stunning, ornate facade. Did you know it also has a rooftop terrace with a seriously great view?
Two more things that absolutely need to be on your list: the elegant shopping arcade Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie — the most famous painting in the world!
In September the weather is perfect for a city trip: no longer as hot as in summer, but still pleasantly warm. Perfect for a little dolce vita.
One important heads-up though: try to avoid Fashion Week in mid/late September — hotel prices skyrocket during that period. It’s worth checking the exact dates before you book.
Our hotel pick: Locanda Pandenus Brera – elegant bed & breakfast with a very tasty breakfast
Our best tips for Milan:
Elba
- Type of trip: Beach vacation, nature and active vacation
- Also a good time to visit: May through June and October
- Climate: 63–77°F, 4–5 rainy days
The Italian island of Elba isn’t huge, but it’s beautiful. Small coves, laid-back villages, and really great food await you everywhere.
Just grab a scooter and cruise around the island. If you’re in the mood for something more active, there are wonderful hiking and walking trails around Monte Capanne.
In the evenings, little towns like Capoliveri or Marciana Marina get wonderfully cozy. Sitting outside at a charming restaurant with fresh pasta and a good glass of wine, while a bit of music drifts over from a nearby window — sounds pretty dreamy, doesn’t it?
All of this feels even more special in September. The weather is great, the sea is warm, but the island feels quieter and somehow more laid-back. One of our favorite under-the-radar picks for a September vacation.
Our hotel pick: Hotel Barracuda – in Marina di Campo, with an outdoor pool and palm garden
Our best tips for Elba:
Normandy
- Type of trip: Road trip, nature and active vacation, beach vacation
- Also a good time to visit: May through August
- Climate: 54–72°F, 9–11 rainy days
Normandy has so much variety! Let’s start with the most important thing: the region has an incredible number of endlessly long sandy beaches, for example in Deauville or Étretat. They rank among the most beautiful beaches in France.
In early September, on warm days you can even take a dip in the ocean, especially at beaches sheltered from the wind.
Great hiking opportunities await too, surrounded by unique landscapes like the massive chalk cliffs along the Alabaster Coast.
Everywhere you look you’ll find small, picturesque villages with old half-timbered houses and quintessentially French specialty food shops. And then there are the fairytale castles — above all the region’s iconic landmark: Mont-Saint-Michel, a true must-see in France. Sounds like a perfect September destination, doesn’t it?
Costa Brava
- Type of trip: Road trip, beach vacation, nature and active vacation
- Also a good time to visit: May, June, and October
- Climate: 61–81°F, 4–5 rainy days
The Costa Brava is a stretch of coastline in northeastern Spain, where secluded coves and long sandy beaches line up one after another. In short: exactly the right spot for a beach vacation in September.
We especially recommend the smaller fishing villages like Llafranc or Tamariu. And if you’re already on the Costa Brava, you absolutely should take a day trip to Barcelona.
In a single day you can tick off the most important sights in Barcelona. But it’s also worth combining the beach stay with a longer city visit — be sure to check out our hotel tips for Barcelona too.
After a day in the city, you can unwind again on the Costa Brava: in September the beaches are much quieter than in August, yet you still get glorious warm beach weather. Perfect!
Our best tips for the Costa Brava:
Kefalonia
- Type of trip: Beach vacation, nature and active vacation, road trip
- Also a good time to visit: May through August and October
- Climate: 64–81°F, 3–5 rainy days
Kefalonia is a seriously underrated Greek island. It has stunning beaches and charming little villages — not to mention the delicious food at the tavernas.
Myrtos Beach is especially well known — it’s even considered one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Greece. Other popular points of interest on Kefalonia include the villages of Assos and Fiskardo.
Really handy: near the capital Argostoli there’s an airport with direct flights available to Kefalonia.
In September the island is still warm and sunny, but most tourists have already left. That means Kefalonia’s beaches and attractions are less crowded and prices are lower than in peak summer.
Our hotel pick: Skala Hotel – a great little hotel close to a sandy beach
Our best tips for Kefalonia:
Algarve
- Type of trip: Beach vacation, nature and active vacation, road trip
- Also a good time to visit: April through August and October
- Climate: 63–82°F, 2–3 rainy days
The rugged sea cliffs, miles of dream beaches, near-perfect waves, and sleepy little fishing villages like Monte Clérigo make the Algarve — Portugal’s southwestern tip — one of the most popular travel spots around.
We love just hitting the road and discovering hidden coves and the most beautiful spots on the Algarve along the way — the ultimate feeling of freedom!
And the best part: away from the major resort towns, mass tourism barely plays a role. Instead, you’ll find plenty of small, individually run hotels on the Algarve.
Especially if you’re doing a road trip along the Algarve, you’ll appreciate that it’s no longer scorching hot in September. Plus, the season for great waves is just getting started — so for surfers, the best beaches of the Algarve are really just hitting their stride.
Our best tips for the Algarve:
Long-Haul Destinations in September
Want to go a bit farther afield and throw yourself into an adventure? Let our best long-haul picks for where to travel in September inspire you.
Namibia
- Type of trip: Road trip, safari and nature trip
- Also a good time to visit: April through August and October
- Climate: 54–86°F, 0–1 rainy days
Always dreamed of seeing cheetahs or giraffes in the wild? Then head to Namibia! The country is home to numerous nature parks, including the famous Etosha National Park. Hippos, hyenas, zebras — here you’ll experience incredible biodiversity.
Beyond the nature parks, the capital Windhoek is well worth a visit. You’ll find many buildings dating back to the colonial era and can learn more about African culture and history in the city’s museums.
September is the dry season in Namibia — ideal for safaris. Animals gather at the few remaining waterholes, which makes wildlife watching particularly thrilling.
Los Angeles
- Type of trip: City trip, beach vacation
- Also a good time to visit: March through May and October through November
- Climate: 63–86°F, 0–1 rainy days
Los Angeles in September? Great idea! It’s the perfect time to relax on the best beaches in Los Angeles — like Venice or Santa Monica — and soak up that California lifestyle.
But LA obviously has so much more to offer. From the Hollywood Sign to Griffith Observatory to the Walk of Fame, there are classics around every corner. Or take a hike in Runyon Canyon for sweeping views over the city.
If you’re in the mood for culture, you absolutely have to visit the LACMA or the Getty Center. Both museums are real highlights.
From Los Angeles you can also easily kick off a road trip through California or along the entire US West Coast. So: pack your sunglasses and go!
Our hotel pick: citizenM Los Angeles Downtown – stylish design hotel with a genuinely great price-to-value ratio
Our best tips for Los Angeles:
Peru
- Type of trip: Road trip, cultural trip, nature and active vacation
- Also a good time to visit: May and October
- Climate: varies by region
Peru is one of the best long-haul destinations in September, simply because it has so much to offer. Rainforest, desert, the Andes, and incredible places like Cusco or Arequipa — the variety is enormous.
Machu Picchu is of course a must-see in Peru, but hiking in the Colca Canyon, boat trips on Lake Titicaca, and sandboarding in Huacachina are among the absolute top picks too.
And the food in Peru is fantastic. Make sure to try fresh ceviche — that’s our personal favorite!
Why travel to Peru specifically in September? Because the weather across all regions is quite dry, warm, and beautiful at that time — perfect for a road trip!
Our best tips for Peru:
Frequently Asked Questions About Vacationing in September
Is September a good time to take a vacation?
Absolutely! In our opinion, September is one of the best times to travel, especially for destinations in Europe.
The weather is still pleasantly warm, but no longer as oppressively hot as in the height of summer, and many destinations become noticeably less crowded.
On top of that, hotel prices are often quite a bit lower. A September vacation gives you the perfect mix of great weather and better deals.
Where are the best places for a beach vacation in September?
In late summer, many beaches get quieter, but the weather in September is still great for a beach getaway.
At Lake Garda, you can still swim and relax without any trouble — just like on Elba and along the Costa Brava, where the sea is still really pleasant.
Kefalonia, with its stunning coves and crystal-clear water, is also a top pick for a beach holiday in September.
Also excellent: the Algarve. The Atlantic in late summer is actually warmer than many people expect.
Which September destination is a true hidden gem?
A real off-the-beaten-path pick for September is Warsaw. Not many travelers have the Polish capital on their radar — but it absolutely should be.
Among the Greek islands, Kefalonia is still a genuinely lesser-known spot. Far fewer tourists come here than to, say, Crete or Santorini.
Elba is also a bit of an under-the-radar choice among Italian destinations. It’s quieter than during peak season, but the weather stays perfect for enjoying the island’s beaches and villages.
Which travel destinations are affordable in September?
On our list, the most budget-friendly September destination in Europe is the Polish capital Warsaw. Even more affordable is Peru — our favorite long-haul pick for September.
