Discover some of the best places to visit in September, a wonderful time to go on a vacation. After Labor Day weekend and before fall sets in, temperatures become more pleasant in destinations such as the Mediterranean, and with kids back in school, there are fewer crowds and better deals.
Here are some of September’s top travel destinations to inspire your next getaway.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia
September is the perfect time to visit Dubrovnik, the late summer sun sparkling on the Adriatic and the city still buzzing with life. This is a great time to walk the medieval ramparts for spectacular views.
Afterward, step into the city center, which is like a living museum. Stroll along Stradun, the main thoroughfare, its ancient limestone gleaming in the sunlight. Visit the Rector’s Palace, which mixes Baroque and Renaissance styles, and step into the Assumption Cathedral, where relics of St. Blaise, the patron saint of the city, are housed.
Admire the serene Dominican Monastery—and while you’re here, check out the ancient pharmacy, where you can stock up on deliciously fragranced natural products to remind you of your stay here.
Lovrijenac Fort in Dubrovnik, Croatia
Outside the walls, there’s plenty more to do. Take the cable car up Mount Srd for breathtaking views of the old city spread out beneath you. Climb up Lovrijenac Fort for more superb vistas, or join a kayak tour around the base of the walls for a different perspective of the city.
If the weather is hot, jump on the ferry across to Lokrum Island and swim off the rocks in the clear Adriatic. You could also take a day trip to nearby Ston, a much-overlooked town famous for its oyster production. If you’re in the mood for a shellfish extravaganza, this is the place to be.
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul has one of the most recognizable and hauntingly beautiful skylines in the world, defined by graceful minarets and the distinctive domes of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
The city straddles the Bosporus waterway that connects the Sea of Marmaris to the Black Sea and constantly buzzes with life, from ferries to cargo ships and pleasure craft. Take a cruise up to the mouth of the Black Sea and admire city life from the water as you pass waterside markets and grand old palaces. Europe will be on one side of you and Asia on the other.
In the Sultanahmet neighborhood, you’ll find three of the city’s most famous sights: The opulent Topkapi Palace, the exquisitely beautiful Hagia Sophia, once again a working mosque, and the dazzling Blue Mosque. No visit is complete without exploring all three.
Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey
Make time, too, for Istanbul’s famous markets. You’ll find everything from purses and clothing to carved wooden items, ceramics, lamps, woven carpets, and jewelry in the almost overwhelming Grand Bazaar. Your haggling skills will need to be honed to perfection to shop here. The colorful Egyptian Bazaar is a great place to pick up spices and perfumed Turkish Delight.
Turkey has one of the world’s finest cuisines, and there’s no better time and place than a sunny September afternoon on a rooftop overlooking the Bosphorus to enjoy a meze, a magnificent spread of hot and cold sharing dishes. These might include anything from herby, garlic-rich yoghurt to eggplant salad, chickpea fritters, olives, stuffed vine leaves, spiced meatballs, and crispy fried calamari.
Seoul, South Korea
Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is an intriguing mix of ancient history and the ultra-modern. The city pulsates with energy, and September brings crisp, dry weather, a relief from the heat and humidity of summer.
Seoul is absolutely packed with cultural interest. Visit the magnificent Gyeongbokgung Palace, filled with art and artifacts from the Joseon era that spanned centuries from the 14th to the early 20th century.
Check out Depksugung, another of the city’s five grand palaces. Originally built in the 16th century, it features an elaborate Throne Hall decorated with carved dragons.
For a dose of contemporary culture, head for K-Star Road in Gangnam to learn about K-pop culture and see the Gangnam Style sculpture, a giant pair of bronze hands near the COEX mall, celebrating the music video that went viral globally.
War Memorial in Seoul, South Korea
If you’re interested in the history of the Korean War, the War Memorial is one of the best places to visit in Seoul.
This vast museum is crammed with artifacts, tanks, helicopters, maps, and uniforms. Multimedia displays tell the story of the war, which lasted from 1950 to 1953 and left the Korean peninsula divided into north and south, a situation that very much remains today.
Bindaetteok
Visit Gwangjang Market to sample Seoul’s famous street food. Try bindaetteok, which are mung bean pancakes, and sundae, a special blood sausage, or blue crabs marinated in spices and soy sauce. For shopping, try the Insadong neighborhood where you can buy pottery, jewelry, traditional tea sets, handmade stationery, and vintage goods.
Alaska
Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska
Alaska is beautiful in September. Fall comes early, and you could see the first dusting of snow on the mountains as the forests and tundra take on hues of scarlet, orange, and yellow.
Bears are fattening up on berries for the winter, while whales and dolphins are still present in the Inside Passage. You could even see the first aurora of the season dancing across the sky in September.
White Pass and Yukon Route Railway, Alaska
Alaska is a paradise for lovers of the outdoors. Hike, mountain bike, and kayak around Ketchikan in the vast Tongass National Forest. Take the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway from Skagway to learn about the harsh conditions faced by prospectors in the Gold Rush.
Get up close to the mighty Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, or join a food tour to sample local specialties, from fresh salmon to king crab. Fly down one of the world’s fastest ziplines in Icy Strait Point, or hike alongside the Spasski River in search of bears.
The Bahamas
Atlantis, Bahamas
Head to the tropics as the heat of summer fades for a blissful beach break in the Bahamas. Nassau, the capital of the island chain, is packed with shops and galleries, as well as grand colonial-era architecture. Check out the Queen’s Staircase, 66 steps hewn out of limestone by slaves in 1793 to connect Fort Fincastle with the downtown area. The stairs are named in honor of Queen Victoria, who was instrumental in ending slavery.
Browse the Straw Market for crafts and try fresh conch fritters, the local specialty. Learn about rum at the John Watling’s Rum Distillery, complete with a tasting.
Of course, beach time is all part of the appeal of Nassau. You could head to dreamy Blue Lagoon Island for powdery sands and snorkeling over coral reefs. Or Pearl Island, where you can spend the day drifting between your private cabana and the warm shallows. If you’re traveling with kids or teens, combine beach time with high octane thrills at the Aquaventure waterpark at Atlantis Paradise Island.
Daredevil’s Tower in CocoCay, Bahamas
There are more thrills at the award-winning CocoCay, where you’ll find Daredevil’s Tower, the tallest waterslide in North America, as well as the biggest wave pool in the Caribbean. Test your nerve on the zipline, or admire the island from above as you ascend in a tethered hot air balloon.
Be as active or as lazy as you like here; perhaps the serene overwater cabanas at the exclusive Coco Beach Club beckon for a day of indulgence. If you’re after an adults-only vibe, you will love Hideaway Beach, where a DJ spins tunes all day and you can enjoy the luxury of sipping cocktails at the swim-up bar.
Maine
Portland Head Light, Maine
September is when trees begin to take on their dazzling fall colors, transforming the green forests into shades of gold, scarlet, and yellow. Visit Rockland, the self-styled “lobster capital of the world”, for succulent lobster rolls and claws dripping in melted butter.
Camden, Maine
From here, you can take a day trip to pretty Camden, a coastal village packed with independent shops and galleries, yachts bobbing in the harbor. Or join a culinary tour to sample local cheeses, pastries, and craft beer, as well as the ubiquitous lobster.
Portland, too, is an enchanting coastal town dating back to 1632. It’s famed for its lighthouses, historic brick buildings, and rugged coastline that stretches away under vast skies.
Visit the iconic Portland Head Light, which has warned sailors off the rocks since 1791, and the Portland Museum of Art, housing a captivating collection of art from Europe and the U.S.
Kennebunkport, Maine
Explore the cobblestone streets of the Old Port district downtown for seafood restaurants and craft breweries as well as shopping. Or take a trip to nearby Kennebunkport, a chic Victorian village famed for art, antiques, dining, and its association with the Bush family.
Italy
Florence, Italy
Italy is still deliciously warm in September—and the sea has had the whole summer to warm up. Take a tour of the gelato-colored Cinque Terre, a string of tiny villages connected only by train and hiking trails. Stop for a refreshing dip after a stroll and a paper cone of fritto misto, or fried seafood, the local specialty.
Explore beautiful Florence, packed with Renaissance art, or cycle around the ramparts of medieval Lucca. Look out for porcini mushrooms on restaurant menus—they’re in season in September. From the lovely old city of Trieste, take a trip to dreamy Venice to explore the canals, many lined with elegant old palaces.
Pompeii, Italy
From Naples, join a tour to Pompeii to see how people lived in 79AD. The ancient town has been perfectly preserved under the ash from the cataclysmic eruption of Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago and is still being excavated today.
Rome, of course, is beautiful at any time of year; make time to visit the Vatican and the Colosseum, and throw a coin into the baroque Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to the Eternal City one day.
Greece
Oia in Santorini, Greece
Greece is one of the best places to visit in September, which enjoys an extended summer thanks to its southerly location in Europe. The sea is at its best for swimming and the crowds of the summer are beginning to thin out.
Explore Santorini’s craggy volcanic beauty as you admire the blue-domed churches in pretty Oia or find the perfect restaurant for lunch with jaw-dropping views across the sapphire caldera.
Mykonos Town, Greece
Enjoy some beach time in Mykonos and wander the streets of picture-perfect Mykonos Town, the whitewashed buildings festooned with vibrant bougainvillea. Lose yourself in the tangle of streets inside the chunky walls of Rhodes Town, and marvel at the Grand Master’s Palace, built by the Knights of St. John in the 14th century.
Spend time in Athens, which sprawls over seven hills, the gleaming Parthenon at its center. Visit the outstanding New Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum, then stop for mezze on a vine-shaded terrace in pretty Plaka, the quaint neighborhood in the shadow of Acropolis Hill.
Spain
Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Spain is still hot and sunny in September, making this a great month to travel. Explore the imaginative architecture in Barcelona, a city famous for the works of architect Antoni Gaudi, one of its most famous sons.
Book ahead for the extraordinary Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s unfinished basilica, and make sure to get a pass to ascend one of the tall, slender towers for breathtaking views across the city and the Mediterranean beyond.
Spend time in the Picasso Museum, housed in a grand, 16th-century palace, and head to fashionable Barceloneta, the former fishing quarter, for lunch on the beach. On weekends, this neighborhood is buzzing with people strolling, walking their dogs, cycling, and enjoying the sunshine.
Real Alcazar in Seville, Spain
Seville flaunts its supermodel looks in September, with tapas bars spilling out onto shaded squares and al fresco bars all along the Guadalquivir River. Visit the beautiful Real Alcazar palace and wander along the sun-dappled trails of Maria Luisa Park. If you’re feeling energetic, climb up the Giralda Tower, constructed as a minaret to a mosque in 1184; the views from here are spectacular.
Vigo, meanwhile, is an important port in northern Spain and the gateway to the riches of Santiago de Compostela. Here, you can visit the impressive cathedral, believed to be the final resting place of the apostle James, and learn about the immense importance of Santiago to Catholics worldwide. Take a tour from Vigo itself to taste local wines and visit a mussel farm.
Or spend the day visiting the beautiful Cies Islands, a 45-minute ferry ride away. Part of a UNESCO-protected National Park, these islands are fringed by some of the most dazzling beaches in Spain, shaded by pine trees. The islands are a model of sustainability, with visitor numbers limited, no hotels, and just a couple of places to eat. In September, the sea should be just about warm enough for swimming, too.
Cozumel, Mexico
Punta Sur in Cozumel, Mexico
With temperatures hovering between the high 70s and mid-80 degrees Fahrenheit, Cozumel, located just off the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, is one of the best places to visit in September.
This Mexican island is one of the best diving destinations in the world. Whether you’re a beginner or a certified diver, throw on some scuba gear and head underwater to witness a kaleidoscope of coral and an abundance of marine life, including moray eels, sea turtles, and stingrays in the various reefs.
Marine life in Cozumel, Mexico
If you prefer snorkeling at your leisure, don a mask and take the plunge from El Cielo Beach in the south of the island. Otherwise, sign up for a diving tour with a certified guide to reach some of the island’s deeper reefs.
Cozumel has no shortage of pristine white-sand beaches. The stretch of sand at Punta Sur Eco Beach Park and El Cielo Beach are standout options with crystal-clear waters and palm tree-flanked shores.
El Cedral, Mexico
Discover the oldest of Cozumel’s Mayan ruins in El Cedral, located not far from El Cielo Beach. Here you’ll find the remains of a temple dating back to 800 A.D. in the center of the village. While in Downtown Cozumel, head to a local restaurant and chow down on a fresh bowl of zingy ceviche.
Tokyo, Japan
Lake Ashi, Japan
While most travelers plan to visit Japan during the country’s famed cherry blossom season, September is an equally good time to visit Tokyo. In September, summer’s humidity has fizzled away, while the temperature remains mild and colorful bursts of auburn and yellow foliage begin to appear around the city.
Journey to Lake Ashi for eye-popping views of Japan’s tallest mountain, the snow-capped Mount Fuji. Jump on the Komagatake Ropeway gondola in Hakone for some of the best views of the sacred volcano, the gorgeous lake, surrounding forest-covered mountains, hot springs, and lakeside shrines.
Sensō-ji in Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is a glorious juxtaposition of fast-paced and peaceful with neon-lit skyscrapers, high-tech electronics, and funky pop culture melding with Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and tranquil Zen gardens. Explore some of the city’s top attractions, including the vermillion-red Sensō-ji Buddhist temple, Meiji Shinto shrine, the Imperial Palace, and its vast public gardens.
Cross the famous Shibuya scramble crossing, Tokyo’s answer to Times Square, and explore Harajuku, the central district serving up a heady dose of colorful Japanese pop culture with an abundance of fashion boutiques and cafes.
Toyosu fish market in Tokyo, Japan
For a fun and immersive experience, head to the city’s Toyosu fish market, which replaced the historic Tsukiji market in 2018, and observe the live tuna auction that takes place from the viewing deck.
It’s the largest wholesale fish market in the world with plenty of restaurants and food outlets serving fresh-off-the-boat fish in sushi, sashimi, and delicate tempura. You’ll also find steaming bowls of thick udon noodles, tofu-topped miso soup, and umami-laden yakitori.
Top a day of sightseeing off with a visit to the 1,092-foot-tall Tokyo Tower, an orange and white-striped communications and observation tower in the center of the city, where you can appreciate this dizzying megalopolis.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
While there is never a wrong time to visit this magical Ecuadorian archipelago, the Galapagos Islands are among the best places to travel to in September when the region boasts a cool and dry climate and feverish wildlife activity.
Lying roughly 620 miles off South America in the Pacific Ocean, some of the main islands (there are 127 in total) include Baltra, Santa Cruz, Santiago, Isabela, and Fernandina.
In Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz, look out for crab-covered volcanic rocks, sharks, and sea turtles. Visit Las Bachas, the island’s pristine chalk-white sandy beach that’s a nesting ground for Pacific green sea turtles. Kick back on the soft sand and swim in the delicious turquoise water. And don’t miss a chance to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the conservation efforts to save the Galapagos giant tortoise. It’s just outside the buzzing little town of Puerto Ayora.
Red Sand Beach, Rabida Island
Pack your snorkel gear for Santiago Island and swim over rocks teeming schools of tropical fish, sea turtles gliding through the blue. Soak up Santiago’s awe-inspiring wildlife on land and in the air, too, including marine iguanas, Galapagos hawks, and the show-stopping Galapagos fur seals.
In Tagus Cove, soak up the spectacular scenery of Isabela—the largest island in the Galapagos—including the shimmering turquoise-tinged Darwin Lake. Isabela is not without its share of magnificent Galapagos wildlife, too.
There, you’ll encounter penguins, sea lions, sea turtles, and nesting native flightless cormorants. Fernandina, meanwhile, is home to an abundance of dramatic black lava rocks and the Galapagos’ largest colony of marine iguanas, while Española is where you could be lucky enough to spot the yellow-beaked waved albatross.
FAQs
Is September a good month to travel?
White Pass Railway and Yukon Suspension Bridge, Alaska
September is a wonderful month to travel. If you’re headed for Europe, the peak summer rush has finished and schools have gone back, so you’ll find the pace of life more relaxed. The weather is still warm and the Mediterranean is perfect for swimming.
In Asia, if you pick your destination carefully, September is warm and pleasant, with relatively low humidity. Head to Japan to experience the beginning of the fall colors, or cosmopolitan Seoul, South Korea.
Alaska, too, is still delightful in September. The season is drawing to a close and you may see the first snows dusting the mountains, or even the Northern Lights. By day, you can spot bears fattening themselves up for winter, and look for bald eagles perched in the trees.
Where is the best city break in September?
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Cities in southern Europe are arguably at their best in September. Seville is emerging from the intense heat of summer, while Barcelona should offer perfect weather for exploring on foot. Dubrovnik is easing out of peak season; September is a great time to walk the city’s ramparts. Istanbul has perfect weather for a cruise along the Bosphorus on a balmy late summer evening, while in Athens, you’ll find fewer crowds teeming around the beautiful Parthenon.
Where is the best place for a tropical vacation in September?
CocoCay, Bahamas
If you want to feel the warmth of the tropics in September, you could head to the Bahamas on a short break. Even if you encounter the occasional rainstorm, the air will be warm and the sea blissful for swimming. In Cozumel, too, the water should be perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving. Or perhaps combine tropical beauty with adventure and wildlife-spotting on an expedition to the Galapagos islands, which lie close to the Equator and are always warm.
Where is there good weather in September?
Portland, Maine
Finding good weather in September is easy. Southern Europe is pretty well perfect at this time of year, still warm enough to eat outside and delightful for swimming in the sea, but with lower daily highs than in August, when the only way to spend the hottest part of the day is by taking a siesta.
Head to Maine for sunny days and the beginning of the fall colors season, or to Japan and South Korea for days that are warm but not too humid, again, with the trees just beginning to turn.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
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