If you are searching for the best places to visit in September, you have picked one of the most rewarding months of the year to travel. Once UK schools go back, prices and crowds start to fall, yet the weather in much of the world is at its finest. The Mediterranean is still hot and the sea at its warmest, East Africa is in the middle of its dry season and the Great Migration, and the first colours of autumn are arriving in the Canadian Rockies.
Below are ten of our favourite September destinations, from short-haul Mediterranean escapes to long-haul safari and mountains, with a comparison table to help you choose.
The quick answer
- Short-haul sun: Mallorca, the Amalfi Coast, Croatia, the Algarve and Crete are all warm, with the sea at its warmest.
- Safari: Kenya’s Masai Mara for the Great Migration, or Botswana’s Okavango Delta in the late dry season.
- Mountains and autumn colour: the Canadian Rockies, with golden larches later in the month.
- Long-haul beach and culture: Bali, in its dry season.
- Why September: after the school holidays, the best hotels have more availability and the atmosphere is calmer.
Why September is such a good month to travel
For adult travellers, September is often better than August. Across southern Europe the heat of high summer starts to ease, but the days remain long and the sea, warmed all summer, is at its most inviting. Once the school holidays end, beaches, restaurants and old towns are noticeably calmer, and the best rooms are easier to secure.
Further afield, September is peak season for some of the world’s great wildlife experiences. In East and southern Africa it is the dry season, when animals gather around water and the bush thins, which makes game viewing excellent. It is also a lovely month in the mountains of North America, where the summer crowds have gone and the first colours of autumn appear.
1. Mallorca, Spain
September is Mallorca’s sweet spot. The sea is at its warmest after a summer of sunshine, the beaches thin out once UK schools go back and the light softens over the Serra de Tramuntana. It is just a couple of hours from London, which makes it ideal for a long weekend or a lazy week.
Spend the mornings walking in the mountains above Deià and Sóller, when the air is still cool, then the afternoons on a quiet cala. The grape harvest begins in the island’s vineyards around this time, and the restaurants of Palma are back to their best after the August rush.
Where we’d stay: Belmond La Residencia, in the hillside village of Deià, for olive groves, mountain views and a slower pace.
2. The Amalfi Coast, Italy
By September the heat of high summer has eased, but the days are long, the sea is warm and the lemon terraces still glow. The coast road is a little calmer than in July and August, and dinner on a terrace above the water is as good as it gets.
Base yourself in Positano or Ravello, take a private boat to Capri and the Li Galli islands, and save a day for Pompeii or the Path of the Gods. Early autumn is also a fine time for Naples itself, an hour or so away.
Where we’d stay: Le Sirenuse in Positano, a family-run classic, or Hotel Santa Caterina in Amalfi, with its lift down to a private sea platform.
3. Croatia: Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian islands
Dubrovnik’s walled old town is at its most enjoyable once the peak crowds have gone, and in September the Adriatic is still warm enough for long swims. It is a lovely month for island hopping, with calm seas and quieter harbours.
Combine a few nights in Dubrovnik with Hvar, Korčula or the Elafiti islands, ideally by private boat. Split, with Diocletian’s Palace at its heart, makes an easy second base, and the Pelješac peninsula is known for its oysters and wine.
Where we’d stay: Villa Dubrovnik, set on the cliffs a short walk from the old town, with views straight across to the walls.
4. The Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve is one of Europe’s most reliable choices for September sun, with long dry days and Atlantic beaches framed by golden cliffs. The water is cooler than the Mediterranean, but refreshing after a hot afternoon, and the coast quietens down noticeably once the school holidays end.
Explore the sea caves around Benagil by boat, walk the clifftop trails of the western Algarve and eat grilled fish in the old fishing towns. It is also a strong month for golf, before the autumn golfing season reaches its peak.
Where we’d stay: Vila Vita Parc, near Porches, a large clifftop resort with gardens, several restaurants and its own wine cellar.
5. Crete, Greece
Greece’s largest island is still properly hot in September, with a warm sea and long, settled days. It has more than enough to fill a week beyond the beach: Minoan palaces, gorges, mountain villages and some of the best food in Greece.
Mix beach time with a visit to the Palace of Knossos, a boat trip to Spinalonga and an afternoon in Chania’s Venetian harbour. Crete is also a good choice for families with younger children who can travel just before or after the school term begins.
Where we’d stay: Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort, in Elounda, looking across the bay to Spinalonga.
6. Morocco: Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains
Marrakech is still hot at the start of September, but the heat begins to ease as the month goes on, and by late September the city is very comfortable. It is under four hours from London, which makes it one of the easiest ways to feel properly far from home.
Spend a few days in the medina, then head up into the Atlas Mountains for cooler air, Berber villages and walking, or out to the Agafay desert for a night under the stars. The coast at Essaouira makes a breezy finale.
Where we’d stay: Royal Mansour or La Mamounia in Marrakech, two of the great hotels of North Africa.
7. Kenya: the Masai Mara
September falls in the heart of Kenya’s dry season and the Great Migration. According to Kenya’s tourist board, the herds of wildebeest and zebra are usually in the Masai Mara from around July to October, and the river crossings are among the most dramatic wildlife spectacles on earth.
Short grass and dry conditions make for superb game viewing, and the predators are rarely far from the herds. Crossings are never guaranteed and their timing depends on the rains, so we plan several days in the Mara and choose camps close to the rivers. Pair it with Laikipia or the coast at Lamu for a longer trip.
Where we’d stay: Angama Mara, high on the escarpment above the Mara Triangle.
8. Botswana: the Okavango Delta
September is late dry season in Botswana. The floodwaters that arrive in the Okavango Delta during the southern winter are still high, while the surrounding bush is dry, so wildlife concentrates around the water. It is one of the best months of the year for game viewing.
Days are warm and getting hotter as October approaches, and the bush is thin, which makes animals easier to spot. Combine mokoro (dugout canoe) trips in the Delta with game drives in Moremi or the Linyanti, and add Victoria Falls on the way in or out.
Where we’d stay: Mombo Camp, on Chief’s Island in the Moremi Game Reserve, one of Africa’s most celebrated safari camps.
9. The Canadian Rockies
September is a beautiful time in Banff and Jasper. The summer crowds fall away, the days are crisp and often clear, and by the second half of the month the larches on the high trails turn gold. There is a good chance of seeing wildlife such as elk at this time of year.
Drive the Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper, walk to the lakes and teahouses above Lake Louise, and consider a scenic rail journey through the mountains. Nights are cold at altitude and early snow is possible, so pack layers.
Where we’d stay: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, on the shore of the lake itself, with the Victoria Glacier behind.
10. Bali, Indonesia
September falls in Bali’s dry season, with warm, sunny days and lower humidity than the wet months. It is a good month for the rice terraces, temples and beaches, and a little quieter than the peak of July and August.
Divide your stay between Ubud, for culture, wellness and jungle valleys, and a beach on the Bukit Peninsula or in Seminyak. Add a few days in the Gili Islands or Lombok if you want somewhere quieter still.
Where we’d stay: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, in the Ayung River valley near Ubud, or Amandari, overlooking the same valley.
September destinations compared
Flight times are approximate and based on typical schedules from London. Weather describes typical September conditions.
| Destination | Flight time from London | September weather | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mallorca | About 2 to 2.5 hours, direct | Hot and sunny, warm sea | Short-haul luxury, food, coastal walks |
| Amalfi Coast | About 2.5 hours to Naples, direct | Warm, settling after the summer heat | Romance, views, long lunches |
| Croatia (Dubrovnik and the islands) | About 2.5 to 3 hours, direct | Warm and sunny, sea still warm | Old towns, island hopping, sailing |
| The Algarve | About 2.5 to 3 hours to Faro, direct | Hot, dry, reliable sunshine | Beaches, golf, relaxed resort stays |
| Crete | About 4 hours, direct | Hot and dry, warm sea | Beach resorts, history, families after term starts |
| Morocco (Marrakech) | About 3.5 to 4 hours, direct | Hot early in the month, easing later | Riads, culture, Atlas Mountains |
| Kenya (Masai Mara) | About 8.5 to 9 hours to Nairobi, direct | Dry season, warm days and cool nights | The Great Migration, classic safari |
| Botswana (Okavango Delta) | About 11 hours to Johannesburg, then a connection | Dry season, warm and getting hotter | Wildlife, water-based safari, remote camps |
| Canadian Rockies | About 9 hours to Calgary, direct | Crisp, clear, early autumn colour | Lakes, mountains, scenic rail and drives |
| Bali | Around 16 to 18 hours with one stop | Dry season, warm and sunny | Wellness, culture, beaches |
How to choose
- For a short break: Mallorca or the Algarve, both a couple of hours away with direct flights from several London airports.
- For romance: the Amalfi Coast, or a riad in Marrakech followed by a few days in the Atlas Mountains.
- For a once-in-a-lifetime trip: the Masai Mara during the migration, or a classic safari in the Okavango Delta.
- For scenery and fresh air: the Canadian Rockies, especially in the second half of the month.
- For wellness and culture: Bali, with time in Ubud and on the coast.
Tips for travelling in September
- Book early for safari: the best camps in the Masai Mara and the Okavango Delta often fill a year or more ahead for September.
- Think about the end of the month: late September brings softer heat in Marrakech and southern Europe and the best larch colour in the Rockies.
- Watch for late-summer storms: the Mediterranean can see the odd thunderstorm as the season turns, usually short-lived.
- Check entry rules: look up the latest passport, visa and health advice for each country on GOV.UK before you travel.
- Pack for two seasons on safari and in the mountains: early mornings can be cold even when afternoons are hot.
Popular safari camps and the best Mediterranean rooms book up well ahead for September, so we recommend planning several months in advance, particularly for the Masai Mara and Botswana.
Frequently asked questions
Where is hot in September?
Most of southern Europe is still hot in September, including Mallorca, the Algarve, Crete, Croatia and the Amalfi Coast, and the sea is at its warmest after the summer. Further afield, Bali is in its dry season with warm, sunny weather.
Is September a good time for a safari?
Yes, it is one of the best months. It is dry season in both East and southern Africa, so wildlife gathers around water and the vegetation is thin. In Kenya, the Great Migration is usually in the Masai Mara from around July to October.
Is Europe less crowded in September?
Generally, yes. Once UK and European school holidays end, beaches, old towns and restaurants become noticeably quieter, while the weather in southern Europe stays warm.
Where can I go in September without a long flight?
Mallorca, the Algarve, Croatia and the Amalfi Coast are all within about two to three hours of London on direct flights, and Crete and Marrakech are around four hours away.
Is the sea warm in September in the Mediterranean?
Yes. The Mediterranean warms up through the summer, so September is typically one of the warmest months of the year for swimming. The Atlantic coast of the Algarve is cooler but still pleasant.
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Updated 31 October 2026. Weather and wildlife patterns describe typical conditions and vary from year to year. Flight times are approximate.
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