When anyone asksCondé Nast Traveller what the best places to visit in September are, you can be sure we’re bursting with suggestions. Come September, many of us find ourselves somewhat burnt out, having made the most of the glorious summer light, balmy afternoons spent enjoying all the delights our home turf has to offer. So what better time for an escape? If you’re after an extension to summer, check out our guide to where is hot in September – brimming with ideas including balmy city breaks and exquisite fly-and-flop options. However, our favourite September destinations aren’t just about the temperatures. Some are surprisingly close to home. As the school holiday crowds disappear come the first week of the month, Cornwall’s beaches become even more paradisiacal on those balmy September days, the crystal-clear Atlantic waters luring us in for a final swim. Or the Cotswolds, where historic homes surround marketplaces that glow in the last of the summer light, leaves tumbling among the rolling hills as autumn creeps in.
Then there are the European destinations we adore as they enter the shoulder season. Santorini remains busy through September, but the crowds that form on key lookout sites are noticeably thinner than they are through July and August by the end of the month – plus, hotel prices begin to drop. The party’s still going strong in Ibiza come September, with jam-packed itineraries best spent exploring the secrets of the White Isle’s tranquil north by day before hitting the dancefloors either side of the south after sundowners. Further afield, the cool crowds are demolishing street eats through the streets of Mexico City’s coolest corners, while the South African town of Hermanus is at its best for cliffside walks, secluded white-sand beaches and dining in the light breeze outside countryside restaurants. Whichever corner of the globe tickles your fancy, whether it’s sunshine or more refreshing temperatures, sightseeing or sunlounging, these are the best destinations in September.
Where is the best place to travel in September?
It all depends on what you seek from your destination. Southern Europe continues to sizzle, so it’s best for a short-haul holiday with guaranteed sunshine, while many of our favourite cities are great to explore as September brings a balance of fewer crowds and decent weather – Istanbul and Mexico City among them.
Where has good weather in September?
September marks the transition from summer to autumn for much of Europe, but destinations including the Greek islands, southern Spain, the south of France and the Albanian Riviera are among those where afternoons are still characterised by sipping from sunloungers.
