Where to Go in September: Your Ultimate Travel Guide by EF Ultimate Break
September is a travel sweet spot. Smaller crowds, perfect weather, and destinations at their best. Summer might fade, but the adventure doesn’t have to.
September doesn’t get enough credit (there’s a back-to-school pun in there somewhere). Summer’s technically over, but that’s exactly what makes it one of the best months to travel. The crowds thin out, prices drop, and destinations that were packed in July and August suddenly feel like they’re more accessible again. Plus, the weather? Chef’s kiss. You get that perfect balance of warm days and cool evenings, perfect for everything from beach days to city exploring. From Greek islands that are still sun-soaked to European cities with actual breathing room, here are the best places to travel in September.
Laughing it up with the Acropolis watching over in Athens, Greece.
Greece: Island life without the chaos
If you’ve been putting off Greece because the summer crowds seem overwhelming, September is your moment. The Mediterranean is still warm enough to swim in (actually, it’s at its warmest), the sun is shining, and the ferry schedules are still running strong. But the hordes of tourists? Mostly gone.
On trips like The Greek Islands or Ultimate Greek Islands, you’ll hit the iconic spots—Santorini sunsets, Mykonos beach clubs, Athens’ ancient ruins—but without elbowing through crowds for a photo. September means you can actually enjoy a meal at that cliffside taverna without a reservation made three months in advance. You can wander through Oia without getting stuck in a human traffic jam. You can find a spot on the beach that doesn’t require arriving at 7am.
The vibe in September is more relaxed, more local. You’ll see Greek families on holiday, fewer bachelor parties, and that laid-back energy that makes you want to stay forever. Plus, the weather is ideal—mid-70s to low 80s, sunny days, and just enough of a breeze to keep things comfortable.
Catching rays on a sun-soaked beach below an ancient fortress in Greece.
Italy: Harvest season and fewer tourists
Italy in September is what dreams are made of. The summer heat has mellowed, the tourist crowds have thinned, and it’s harvest season, which means wine, truffles, and some of the best food you’ll ever eat. Whether you’re exploring Rome’s ancient history, cruising the Amalfi Coast, or wandering through Tuscan vineyards, September is peak Italy.
On Rome, the Amalfi Coast & Sicily: Boat & Ruins Tours or Italy & the Greek Islands, you’ll experience Italy at its most authentic. You can actually see the Colosseum without being sardined in with a thousand other people. You can stroll through Florence’s streets and pop into cafes without waiting in line. The Amalfi Coast is still gorgeous, but the beaches aren’t packed, and the coastal towns feel more like charming villages than tourist traps.
September also means food festivals, grape harvests, and that golden-hour light that makes everything look like a painting. The weather is comfortable (70s to low 80s), perfect for long walks, outdoor dinners, and all the gelato you can possibly ingest.
Toasting to the good life with Aperol spritzes on a Rome rooftop.
Croatia: Coastal perfection sans peak-season prices
Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast is stunning year-round, but September might be its best-kept secret. The Adriatic Sea is still warm, the weather is beautiful, and the summer crowds have cleared out. You get all the perks of a beach vacation without the peak-season chaos or prices.
Cruise Croatia: Split to Split is all about sailing the coastline, exploring ancient towns like Dubrovnik and Split, swimming in crystal-clear waters, and experiencing Croatia’s island culture. September means you can actually enjoy these spots without feeling like you’re on a conveyor belt of tourists. The beaches are less crowded, the restaurants have tables available, and the whole experience feels more intimate and authentic.
The days are warm (mid-70s to low 80s), with cooler evenings perfect for outdoor dinners, and that magical Mediterranean glow. Plus, September prices are way more reasonable than July and August, so your budget goes further.
Soaking in the red-roofed skyline of Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Portugal: Surf, sun, and September vibes
Portugal in September is everything. Lisbon and Porto are sunny but not sweltering, the beaches of the Algarve are still perfect, and the whole country has this chill, end-of-summer energy. September also means fewer tourists, so you can explore without the crowds.
Whether you’re wandering Lisbon’s colorful neighborhoods, tasting port wine in Porto, or catching waves in the Algarve, September is perfection and so is Portugal Getaway. The weather is warm (70s to low 80s), the ocean is swimmable, and the long days mean more time to explore.
Portugal is also one of the most affordable destinations in Western Europe in general, and September prices are even better than peak summer. You’ll eat incredible food, drink amazing wine, and soak up that Portuguese sunshine without breaking the bank.
Living the catamaran life along the stunning Algarve coast, Portugal.
Spain: Beaches, cities, and post-summer calm
Spain in September is a vibe. The intense summer heat has cooled down, the beaches are still gorgeous, and cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville are actually enjoyable to walk around. September also marks the end of peak tourist season, so you get more space to breathe and explore.
On trips like Madrid to Barcelona: Sangria, Tapas & Sunsets, you’ll experience Spain’s diversity—from Barcelona’s architecture and beach culture to Madrid’s museums and nightlife to Andalusia’s history and charm. The temps are 70s to 80s, perfect for beach days, city exploring, and late-night tapas without melting in the heat.
September also means local festivals, harvest celebrations, and that authentic Spanish energy that gets lost in the summer tourist rush. You’ll eat better, pay less, and have a more genuine experience.
Taking in the timeless hilltop views of Toledo, Spain.
Morocco: Cooler temps and cultural immersion
If you’ve been curious about Morocco but worried about the heat, September is your window. The scorching summer temperatures have dropped to the 70s and 80s, making it actually pleasant to explore cities like Marrakesh and Fez. You can wander through souks, visit palaces, and experience Moroccan culture without feeling like you’re melting.
Traveling on Highlights of Morocco in September means comfortable weather, fewer tourists, and that perfect time to explore both cities and the Sahara Desert. The evenings are cooler for rooftop dinners and mint tea under the stars.
Morocco in September offers that immersive cultural experience—vibrant markets, incredible food, stunning architecture—without the extreme heat or peak-season crowds.
Owning the Sahara on the golden sand dunes of Morocco.
Iceland: Northern Lights season begins
September marks the beginning of northern lights season in Iceland, and it’s one of the best times to visit. The summer crowds have left, the weather is still relatively mild (for Iceland), and you have a real chance of seeing the aurora borealis.
On Iceland: The Golden Circle & Ring Road, you’ll explore dramatic landscapes—waterfalls, glaciers, black-sand beaches, geothermal pools—and chase the northern lights. September means you get longer daylight hours than deep winter (so you can actually see the landscapes), but dark enough nights for aurora viewing.
The weather is cool (40s to 50s), so pack layers, but it’s not the brutal cold of winter. September in Iceland is that perfect balance of adventure, natural beauty, and the magic of the northern lights without the harshest weather.
Chasing the northern lights under an electric Icelandic sky
September is calling
September travel is the way to go. You get great weather, fewer crowds, better prices, and destinations at their most authentic. Whether you want beach time in Greece, cultural immersion in Morocco, or northern lights in Iceland, September delivers.
And with EF Ultimate Break’s expertly planned itineraries, you don’t have to stress about logistics—just show up and experience it all. September might be the end of summer, but it’s the beginning of some of the best travel of the year.
Key takeaways
September offers the perfect travel sweet spot: summer weather without summer crowds, lower prices than peak season, and destinations at their most authentic and accessible, making it ideal for travelers who want the experience without the chaos.
From Greece’s sun-soaked islands to Italy’s harvest season to Croatia’s coastal perfection, September delivers warm Mediterranean weather, fewer tourists, and that relaxed local vibe that gets lost during peak summer months when destinations are overrun.
September isn’t just about Europe—it’s prime time for Morocco’s cooler temperatures, Iceland’s northern lights season, and Portugal’s perfect surf-and-sun combo, offering diverse experiences across different climates and cultures all in one incredible month.
With EF Ultimate Break’s all-inclusive itineraries, September travel is stress-free: flights, hotels, transportation, and experiences are handled, plus interest-free payment plans make booking easy, so you can focus on the adventure, not the logistics.
Know before you go
From the ins and outs of our trips to finding the one that fits you best—here’s what you need to know.
