In this article, I will talk to you about several destinations to go to in September for holidays or a weekend.
📋 The key points to remember: September is the best time of the year to travel: lower prices, fewer crowds, still summer weather everywhere in the Mediterranean and Southern Europe. My favorite destinations: Southern Italy, Greece, Croatia, Morocco, Portugal, Turkey. For something more exotic: Cuba, Madeira, Azores. Avoid Southeast Asia (still rainy season) and the Caribbean (hurricane season).
Where to go on vacation in September?
Where to travel in September?
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For culture and sun: Malta
The subtropical and dry Mediterranean climate is good for most people. Summers are hot and sunny, but during the African “sirocco” winds, they are very hot and humid with temperatures up to 45°C, but with little rainfall.
Winters are mild and humid, but are sometimes considered unpleasant if there is no heating in the apartments. The water temperature averages 22.8 degrees Celsius in August and only drops below 20 degrees Celsius from December onwards. September is the ideal month to go.
The Maltese islands are rocky (limestone). The south and southwest of Malta slope steeply towards the sea. The coast there is inaccessible but has small picturesque bays between the torn rocks. To the north and northeast, there are hills and flatter areas that gradually descend towards the sea, where they have beautiful bays with sandy beaches.
Unfortunately, there are no mountains or rivers in Malta, but there are many caves. Due to the lack of water, the vegetation is very sparse. There are only a few trees, but along the road and on the stony fields, there are fig trees, some of which grow wild.
Find my review of Malta here.
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Iceland in September?
The climate in Iceland is relatively mild in winter and surprisingly warm in summer for the far north. Temperatures exceed 20 degrees Celsius. Emigrating to this island means much more than ice and snow.
Early September remains summer time with few tourists
For many, it is very tempting to know that only three people live in Iceland per square kilometer. It is a peaceful country where one can still live in solitude and with nature.
The features and advantages at a glance are:- good hospitality
- one of the most peaceful countries in the world
- a good cultural offer
Where to go at the end of September?
🌍 Did you know?
The Mediterranean maintains a water temperature of 23 to 26°C in September, making it one of the best times of the year for swimming. The catch: early September = still high season prices, whereas from the second half of the month, prices drop by 25 to 40% and the beaches empty out.
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The Canary Islands
The Canary Islands have been a popular destination for holidaymakers and emigrants for decades: warm temperatures, paradisiacal landscapes, and a very particular attitude towards life characterize the islands.
At the same time, the Canary Islands, located off the west coast of Africa, are not too far from the European continent, making arrival relatively uncomplicated.
But those who think the Canary Islands are the same as the Canaries are mistaken: as if beach holidays, hiking, or surfing were imminent, it depends not only on the travelers but also on the island visited.
Thus, Gran Canaria is synonymous with relaxation and beach parties, Lanzarote offers spectacular natural shows, and El Hierro is a paradise for those seeking tranquility.
In September, it is still warm and you can still enjoy to the fullest, but the party is less intense, although you will still find some locals and tourists on weekends.
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Jordan
I really appreciated the special mix of spectacular landscapes, cultural highlights, and an open and extremely welcoming multicultural society. Jordan is an exotic country yet only four or five hours flight from France. I can recommend a trip to Jordan to anyone.
The country is not large and daily distances are manageable. Jordan can be well explored in a week but I recommend at least 10 days and you can see many interesting sites. The advantage: the time difference is only one hour, so you can start right upon arrival.
There will be fewer people at the city of Petra in September!
Where to go in France in September?
With corona, you might want to travel only in France, I understand.
Corsica
🗣️ My experience: I spent 10 days in Sicily mid-September two years ago: water at 25°C, perfect temperatures between 27 and 30°C, and above all, sites like the Valley of the Temples or Taormina without the August crowds. Accommodation on Airbnb: €70/night for a two-bedroom apartment with a terrace facing the sea. Would do it again with my eyes closed.
| Destination | Temp. | Round-trip flight Paris | Crowd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sicily (Catania) | 26-30°C | €120-250 | Moderate |
| Crete (Heraklion) | 27-30°C | €180-320 | Still present |
| Croatia (Dubrovnik) | 22-27°C | €150-280 | Ideal |
| Morocco (Essaouira) | 22-26°C | €120-200 | Calm |
| Portugal (Algarve) | 23-27°C | €120-220 | Moderate |
| Azores | 20-24°C | €250-450 | Very calm |
| Cuba | 28-31°C | €500-800 | Low |
Corsica is the perfect choice for people like me who can never decide between the mountains and the sea.
Corsica can certainly fascinate you. The water is a beautiful turquoise and the beaches are white in many places and pleasantly empty outside of the high season. I gladly accept temperatures around 22 degrees in September!
I also prefer to explore small villages and untouched nature. And there are many in Corsica. One village is more beautiful than the other. They are all built like an eagle’s nest on the mountain slopes and most of them offer a magnificent view of the coast, particularly beautiful at sunset. It’s pure pleasure
The Basque Coast
On the Basque coast, the climate is quite mild. Even in winter, it rarely gets above eight to ten degrees. Summers by the sea are pleasantly warm with up to 25 degrees. Inland, the climate is continental. Snow in winter is no exception to the rule. The best time of year to discover the Basque Country depends on what you intend to do.
In general, July and August are perfect months for beach holidays but with many tourists. If you like exploring, you can also do so wonderfully in spring and autumn especially in September.
🍀 September, what you gain
- Sea still warm, stable weather
- Prices drop from the 15th
- Much reduced crowds vs August
- Pleasant tourist sites
🔻 Limits
- First half still expensive
- Days getting shorter
- Some thunderstorms in the mountains
- Southeast Asia still in monsoon
The beaches on the Basque coast are among the best places in the world for surfing
The Biarritz beach is almost empty in September, surrounded by cliffs, is the ideal place to put on your wetsuit and take your board.
There are always beaches on the Basque coast, making it an ideal place for this sport or to sunbathe and enjoy the sun.
Where to go in September for sunshine?
The Baltic coast in Croatia
⚠️ Classic trap
Going to the Caribbean in September: it is the peak hurricane season (August-October). Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mexico on the Caribbean side can experience cyclones with flight cancellations and hotel closures. Prefer the other side of the world (Polynesia, Maldives at the start of the dry season) or wait until November.
Croatia is a popular destination for over 10 million tourists each year, partly thanks to its pleasant Mediterranean climate. The beaches of the Adriatic coast (Dalmatia, Istria), the national parks and the cities of Dubrovnik, Split, Rijeka, Zagreb and others, which have retained much of their medieval charm, are particularly attractive.
In tourist areas, the cost of living is comparable to that of France. Inland, it is cheaper. Visiting restaurants is nice in the morning, but the nursery is in the evening.
Avoid July and August! September is the ideal month to go to Croatia! Here is my opinion on Croatia.
The Mediterranean coast: Italy or Spain
Honestly, it’s hard not to mention these 2 countries where the cost of living is a bit lower than in France. For a weekend, you can go to the Cinque Terre or if you have a week, you can go to Sicily in southern Italy.
For Spain, take a trip to Majorca if you have a week and to the cities of Seville or Valencia for a weekend.
To compare with another season, where to go for sun in January covers the best winter destinations. If you are looking for short trips, weekend ideas in Europe gathers several perfect city breaks off-season. And to optimize the back-to-school budget, cheap destinations in Europe lists the most affordable European countries.
These are must-visit destinations in September.PS (in 2020) due to the Coronavirus, I advise you to stay in Europe in neighboring countries as access is facilitated by the Schengen area. Check before going to a destination, rules can change very quickly from one week to another.
Don’t forget to stay cautious!
