Taj Mahal, India
September is a magnificent time of year to discover the world’s beauty and these 18 destinations demonstrate the diverse and exciting adventures you can experience for the perfect trip, depending on your travel preferences.
From welcoming Mediterranean culture to wildlife adventures across the African plains, the rugged Scandinavian expanse to legendary volcanic islands, September balances the distinctive climates and shifting seasons across the Southern and Northern hemispheres.
Whether looking for waterfalls or elephants, ancient ruins or alpine majesty, the following suggestions offer some of the best destinations you can visit, with trips personalized to your preferences.
Colosseum in Rome, Italy
Temperatures: Low 55° F • High 80° F
Highlights: Warm weather, culture, cuisine, beaches, museums, ancient ruins
Other recommended travel times: February • March • May • June • October • December
Italy in September is a celebration of the changing seasons, the wondrous scenery combining with a welcoming cultural ambiance.
Tradition brims from the towns, villages, and cities as festivities erupt across the country and the crowds sift back home, giving you easier access to iconic sights and scenic panoramas, from alpine lakes and rolling Tuscan hills to the whitewashed southern coastline and ancient ruins.
Learn more: Italy Tours & Vacations • Italy Travel Guide
Dunjandi (Fjallfoss) in Iceland
Temperatures: Low 47° F • High 55° F
Highlights: Culture, museums, hiking, waterfalls, scenery
Other recommended travel times: March • July • August
Iceland in September sees remote beauty become accessible. The warm summer temperature lingers throughout the month, making it easy to connect to the exceptional landscapes, from the dramatic coastline to erupting volcanoes, remote villages to pristine fjords.
The longer daylight hours make it possible to see and experience more each day, while viewing the Northern Lights is still possible. The autumn colors arrive, the trails around the country feel welcoming, and the highlands brim with life as sheep return from the open grasslands that shape the natural and cultural majesty of Iceland at this time of year.
Learn more: Iceland Tours & Vacations • Iceland Travel Guide
Nyhavn Port in Copenhagen, Denmark
Temperatures: Low 49.5° F • High 62° F
Highlights: Culture, museums, hiking, waterfalls, scenery
Other recommended travel times: December
Denmark in September feels open and vibrant, with gorgeous colors across the country welcoming locals and visitors from around the world. The ideal conditions at the tail-end of summer and beginning of fall provide the perfect time to explore the cycling routes, take to the trails, or simply embrace longer daylight hours.
Design, an artistic aesthetic, a cheerful ambiance, and a quality of life that spreads through the cities to touch the towns, coastline, and mountains, September in Denmark captures contemporary culture and powerful history in a welcoming environment.
Learn more: Scandinavia Tours & Vacations
Aurlandsfjord, Noway
Temperatures: Low 45.5° F • High 59° F
Highlights: Culture, villages, museums, hiking
Other recommended travel times: February • June • July • August • December
September in Norway is perfection. The popular summer crowds have returned home, making it easy and open along the fjords as the lingering summer weather creates the perfect conditions.
The scenery takes center stage along the coastlines and mountains, with festivals embodying the celebratory nature of the shifting season. The outdoors can feel like an adventure in contrast to the sophisticated ambiance of Scandinavian cityscapes. The bridge between the wilderness, wildlife, and urban elegance creates a majestic ambiance that will easily enchant you.
Learn more: Norway Tours & Vacations
Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava in Catalonia, Spain
Temperatures: Low 65° F • High 81° F
Highlights: Culture, cuisine, villages, hiking, scenery, museums
Other recommended travel times: May • July • August • December
Spain is unforgettable in September, with the passion for and devotion to celebrating life on display across the country.
The cooler nights and warm days provide the perfect time to explore the epic landscape, indulge in a culinary feast, or find immersive corners featuring celebrated and secret art.
From flamenco to golden beaches, the lush Pyrenees to the rolling valleys, fewer crowds and the continuation of enjoying life’s little pleasures make Spain the perfect September destination in which to embrace the beauty of daily life.
Learn more: Spain Tours & Vacations • Spain Travel Guide
Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria
Temperatures: Low 56.5° F • High 70° F
Highlights: Culture, cuisine, villages, hiking, scenery, museums
Other recommended travel times: May • July • August • December
Austria is enchanting in September. The point where summer and autumn meet provides a captivating blend of warm weather and changing colors, with thinning crowds amid the stunning architecture and picturesque scenery.
Whether exploring the grand alps or prestigious imperial cities, Austria embraces high culture and celebrates pristine landscapes. With a promise of adventure, elaborate cuisine, and tremendous music, the country personifies beauty in sight and sound.
Learn more: Austria Tours & Vacations • Austria Travel Guide
Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion, Greece
Temperatures: Low 66° F • High 82° F
Highlights: Culture, ruins, beaches, cuisine, villages, hiking, scenery, museums
Other recommended travel times: May • June • July • October
Greece is pure magic in September, when the crowds diminish and the weather remains warm and inviting. Greece embodies the Mediterranean lifestyle with delicious cuisine made from local, seasonal ingredients, ruins that immerse you in ancient life, and contemporary culture that celebrates simple pleasures.
From winding down on the islands to exploring the cultural treasure chest of museum galleries, the wonders of the natural wilderness and the spirit of the cuisine, Greece endlessly demonstrates its beauty in September with feasts, festivals, and a zest for life.
Learn more: Greece Tours & Vacations • Greece Travel Guide
Amber Palace in Rajasthan, India
Temperatures: Low 76° F • High 83° F
Highlights: Culture, temples, cuisine, villages, hiking, wildlife
Other recommended travel times: January • February • March • April • May • October
India returns to life in September, with cooler temperatures and recessing monsoons. As the rains leave the crowds still haven’t arrived, making it the perfect time to escape to the beautiful Golden Triangle and beyond.
With a sumptuous combination of spirit and tradition, architectural wonder and natural splendor, India quickly inserts itself into your heart and mind as a place of magic and charm. India in September is a dizzying array of colors, tastes, unexpected experiences, and soulful celebrations.
Learn more: India Tours & Vacations • India travel Guide
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Temperatures: Low 48.7° F • High 73° F
Highlights: Wildlife, culture, scenery, wine, cuisine
Other recommended travel times: January • February • March • April • May • June • September
South Africa at this time of year brims with life and style. September marks the last month of the dry season across the country, giving you warmer days, cool nights, and access to fantastic wildlife viewing.
The wilderness can capture your wildest dreams with outdoor adventures or connect you to the unique history, from the Cape to the northern border. In September the landscapes feel more dramatic, the cities and national parks teeming with excitement.
Learn more: South Africa Safaris • South Africa Tours & Vacations
Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakesh, Morocco
Temperatures: Low 64° F • High 86° F
Highlights: Culture, architecture, cuisine, villages, hiking
Other recommended travel times: March • October • November
Morocco in September feels all-encompassing. With warm hospitality, dramatic mountains, expansive desert dunes, and ancient cities erupting with color, Morocco welcomes you into its exciting tapestry of history and heritage as the summer days become slightly cooler around the coastline and mountains.
Street cafes and vibrant spices, restorative hammams and hiking trails, and surprising vineyards and antique fortresses connect the opulent past with shimmering, contemporary urban design easily accessed and enjoyed in September.
Learn more: Morocco Tours & Vacations • Morocco Travel Guide
Patan Durbar Square in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
Temperatures: Low 65.3° F • High 82.6° F
Highlights: Culture, temples, cuisine, villages, hiking, wildlife
Other recommended travel times: April • October
Nepal in September is a paradise in the Himalayas. With access to golden temples, distinct villages, and impressive wildlife, September marks the end of the monsoon season, ushering in clear skies, fresh air, and breathtaking views across the plateaus to the snowcapped mountain peaks.
The trails are not yet crowded and crisscross the country as you travel between mountain highs and medieval cities, sacred grounds and jungle adventures. September in Nepal can take you on an incredible safari, a spiritual nirvana, or a cultural exploration with a dramatic backdrop.
Learn more: Nepal Tours & Vacations
Douro Valley, Portugal
Temperatures: Low 63.7° F • High 79.7° F
Highlights: Culture, scenery, cuisine, museums, historical towns
Other recommended travel times: January • May • June • July
September in Portugal is a golden time for discovery. The warm and comfortable weather opens the entire country, from the beaches to the mountains, as the grape harvest in the winegrowing regions takes hold.
With medieval castles and cobblestone lanes, a golden coastline and mouthwatering cuisine, September puts Portugal’s best foot forward. Embrace the simple delicacies at a family table, bask in the cinematic beauty of the landscape, indulge in the expressive rhythms of daily life, or wander through the preserved past for the sense of authenticity and charm September in Portugal brings.
Learn more: Portugal Tours & Vacations • Portugal Travel Guide
Palermo, Sicily
Temperatures: Low 68° F • High 82° F
Highlights: Culture, ancient ruins, cuisine, villages, hiking, beaches
Other recommended travel times: May • October
Sicily is an unforgettable spectacle in September.
As the timeless crossroad of the Mediterranean, the warm weather and thinning crowds in September make the entire island accessible, enjoyable, and inviting. The landscape can seduce you with gorgeous beaches or dramatic volcanic panoramas, while ancient ruins add foundations to the enticing culinary traditions that bridge cultures.
From ancient Greek to Byzantine grandeur, antique Rome to opulent Baroque, Sicily in September defies singular definition and celebrates its effortless diversity.
Learn more: Sicily Tours & Vacations • Top 7 Things to Do in Sicily
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Temperatures: Low 70° F • High 79° F
Highlights: Warm weather, wildlife, culture, beaches, scenery
Other recommended travel times: May
Slovenia in September is a treasure. Still relatively unknown to Americans, the European crowds lessen and the weather remains perfect for enjoying the Adriatic coastline or lounging around the alpine lakes.
As a trove of treasures that lead to mountains capped with snow, rivers glistening with turquoise, and Venetian palaces along the sliver of coastline, Slovenia embraces its reputation for rustic charm and elegant luxury.
Learn more: Slovenia Tours & Vacations
Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey
Temperatures: Low 68.7° F • High 87° F
Highlights: Warm weather, culture, cuisine, beaches, museums, ancient ruins
Other recommended travel times: February • March • June • September • October • December
Crystal clear, pleasantly warm, and historically inviting, September in Turkey can suit any traveler’s tastes. The past plays out like a drama as Byzantine opulence meets Ottoman ingenuity and Roman ruins connect to lyrical landscapes, from the Mediterranean coast to inland valleys.
The cuisine erupts with local and seasonal specialties. The crowds around the highlights dwindle, while the coming chill in the air is relegated to the future. Active adventure, scenery that leaves an impression, and a way to experience epic history demonstrate how September celebrates Turkey’s marvels.
Learn more: Turkey Tours & Vacations • Turkey Travel Guide
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Temperatures: Low 68° F • High 84° F
Highlights: Warm weather, culture, cuisine, hiking, scenery, wildlife
Other recommended travel times: January • March • May • August • October • November
Ecuador is a postcard in September.
With beaches glittering with white sand, traditional Andean villages shimmering with color, wildlife in the Amazon rainforest calling out into the dense canopy, and the volcanic islands of the Galapagos creating an intimate wilderness adventure, September is one of the driest and warmest months of the year.
From the timeless natural wonder of the Galapagos to the preserved heritage of Andean villages, Ecuador in September is a clear and warm adventure to embrace.
Learn more: Galapagos Tours & Vacations • Galapagos Travel Guide
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Temperatures: Low 55° F • High 84° F
Highlights: Warm weather, wildlife, culture, scenery
Other recommended travel times: August
Zimbabwe is a marvel in September, with elephant herds roaming across the plains during long, dry days that encourage the wildlife to search out waterholes.
The patchwork of lush mountains and flowing rivers, relaxed towns and the promise of the Big Five, inspiring archeological ruins and the thundering Victoria Falls create an immersive and exciting experience.
September marks the edge of the Southern Hemisphere winter and captures the impressive majesty of culture and wilderness across the country.
Learn more: Zimbabwe Safaris & Tours • African Safari Travel Guide
Dunluce Castle in Northern Ireland
Temperatures: Low 49° F • High 64° F
Highlights: Culture, scenery, ancient ruins, museums
Other recommended travel times: April • June • August
The UK in September embraces the breadth and beauty of land and heritage. The summer crowds have dissipated, the emerald hues shift into autumn colors, and food festivals celebrate a history of the harvest.
Encompassing Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and England, the United Kingdom in September reveals a shared culture and the distinctive flavors of local life that contribute to the overall fabric.
From the culture of London to the Gothic ambiance of Edinburgh, the lively culture of Belfast to the medieval castles of Cardiff, you can find enchantment in the UK in September.
Learn more: UK Tours & Vacations
Alhambra in Granada, Spain
September represents the beauty of fall and the charms of spring that balance the spectacles of nature and culture every traveler can enjoy.
With active wildlife on immersive African safaris, Moorish architecture glinting in the sunlight, the glistening lakes of the United Kingdom, or the snowcapped peaks of the Himalayas, September holds the wonders of travel you can discover with a tailored vacation.
For more ways to indulge in your best destination, explore Zicasso’s Guide to the Best Places to Visit by Month and plan according to your expectations.