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Late-summer holidays: Best September destinations
For many of us, September often feels like a reality check, but if you're looking to escape that feeling by taking a late-summer holiday then you've definitely come to the right place!
September is a fantastic time to get away. The weather is still warm and sunny in many top destinations, there are far fewer crowds thanks to the new UK school year beginning and, even better, prices are much lower than in the peak summer months of July and August. No matter which type of trip you're after - beach getaway, city break or adventure travel - you can grab a great holiday deal in September.
Ready to start planning your September holiday? Read on for the top holiday destinations for September, including where you'll find the best weather!
The best warm-weather destinations in September
Unlike the search for sunshine in winter, you don't necessarily have to travel very far to get lovely, hot weather in September. In fact, September is the time to enjoy that last burst of summer warmth, which means that a September beach holiday is fully possible.
Splashing out on an all-inclusive beach getaway is one of the most popular choices for a summer holiday, and you can find some of the very best deals in September. Plus, it's far less busy, which means that you'll pretty much have some of the best beaches out there all to yourself!
Here are some of the best places for a warm-weather beach holiday in September.
Santorini (Greece)
🌡️ 25° C air temperature
🌊 24° C water temperature
☀️ 11 hours per day
🌧️ 2 rainy days / 11 mm
Malta
🌡️ 25° C air temperature
🌊 25° C water temperature
☀️ 10 hours per day
🌧️ 5 rainy days / 50 mm
Cape Town (South Africa)
🌡️ 20° C air temperature
🌊 16° C water temperature
☀️ 12 hours per day
🌧️ 2 rainy days / 8 mm
Dubrovnik (Croatia)
🌡️ 23° C air temperature
🌊 23° C water temperature
☀️ 12 hours per day
🌧️ 7 rainy days / 100 mm
Jamaica
🌡️ 29° C air temperature
🌊 29° C water temperature
☀️ 12 hours per day
🌧️ 14 rainy days / 110 mm
The best city break destinations in September
If you're running out of annual leave and only have a long weekend to work with, there are many city break destinations that would be ideal for that length of holiday. Plus, much of Europe is still looking its very best in September, with plenty of sunshine and warm weather to enjoy.
Whether you're travelling as a family, as a couple or as a group, you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing your September city break destination, especially as prices are much lower than other summer months.
Here are some of our top choices for a September city break.
1. Porto, Portugal
For an action-packed city break that still has a laid-back feel, a September holiday to Porto is a great choice. The second-largest city in Portugal, Porto is known for its colourful riverside buildings, gravity-defying bridges and, of course, port wine!
And it's still likely to be pretty warm in September, with an average high temperature of 24° C, meaning that you won't get too sweaty as you explore this beautiful city. In addition, the nearby Douro Valley provides an escape into some of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Portugal and is a must do, especially if you're on a romantic break with your partner.
Travel tips for Porto
While many travellers head straight to the Algarve or Lisbon for a holiday in Portugal, Porto is packed to the brim with interesting and fun things to do. A sightseeing cruise down the Douro River should be the first port of call, allowing you to get familiar with the city's sights and admire its famous bridges.
Likewise, the Ribeira neighbourhood is another popular spot, filled with cobblestone streets, cafes and shops. Whatever you end up doing, just don't miss out on the chance to catch the sunset from the Dom Luis I Bridge, designed by none other than Gustave Eiffel!
Porto weather conditions in September
🌡️ Average temperature: 14 - 24° C
☀️ Hours of daylight: 12 hours
🌧️ Rainy days: 9 days
2. Athens, Greece
Yes, it's true that temperatures can still reach 28° C in Athens in September, but that's nothing compared to the sweltering heat of July and August. With so much to see and do in the Greek capital, paying a visit in a (slightly) cooler month makes a whole lot of sense.
While there's plenty - and we mean plenty - to keep you busy in Athens itself, it's worth staying long enough so that you can pack in a few day trips too. After all, Greece is one of the most popular summer destinations, with ancient sites, islands and beaches to discover around every corner.
Travel tips for Athens
With the big crowds of summer now gone, why not take your time at Athens' most famous sites, perhaps opting for guided tours of the Acropolis, Parthenon, the Temple of Poseidon and the Theatre of Dionysus? For history fans, the National Archaeological Museum is another must-visit.
On the day trip side, you can take to the sea with a boat trip around the nearby Saronic Islands or, for more ancient marvels, hop on a bus to places like Delphi and Mycenae. If you're after some beach time, Alimos, Glyfada, Votsalakia and Voula are all top choices.
Athens weather conditions in September
🌡️ Average temperature: 19 - 28° C
☀️ Hours of daylight: 12 hours
🌧️ Rainy days: 3 days
3. Barcelona, Spain
If you've always wanted to visit, September happens to be one of the best times to be in Barcelona. The crowds looking for a Spanish holiday have started to dissipate as autumn lingers on the horizon.
Barcelona is especially ideal for a romantic trip; drink wine and hop between your favourite tapas spots as warm days fade into balmy, breezy evenings. But, no matter who you're travelling with, one thing's for sure - there's no time to be bored in Barcelona!
Travel tips for Barcelona
Barcelona is synonymous with architect Antoni Gaudi; take a tour of his most famous projects, including La Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and Casa Batllo. Or, take advantage of the spectacular weather by taking a trip out of town to hike in nearby Montseny Natural Park and sneak in a last dip in the Caldes d’Estrac thermal waters.
As an added bonus, the annual La Merce Street Festival is held in late September, filling Barcelona's streets with performance art, live music and delicious food and drink.
Barcelona weather conditions in September
🌡️ Average temperature: 18 - 26° C
☀️ Hours of daylight: 12 hours
🌧️ Rainy days: 5 days
4. Marrakesh, Morocco
In September, hot days give way to cool nights as Marrakesh leaves the almost unbearably warm weather of August behind. Spend your days stepping in and out of the sun as you explore colourful gardens and marble palaces; spend your evenings in Morocco sipping drinks under the stars at a late-night cafe.
Sounds heavenly, doesn't it? A Marrakesh city break will make you feel like you're a million miles away from home; in reality, you're just a short flight away, with a flight time of under four hours.
Travel tips for Marrakesh
When it comes to things to do in Marrakesh, some are truly unmissable. Bask in the sumptuous interiors and courtyards of Bahia Palace, drink fresh fruit juice and smell the spices at Jemaa el-Fnaa market and feel renewed after an afternoon at a traditional hammam.
If you love colour, stop by Jardin Majorelle; created by French painter Jacques Majorelle, this garden is an Instagram photo just waiting to happen. There are some great day trip options too, where you can visit the Sahara Desert and more.
Marrakesh weather conditions in September
🌡️ Average temperature: 19 - 32° C
☀️ Hours of daylight: 12 hours
🌧️ Rainy days: 3 days
5. New York, USA
If you have a little more time to play with and don't mind travelling a bit further, September is a lovely time of year to explore New York. This is especially true at the end of the month, when the city's green spaces start to take on a much more autumnal appearance.
Plus, since the city is known as one of the best places to do some retail therapy, you could always get a headstart on your Christmas shopping!
Travel tips for New York
If you're visiting New York for the very first time, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and the Museum of Modern Art should all be on your list. With its status as one of the top spots for theatre and musicals, catching a show on Broadway should be a priority too!
But New York also happens to be a great place for food; this is a city where food trends begin and you can find cafes and restaurants for just about every type of cuisine in the world. For a little bit of everything, head to food markets like Chelsea Market and Gansevoort Market.
New York weather conditions in September
🌡️ Average temperature: 16 - 24° C
☀️ Hours of daylight: 11 hours
🌧️ Rainy days: 10 days
6. Venice, Italy
As one of those destinations that's popular all year round - especially when it comes to romantic getaways - September is actually a great time to visit Venice. There'll still be people around, but not anywhere near as many as those seen in the peak summer months!
One of Italy's most beautiful destinations, Venice is filled with photogenic canals, towering domed buildings and arched bridges.
Travel tips for Venice
Much of Venice's sightseeing is concentrated around St Mark's Square, with the Doge's Palace, St Mark's Basilica and the Campanile all being worthy of a visit. Taking a cruise along Venice's Grand Canal is another must; whether this is by waterbus or gondola is up to you! Murano glass is one of the city's biggest claims to fame, and you can visit numerous glass factories to find out more.
If you're looking for a great day trip option, Verona is an hour away by train. Famous for its connection to Romeo and Juliet, this city has many other attractions, making it ideal for a busy day trip from Venice.
Venice weather conditions in September
🌡️ Average temperature: 15 - 24° C
☀️ Hours of daylight: 12 hours
🌧️ Rainy days: 9 days
Find more late-summer travel inspiration
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