Why September holidays are just just better

Travel has been my biggest obsession since I was 18, when a backpacking trip around Thailand showed me just how much of the world existed beyond the small English town where I grew up.

That first trip led to more than 50 countries and counting, a career writing about travel and a home in Amsterdam. Along the way, one opinion has only become stronger: September is almost always my favourite month to travel in Europe.

These aren’t places I found on Google. I’ve travelled to all of them and, in several cases, returned more than once. If you’re looking for the best holiday destinations in September, these are the five destinations I’d recommend.

Why is September one of the best months to travel in Europe?

The Mediterranean is still beautifully warm, but the intense heat of August has usually eased. You can still swim, eat outside and spend long days by the sea, then wander through a market or climb to a viewpoint without feeling like you’ve made a terrible decision. If someone asked me when to book a European summer holiday, I’d say September without hesitation.

There are plenty of practical benefits, too. Flights and accommodation can be cheaper, making these some of the cheapest holidays in September you’ll find, restaurants are easier to book, beaches are a little less crowded and the Mediterranean is often actually at its warmest after months of summer sun.

September doesn’t magically make places like Capri or Ibiza quiet or cheap, but it does make them easier to enjoy. For me, that’s the sweet spot when it comes to summer travel. I don’t want deserted streets; I just want a little more space to enjoy them.

South of France in September

What makes Nice and the South of France so good in September?

Nice is my idea of perfect September holidays. It has everything I want from a late-summer holiday: warm weather, the sea, brilliant food and enough going on that you never run out of things to do.

I’ve always loved this stretch of coastline. Maybe it’s the faded glamour, the markets spilling into old squares or the fact you can swim in the ocean before breakfast and be wandering through a hilltop village by lunchtime. Whatever it is, I keep going back.

What I love most is that Nice still feels like a real place, not somewhere that exists purely for tourists. Spend the morning wandering through the Old Town, browsing Cours Saleya market or climbing to Castle Hill, then jump on a train to explore the rest of the Riviera.

Where can you visit from Nice by train?

The railway towards Italy is one of my favourite journeys anywhere in Europe. From Nice, I’d happily spend a week taking little day trips to Villefranche-sur-Mer, Èze, Antibes, Monaco and Sanremo.

That’s one of the things I love most about travelling around mainland Europe, and why French holidays in September are so special. You can have breakfast in France, an afternoon coffee in Monaco and dinner in Italy, and somehow it feels completely normal.

Amalfi Coast in September

Why visit the Amalfi Coast and Capri in September?

Nothing says late European summer quite like the Amalfi Coast. Lemons hanging from the trees. Boats bobbing in impossibly blue water. Winding roads clinging to the cliffs. Long lunches that somehow become dinner. Gelato every afternoon because, well… you’re in Italy.

July and August on the Italian Riviera can be hectic, with packed ferries, busy roads and restaurants that need booking weeks in advance. September doesn’t change that completely, but it does make the coastline feel a little more accessible.

I’ve been a few times now, and I honestly think the Amalfi Coast gets better with every visit. You stop trying to see everything and start appreciating where you are instead.

Is Capri worth visiting in September?

Absolutely – September is one of the best times to visit Italy. Capri is still glamorous, still expensive and still wonderfully over the top, but September makes it feel just that little bit more manageable.

One place I always recommend as a special holiday treat is Da Paolino. If you’ve ever seen photos of people eating beneath lemon trees in Capri, there’s a good chance they were taken here. Yes, it’s expensive, but I’d still book it every time. Sitting there on a warm evening, surrounded by hundreds of lemon trees with a bowl of homemade pasta in front of you, feels about as Capri as it gets.

That’s what keeps drawing me back to this part of Italy. One day you’re wandering through Positano or Amalfi, the next you’re exploring Pompeii or catching a train into a beautiful coastal village. You can spend the morning swimming in the Mediterranean and the afternoon walking through 2,000 years of history.

Greek Islands in September

Why does Corfu make a great September holiday?

Corfu is one of my favourite September greek holidays destination. Sitting in the north-west of Greece, it stays beautifully warm well into the month, but feels completely different from the French or Italian Riviera. It’s a little scruffier. A little slower… And, truly, I mean that as a compliment.

Some of my favourite days were spent driving with no real plan, pulling over whenever we spotted a beach, an olive grove or a tiny taverna. Corfu is a place that rewards curiosity.

The people were another highlight. Corfiots are incredibly warm and welcoming, and their passion for food is palpable. I still think Greek salads taste better here than anywhere else. Huge tomatoes, salty feta and enough olives to make you wonder why they never taste quite the same at home.

Does it rain in Corfu in September?

It can rain in Corfu in September, but don’t let that put you off. Corfu is greener than many Greek islands because it gets more rain, but a September shower is a good excuse to head inland.

I loved visiting Achilleion Palace, built as a retreat for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, better known as Sisi. I’d also recommend Mavroudis Olive Farm, where you can learn about Corfu’s centuries-old olive-growing traditions and taste some fantastic olive oil.

For me, that’s Corfu. Relaxed, welcoming and beautiful. It’s never trying to impress you, which is probably why it does.

Travelling to Turkey in September

Why is Kalkan a great place to visit in September?

Kalkan was the biggest surprise on this list. Before I visited, I’d hardly heard anyone mention it. Now it’s somewhere I recommend all the time and a big reason why Turkish holidays in September deserve far more attention than they get.

This stretch of southern Turkey is called the Turquoise Coast for a reason. The sea really is that colour. One day it’s deep blue, the next it’s almost impossibly turquoise.

Kalkan itself is small enough to explore on foot. Mornings are quiet around the harbour before the boats head out, and by evening everyone seems to drift up to the rooftop restaurants as the sun begins to set. September is still beautifully warm, so you can make the most of being outside from morning until night.

What are the best things to do in Kalkan?

If you do one thing, spend a day on the water. Boats leave the harbour every morning, stopping in secluded bays where you can swim straight into the sea. It’s one of those days that passes without ever feeling rushed.

More than anything, though, I remember the Turkish hospitality; famous for a reason. Everywhere we went, people were warm, welcoming and happy to help. It never felt like customer service, it just felt like kindness.

Ibiza in September

Why visit Ibiza in September?

Ibiza might be one of the most misunderstood islands in Europe. Most people think of DJs, superclubs and all-night parties. That side of the island absolutely exists, but it’s only one version of Ibiza.

The version I keep going back for is much quieter. Bustling hippy markets, more paella than you can dream of, swims in clear water and evenings spent watching the light change over the Med. September is when the island really starts to breathe again. The sea is still wonderfully warm, but the roads, beaches and restaurants feel noticeably calmer than they do in August. If you’re weighing up Spanish holidays in September, Ibiza is one of the most underrated choices you can make.

My biggest tip? Stay in the north or east of the island, or somewhere inland. It feels like a completely different place.

What can you do in Ibiza besides partying?

One of my favourite things to do is simply drive. Follow the winding roads, stop whenever something catches your eye and don’t worry too much about having a plan. Some of my favourite September beach holidays moments came from beaches and restaurants are the ones I found completely by accident.

That’s something that really appeals to me about Ibiza, and all of the Balearic Islands, really. It gives you permission to slow down. If your perfect evening involves good food, a bottle of wine and a view of the sea rather than a dancefloor, you’ll quickly understand why so many people keep coming back.

How do you choose the right September destination?

The best September destination really depends on the kind of holiday you’re after.

• Choose Nice if you’re looking for one of the best city breaks in September with beach days thrown in. It’s perfect if you like wandering through markets in the morning, swimming in the afternoon and hopping on a train to explore the Riviera.
• Choose the Amalfi Coast if your ideal holiday revolves around incredible food, dramatic scenery and classic Italian glamour. It’s also a great choice if you enjoy mixing September beach holidays with sightseeing.
• Choose Corfu if you’re after a slower pace and better value. It’s ideal for hiring a car, discovering quiet beaches and spending a week without feeling the need to rush anywhere. One of the good places to holiday in September for those who prefer a relaxed place.
• Choose Kalkan if warm destinations in September are your priority. September is one of the best times to swim along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, and the genuine hospitality makes it somewhere you’ll want to return to.
• Choose Ibiza if you’d like all the beauty of the Mediterranean without feeling surrounded by the peak summer crowds. Stay away from the party hotspots and you’ll discover a completely different side of the island.

I’m still a big fan of creating a Photobox photo book after every trip. It’s a much nicer way to revisit a holiday than endlessly scrolling through thousands of photos on your phone.

The good old days are happening now

The older I get, the less interested I am in ticking places off a list. Maybe that’s why September has become my favourite time to travel in Europe. Everything slows down just enough that you notice more. You swim for longer. You linger over dinner. You end up talking to people you might never have met in the middle of August. The holiday feels less like a race and more like real life, just sunnier and somewhere else.

I hope somewhere on this list inspires your next trip. And wherever you end up, I hope you come back with the kind of memories that make you want to return.

Turn your September travels into a personalised Photobox photo book

Frequently asked questions about September holidays

Where is it still hot in Europe in September?

Southern France, southern Italy, the Greek islands, Ibiza and Turkey’s Mediterranean coast are all usually the warmest destinations in September. These hot countries in September stay warm, well into the month, but it’s always worth checking the local forecast before you travel.

Is September travel cheaper than August?

Usually. Once the school holidays end, flights and accommodation often become more affordable, although popular destinations can still book up quickly. It’s one reason so many people look for the cheapest holidays in September.

Is the Mediterranean warm enough in September for swimming?

Yes! After warming throughout July and August, the Mediterranean Sea is often at its warmest in September, ideal for September beach holidays.

Which destination is best for a short break in September?

I’d recommend Nice. The airport, beach, Old Town and railway are all close together, making it one of the best city breaks in September and easy to pack a lot into a few days.

What should you pack for a September holiday?

Summer clothes, swimwear, comfortable walking shoes and a light jumper for the evenings. I’d also throw in a lightweight waterproof, just in case.

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