Holidays

September holidays

The best September holidays:
same sun, fewer crowds, lower prices

Where to go on holiday in September

As peak season winds down, prices fall and the crowds clear out, but the sun stays. September is genuinely one of the best months to travel. You get the same destinations, still warm weather, and a noticeably more relaxed experience all round. Beaches have space again. Restaurants take walk-ins. Popular attractions don't require an hour in a queue.

Autumn doesn't properly arrive until late in the month, and even then only in the north. The Mediterranean stays warm well into October, which means a September trip still feels like a proper holiday, just without the chaos that comes with previous months.

Why travel in September?

Prices are the obvious one. As families head home and schools reopen, demand drops and so do flight and hotel costs. But the benefits go beyond the budget. Cities are easier to navigate, beaches feel spacious, and you get a more genuine sense of a place when it isn't running at full tourist capacity.

The weather holds up well too. Especially Southern Europe stays warm and sunny through September. Sea temperatures peak in late summer, so the water is actually at its best right now. September often has it all, just at a fraction of the August price.

Best destinations for a September holiday

City escapes

With temperatures still warm but the summer intensity gone, September is one of the best months for a city break. Fewer tourists means more room to breathe, shorter queues at the big sights, and a more authentic feel to the streets.

Milan

Milan

Fashion, design, and one of the great cathedrals in Europe. The Duomo is unmissable, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is worth an afternoon, and the Brera Art Gallery holds its own against anywhere on the continent. September evenings are made for outdoor dining and long aperitivo sessions.

Brussels

Brussels

Grand architecture, world-class chocolate, and excellent beer. The Grand Place is one of Europe's finest squares, the Atomium is genuinely worth seeing, and the arts scene keeps pace with much larger capitals. Soft September temperatures make it pleasant to explore by foot.

Vienna

Vienna

Imperial, elegant, and full of things to do. Schönbrunn Palace, classical concerts, coffee houses, and pastries that justify the trip on their own. September sits right in between summer warmth and the first hints of a cooler season, which suits the city perfectly.

Culture hubs

History, art, and genuine local atmosphere are easier to enjoy when the tourist numbers have settled. These cities reward the extra time September gives you.

Madrid

Madrid

Sightseeing heaven, museums that rank among the best in the world, a food culture that takes itself seriously, and endless shopping. The Prado and the Reina Sofia alone could fill a couple of days. September temperatures are warm, but locals return and the city comes back alive.

Istanbul

Istanbul

Two continents, one city. Historic mosques, covered bazaars, Ottoman palaces, and a Bosphorus cruise that puts the whole place in context. September is a great time to visit, warm enough to enjoy every corner of it without the peak summer heat slowing you down.

Rome

Rome

The Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Vatican City, and pizza al taglio eaten standing up on a cobbled street. August heat can make Rome hard work. September takes the edge off, and the queues shorten noticeably too. Book major sites in advance and you'll be in good shape.

European charms

Beautiful cities with rich histories and a pace that suits the post-summer mood perfectly.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam

The canal houses, the cycling, the museums. The Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank House are both essential visits. September keeps the city lively without the summer peak, and the softer light makes it a particularly good time for exploring on foot.

Turin

Turin

Underrated and worth the trip. Elegant arcaded streets, a world-class Egyptian Museum, and a food culture rooted in Piedmont that rivals anywhere in Italy. Comfortable September temperatures make it a city best enjoyed slowly, which is the right way to see it.

Prague

Prague

Medieval architecture, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and an Old Town Square that still manages to impress. September brings noticeably fewer visitors than the height of summer, and the weather stays pleasant well into the month.

Southern delights

Still chasing sun and warm water? These destinations have both, well into September, with the added bonus of calmer conditions than peak season.

Marrakech

Marrakech

The souks, the Djemaa el-Fna square, the gardens, the riads. September brings more manageable temperatures than the height of summer, which makes exploring the medina far more enjoyable. A city that rewards slow, curious wandering.

Valencia

Valencia

Historic and futuristic at the same time. The City of Arts and Sciences sits alongside a genuine old town, urban beaches are within reach, and the paella here is the real thing. September is warm, unhurried, and a genuinely great time to visit.

Lamezia Terme

Lamezia Terme

A gateway to the Calabrian coast in southern Italy, with thermal baths, ancient ruins nearby, and some beautiful stretches of beach. The sea stays warm through September, and with the August crowds gone, it makes for a relaxed and rewarding Italian escape.

European discoveries

Cities with personality, depth, and plenty to keep you busy whether you're there for a long weekend or a full week.

Budapest

Budapest

Thermal baths, grand architecture, ruin bars, and the Danube running through the middle of it all. Buda Castle on one side, the Chain Bridge connecting you to Pest on the other. September is a comfortable and affordable time to explore it all.

Lyon

Lyon

France's gastronomic capital, and it earns the title. Roman ruins, Renaissance architecture in Vieux Lyon, and a restaurant scene that consistently punches above the city's profile. September is relaxed and mild, ideal for eating your way through the place properly.

Barcelona

Barcelona

Gaudí's Sagrada Família and Park Güell are as extraordinary in person as they look in photographs. Add Barceloneta beach, the Gothic Quarter, and the energy of La Rambla, and you have a city that delivers on every level. September keeps things warm and sunny, with more room to enjoy it than August allows.

Tips for finding securing the best deals

Lowest prices come first, even in September. Lock flights and accommodation in ahead of time gets you more value for money.

Fly mid-week or stay flexible with dates to open up noticeably cheaper options. Keeping your destinations open helps as well.

Combine flights with hotels in a single booking to save money instead of booking them separately. It is one of the most reliable ways to cut costs.

Track routes and products you are interested in and act when the price is spot on without last-minute pressure.

Minimalism pays off. No carry-on bags means no checked baggage fees with lowcost airlines. On a shorter trip, it is an easy way to save up money.

Productivity Tips

Travel better with eDreams

Planning a holiday should feel exciting, not like admin. eDreams is built to make the whole process straightforward, from first search to hotel arrival.

All-in-one booking platform

Flights, hotels, car rentals, and package deals, all in one place, all in one search. No switching between tabs.

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Discounts with Prime

Our membership programme gives you access to lower prices on flights, hotels, and car hire that are not available elsewhere. The more you travel, the more it pays back.

24/7 customer support

Our support team is available around the clock before, during, and after your trip, whenever you need them.

Flexible booking options

Many hotels offer free cancellation, and a range of flight tickets allow changes if your plans shift. Book with confidence.

Ready to book your September getaway?

Good-value sun holidays do not last forever, and September moves quickly. Start exploring our deals today and find the trip that suits you, whether that is a late-summer beach escape, a culture-packed city break, or a bit of both. Your next adventure is a few clicks away.

FAQs

Booking a few months in advance gives you the best combination of price and availability. If you are flexible on destination, last-minute deals can occasionally appear as dates get closer, but the best options tend to go early.

Yes. With peak summer demand easing off, prices for flights and accommodation typically drop in September. You get reliable warm weather, fewer crowds, and better value, all at once.

Southern Spain, Greece, Turkey, southern Italy, and the Canary Islands all stay warm and sunny well into September. Sea temperatures are at their peak, making it a genuinely great time for a beach holiday.

Lower prices than July and August, shorter queues at popular attractions, warm and sunny weather across southern Europe, and a more relaxed atmosphere generally. It is a strong month for beach holidays and city breaks alike.

Yes. Resorts across Spain, Greece, Turkey, and Italy often offer strong deals for families travelling outside the peak summer period. Package holidays combining flights and hotels tend to offer the best overall value.

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