One of the most crucial things that come into play when planning a holiday, is the weather.
Sometimes we get so caught up in where we want to go that we forget to find out what the climate is like there at that time, and when we finally arrive we get a full week of rain.
September is one of those months when the weather starts to change in many parts over the world – in some parts of Europe, it’s already autumn, while in others you can still swim in the ocean and lie on the beach.
In South Pacific, spring is on its way, and the weather is very moody – and it isn’t the ideal time to go on a Mexico holiday, since it’s hurricane season – so where is the right place to go?
Here are a few places that are absolutely perfect for this otherwise dodgy-weather-month…
Italy – Back To Normal
Out of all months of the year, September is probably the very best month to visit Italy.
The peak months are over, the days are still hot but the evenings are nice and cool, the tourist crowds are getting smaller, Italians have gone back to work and back to school, and left the beaches empty for you to enjoy in peace and quiet.
Rome is a strange city in peak summer (the residents escape if they can), and the Italian cities are much nicer when things are “back to normal” with opening hours and not just tourists on the streets.
Tuscany is especially beautiful, September also marks the beginning of the food festival season in Italy, and while it’s not the best month for bargain Italy holidays, prices do start to go down during the month.
Peru – Time to Explore
September is one of the best months to visit Peru, and since the weather is drier, this also means that there are less mosquitos, which makes it a good time to explore the Amazon basin.
It’s also a perfect month for the Inca Trail, but prepare for cold nights!
Portugal – Best of Both
We’re in Portugal at the moment, and the weather is perfect – cool mornings, warm days, and cool nights.
This type of weather is typical for September in Portugal, and aside from weather, there is one very good reason to visit northern Portugal this month: In the north, they are getting ready for harvesting the grapes, and the vineyards are at their most beautiful right now.
It’s also time for the Grape Harvest Festival, where the entire Douro valley celebrates the harvesting season.
Scotland – Beautiful Colors
You can never be guaranteed good weather in Scotland, but at least the odds are better in September. We went to Scotland last year in September, and it only rained three times in 10 days, and when it did rain it didn’t last very long.
The colors in September are stunning in the Highlands, with red, golden and rusty shades in patches over the flowing hills.
South Africa – Adventure Awaits
September brings spring to South Africa, and is one of the most beautiful months to visit, especially for adventurers and sporty people.
Not only is it a good time to climb Kilimanjaro, but it’s also the best month for “game viewing”, a good time to go diving, hiking and surfing.
But for me the main reason I would visit South Africa at this time is the whale watching. September is the peak season for whale watching, and daily sightings are practically guaranteed.
Where would you recommend going in September?
(photo credits: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5)
I wish I could go right now…
I always avoid travelling in summer and start doing it again from September on, and that’s always the best decision! The weather is bearable, prices are lower, there are not that many tourists around so you actually get to see things, you have no problem with finding a table in the restaurant or a decent place to sleep… only advantages!
I can really see why you choose to travel in September, we’ve had a great time traveling Europe this month, and the only city which has raised its prices is Munich, but only for this week due to Octoberfest.
Leaving for Peru tomorrow as I read this.
Awesome, have fun!
Napa is also a good time to be in September! Peruvian Amazon though is dicey, because of the low water season now. Animal and bird sightings are fewer, and the Mosquitos are actually pretty bad between August and February. As the water rises, the Mosquitos are not as bad.
Baja is not bad now, cabo area, and the humpbacks are bubble feeding in southeast Alaska. Hawaii is nice as is Tahiti right now. Safe travels!
Thanks for the tips, I can imagine Napa would be nice in September with all the vineyards, and it would be awesome to see humpbacks bubble feeding.
This is a great help for travellers. I’m building my site the best way I can, based on what I search and read. Then I’ll remake my other site http://visitconstancia.net
What about Greece (and especially Crete)? The weather is still lovely, the prices are below average, the sun is still shining, hospitality is on the maximum and possibilities for a lovely vacation are countless. Get a glimpse of the natural beauty of Greece even now!!
Yes, Greece is also a nice place to be in September. I loved it there in the end of May as well, before all the tourists come.
‘You can never be guaranteed good weather in Scotland’
Hahah awesome.
Out of these options, I’d go with Peru – although count me out of the Inca Trail (heights) and the Amazon (TARANTULAS).
I’d personally recommend South Korea. The weather is gorgeous and warm without the brutal humidity that last from the end of June until the end of August, and the leaves changing colour means the mountainous scenery and national parks look stunning and are perfect for hiking. Great beach weather too and not crowded at all, especially as the vast majority of Koreans are VERY strict about only going to the beach in June, July or August.
Thanks for sharing the tip about South Korea, sounds amazing with the colorful mountain scenery.
We went to scotland in December 3 times and the first two, the weather was brilliant. The last one was gale force winds for a week. Amazing scenery though. Perfect for photography if its not raining!
Scotland is really a photographers dream when the weather is good. Haven’t been there in December, but good to hear it’s nice then as well.
The places in citation are all perfect luxury destinations. If I am to pick one right now South Africa would be my first choice. There are also great destinations in Asia, but September to November are usually typhoon months in the region.
Yes they’re all great for both luxury and budget travelers, and most of them are starting to gear towards eco tourism too.
Hmmm, if I had to narrow it done to one of these places for this year … it would be Portugal which I haven’t traveled to … yet! Thanks for the advise.
Portugal is great, very diverse with lots of culture, pretty towns and beautiful nature. We’re leaving the country tomorrow, but will be back for sure. Hope you get to visit some time!
September is definitely a good month to travel. Destinations are less crowded and the accommodation is a bit cheaper.
Hanoi , Vietnam is a good choice for travelling in September as it’s autumn in Hanoi with very cool weather . Autumn is likely the most beautiful season in year in Vietnam . I would like to list some more reason you should choose Hanoi , Vietnam to be included in your trip in September:
1. Street food
Besides the motorbikes, few things define Vietnam like the food. To visit the country without hunkering down on a footstool for a bowl of “pho ga” (chicken noodle soup) is like visiting Italy and abstaining from pasta. There are plenty of restaurants aimed at tourists in Hanoi – skip them. Find a vendor on the footpath and follow three rules. Choose from the food you can see, not from a menu. Offer a fixed amount of money before asking for the price, thereby heading off the inevitable overcharge. Follow your stomach’s intuition: if in doubt (hygiene-wise), leave it out.
2.The French influence
The French colonialists left more than an infamous prison and several guillotines: they left a Vietnamese baking culture that has, over the years, permeated Australia through its immigrant communities. Numerous bakeries in the Old Quarter sell a familiar line-up of almond bread and baguettes (and the famous “Vietnamese sandwich”). For interest, compare these offerings to traditional pastries called “banh”, which are glutinous rice mixed with various savoury ingredients, wrapped in leaves and boiled in a square or moon shape.
3. Hoan Kiem Lake
The heart of the Old Quarter is Hoan Kiem Lake, which, despite its toxic green colour, offers a pleasant respite for pedestrians from the frantic game of Frogger that constitutes the rest of the traffic-heavy area. The 18th-century Ngoc Son Temple, on Jade Island, can be reached via the beautiful Huc Bridge but another lesser-known haven is Balcony Bar, overlooking the lake from its first-floor nest of fairy lights on Le Thai To Street.
4. Water Puppets
Seen in their original setting of 11th-century villages around the Red River Delta, “the puppets that dance on water” would have seemed a spectacular and magical display of human ingenuity. In the tiered theatre on the edge of Hoan Kiem Lake, the musicians and puppeteers look bored and slightly bemused by the modern addition of fog machines. A final sequence, in which a carp is transformed into a graceful dragon, makes it worth the $3 admission fee, though. thanglongwaterpuppet.org.
5. Temple of Literature
Vietnam’s first university and a monument to scholars, the Temple of Literature was built in 1076 and is featured on the back of the 100,000-dong banknote ($4.50). Though it has been reconstructed numerous times over the centuries, the Confucian mainstay preserves a classic architectural style with a citadel, courtyards and large lake. It remains one of Vietnam’s most popular historical sights.
Thanks for all your tips and advice on things to do and places to visit in Vietnam, sounds like a good month to visit.
Try South-Western Australia in September!
Springtime! And the wildflowers are stunning!
What a great idea for a post! Im in London at the moment and Septemeber is so depressing! its when it becomes dark early, cold and windy! scratch London off your to do in September list!
Great idea for a post! im in London at the moment, Septemeber is when it starts to get dark, wet and cold and the perfect time to start looking to retreat!
Great post. I’m glad you reinforced my September in Italy plans for next fall! It seems like the perfect time to eat delicious food and enjoy their architecture. Glacier National Park in Montana is also an amazing place to visit in September. As everyone mentioned, all the tourists are gone, the weather is still warm enough to enjoy hiking, and the landscape is lush from last year’s snow melt. Having visited the park in both May & July of this year, I’m sorry I had to miss it in September!