Where to travel in September? Our favourite destinations for late-summer

September has always felt like one of Europe’s best-kept travel secrets.

The school holiday crowds begin to disperse, temperatures soften, and many of the Mediterranean’s most sought-after destinations settle into a gentler rhythm. The sea has spent all summer warming in the sunshine, restaurants are easier to book, and there’s a welcome feeling that you’ve arrived just as everyone else is heading home.

If you’re wondering where to travel in September, this is the month we often recommend to our clients. Whether you’re looking for a romantic escape, a luxury family holiday or simply one last dose of summer before autumn arrives, these are the destinations that truly come into their own at this time of year.

Why September is one of the best times to travel

There are plenty of reasons why September is one of our favourite months to travel.

Across southern Europe, daytime temperatures remain wonderfully warm without the intensity of midsummer, making it far more comfortable for sightseeing, long lunches and exploring historic towns. The Mediterranean Sea is often at its warmest after months of summer sunshine, beach clubs and waterfront restaurants are still buzzing, and many luxury hotels begin to feel noticeably more relaxed.

For families with pre-school children, couples or anyone with the flexibility to travel outside peak season, September offers many of the same experiences as August, but with fewer crowds and a slower pace.

Here are some of our favourite destinations for September holidays.

Mallorca, Spain

If you’ve only ever visited Mallorca in the height of summer, September reveals an entirely different side of the island.

The beaches are still glorious, with the Mediterranean at its warmest, but the atmosphere is noticeably calmer. Palma’s elegant streets become easier to wander, hidden coves are less crowded, and mountain villages such as Deià, Valldemossa and Sóller settle back into their gentler rhythm.

It’s also one of our favourite months for combining coast and countryside. Spend a morning browsing local markets before heading into the Serra de Tramuntana for lunch overlooking olive groves, or simply while away another afternoon beside the sea.

For luxury stays, we love Cap Rocat, Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor and Son Bunyola Hotel, each offering a completely different way to experience the island. If you’re travelling with family or friends, September is also a fantastic time to stay in one of Mallorca’s beautiful private villas or traditional fincas. With more availability after the summer holidays and plenty of warm weather still to enjoy, they offer the space, privacy and flexibility that’s hard to find elsewhere – whether you’re planning a multi-generational gathering, celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying long, leisurely days together by your own pool.

Seville, Spain

Seville has become one of Europe’s most exciting luxury city breaks, and with the much-anticipated arrival of Four Seasons Sevilla on the horizon, it’s a city that’s only growing in appeal.

September is the perfect time to experience it. The intense heat of midsummer begins to ease, locals reclaim the streets, and the city’s beautiful plazas, rooftop terraces and hidden courtyards come alive once again. Spend your mornings exploring the intricate rooms of the Real Alcázar, lose yourself amongst the winding lanes of Santa Cruz, then settle into a shaded tapas bar before an evening of flamenco that stretches long after sunset.

For now, Hotel Alfonso XIII remains Seville’s grande dame, while Corral del Rey offers a more intimate boutique stay in the heart of the old town. We’re also incredibly excited to see Four Seasons Sevilla breathe new life into one of Spain’s most captivating cities, further cementing Seville as one of the country’s most desirable luxury destinations.

Crete, Greece

If someone asked us where to travel in September for the perfect balance of sunshine, culture and coastline, Crete would be near the top of the list.

The island still enjoys long, warm days, while the cooling breeze makes exploring Venetian harbours, mountain villages and archaeological sites far more comfortable than during peak summer.

Whether you’re based around Chania, Elounda or Agios Nikolaos, September is ideal for combining beach days with boat trips, vineyard visits and leisurely evenings by the waterfront.

Our favourite luxury resorts include Daios Cove, Domes of Elounda and Blue Palace, each offering exceptional hospitality with spectacular sea views.

Bodrum, Turkey

Nestled on Turkey’s spectacular Turkish Riviera, where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean, Bodrum has become one of Europe’s most sought-after luxury beach destinations. Once a laid-back fishing town, it’s now known for its chic beach clubs, world-class hotels, stylish restaurants and glamorous marina, where elegant yachts arrive from across the Mediterranean throughout the summer.

September is arguably when Bodrum is at its very best. The sea remains wonderfully warm, the lively summer atmosphere lingers, but the busiest crowds begin to fade, making it easier to enjoy everything the peninsula has to offer.

Spend your days hopping between secluded bays, browsing designer boutiques in Yalıkavak Marina, discovering whitewashed villages dotted along the coastline, or lingering over long seafood lunches overlooking the water before returning to one of the region’s exceptional hotels.

We particularly love Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum, Maxx Royal Bodrum Resort and the effortlessly stylish Maçakızı, each offering a different take on luxury along this beautiful stretch of coast.

Lisbon & Comporta, Portugal

If you’re wondering where to travel in September for the perfect blend of city and coast, we’d wholeheartedly recommend combining Lisbon and Comporta in one trip.

Begin with a few days in Portugal’s effortlessly cool capital, where September brings warm, sunny days that are ideal for wandering the cobbled streets of Alfama, hopping aboard its iconic yellow trams, discovering independent boutiques in Príncipe Real and lingering over dinner on one of the city’s many rooftop terraces. Without the intensity of midsummer heat, it’s one of the most enjoyable times of year to experience Lisbon.

Then, just over an hour’s drive south, the pace changes completely. Comporta feels wonderfully wild and understated, where rice paddies give way to dune-backed Atlantic beaches, pine forests and chic beach restaurants. It’s long been a favourite escape for designers, artists and those in the know, yet it has managed to retain its laid-back charm. Days are spent cycling between villages, strolling almost-empty beaches or settling in for leisurely seafood lunches before returning to your hotel as the sun begins to dip.

For the ultimate September escape, pair Lisbon’s vibrant energy with a few restorative days in Comporta. Stay at Sublime Comporta or Quinta da Comporta, both of which perfectly capture the region’s barefoot luxury, before returning home feeling as though you’ve enjoyed two completely different holidays in one.

Provence, France

September is one of our favourite times to experience Provence. The intense heat of high summer begins to soften, vineyards come alive with the annual vendange (grape harvest), and villages return to their familiar rhythm as market squares fill with locals once again.

This is a wonderful time to explore beyond the well-known hilltop villages of Gordes, Bonnieux and Roussillon, lingering over long lunches beneath the plane trees, browsing weekly markets piled high with late-summer produce, or visiting local wineries as the harvest gets underway. The golden light that has inspired artists for generations is at its most beautiful, making even a simple drive through the Luberon feel unforgettable.

Whether you’re staying in a beautifully restored bastide surrounded by olive groves or a luxury hotel tucked away amongst the vineyards, Provence feels wonderfully authentic in September. We particularly love Coquillade Provence, Airelles Gordes, La Bastide and Crillon le Brave, each offering a different perspective on one of France’s most enchanting regions.

For those seeking warm weather, exceptional food and wine, and a slower pace of life, Provence is one of the most rewarding places to travel in September.

Planning a September Escape?

September has a wonderful way of making even the most familiar destinations feel new again. The crowds have thinned, the sea is at its warmest, and there’s a little more space to enjoy everything that makes these places so special.

Whether you’re dreaming of a long weekend in Seville, a twin-centre escape through Lisbon and Comporta, a family holiday in Crete or a week of barefoot luxury on the Turkish Riviera, we’d love to help you plan it.

Our travel specialists know these destinations inside out and can recommend the hotels, villas and itineraries that best suit your style of travel. Get in touch to start planning your September escape, and let us create a holiday that’s tailored entirely to you.