The 7 Best Places to Go in September 2026

September is one of the best months to travel. Summer crowds thin out, temperatures become more bearable, and travellers can often secure great deals on accommodation, transport and more. Because some areas still experience warm temperatures, it’s a wonderful time for some late summer or early autumn sunshine, as well as city breaks and road trips. Here are 7 of the best places to visit in September.

The best destinations to visit in September around the world

1. San Francisco – California, USA

Average Temperature in September: 21℃

Closest Major International Airport: San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

By September, San Francisco often enjoys its clearest skies and most comfortable temperatures of the year. While much of California begins to cool down from the blistering summer temperatures, San Francisco experiences arguably its best weather.

Known for its summer fog, by the time September comes around, the fog lifts and San Francisco is at its very finest, with warm weather and clear skies.

Basing yourself in and around the San Francisco Bay Area means that you can experience the very best of the city and its surrounding areas in just a few days: explore iconic landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, or even take a road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most scenic roads in North America. The towering redwood trees of Muir Woods are also just north of the city, and easily accessible by car. 

With pleasant temperatures, good weather, and fewer crowds than the summer months, September is the perfect time to experience one of America’s most famous cities.

2. Bordeaux – France

Average Temperature in September: 25℃

Closest Major International Airport: Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD)

The wine harvest is at its peak in Bordeaux in September, making it one of the best months to visit France’s most famous wine region.

Vineyards burst into life as grapes are picked, while many wineries in the region open up their doors to tourists who can experience wine production at its very best, from picking grapes to sampling some of the world’s finest wines.

Bordeaux itself is a wonderful city to explore in September, with temperatures still in the mid-20s for much of the month, making it pleasant enough to walk around, but also pleasant enough to top up your tan in one of the city’s many parks.

Picturesque villages surround the city, including Saint-Émilion and Médoc, where rolling vineyards stretch for as far as the eye can see, only broken up by centuries-old buildings – a far cry from the bustling streets of Paris and Marseille.

Warm weather, wine harvest and incredible food make September in Bordeaux one of the best months of the year.

3. Madeira – Portugal

Average Temperature in September: 24℃

Closest Major International Airport: Funchal Airport (FNC)

Warm waters and long, sunshine-filled days make Madeira one of the best European places to visit in September.

Madeira is an excellent choice for those who want to make the most of the last summer sunshine, as the warm temperatures on the island – which can occasionally reach 30℃ – make beach visits, swimming and snorkelling a fantastic pastime, while much of northern Europe can feel a significant chill in the air.

In addition, Madeira is a superb destination for outdoor enthusiasts, who can take advantage of the pleasant conditions to explore many of the Portuguese island’s hiking trails. There are few better ways to experience Madeira than to take a pre-sunrise hike up one of the island’s volcanic mountains and watch the sunrise over the calm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Whether you want to sun yourself on the beaches of Madeira or watch the sun rise and set from the top of the island, a visit in September showcases the very best of the island.

4. Cape Town – South Africa

Average Temperature in September: 18℃

Closest Major International Airport: Cape Town International Airport (CPT)

As spring arrives in the Southern Hemisphere, Cape Town bursts into life. Mild temperatures, colourful streets and incredible wildlife experiences make Cape Town one of the best cities to visit in September.

One of the biggest attractions in Cape Town in September is whale watching. Huge numbers of southern right whales come to mate and give birth in the warm waters of the Western Cape, making whale watching from land entirely possible if you don’t want to board a boat.

In addition, the world-famous African penguins at Boulders Beach are also active in September, making this a fantastic place to visit when in and around Cape Town.

The vineyards of Stellenbosch are just a short drive from Cape Town, where you can sample some of Africa’s finest wines. With fewer visitors than in the summer months, Cape Town in September is one of the best months to experience this vibrant South African city.

5. Vaduz – Liechtenstein

Average Temperature in September: 17℃

Closest Major International Airport: Zürich International Airport (ZRH)

Nestled between Switzerland and Austria, the tiny country of Liechtenstein is one of the most underrated European destinations.

September brings crisp mountain air, colourful early autumn landscapes and excellent conditions for both hiking and sightseeing.

Liechtenstein is so small, in fact, that it doesn’t even have its own airport – with the nearest major international airport being Zürich Airport in neighbouring Switzerland, around 135km away.

As such, hiring a car from Zürich Airport and taking one of Europe’s most scenic drives through the stunning Swiss Alps is not just the best way to reach Vaduz, but also an incredibly scenic road trip, which can easily be incorporated into your visit. Think brilliant blue Alpine lakes, dark green pine forests and snow-capped mountain peaks to name just a few things you can see on the way.

Once in Liechtenstein – because it is so small – you can explore all different parts of the country, from medieval castles to Alpine hiking trails, while being based in Vaduz, the nation’s capital, for convenience, eateries, bars and more.

6. Bath – England

Average Temperature in September: 19℃

Closest Major International Airport: London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Thanks to its Roman history and golden architecture, Bath is stunning to visit at any time of year, but September has a special charm about it.

Fly into London Heathrow Airport – one of the most convenient international gateways – and hire a car to make the most of your trip. 

En route to Bath, you can drive through some of England’s most gorgeous scenery, even making a quick detour to explore places such as Stonehenge. Once in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city, explore the incredible Roman Baths (for which the city is named) and the elegant Royal Crescent, without the heaving summer crowds or muggy temperatures.

If you want to explore places outside of Bath, a hire car is essential to make the most of your trip, with places like Cheddar Gorge and the Cotswolds – gorgeous in autumnal colours in September – just a short drive away.

7. Jiuzhaigou Valley – China

Average Temperature in September: 19℃

Closest Major International Airport: Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU)

If you’re the type of person who brings the blankets out of storage, lights candles on an evening, and heads straight to your favourite coffee spot for their pumpkin spiced coffees as soon as September comes around, then a visit to the Jiuzhaigou Valley in China is a must.

Located in the Sichuan Province of southwestern China, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the first places in the Northern Hemisphere to experience true autumn colours.

Turquoise lakes are backed by orange, red and yellow forests, while cascading waterfalls and cloud-touching mountains complete the image. Cooler temperatures and clear skies mean that the region's hiking trails are at their very best, with exquisite views around every corner.