Are you planning a vacation in September, when most travelers will return home and prices for flights and accommodation will start to fall? This is a great time of year for a vacation, because the temperature in the resorts is very mild, the water in the sea is still warm. But where should you go to get a much-needed dose of summer sun?
I’m talking about the best places for a September vacation from my own experience.
Algarve, Portugal
Water temperature: +19°C
Air temperature: +30°C
Algarve, the southernmost and most famous region of Portugal, is known for its stunning beaches on the Atlantic coast.
September is the perfect time to visit the Algarve, as you will avoid the crowds, and the hot dry summer and enjoy the warm water. Temperatures stay high at an average of 30°C until the middle of the month, when they drop to 15 degrees, so a visit to the Algarve is best postponed until mid-to-late September.
If you are looking for a beach holiday, I recommend looking towards Albufeira, with its sandy beaches. Also – to the atmospheric Lagos with its history, great restaurants, and breathtaking views. If you want to combine culture and nature – choose the old town of Faro and the beaches around it. This could be exactly what you need, as it allows you to experience a piece of the real Portugal.
And don’t miss Praia da Falésia, a beach famous for its dramatic ochre cliffs that rise 70 meters above the sand in places. A scenic walking trail runs along the top with stunning views. The six kilometers of golden sand on the shore are ideal for sunbathing, especially in the low season from September to October, when temperatures are more pleasant and crowds are fewer.
Advise to read:
Algarve – the best beaches in Portugal
Alentejo Coast – where to find the most beautiful wild beaches in Portugal
Beaches near Lisbon – where to relax, walk and surfing
Rota Vicentina – walking route in Portugal along the coastline near the Atlantic ocean
How to get there?
- Wizz Air and Ryanair fly to Lisbon from many European cities. Then by bus or by rental car to the Algarve – the journey takes 3-4 hours.
- Ryanair – from Warsaw Modlin, Berlin, Cologne, Vienna flies to Faro.
- SdyUp and FlyOne – direct flights to Lisbon from Chisinau
Costa-Brava, Spain
Water temperature: +23°C
Air temperature: +28°C
The Catalan and region of Spain in the northeast stretches from Blanes (north of Barcelona) all the way to the French border. The Costa Brava is known for its party towns, including Lloret de Mar, where you can find both good party bars and natural parks with walking trails, picturesque fishing villages, whitewashed towns, ancient castles. And there are plenty of quiet coves where you can spread out your beach towel and be alone with the sea and nature.
The Costa Brava also includes the city of Girona with its medieval Old Town, Figueres and Cadaqués – which attract art lovers as they are the former homes of Salvador Dalí.
During days spent sunbathing and sightseeing, you will enjoy clear blue skies overhead. The first half of the month will be warmer than the second, with highs of 28°C, dropping to 20°C by the end of the month, after which the water becomes a bit cold for swimming if you are planning a holiday with children.
To read for planning journey in Spain:
Barcelona neighborhoods – where to stay for tourists
Barcelona – what to do in three days
How to get there?
- Girona Airport – Ryanair – flies from Wroclaw and Poznan, Nuremberg, Düsseldorf and Memmingen, from many cities in Great Britain and Ireland, from Paris-Beauvais, Pisa and Bari, and other cities in Europe.
- Barcelona Airport – here there is a much larger selection of airlines and not only from Europe, but also from the USA, Canada and other destinations. Low-cost airlines Ryanair, Wizzair, EasyJat also fly here.
Malta
Water temperature: +24°C
Air temperature: +28°C
Malta may be small, but it is packed with historical sites and stunning coastal scenery. The Romans, Moors, Knights of St. John, French and British have all left their mark on Malta, making it a great destination for culture lovers.
With daytime temperatures ranging from +28°C at the beginning of September to +24°C at the end of the month, September is a great time to see the sights. Whether you’re wandering the narrow streets of the capital Valletta, exploring the fishing village of Marsaxlokk with its picturesque boats bobbing on the turquoise waters, or enjoying getting lost in Malta’s ancient capital, Mdina.
Malta is also a great place for diving, and with sea temperatures still hovering around 24 degrees in September, now is the time to dive, whether it’s scuba diving to see shipwrecks and underwater sea caves, or swimming headfirst in St. Peter’s Pool.
Useful links for planning your tour to Malta:
Sandy beaches in Malta
Where is the best place to stay in Malta
Top 20 places to see in Malta
How to get there?
- Ryanair – from Bucharest, Warsaw Modlin, Wroclaw, Gdansk, Krakow, Poznan, Bratislava, Cologne
- Wizz Air – from Budapest, Warsaw Chopin, Katowice, Bucharest.
Costa-del-Sol, Spain
water temperature: +22°C
air temperature: +28°C
Andalusia’s “Coast of Sunshine” in southern Spain is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, stretching 159km from Manilva to Nerja. The resort towns include cosmopolitan Marbella, a hangout for the rich and famous; the former party capital of the country, Malaga, which has become a cultural and gastronomic hub; vibrant Torremolinos; and child-friendly Benalmádena, with its many theme parks, aquariums and other entertainment options.
But the Costa del Sol still has an authentic side if you know where to look – the town of Estepona and the White Villages (Pueblo blancos), including Ronda with its bridge and viewpoint and Setenil de las Bodegas with its incredible canyon, are great places to stay if you need to escape the over-commercialisation.
Whatever location you choose for your base, you won’t have to worry about the weather, as September remains glorious, perfect for sunbathing, swimming in the sea, and sightseeing.
Advises from own experience:
Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain – the most beautiful white village in Andalusia
The 7-day route in Andalusia – what to see in the south of Spain
Where to stay in Malaga – 5 best areas for tourists
TOP 5 places for a beach holiday on the Costa del Sol, Spain
How do you get there?
Ryanair – many low-cost flights from various cities in Poland, Romania, Hungary and Germany, as well as from the UK, fly to Malaga.
Cote D’Azur, France
Water temperature: +20°C
Air temperature: +25°C
Also known as the French Riviera, this stretch of the southeastern Mediterranean coast starts in Menton and ends in Cassis. The Cote d’Azur, a haven for the rich and famous, is best known for its glamorous beach resorts of Cannes and Saint-Tropez, as well as Nice and the independent microstate of Monaco.
It’s not all yachts, supercars and casinos, though. You’ll discover many smaller, picturesque coastal towns and historic hillside villages as you drive along cliff-top roads along the Art and Architecture Trail, perfect for those who want to enjoy the blue coast without the glitz and glamour.
September, especially the latter half, sees far fewer crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere with pleasantly warm weather. Especially compared to August (when I was there – it was unbearably hot). Temperatures reach 25°C at the start of the month and drop to 16°C by the end of September with the possibility of a few rainy days, although the sea temperature remains a pleasant 19-20°C.
You can to read:
Beach vacation on the Cote d’Azur – how we spent our holidays in the South of France
How to get thre?
- Nice Airport has several direct daily flights from Paris, as well as other destinations in France and Europe. Budget carrier EasyJet operates many of these routes, so one-way tickets are often quite cheap. I flew to Nice on Ryanair from Krakow, so check out the low-cost carrier’s flights from the cities closest to you.
- Alternatively, you can also fly into the much larger city of Marseille, which has many daily connections to Paris and the rest of the world.
Lycian Coast, Turkey
Water temperature: +25°C
Air temperature: +27-30°C
This area of extraordinary beauty in southwest Turkey. Lician Coast is home to ancient cities and stunning sandy beaches with dazzling turquoise waters and serene forested mountains behind. Stretching 500km from Fethiye to Kemer in the east, it has a number of leading tourist resorts, with something for every traveler.
For those looking for an all-inclusive holiday, the beaches of Kemer are the place to go. But if you’re looking to mix sunbathing with water sports, head to Oludeniz, with its famous Blue Lagoon and water taxis that can take you to various coves – such as the secluded Butterfly Bay if you’re tired of the crowded beach. September sees temperatures reaching 30°C every day and the weather remains glorious throughout the month, with no chance of rain.
I advise you to read:
Butterfly Valley – a lost beach in Oludeniz
Kabak Beach – a wild vacation near the tourist Oludeniz
Lycian coast – big guide to unusual Turkey
How to get there?
Regular flights by Turkish Airlines and Pegasus to Dalaman with a stopover in Istanbul.
Makarska Riviera, Croatia
Water temperature: +21°C
Air temperature: +22-25°C
The Adriatic Sea is considered not very warm for the velvet season, especially in Croatia. Warm water lasts until the end of September in the southern part of the country. But, as in other countries, in September Croatia comes a lull. There are much fewer tourists, housing prices fall by 30% and you can relax here in a calm mood. The September climate is less humid, and September prices are more humane. For example, we rented these nice apartments in Baska Voda with parking and a balcony for 75 Euros per day.
I advise you to look towards the Makarska Riviera. These are the best beaches in Croatia, where the sea water is still warm in September. We rested in Baska Voda in the middle of September. It is very warm and beautiful, there are few people, pleasant prices for apartments. The neighboring village of Brela also has beautiful beaches. But from here it is a little more difficult to go on excursions by public transport. But if you rent a car at the airport of Split or Zadar, where most flights arrive, traveling around Croatia will not be a problem.
Dubrovnik is the southernmost city in Croatia, where you can go on vacation until the beginning of October. There are much fewer people here at this time, it is also cheaper than in summer and there are several beautiful beaches near the city. You can really enjoy Dubrovnik only in autumn – in summer it is both hot and expensive.
I advise you to read:
Review of a vacation in Croatia – Baska Voda on the Makarska Riviera
12 most beautiful beaches in Croatia
Omis, Croatia – a pirate town with sandy beaches
Apartments and hotels in Baska Voda, Croatia – where to stay on vacation
Rogoznica, Croatia – a paradise near the Dragon’s Eye
How to get there?
- Ryanair flies to Zadar from Krakow, Vienna, Prague.
- Ryanair flies to Dubrovnik from Vienna.
- Wizz Air flies to Split from many cities in Poland, Vienna.
- Wizz Air also flies to Dubrovnik from Vienna, Warsaw and Wroclaw.
Budva Riviera, Bay of Kotor, Montenegro
Water temperature: +22C
Air temperature: +22-25°C
Montenegrins believe that their seasons have moved forward by 15 days compared to other European countries. And indeed – until September 15, real summer still reigns there. And autumn comes closer to October. We went there on vacation in September. Clear sea, delicious wines and seafood cuisine, few tourists – this is the perfect combination for those who do not like crowds.
The beaches of the Budva Riviera – for every taste and budget. Small towns or Budva with many hotels, a market and supermarkets – choose what you like. In the Bay of Kotor, the water has warmed up over the summer and in the wonderful towns of Perast and Herceg Novi there is a pleasant sunny silence. For those who are looking for a more budget vacation and want to be sure that the water will be warm in October – you should look towards the south of Montenegro. These are Ulcinj and Bar, where it will be warm in September too.
Of course, during your vacation, you should not only lie on the beach, but also alternate lazy days with trips to ancient monasteries, fortresses, and national parks with high-mountain lakes – Crne ezero in Durmitor Park and Biograd Lake.
I advise you to read:
Where is the best place to rest in Montenegro
Boka Kotor Bay – vacation on the Montenegrin fjord
How to get there?
- Ryanair – from Wroclaw, Gdansk, Krakow, Berlin – flies to Podgorica.
- Wizz Air – from Katowice, Warsaw (Chopin), Budapest, Vienna – flies to Podgorica.
Calabria, Italy
Water temperature: +25C
Air temperature: +25-28°C
This region of Italy, located at the very toe of the boot – Calabria, which rests on the Strait of Messina, which separates mainland Italy and Sicily, is washed by the Tyrrhenian Sea. This is one of the places where Italians go on vacation, and there are much fewer tourists here than locals, who end their vacation at the end of August and go home. It is in September that the best time to relax in Calabria begins. The sea is warmer, the beaches are half-empty, housing prices are lower and there are no problems with the weather.
The best places for a beach holiday are Tropea – wonderful beaches and a cliff with an old town on it. Another wonderful resort is Reggio Calabria, where you can fly by plane and enjoy life in a big city with beaches and views of Sicily. Small beaches and lagoons of Capo Vaticano – incredible nature and untouched shores await those who do not like to lie in slender rows of sun loungers.
September is still the height of summer in Calabria, but there are far fewer tourists than in July and August. Prices are also lower in September. The average temperature is 24°C, with sunny weather and some hot days.
How to get there?
- Lamezia Terme Airport – Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, ITA airways fly here. Most of them are seasonal flights from major Italian cities – Milan, Pisa, Bologna, and European countries. It is very convenient that Ryanair flights fly to Lamezia from Poland (Krakow), Germany (Frankfurt Hahn, Memmingen, Nuremberg), Austria (Vienna). You can also look for cheap tickets with transfers in major Italian air hubs – Milan, Pisa, Bologna, Venice.
- Reggio Calabria Airport – has only regional flights of ITA Airways – from Rome and Milan.
Advise you to read:
Tropea – complete guide about the rest on the best beaches of Calabria, Italy
Beaches of Tropea – cheap vacation in Italy
Useful links for organizing your trip:
Car rental – cheap car through Rentalcars
Hotels and apartments – I traditionally book on Booking.com
Train tickets – Trainline
