The 7 Finest Locations to Journey in September 2025

Questioning the place to go to your September getaway? Enter our month-to-month vacation spot information.

With vacationers packing up their swimsuits and sunhats within the Med, US nationwide parks quietening down after the summer season rush and the arrival of spring respiration new life into the southern hemisphere, September is a superb month to go to many corners of the globe.

From mountain climbing by means of the USA’s Wild West to squeezing the final drops of summer season on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, listed below are seven locations to contemplate this September.

1. The Galapagos Islands

• Why go: See penguin courting rituals, sea lion pups and migrating marine life
• Season: Cool and dry
• Temperature: 27°C (80°F) excessive, 19°C (66°F) low

June to September is taken into account the low season in the Galapagos, however it’s finest to take this with a (giant) pinch of salt. Why? As a result of the Galapagos doesn’t actually have an ‘off’ season. Sure, it’s barely windier and the ocean is a tad cooler at 22°C (72°F), however decrease humidity makes it simpler to hike by means of the luxurious highlands and search for terrestrial wildlife, and underwater motion is at its prime.

The arrival of the Humbolt Present brings wealthy vitamins and a slew of hungry marine life to the Galapagos, together with fur seals, reef sharks, dolphins and whales. And don’t overlook to look out for lovable sea lion pups while you come up for air.

Over on Isla Bartolome, penguins start trying to find a mate, offering a uncommon alternative to look at their spectacular courtship rituals. You might also see the archipelago’s most well-known birds, the blue and red-footed boobies, throughout their nesting season.

2. Iceland

• Why go: Darker skies provide an opportunity to see the Northern Lights
• Season: Autumn
• Temperature: 11°C (52°F) excessive, 6°C (43°F) low

Nicknamed the ‘Land of Fireplace and Ice’, Iceland is chock stuffed with intriguing pure landmarks from gurgling geysers to energetic volcanoes. September marks the beginning of autumn, and whereas this normally brings extra rain and cooler temps, we predict the moody skies make the surroundings much more dramatic. However maybe the most important motive to go to is the Northern Lights that are seen once more because of darkish evening skies. When you’re by no means assured to see them, low cloud cowl in September boosts your possibilities.

As a shoulder month, there’s additionally a sizeable drop in vacationer numbers. See and listen to the ability of the Gullfoss (Golden) double waterfall on the Hvita River, march throughout the mottled ice cap of Vatnajokull, and soak within the milky-blue waters of the well-known Blue Lagoon – all with out the height season crowds.

3. Western USA

• Why go: Hit the paths in less-crowded nationwide parks
• Season: Autumn
• Temperature: 33°C (91°F) excessive, 11°C (54°F) low

Western USA isn’t wanting a nationwide park or two – Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree, to call a number of. Summer time crowds skinny out by September, however the days are nonetheless lengthy, making it a wonderful month to go mountain climbing at your personal tempo. Cooler daytime temperatures are additionally safer for tackling extra strenuous trails that are too harmful throughout the peak summer season warmth. Oh, and did we point out the beautiful autumn colors that arrive on the finish of the month?

Really feel spellbound as you stroll the rim of the Grand Canyon, weave by means of towering sandstone buttes in Monument Valley with a Navajo information, or stroll beneath Yosemite’s big granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls and historical redwood bushes.

4. South Africa

• Why go: See whales off the coast and go on safari
• Season: Spring
• Temperature: 25°C (77°F) excessive, 10°C (50°F) low

House to golden seashores, wine areas and nationwide parks teeming with wildlife, there’s no denying that South Africa is a year-round vacation spot. Nonetheless, the primary motive for visiting in September is the Hermanus Whale Pageant, which celebrates the return of southern proper whales. The cliffs of Hermanus and the encircling Cape Whale Coast are additionally blanketed in spring blooms, offering a dreamy backdrop to look at them breaching near the shore.

After your cellphone is crammed with whale snaps, journey alongside the Backyard Path to trek the Lesotho Highlands and monitor down the four-legged residents of Addo Elephant Nationwide Park. Or, go additional on an overland journey by means of Botswana and Zimbabwe the place you’ll scout for rhinos on foot, be taught in regards to the historical tradition of the Venda folks at a homestay and go bushwalking with the world’s first all-female anti-poaching unit.

5. Amalfi Coast, Italy

• Why go: Take pleasure in la dolce vita minus the summer season crowds
• Season: Autumn
• Temperature: 26°C (79°F) excessive, 20°C (68°F) low

When you’ve at all times dreamed of sitting down with a glass of wine and a giant bowl of pasta to look at the sundown over the Amalfi, however don’t fancy frantic summer season crowds cramping your fashion, the shoulder month of September may very well be simply the ticket. It’ll nonetheless be busy, however there’ll be much less noise and more room on the seashore than in July and August. The temperature cools because the month ticks on, however it’s nonetheless balmy sufficient to wash within the sea.

Work up an urge for food for the area’s culinary delights on a mountain climbing and kayaking journey alongside Amalfi’s shoreline, stopping off at secluded seashores and historical websites. Or admire the rugged shoreline from afar as you sail to the pastel-coloured islands of Sorrento, Capri and Procida.

6. Lombok, Indonesia

• Why go: Take pleasure in all the things Lombok has to supply with a stability of nice climate and small crowds
• Season: Dry/shoulder
• Temperature: 29°C (84°F) excessive, 21°C (70°F) low

Lombok gives all the things from tropical rainforests and epic volcanic peaks to yoga studios and seashore bars. September is the final month to get pleasure from dry climate – and actions like mountain climbing Mt Rinjani and snorkelling – earlier than the monsoon arrives in late October. Plus, the crowds are normally on the quieter aspect.

Go to a neighborhood village to be taught in regards to the native espresso commerce and conventional weaving strategies, snorkel at secluded islands seeking sea turtles, or trek by means of monkey-filled forests to Mt Rinjani the place you’ll be rewarded with epic views throughout Bali, the Gili Islands and Mt Agung.

7. The Balkans

• Why go: Set sail alongside the coast or expertise the season altering within the countryside
• Season: Autumn
• Temperature: 25°C (77°F) excessive, 15°C (59°F) low

September within the Western Balkans gives a candy stability of fine climate, smaller crowds and decrease costs. Hotspots in Croatia are emptying out, permitting you to benefit from the whitewashed villages of the Dalmatian Coast and amble round Dubrovnik’s Outdated City. Now that almost all large ships have dropped anchor for the season, it’s additionally a wonderful time for a crusing or cruising journey. 

Lesser-known locations like Albania, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina have an interesting mixture of Jap and Western cultural influences, with minarets, mosques and medieval church buildings. Outdoors the cities, you’ll discover dense forests, lakes, wine areas and mountains. Come September, the foliage within the countryside begins to show, offering a shocking backdrop for a hike or a spot of winetasting.

Not set on September?

Try our suggestions on the place to journey in and October and November. Or discover our final minute offers.