September may just be the best month to travel. Tourist crowds thin out. Flight and hotel prices drop. And with the sun still shining there are plenty of places where it’s hot in September.
With summer fading across the Northern Hemisphere it can be hard to say goodbye to warm days. But September serves up some of the best opportunities to enjoy the last rays of sun. The Southern Hemisphere is springing into life too, with warm temperatures and low humidity before monsoon season.
Warm places to visit in September 2024
All you need to know at a glance from the temperatures and precipitation to the average flight and hotel prices. Read on for my top picks on where to go for September sun.
Where is hot in September in Europe
Southern Europe is at its best in September, especially the glorious islands and resorts across the Aegean and Mediterranean.
1. Antalya, Turkey
- Average September temperature: 77°F
The gateway to the Turkish Riviera is a well-trodden jewel; the largest city on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. September sees luminous blue skies and seas, zero rain, and average high temperatures a sweat-inducing 88°F. Antalya is that great thing – a successful blend of ancient and modern.
At its heart is the gorgeous old town of Kaleiçi with a tangle of atmospheric lanes lined with Ottoman houses. Follow them east to the top of Hesapçi Sokak to marvel at the awesome Hadrian’s Gate, built for the Roman emperor’s visit in 130 AD.
Then head down towards the ancient Roman Harbor to Hidirlik Tower to drink in its sweeping coastal views. Further east along the coast, don’t miss the natural wonder of the Lower Duden Waterfalls tumbling from cliffs into the sea.
If it stirs the need to dive in, tiny Mermerli Beach in the old town is convenient and achingly pretty, but you’ll need to pay to enter. For a bit more space, my pick is Konyaaltı Beach to the west with its stunning mountain backdrop.
2. Seville, Spain
- Average September temperature: 77°F
Andalusia, the region of southern Spain that Seville calls home, is a furnace during high summer. September is the first month when things start to cool. Temperatures average in the high 70s (although high averages still climb to 90°F) and the city is reinvigorated by it.
Shops, bars, and restaurants that close for the traditional August break reopen. Tables spill onto streets, and the air resonates with the clink of cañas (small glasses of beer) and finos (refined Spanish sherry) and the chatter of locals.
Find shade from the sun in the narrow city streets and spectacular architecture. The Moorish, Gothic and Renaissance Alcázar Real will blow your socks off. Visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus at the enormous Catedral de Sevilla and climb the Giralda Tower for epic views over the city.
From September 11th things heat up at the Bienal de Flamenco. The celebration of all things Flamenco lasts the entire month and happens only on even years. Events take place across the city but the stages of the Mastranza, Central, Lope de Vega and Alameda are highlights.
3. Mallorca, Spain
- Average September temperature: 73°F
The star of Spain’s Balearic Islands, Mallorca is a September dream with average high temperatures climbing to a beach-friendly 81°F. The selection of beaches is impressive too.
There’s famed Es Trenc with its caster sugar sand and seas that glow an impossible blue. On the east coast, Cala Varques has escaped the surrounding development to retain its unspoiled vibe, nudism and all. Hidden away in the northeast, I particularly love Cala Torta for its wild, rugged feel.
For such a small island, Mallorca's landscapes are remarkably varied. Prize yourself away from the beaches to cool in the high peaks of the UNESCO Serra de Tramuntana. For accommodation, stay in Sóller's appropriately named Golden Valley for a taste of Mallorcan coastal living.
Take a trip on the historic steam train from the station decorated with Picassos and Mirós. The train ride through the mountains to Mallorca’s breathtaking capital, Palma, is one of my favorite rail journeys anywhere.
From Ibiza to Menorca, the Balearics spoil you for choice but Mallorca is the best island to visit in September.
4. Athens, Greece
- Average September temperature: 75°F
Fall is the best time to visit Greece’s ancient and iconic capital. As the temperatures drop to a pleasant average of 75°, the buzz of summer tourism calms. Locals return from holiday escapes on nearby islands, restaurants actually have space and prices return to a semblance of normal.
If it's your first-time visiting don't look past Athens’ status as the birthplace of Western civilization. It would be criminal to miss the neoclassical highlights.
- The Parthenon atop the Acropolis dominates the city, rising majestically at its center.
- Ancient Agora, where Socrates philosophized and the seeds of democracy were first sewn.
- The extraordinarily well-preserved Doric Temple of Hephaestus with its epic frieze depicting the Labors of Hercules.
Then there’s Athens’ modern side. The city has developed a thriving art scene, helped in no small part by the 2020 opening of the excellent National Museum of Contemporary Art. Unsurprisingly, there’s also a buzzing food and drink scene.
Gorge first on dinner that’s almost as good as the views at Orizontes Lycabettus. Then explore the extensive Greek wine list at hipster hangout Tannin My Love.
Where is hot in September in Asia
Asia sees September rains refresh the air and reduce the tourist numbers. Alongside my recommendations below, you should consider Vietnam for a hot and cheap September vacation.
5. Cebu, Philippines
- Average September temperature: 82°F
Among the best tropical places to travel in September, this island of Cebu rates close to the top. Still scorching with temperatures wavering in the mid to high 80s (average highs are 88°F), it’s a hot, humid delight.
Foremost among its attractions is the incredible diving, which draws underwater adventurers from across the globe. Malapascua in the north and Moalboal in the southwest are the highlights.
For something out there, try your hand spelunking in the caves below Talisay or Bantayan. You’ll find ridiculous white-sand beaches to laze on whichever direction you go, often fringed by ramshackle eateries serving cheap local street food.
At its heart, buzzing but misunderstood Cebu City. The oldest city in the Philippines has long been lush but grubby, historic but neglected.
In recent years it’s grown in stature as a tourist hub and has taken to the role with aplomb. New restaurants, shopping districts, and hotels are beginning to showcase its varied culture, Latin influences, and spectacular setting.
6. Bangkok, Thailand
- Average September temperature: 82°F
Bangkok in fall is hot and wet. It’s a city that simmers in the heat year round and is well adapted to it. But September’s temperatures and humidity also bring rain – an average of 13 inches. Heavy but predictable, arm yourself with an umbrella and dive in.
This actually makes it a magic time to visit. It’s by far the quietest month, which means fewer tour groups, smaller queues, and much, much lower prices. The average hotel price for September according to KAYAK data is around $47 a night.
The rain also gives the city a completely different feel. The air is cleaner and fresher, the greens greener and the pace dialed down to just below its manic status quo.
Rain or no rain, Bangkok is a sensory overload - from the reclining Buddha of Wat Pho to Chinatown’s street food and Chatuchak’s weekend market,
My advice? Embrace it all but take advantage of low-season prices and stay at The Siam, one of my favorite hotels in the world. The epitome of style and comfort, it provides much-needed sanctuary from Bangkok’s wild side.
7. Singapore
- Average September temperature: 81°F
As in Bangkok, Singapore sees its fair share of rain in September. An average six inches, according to KAYAK data, matched with temperatures in the mid-80s. Expect to get wet – from the rain and the humidity.
Singapore is a result of its geography and geopolitics. A fusion of cultures and religions, tradition and modernity, mind-boggling architecture, and deafeningly quiet spaces. It’s an intoxicating mix.
Beyond the spectacular glitz of the Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay, there’s plenty of old Singapore to discover. By day, wander the photogenic Pernakan enclave of Katong. As the sun sets, make for Tanjong Pagar, home to some of the world’s best bars including my favorite, Sago House.
For authentic Singaporean nostalgia, take a ferry to the tiny island of Pulau Ubin. Rent a bike at the island jetty and pedal into a different time past kampongs (villages) and spectacular water-filled quarries.
Best warm places to visit in September in the US
In the US, end-of-summer parties and Labor Day make the most of the warm September weather.
8. Honolulu, Hawai‘i
- Average September temperature: 82°F
O‘ahu’s major metropolis is a brilliant balance of big city facilities and beautiful beaches. With average high temperatures of 88°F and so little rain, it’s not worth mentioning, September is a great month to visit.
The summer crowds are thinning and the extensive hiking trails beyond the city limits are more manageable. Its most famed district, Waikiki, still throbs with people.
You’ll find locals and visitors lining its eponymous beach, browsing the high-end fashion stores of Kalakaua Avenue and dining and drinking at waterside restaurants. But away from this tourist hotspot, Honolulu offers a quieter, more authentic Polynesian experience.
Hawai‘ian history is laid bare at ‘Iolani Palace. Home to the Hawai‘ian monarchy and witness to its downfall, the palace has been transformed into a decadent museum and grounds. The Bishop Museum is a showcase of Hawai‘ian culture and probably the finest Polynesian anthropological museum in the world.
9. Los Angeles, California
- Average September temperature: 72°F
Skip LA’s inner-city oven and head for the beaches of Malibu, Santa Monica, and Venice. While the Pacific never gets warm, the glistening bodies of LA’s suntanning elite should be enough to convince you the beach is still the right decision.
Labor Day weekend is the last outing for many vacationers, which leaves the rest of the month blissfully quiet. Or as quiet as LA’s beaches get. Bike the boardwalk north from Venice dodging in-line skaters, bodybuilders, and the mania of beach life on the way.
In Santa Monica, stop off at Crudo e Nudo to throw back some oysters on the half shell. Then onwards to Malibu for sundowners at Malibu Farm Restaurant. A perfect LA day.
The last Sunday of the month sees Abbot Kinney in Venice, “the world’s coolest street”, throw its 34th street festival. Expect live music, beer gardens, hundreds of vendors, and food stalls cooking under the September sun.
10. San Diego, California
- Average September temperature: 70°F
There’s a reason San Diegans prefer their city in the fall to summer. Average temperatures hover in the mid-70s, so it’s still warm enough to linger on beaches and dine al fresco. Rain isn’t a part of the conversation and skies remain blue and crystal clear.
Being just warm rather than hot can deter many visitors. It’s their loss because seldom is San Diego more spectacular than under a fall sunset viewed from the rugged beaches of Torrey Pines or Blacks. End-of-summer swells and warm offshore Santa Ana winds only add to the majesty. They bring back the waves, a living canvas for surfers to paint their lines on.
After the parties of Labor Day have died down, the city itself returns to its laid-back best. Cruise Ocean Front Walk, ride the roller coasters of Belmont Park. And if you’re in town from the 22nd, prepare to gorge yourself at San Diego Restaurant Week.
Where is hot and cheap in September?
In the US you’ll find some amazing hot and cheap September breaks. According to KAYAK data, Orlando is your best bet with temperatures averaging 82°F and accommodation costing around $131 a night.
Farther afield, it’s Asia that offers the best hotel prices, although flights are more expensive. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam all offer stays for around $40 to $50 a night. Average high temperatures are close to 90°F but flight prices are more expensive, coming in around $1,100 to $1,200 for a round trip.
Need help making a decision? Try KAYAK Explore.
For fall travel without worrying about the warmth, check out my guides to the best places to visit in September, August and July. Once you have a place in mind, the KAYAK travel guides can give you the lowdown on each destination.
Recommendation ranking of cities:
Our recommendation ranking of where to go is calculated based on the presented five factors: average flight prices, average hotel prices, average, high, and low temperatures, and average precipitation. Flight prices, hotel prices, and precipitation constitute inverse factors, the less the better. All factors are equally weighted. From the ranked destination lists, destination exclusions may have been applied in cases of insufficient data or according to the official travel advisory at the time when the data analysis was conducted.Flight and hotel prices:
Average prices are estimated from KAYAK internal data from search period ‘2024-02-01’ to ‘2024-04-15’ for travel period ‘2024-09’ - ‘2024-12’. Flight prices include economy class return trips for one traveler, and hotel prices represent 3 stars or below hotels’ nightly rates for a standard double room. Price insights are subject to vary depending on exact departure airport and over time as travel dates are approaching.Weather (monthly average, high, and low temperatures, and average precipitation):
Weather data is pulled from a third-party site, Weatherbase, and has not been verified by KAYAK. Monthly average temperature and precipitation data are based on historical insights from the past 102 years. Weatherbase data is updated in real-time from the US Census Bureau and other databases worldwide.
