Best places to go on vacation in September

We lay out the best places to go on vacation in September. There’s a lot of choice, from small ship cruises around the Mediterranean to safari season in southern Africa. Shorter days and a chillier air in northern Europe start to bring out autumn colours and the Northern Lights, plus it’s your first chance to escape the summer vacation crowds… and prices.

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Best places to go on vacation in September

Southern Europe – particularly Croatia and Spain – is the region of choice. That’s because it’s coming down off the summer crush and into pleasantly sunny, warm days made for activity vacations. It’s one of your last chances to go on a small ship cruise or sailing vacation before the ships and crews pack up for the season. Your chance of seeing wildlife in Africa is pretty high around now, too: it’s the tail end of the Great Migration, and other countries are well into safari season.

Keep reading for our recommendations of the best places to go on vacation in September.

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Africa

Botswana is great for wildlife viewing, as the Okavango Delta is at its fullest. You can still see the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania, including the Mara River crossing. But the summer crowds have dispersed, so you’ll have a much better view. South Africa and Namibia are very dry, so wildlife will congregate around waterholes, making this a great time for safaris in Kruger and Etosha – but book well in advance. Temperatures are warming across the region as well, so you’ll miss the worst of the night-time chill.

The Americas & Caribbean

September is the best time to visit Brazil. You’ll avoid the rainy season, the worst of the crowds and the summer heat in the north.

Asia

Borneo can be visited year-round, but September sits in the driest season. It’s the best time to visit the rainforest and Mount Kinabalu. September is a great time to be in Jordan, particularly if you’d like to go scuba diving. Explore the Silk Road while the sun is shining and the markets are filled with fresh dates and grapes. Although Thailand’s Andaman Coast gets the worst of the monsoons, the climate in the Gulf of Thailand is drier at this time – so if you want to visit Thailand in the autumn, head to the east coast.

Europe

Croatia, Greece, Italy, northern Spain, Portugal and Turkey have cooled down enough for cycling, hiking and water-based activities in September – plus, you’ll avoid the summer crowds. This is one of the best months to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, as they’re said to be more likely around the equinox (22 September). There’s still some daylight, meaning you can get out and do other activities. Norway often has some lovely mild weather at this time, along with very long daylight hours and few other visitors. September is one of the best times to be in southern Portugal. The seas are still warm and the beaches are less crowded. Romania is still warm, with gorgeous autumn foliage. September is a great time to be in Scotland, particularly if you want to see a less packed version of Edinburgh.

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Where not to go on vacation in September

September is the monsoon season across mainland Southeast Asia and southern India, causing travel disruption in most of the region, with some hotels and roads closing. It’s hurricane season in Cuba, with the southeast being the worst affected. Typhoons hit Japan.

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