Where to go by month

Where to go in September

September brings warm seas and thinner crowds to the Mediterranean, autumn colour to North America and Japan’s north, and the tail end of the safari high season in East Africa.

125 countries and territories are in their best season in September, based on each guide’s best time to visit. Temperatures are monthly averages for the capital or main city, so coasts and mountains will differ.

Top picks for September

Western EuropeFranceFrom Paris cafés to Provence villagesParis 18°C avgabout US$200/dayBest: Apr – Jun / Sep – OctSouthern EuropeSpainTapas hours and late-night plazasMadrid 20°C avgabout US$160/dayBest: Apr – Jun / Sep – OctNorth AmericaUSARoad trips that go on for daysWashington D.C. 21°C avgabout US$250/dayBest: May-SepEast AsiaChinaGreat Wall mornings, Shanghai nightsBeijing 21°C avgabout US$113/dayBest: Sep-NovSouthern EuropeItalyEvery town has a masterpieceRome 22°C avgabout US$200/dayBest: Apr – Jun / Sep – OctMiddle EastTurkeyTwo continents, one long breakfastAnkara 21°C avgabout US$160/dayBest: Apr-OctWestern EuropeGermanyFrom Bavarian castles to Berlin nightsBerlin 18°C avgabout US$177/dayBest: May-SepNorthern EuropeUnited KingdomCastles, pubs and green hillsLondon 17°C avgabout US$235/dayBest: May-SepCentral EuropeAustriaMountain air and coffee-house afternoonsVienna 18°C avgabout US$172/dayBest: Jun-SepSouthern EuropeGreeceWhitewashed islands and ancient stonesAthens 24°C avgabout US$177/dayBest: May – OctSoutheast AsiaMalaysiaStreet food capital of the tropicsKuala Lumpur 27°C avgabout US$75/dayBest: Mar-OctNorth AmericaCanadaBig nature, bigger distancesOttawa 18°C avgabout US$215/dayBest: Jun-Sep

Everywhere in season in September

By region, with the average temperature in the capital or main city.

Europe 48

Asia 14

The Americas 12

Africa 19

The Middle East 5

The Pacific & Indian Ocean 24

The Caribbean 3

Plan by month

Seasons vary within large countries, and weather is never guaranteed. Check each guide’s “Best time to visit” section and current travel advice before you book.