Best destinations to visit in September
Best destinations to visit in September
Mild autumn transition valleys and uncrowded historical town squares in September
September often gets called one of the best months to travel, sitting right in that shoulder season sweet spot after summer crowds thin out.
School terms restart in much of the Northern Hemisphere, which pulls family travel back and opens up better prices and quieter sights for everyone else. The Mediterranean stays warm well into the month, without the peak heat or crowds of July and August. Munich's Oktoberfest actually begins in September despite its name, drawing visitors weeks before autumn officially starts. Atlantic hurricane season also reaches its peak this month, worth keeping in mind for trips near the Caribbean or the Gulf Coast. The Southern Hemisphere heads the other way, moving into spring as wildflowers and warmer days return.
The destinations on our list cover that same range, from quiet Northern Hemisphere shoulder season favorites to the first signs of spring further south.
Lists by region
Country
Singapore
Tropical city-state of hawker food and gardens
UNESCO added Singapore's hawker culture to its intangible heritage list in 2020. Warm, humid September weather is typical year round in the city state. Gardens by the Bay's Supertrees light up after dark for a free evening show. Chicken rice comes with plain poached chicken, fragrant rice and chili sauce.
City in Germany
Munich
Bavarian capital of beer gardens and museums
Oktoberfest traditionally begins in mid September and runs into early October at the Theresienwiese grounds. Beer tents fill with brass bands, pretzels and roast chicken during the festival. The Glockenspiel on the New Town Hall performs daily in Marienplatz. Mild autumn weather suits walking through the nearby Viktualienmarkt food market.
City in Japan
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
September brings cooling weather that suits walking the Philosopher's Path before the autumn foliage crowds arrive. The Golden Pavilion at Kinkakuji glows above its still reflecting pond. Fushimi Inari's thousands of vermilion torii gates climb a wooded hillside. Maruyama Park stays quieter in September than during peak cherry blossom season.
Country
Georgia
Wine country, mountain villages and old Tbilisi
Grape harvest, called rtveli, brings families together across Georgia's Kakheti wine region each September. Ancient qvevri clay vessels still ferment wine underground using methods thousands of years old. Tbilisi's old town mixes sulfur bathhouses with narrow cobbled streets. Mild autumn weather suits hiking in the Caucasus foothills.
Country
Bhutan
Himalayan monasteries, dzongs and trekking trails
Punakha Dzong, built in 1637, stands where two rivers meet in a warm valley. Clear September skies often give some of the year's best mountain views. Tiger's Nest monastery clings to a cliff about 900 meters above the Paro valley. Thimphu's weekend market fills with fresh produce and handmade crafts.
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