Where to go in September: the short answer
Go to Tokyo, Portugal and Croatia in September; add Scotland, Iceland and Bali if you have the time. September is the traveller's secret that is not a secret any more: warm seas, thinner crowds and prices that fall once the school term starts.
We chose from the 32 destinations whose month bar marks September as a sweet spot (the best balance of weather, crowds and price), then spread the picks across regions. Prices are our own mid-range estimates per person per day, flights excluded, as of October 2026. September is typhoon season in Japan and the start of the wetter months in several places, so book flexible fares for the weather-exposed picks.
Five places to go to in September
Tokyo (about $150 (≈ €135 / £120) a day, crowds 4 out of 5). The best weather is October, and September carries the tail of typhoon season, with late summer humid. Our month bar still marks it as a sweet spot for prices and crowds. Senso-ji and Hakone are the easy days out.
Portugal (about $120 (≈ €105 / £95) a day, crowds 4 out of 5). June and September are quieter than July and August on the Algarve, and the sea is still warm. Take the scenic Douro train from Porto. Lisbon's hills are easier in September heat than in July.
Croatia (about $140 (≈ €125 / £110) a day, crowds 4 out of 5). The sea peaks in August and is still warm, and Dubrovnik and Hvar are less swamped than in July and August. Book island ferries ahead, since they sell out in summer. Heat and wildfire risk are the coast's summer problems, so check conditions before you go.
Scotland (about $170 (≈ €150 / £135) a day, crowds 3 out of 5). Rain can come in any month, so pack layers. The midges are worst from June to August, so September is kinder at dusk. Edinburgh's Arthur's Seat gives a free sunrise, and Skye's Quiraing rewards an early start.
Iceland (about $250 (≈ €220 / £195) a day, crowds 3 out of 5). September to March is aurora season, and September is the first month you can combine it with open highland roads, which operate only from about June to September. Do not book a trip around a single clear night.
Bali (about $90 (≈ €80 / £70) a day, crowds 4 out of 5). Dry season, steadier weather, and the wetter months from November still a way off. Nusa Penida's viewpoints are crowded, so go at opening. Scooter accidents remain among the most common problems for visitors.
September at a glance
The table sets the 6 picks side by side. Crowd and safety scores are our own estimates on a 1 to 5 scale, where 5 for crowds means overtourism at peak and 5 for safety means the lowest risk.
| Destination | Mid-range per day | Crowds (1 to 5) | Safety (1 to 5) | All best months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | $150 (≈ €135 / £120) | 4 | 5 | Mar–May & Oct–Nov |
| Portugal | $120 (≈ €105 / £95) | 4 | 5 | Apr–Jun & Sep–Oct |
| Croatia | $140 (≈ €125 / £110) | 4 | 5 | May–Jun & Sep |
| Scotland | $170 (≈ €150 / £135) | 3 | 5 | May–Sep |
| Iceland | $250 (≈ €220 / £195) | 3 | 4 | Jun–Aug, or Sep–Mar for aurora |
| Bali | $90 (≈ €80 / £70) | 4 | 4 | Apr–Jun & Sep |
Where September is harder work
Our month bars mark Kyoto, Cape Town, Egypt, Petra, Mexico City, Singapore and Angkor Wat as peak season in September, meaning busiest, dearest or hottest. The Maldives, Dubai, Costa Rica, Tulum, Patagonia, Palawan and Cartagena and others sit in the off-peak band: quieter, but check weather and closures before you commit.
Safety scores for every place are on its destination page, with links to the UK FCDO, US State Department, Smartraveller, Japan MOFA and South Korea 0404 pages. We do not quote levels because they change; read the agencies before you book. To see two picks side by side, compare Tokyo and Portugal, or browse the rest of the month-by-month guides.
September travel: frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest place to go in September?
Of our September picks, Bali at about $90 (≈ €80 / £70) a day mid-range per person, against about $250 (≈ €220 / £195) for Iceland. Flights are excluded, and these are estimates as of October 2026.
Where will I find the fewest crowds in September?
Scotland and Iceland score lowest for crowds among our picks, at 3 out of 5. Scores are our estimate of how busy each place gets at its peak, so a sweet-spot month is usually quieter than the number suggests.
Is September peak season anywhere?
Yes. Our bars mark Kyoto, Cape Town, Egypt, Petra, Mexico City, Singapore and Angkor Wat as peak in September. Book 4 to 6 months ahead for peak months and 2 to 3 months ahead for sweet-spot months.
Is the weather the same in all these places in September?
No. The picks are spread across hemispheres and altitudes, so check each destination page for its weather notes and live temperature before you pack.