September is a shoulder month for many parts of the world when the crowds and prices decline from the summer. This month’s weather is also almost perfect (not too cold or too hot) in most regions, so I’ve rounded up the best places to visit in September around the world!

The Best Fall Destinations in the U.S.

While deciduous forests and wine regions dominate most September trips, this is also an excellent month for a safari or tropical getaway.

Here are the best places to visit in September around the world!

The Blue Ridge Mountains

Driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains is one of the best road trips in the U.S. This region includes Eastern Tennessee, North Georgia, Western North Carolina, Northwest South Carolina, and Western Virginia.

Plan an Epic Blue Ridge Mountains Road Trip

The must-visit places in the Blue Ridge Mountains are Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Asheville, Shenandoah National Park, and Highlands, NC. The later in September you start your road trip, the more the foliage will have changed, especially if you travel on the Blue Ridge Parkway for most of your trip.

Austria

Many people don’t know that Austria is a premier wine destination, and September is a peak month for wine harvesting. But (luckily for us) this isn’t a peak travel month. Prices and crowds will have tapered off from the summer rush.

Plan to spend at least a week in Austria. I recommend splitting your trip between Salzburg and Vienna. These cities are the perfect “home bases” for exploring more of the country on day trips, especially the popular lake towns like Hallstatt.

The lakes will be chilly for brave swimmers, but the weather is perfect for hiking and outdoor activities. You’ll want a layer for the mornings and evenings, and always have a rain jacket with you this month.

Napa Valley

September in Napa is the peak grape harvest season when you can experience fun seasonal activities like harvest dinners, balls, and grape smashing.

This is one of Napa’s peak travel months, so book your accommodation, tours, tastings, and activities ahead of time to ensure availability and lower prices.

The Ultimate Napa Valley Travel Guide

Unless you have a designated driver in your group, you won’t want to drive to and from wine tastings. I recommend hiring a driver who can guide you around the region to some of the best wineries, sights, and viewpoints. I use Bin 415 every time I visit wine country, and I cannot recommend it enough!

Between your winery visits, spend some time outdoors. You can hike, paddle the Napa River, go horseback riding, bike between wineries, and take a hot air balloon ride.

Turkey

Climate and weather vary significantly within Turkey, but September is one of the few times a year when the weather is excellent throughout the entire country. It will be cooler and more bearable at the ancient inland sites, Cappadocia won’t be cold yet, and it’ll still be warm enough for the coastal towns.

September is a peak tourism month, so book in advance to save some money!

Italy

September is the perfect month for Italy if you want to enjoy the beaches and wine country. Start your trip on the coast or islands earlier in the month when everything is still open and accessible, and the water isn’t too cold for swimming.

Then head to Tuscany, Chianti, or another wine region to enjoy the beginning of the harvest season.

This is a shoulder month for Italy, so there will be fewer tourists and lower prices than in the summer. The temperatures will also be pleasantly cool and sunny.

China

September is part of China’s shoulder season, so there will be fewer tourists and cheaper prices throughout the country.

There’s a low chance of rain, so you should have clear skies most days. The temperatures will be warm and pleasant, and the mountain and highland destinations will still be open and accessible.

When you’re here in September, you’ll want to plan your trip around the Mid-Autumn Festival. This is one of the most important events of the year. Also known as the Moon Festival, this celebration involves lots of moon cake and floating lanterns, and it’s a fantastic way to experience authentic Chinese culture.

French Polynesia

If you want a tropical September destination, French Polynesia is for you! Tahiti and Bora Bora are the most popular islands here, but you should also check out Mo’orea, Taha’a, and Raiatea.

French Polynesia’s peak months are July and August. So in September, you’ll have more accommodation options, lower prices, and fewer tourists. The rains won’t come until later in the fall, and the humidity won’t be too high yet.

When you’re not lounging in your overwater bungalow, do eco-excursions with local guides. You could visit pearl farms, help with coral reef restoration, e-bike, or monitor aquatic populations.

East and Southern Africa

These are the peak months for safaris throughout Eastern and Southern Africa. As far as game viewing goes, you can’t go wrong with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, or Uganda.

The Ultimate Safari Travel Guide

September is a great month to see the river crossings in the Serengeti and Masai Mara areas. In addition to watching wildebeest avoid crocodiles, big cats are always crouched nearby as The Great Migration moves through their territories.

Every safari destination will have peak prices and crowds during these months, so book in advance and plan accordingly. I recommend opting for smaller accommodations to avoid overcrowding on game drives.

Machu Picchu

This is a great month to visit Machu Picchu because the weather will be (mostly) dry, and this isn’t a peak travel month, so prices and crowds will be relatively low. Daytime temperatures will be in the high-60s, with nighttime lows in the 40s. So bring layers.

When you’re here, you should venture beyond Machu Picchu to explore more of the Sacred Valley. You can explore many other ruins and jungle trails on foot or horseback.

Portugal

September is the perfect month to visit Portugal! The sea is warmest this month for swimming, diving, snorkeling, and boating. And the weather will be warm, sunny, and not too humid.

Crowds and prices will decline in September after the peak summer months, making the beaches and cities feel blissfully uncrowded.

This is the perfect month to visit some of Portugal’s wineries because the grape harvest will be in full swing. I highly recommend splitting your time between the cities, coastal towns, and wild interiors!

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