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Best Countries to Visit in September 2024

  • Different sources and individuals may place different degrees of importance upon the various individual qualities of a given destination, resulting in different lists. Multiple lists are displayed here for comparison and contrast.
  • Most locations with warm-weather attractions, such as beaches and watersports, enjoy still-warm weather during September, but with smaller crowds—and often reduced prices—compared to the summer peak season.

42 countries

Country
Conde Nast
Sample Attractions
Travel Triangle
Trip Crafters
Wanderlust
AlbaniaHiking the Albanian Alps, beaches in the Albanian Riviera, cycling, food, wine.
ArgentinaSpring weather, Salinas Grandes salt plains, rocks of Quebrada de Humahuaca, mountain city of Salta, Buenos Aires (Street art, coffee, nightlife, art galleries and fashion boutiques, cuisine and cocktails), wine in Mendoza.
ArubaBeaches and ocean, luxury resorts, Caribbean scenery, Arikok National Park.
AustriaVienna - Cuisine, Vienna State Opera, MQ Vienna Fashion Week, Buskers Festival, art at Belvedere Palace, Albertina Museum, St. Stephen's Cathedral.
CanadaAtlantic coast - Whale-watching and puffin viewing. | British Colombia - Grizzly viewing, salmon run. | Charlottetown - Historic architecture, seafood, Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival, St. Dunstan's Basilica, Victoria Park. | Gatineau - Hot air balloon festival, Gatineau Park, National Gallery of Canada, Parliament Hill. | Newfoundland - Black bear watching. | Tofino - Pacific Rim National Park Reserve), Tonquin Park, Edge Festival, Queen of the Peak. | Toronto - Autumn colors, Toronto Beer Week, Art Gallery of Ontario, Ripley's Aquarium, Distillery District. |
ChinaMid-Autumn Festival, Great Wall, Beijing, giant pandas in Chengdu, Terracotta Army in Xi'an, Three Gorges mountain range, cruising Yangtze river, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven.
Costa RicaLimon Province - Caribbean beaches, natural beauty, Tortuguero National Park (turtles), Cahuita National Park, Veragua Rainforest, snorkeling at Punta Cahuita, relaxing at Uvita Island.
CroatiaLakes, waterfalls, and canyon at Plitvice Lakes National Park; beach and Renaissance architecture and walled fortress at Hvar island; beaches, sea caves, and Roman ruins at Vis; Dubrovnik's beaches and walled city; Diocletian's Palace; Cathedreal of St. Dominius; Euphrasian Basilica; St. James Cathedral; 1st-century Roman Amphitheatre and Fort Punta Christo's Outlook Music Festival at Pula; Plitvice Lakes National Park; Zagorje Region; Mljet National Park.
FranceCorsica - Rencontres Polyphoniques de Calvi polyphonic choir, walled citadel, lakes and mountains on GR20 trail. | French Riviera - Beaches (Cannes, Saint Tropez, Monaco). | Loire Valley - Wine and cheese; scenic landscapes, lakes, and gardens; the Vines, Wines, and Walks festival. | Médoc - Marathon du Médoc wine-tasting marathon, Château Malromé, Castle Roquetaillade, Bazas Cathedral, Griffon Park, Lac de la Prade. | Paris - Fashion, cuisine, wine, Eiffel Tower, the Louvre (art museum), Palace of Versailles, Notre Dame cathedral, Disneyland of Paris, Moulin Rouge cabaret.
French PolynesiaIsland beaches and bungalows, lagoons and ocean, coral reef diving, whale watching (especially at Mo'orea), Mo'orea island pineapple fields, Taha'a pearl farms, feeding sacred blue-eyed river eels at Huahine, Matira Point, Tūpai, relaxing at Maupiti Island, snorkeling at ‘Ōpūnohu Bay.
GeorgiaFood and drink, Tbilisi (capitol), Batumi or Mtskheta (scenic views, monasteries, landmarks, botanical garden in Batumi), Kutaisi, Prometheus Cave, Caucasus Mountains, Black Sea.
GermanyMunich - Beer, dancing, and food at Oktoberfest celebrations and carnivals, which often begin in late September. Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, New Town Hall, Neuschwanstein Castle (inspiration for the Disney park castles),
GreeceAncient architecture in Athens (Acropolis, Parthenon), National Archaeological Museum; beaches, sun, and blue-domed houses in Santorini; Knossos, Mykonos, nightlife in Thessaloniki, Mt. Olympus in Macedonia, swimming and hiking in Corfu and other Greek islands.
HungaryBudapest - Architecture, neighborhood pubs, bakeries, thermal baths, romantic atmosphere. | Sofia - Architecture, cuisine, St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Gallery, National Museum of History, Church of Saint George.
IcelandNorthern lights, rugged natural wonders (glaciers, volcanoes, geysers, lava fields), hot springs, glaciers in Vatnajökull and Snæfellsjökull national parks, skywatching at Seltjarnarnes, wildlife viewing at Puffin Island, hiking Dynjandi Waterfall, Rauðasandur Beach, the Blue Lagoon geothermal pool.
IndiaKerala - Ayurveda massage, sunbathing, catamaran rides, sightseeing, trekking, Eravikulam National Park, Fort Kochi, Athirappilly Water Falls, Vembanad Lake, Periyar River, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu. | Ziro - Pine hills and rice fields, Ziro Music Festival, Tarin fish farm, Ziro Putu, Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Meghna Cave Temple.
IndonesiaBali - Scenery (forested volcanic mountains, rice paddies, shoreline); beaches and ocean; scuba diving and snorkeling in coral reefs; water sports; beaches and bars in Kuta; temples including Tanah Lot, Besakih, and Uluwatu; luxury resorts in Sanur, Nusa Dua, and Seminyak; Ubud Monkey Forest; Mount Batur and Caldera Lake; Bali Safari and Marine Park.
IrelandBeer (especially Guinness), pubs, restaurants, museums, ruins and castles, lush greenery, seasonal festivals (Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, Oktoberfest in Dublin, Dingle Food Fest), Temple Bar, Cliffs of Moher, Skelling Islands, Ring of Kerry, Dublin Castle Galway (scenery, International Oyster Festival).
ItalyCuisine (pasta, gelato, pizza, etc), art, achitecture. | Amalfi Coast - Seaside towns, beaches, and cuisine. | Capri - Beaches, resorts, the Blue Grotto, Faraglioni. | Florence - David, Piazza del Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Giotto's Bell Tower, Gates of Paradise, Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower. | Milan - shopping and fashion during the least-rainy month of the year, Cathedral Square, DaVinci Museum. | Pisa - Leaning Tower of Pisa, Piazza del Duomo, Botanical Garden and Museum, National Museum of San Matteo. | Rome - Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. | Sicily - Warm beaches, cuisine and food festivals, the opera, Mount Etna, Aoelian Islands, Valle dei Templ, Panarea. | Venice - Canals, St. Mark's Square, St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace.
JapanFood, fall foliage (particularly in the north and/or later in month), bustling city life (pachinko parlors, ramen bars, karaoke), mountain hiking, shrines and onsens, forest trails and hot springs, "red tunnel" at Sapporo's Hiraoka Jugei Center, Tokyo (Megura Sun Festival, food, Tokyo Skytree, Ueno Park, Tokyo Disneyland).
MalawiLake of Stars music festival (back from COVID-19 hiatus in 2024), on Lake Malawi, wildlife viewing at Liwonde National Park (elephants, crocodiles, lions, leopards, rhinoceros, African buffalo).
MaldivesScenic beaches, islands, luxury resorts, snorkeling and scuba diving.
MexicoDolores Hidalgo - Wine, food, Mexican culture, Museo de Sitio Casa de Hidalgo, Casa Museo José Alfredo Jiménez, Plaza del Grande Hidalgo. | Mexico City - Scenery, art, street food, Roma Norte neighborhood.
MoroccoBeaches on Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, shopping, stylish hotels, Fez (gardens, mosques, ancient monuments), hiking in High Atlas mountains, desert safaris, Jama El f’na Market, Jardin Majorelle, Bahia Palace.
MozambiqueGorongosa National Park - spring vegetation, wildlife viewing (elephants, warthogs, wildebeest, hippos, lions, buffalo, crocodiles, birds, possibly zebra or African wild dogs).
NepalBest mountain trekking conditions, scenic views, Annapurna Circuit, Pokhara, International Mountain Museum, Teej Festival (some years).
PeruMachu Picchu, mountain scenery in the Andes, Inca Trail, Lost City of the Inca, cuisine (including Top-50 restaurants Central in Lima and Mil in the mountains near Cusco), Sacred Velley, Nazca Lines, Lake Titicaca.
PortugalHistory, architecture, beaches, wine, churches and architecture, soccer/football fans, surfing, scuba diving. Lisbon (beaches, scenery, cuisine, nightlife), Porto (beaches and Renaissance-era neghborhoods with modern cafes, restaurants, and bars), Madeira Island, the rock-hewn Estádio Municipal de Braga stadium, Fado bars, Pena Palace, Douro Valley (wine-tasting), cities to explore (Coimbra, Tavira, Sintra).
Saudi ArabiaDiriyah and Riyadh, National Day of the Kingdom (Sept. 23), At-Tufaif Citadel, Salwa Palace, Rijal Almaa heritage village, Old Jeddah, Al-Rahmah Mosque, Masjid Al-Haram, Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Elephant Rock, Hegra/Qasr al-Farid, Wadi Al Disah, Edge of the World cliffs, Dhee Ayn.
SingaporeFood, art, culture, Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay, Universal Studios Singapore, Sentosa Island, China Town, Botanical Garden, Orchid Garden, Helix Bridge, Civilian War Memorial,
SloveniaSwimming, hiking, river sports, and mountain activities, Bohinj "Cow ball" festival, Lake Bled and Bled Castle, Ljubljana Old Town and Castle, Soca Valley, Ljubljana Dragon Bridge, swimming and sightseeing at Vintgar Gorge, Museum of Illusions, Triglav National Park, Lake Bohinj, Soča River Valley, Tolmin Gorge, Škocjan Caves.
South AfricaHermanus - The Hermanus Whale Festival (land-based whale-watching, music, car shows, street food), scenic seaside hiking, beaches, restaurants, Cape Whale Coast Wine Routes, Grotto Beach, Cliff Path, Voelklip Beach, Fernkloof Nature Preserve. | KwaZulu-Natal - Wildlife viewing (birds, elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, rhinos, water buffalo, more) at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve (oldest in Africa), Tembe Elephant Park, Ndumo Game reserve, Ukhalamba-Drakensberg Park (160+ bird species and San Rock Art).
SpainAndalucia - The Feast of St Matthew (Feria de Ganado y Fiestas de San Mateo), hiking/walking trails with mountain scenery, villages Benaocaz and Benamahoma, close to Cadiz and Seville. | Barcelona - Beaches, nightlife, seasonal parades and celebrations, concerts, Fiestas de la Mercè festival, Park Güell, Plaça de Catalunya, Mercado de La Boqueria. | Ibiza and Formentera - Beaches and ocean, food, nightlife, luxury retreats.
SwedenWildlife viewing on the Skanor-Falsterbo peninsula (500 million migratory birds per year), seals at the Måkläppen Reserve, cycling the Sydkustleden (standing stones, medieval villages, pirate castles, canals of Malmo), fikas (afternoon tea).
SwitzerlandScenic mountains and lakes in the Alps; cheese and chocolate; cities of Zurich, Basel, Geneva, and Bern; Interlaken; Mt Titlis, Lake Geneva, Chilton Castle, Matterhorn, paragliding and skiing at Jungfrau, Lake Lucerne.
TajikistanTea, mountain hiking, Dushanbe (architecture, monuments in Rudaki Park), Sarez Lake, ruins (Yamchun Fort, Hulbuk Fortress, Ancient Panjakent), Garm Chashma hot springs, Fann Mountains (Iskanderkul Lake, Kulikalon, Lake Alovaddin, Bolshoi Allo, Gora Chimtarga), Karakul "Black Lake", the seven lakes of Haft Kul.
TanzaniaElephants and other wildlife at Tarangire National Park, "big five" (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, water buffalo) at Serengeti National Park. | Zanzibar - Beaches, Stone Town, bazaars, architecture (mosques, gothic churches, Persian hammams),
TurkeyTurkish coffee, sweets and street food, Hammam baths, arcthitecture, luxury resorts, Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Topkapi Palace, Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Ankara Castle, Pamukkale town, Hierapolis, hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia, Galata Tower, Mardin region, dondurma ice cream, Beyoğlu neighborhood (food, boutiques, nightlife).
TurkmenistanAshgabat (tombs, towers, mosques, shopping in bazaars, Turkmenbashi's Land of Fairy Tales), Caspian Sea, the Shining of Karakum (the perpetually-burning Darvaza Gas Crater, also called the "Gates to Hell") in desert,. Gonur Tepe archaeological site, Köw Ata Underground Lake, .
United KingdomSeasonal festivals (Nordic walks in Yorkshire, Sense and Sensibility Festival in Bath, Tour of Britain in Cotswold), Big Ben, London Bridge, the Thames River, London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Windsor Castle, Westminster, Madam Tussaud, Stonehenge, road trips (to Worchestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire), timeless relaxing atmosphere in the Cotswolds (Medieval stone buildings, streams and lakes, quaint cottages, manors with roses and willows, local produce).
United StatesLas Vegas, Nevada - Nightlife, gambling, sight-seeing, novelty casino architecture (Luxor, Caesar's Palace, Paris), entertainment (magicians, singers, Cirque du Soleil, etc), food and drink. | Maine - Lobster and other seafood, Labor Day Windjammer Festival in Camden, Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park (hiking, Night Sky Festival). | New York - Hamptons, Montauk, upstate NY (Catskills), New York City. | San Francisco, California - Wine-tasting and scenery in Napa and Sonoma, Dolores Park in Mission district, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Fringe Festival, Ghiradelli Chocolate Festival, Muir Woods, Fisherman's Wharf. | Utah - National parks (Arches, Bryce, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Zion, etc.), state parks (Goblin Valley, Antelope Island), wilderness safaris.
ZimbabweWildlife safaris and viewing, national parks, Victoria Falls,

What is the best country to visit in September?

Many areas of the United States are great to visit during the month of September, but some other countries that are popular are Georgia, Namibia, and Bali.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources