Published 29th Jun. 2026
Written by Emily Heeks
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Not quite ready to face the prospect of summer coming to an end? With crunchy leaves, cosy jumpers and pumpkin-spiced lattes all on the horizon, September is the ideal time for one last hurrah in the European sun – just think of it as topping up your vitamin D reserves before autumn settles in properly, leaving you with a healthy glow (and plenty of holiday memories) to see you through the colder months. So, where’s hot in Europe in September? From Italy’s dreamy coastline and Greece’s island-studded shores to Turkey’s treasure trove of ancient wonders, read on for our roundup of sun-soaked destinations...
Average September temperature: 18-28°C
Average daily sunshine hours: eight to nine hours
Flight time from the UK: two hours and 45 minutes
Set your sights on Sorrento for a taste of la dolce vita this September. Wind your way through film-set-worthy streets, breathing in the citrus-scented air and window shopping to your heart’s content. Then, do as the Italians do and order a caffe macchiato at the bar or seek out a shaded terrace for a glass of homemade limoncello.
Has back-to-school season awakened your inner history buff? Make a beeline for nearby Pompeii, where the eruption of Mount Vesuvius 2,000 years ago preserved an entire Roman city beneath layers of ash. And, with term time back underway, you can take your time roaming the ancient streets without the school holiday crowds of eager children...
Of course, no trip to southern Italy would be complete without a spin along the Amalfi Coast. Hop behind the wheel of a hire car, wind the windows down and blast your favourite holiday anthem through the speakers as you cruise between the cliff-hugging towns of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, backdropped by the dazzling Tyrrhenian Sea.
Image by - Taratata/Getty Images/iStockphoto
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Average September temperature: 20-29°C
Average daily sunshine hours: seven to eight hours
Flight time from the UK: around four hours (depending on the island)
Greece is one of the best answers to where’s hot in Europe in September, especially if your idea of heaven involves gallivanting around the Aegean. According to mythology, many of the Greek islands were handcrafted by the gods and, judging by the scenery, the story checks out. With 227 inhabited islands to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to picking your patch of paradise.
Among the most beloved are the Cyclades, a string of islands set southeast of mainland Greece. And September hits the sweet spot, where the summer crowds begin to thin and ferry crossings tend to be less choppy, leaving you free to admire the shimmering views rather than battle a bout of seasickness.
Spend your days exploring the lunar-like coastline of Milos, dancing until dawn in Naxos or harnessing the Meltemi winds on a windsurfing adventure in Paros. Fancy venturing beyond the headline acts? Set sail for the unsung gems of Sifnos, Serifos or Folegandros, where September’s warm waters produce the perfect conditions for dolphin-watching cruises.
Image by - Jessica Sample
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Average September temperatures: 24-27°C
Average daily sunshine hours: seven to eight hours
Flight time from the UK: two hours and ten minutes
Think summer’s over? The French Riviera begs to differ. In Nice, September’s smaller crowds mean more room to explore the honey-hued streets of the Old Town, browse the stalls of the Cours Saleya Market and tackle the climb to Castle Hill for postcard-worthy views. And if all that sightseeing has worked up a thirst, you’re in luck: head inland to Provence’s vineyards, where the Mediterranean sunshine produces some of the finest Rosé on the planet.
A little further along the coast, Cannes beckons with designer boutiques and elegant boulevards, while Saint-Tropez swaps its peak-season frenzy for quiet beachy bliss. Stretch out on the sand, then retreat to the ocean for a refreshing dip when the afternoon heat calls for it – a surefire way to achieve a truly enviable tan.
Just across the border, Monaco takes the Riviera’s signature glitz and glamour to new heights with afternoons spent people-watching and superyacht-spotting along the sparkling marina.
Image by - Alice Ducré
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Average September temperatures: 23-28°C
Average daily sunshine hours: seven to nine hours
Flight time from the UK: two hours and 30 minutes
When it comes to September’s hotspots (pun intended), Spain’s Balearic Islands are hard to beat. Mallorca is the life-and-soul sibling of the bunch, and Palma’s Old Town hums with life, thanks to its thriving arts scene and practically free-flowing sangria. Beyond the city, hop aboard the vintage Tren de Soller, tackle a hike into the Tramuntana Mountains or charter a boat for a day, drifting between hidden coves and slipping beneath the surface to snorkel among kaleidoscopic coral gardens.
If Mallorca is the life-and-soul sibling, Menorca is its laid-back counterpart, where days are best spent ambling around sleepy fishing villages and saddling up for horseback rides along the Cami de Cavalls. And, by mid-afternoon, it’s officially siesta-o'clock. Shutters close, cafés empty and even the most ambitious sightseeing plans are no match for the allure of an afternoon snooze – especially after one too many plates of tapas...
Image by - Faustine Poidevin
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Average September temperatures: 20-30°C
Average daily sunshine hours: nine to ten hours
Flight time from the UK: four hours (to Istanbul)
Rounding off our where’s hot in Europe in September shortlist is Turkey, where summer appears to be happily working overtime. Discover Istanbul’s spice-scented streets, buzzing with the chatter of stall holders, the distant call to prayer and the clink of tea glasses. Looking for the perfect keepsake? Explore the city’s old souqs, treasure troves of saffron, textiles and handcrafted goods. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself testing out your haggling skills in pursuit of the perfect trinket…
Continue to Cappadocia, where hundreds of hot-air balloons rise with the sun, floating above rose-tinted valleys and the region’s famous fairy chimneys. After polishing off a customary cup of cay (black tea), descend into the ancient underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymakli – subterranean labyrinths where entire communities once lived beneath the surface.
Image by - Vovik Mar/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Header Image by - Carlota Del Sol
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
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