Wanderlust · 7 min read · August 24, 2026

Where to go in September 2026 once the summer crowds go

Volcanic walks, Bavarian brass bands, small-batch wine and a Seattle festival featuring everything from music to, apparently, 17 cats.

Short on time? Let us summarise this guide for you.

Walk under starry skies on La Palma, join Munich for Oktoberfest or taste small-batch wines in Chisinau. Yerevan brings warm evenings and mountain views, while Seattle pairs a major arts festival with easy outdoor adventures. Genoa mixes palaces with the sea, Ghent adds music to its medieval streets, and Brasov puts the Carpathian mountains on the edge of town.

La Palma | Canary Islands

La Palma is the Canary Island for travellers who’d rather pack hiking boots than claim a sunlounger before breakfast. September stays warm and dry, with average daytime highs of about 27°C. The International Hiking and Mountain Festival runs from 18th to 20th September 2026, offering guided walks through the island's landscapes, geology and food – the full hiking package.

Several routes have been closed or are only partly open this summer, so check the official trail bulletins before travelling. Choose a currently open section of the Ruta de los Volcanes, explore the laurel forest around Los Tilos or check which Caldera de Taburiente trails are accessible – but save some energy for after dark. La Palma's high peaks and low light pollution make it one of the world's best places to stargaze.

Jet2 now flies direct from Manchester all year, which is good news if climbing the stands of Old Trafford is getting boring. Roads are steep, and mountain weather changes quickly, so check trail conditions before setting off.

Munich | Germany

Despite the name, Oktoberfest happens in September, making this the perfect time to head down to Bavaria and get your oom-pah on.

The 191st Oktoberfest runs from 19th September to 4th October 2026 on Munich's Theresienwiese. The mayor taps the first barrel at noon on opening day, followed by more brass bands, fairground rides, roast chicken and much larger glasses than most people see on a typical Saturday (I said most people). Oktoberfest is about more than just the beer, of course. It's a folk festival, a travelling fairground and a chance for everyone to dress up in Lederhosen and sing their hearts out. Tables fill fast at weekends, though, so weekday lunchtimes are kinder to spontaneous visitors, or poor planners.

Give Munich itself some attention too. Start at Marienplatz and Viktualienmarkt, then explore the Residenz, art museums or English Garden. The quieter Oide Wiesn area is a good choice for a more traditional festival experience. Book your room early and expect higher prices. Travellers who prefer indoor-voice level should visit before 19th September and enjoy the city's beer gardens without millions of beer drinkers. Prost!

Oktoberfest 101: Your ultimate guide to Munich's biggest party

Heading to Oktoberfest for the first time? Read our guide for everything you need to know about this celebration of Bavarian culture and, of course, beer.

In Wanderlust September 9, 2025

Chisinau | Moldova

Chisinau comes into its own at harvest time. Warm days, cool evenings and a festival devoted to small winemakers make September a great fit. From 4th to 6th September, the Author's Wine Festival brings more than 40 producers to the National Museum of History for tastings, masterclasses, music and local food.

Use the capital as a base for Cricova, a vast underground wine city built inside old limestone tunnels. Then spend a day at Orheiul Vechi, where cave monasteries sit among cliffs and villages above the Raut River. A rural lunch of placinte, mamaliga or sarmale rounds things off nicely. Just remember to book smaller wineries before you go, most won’t take walk-in guests.

Yerevan | Armenia

Some romantic city breaks give you a canal and a candlelit table. Yerevan adds pink stone, rooftop wine, mountain views and a monastery road trip. It’s less "same table as last Valentine's Day?", and more "shall we follow that canyon and see what happens?".

September loses the fierce heat of July and August but keeps warm, dry days and balcony-friendly evenings. Republic Square's musical fountains light up after dark, while nearby Saryan Street supplies the wine bars. For one big day out, pair the pagan temple at Garni with Geghard Monastery and the basalt columns known as the Symphony of Stones.

Culture travels well here too. Yerevan's September calendar includes its Book Festival and performances at the opera house. Even better, Wizz Air began direct flights from London Luton in June, so a four-night break is much easier.

Our top picks for trips in 2026

These are the destinations you need to add to your itinerary this year.

In Wanderlust 2 March 2026

Seattle | USA

Seattle gives you a city break and the great outdoors in one trip. Bumbershoot takes over Seattle Center on 5th and 6th September 2026 with music, comedy, film, food and visual art. The programme also promises skateboarders, a mermaid and 17 cats. Glastonbury has some catching up to do.

Away from the festival, eat your way through Pike Place Market, take the ferry to Bainbridge Island and give a clear day to Mount Rainier. The city and mountain sit close enough together to make that combination feel easy, which is Seattle's cleverest trick. Alaska Airlines even added a daily Heathrow service in May.

September usually holds on to summer's mild, dry weather, with average highs around 22°C, so wildfire smoke is a big risk – check air-quality forecasts and keep a few indoor backup plans ready.

Genoa | Italy

Genoa gives you grand palaces, old streets and the Ligurian Sea in one easy city break. September highs sit around 24°C and the sea stays warm, making it a good month to mix culture with a swim.

Start in the caruggi, the tight medieval lanes that lead towards the grand Palazzi dei Rolli. These palaces once hosted important visitors to the Republic of Genoa, and 2026 marks 20 years since the city joined the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The city's other great subject is food. Try focaccia for breakfast, pesto with trofie and farinata fresh from the oven. Walk it off on the way to Boccadasse, a small fishing village of pastel houses where you can swim or settle in for an aperitivo. Three nights should be enough for the city and coast. Just make sure you arrive early September if you want sun, heavy rain is likely later in the month.

Ghent | Belgium

A city break in Belgium is always a good idea. Ghent is just less than three hours from London by train via Brussels, so you can leave after breakfast and reach a medieval canal by lunch. See Van Eyck's Adoration of the Mystic Lamb in St Bavo's Cathedral, then walk between the old guildhalls on Graslei and Korenlei. The canals are at their best around dusk, when the buildings light up and the whole city starts showing off.

Flanders Festival Ghent runs from 10th to 27th September 2026, with music ranging from flamenco and chamber works to Philip Glass and Steve Reich. OdeGand spreads performances across the city on 12th September. Its evening show at the Winter Circus is free, but tickets are still needed and the seated packages have sold out, so check availability before you go.

Finish the day over dinner in Patershol, a cobbled neighbourhood packed with independent restaurants and bars. Just make sure you bring a light waterproof. September is mild rather than hot, and rain is always capable of joining the programme.

Brasov | Romania

Brasov begins like a classic Transylvanian city break. Council Square is lined with colourful baroque buildings, the Black Church looms nearby, and Rope Street is narrow enough to make two open umbrellas a nasty incident. Be sure to look out for the mountain at the end of the street, that’s Tâmpa. Walking trails and a cable car climb towards the summit, but the main belvedere platform is closed for rebuilding at the time of writing. Double-check viewpoint and cable-car access before setting out.

More serious walkers can head to Zarnesti for the limestone scenery of Piatra Craiului. Nearby, the Libearty Bear Sanctuary gives rescued brown bears a forest home and offers a much kinder wildlife experience than a roadside encounter. Bran Castle is worth a half-day too, but Dracula doesn’t need to run the entire holiday.

Direct Wizz Air flights from London Luton make Brasov much easier to reach in 2026. Go in the first half of September for the best chance of good hiking weather. Mountain conditions change quickly and bears live in the surrounding forests, so walk in daylight and follow local mountain-rescue advice.