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Aerial view of Le Morne Brabant mountain on Mauritius island, surrounded by turquoise lagoon, coral reefs, and lush greenery — tropical paradise landscape.
Wanderlust · 5 min read · August 22, 2025

Where you should go in September now the summer holidays are over

Our top picks for a getaway now the temperatures are lower and the crowds are gone.

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

September is one of the best times to travel, with fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and unforgettable cultural moments. This guide highlights top picks including Munich for Oktoberfest, where beer, music, and fairground fun come together. In Mongolia's Bayan-Ölgii, the Golden Eagle Festival offers a rare glimpse into Kazakh falconry traditions. Albuquerque lights up with hundreds of hot-air balloons drifting over the desert. Shanghai mixes modern city life with historic charm, though travellers should read up on local restrictions before going. Ghent is a playful alternative to Bruges, filled with art, nightlife, and canalside dining. Sozopol on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast delivers Mediterranean vibes without the heat or crowds. Mauritius rounds it off with tropical weather, dolphin sightings, and quiet beaches just before the busy season kicks in.

What you'll find in this guide:

Munich | Germany

Germany ranks 9th Waiter in traditional Bavarian outfit carrying large mugs of beer through a crowded Oktoberfest celebration — festive German beer hall scene.

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

The world-famous beer halls will be packed to the rafters – around 6 million people head to Munich every year, so you'll be in good company of people looking to sample some of the best lagers in the world. Just mind how you go, as at upwards of 6% Oktoberfest beers might be stronger than you're used to.

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 traditional costumes and sing their hearts out.

Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia

Mongolia ranks 77th Kazakh eagle hunters on horseback raising golden eagles, reflected in still water with mountains in the background — traditional Mongolian falconry scene.

Go for a proper adventure and head out into the wilds of Mongolia to see the Golden Eagle Hunting Festival.

This annual spectacle takes place in Bayan-Ölgii province, about a thousand miles from the capital Ulaanbaatar. It's held at the very end of September and the first few days of October, but since it takes a fair bit of planning to get there plus at least a day's travel, we'll tell you about it now.

The festival celebrates the traditional Kazakh culture of golden eagle hunting, where falconry experts on horseback use eagles to hunt for foxes and hares during winter months when they're easier to see against the snowy landscape. It takes place just before hunting season itself, so you won't ordinarily see any actual hunting. Instead the participants showcase their skills and the bond between hunter and bird, and visitors are unlikely to have to watch any animals come to harm during a hunt.

Eagle hunting is generally considered a relatively responsible use of captured animals – the eagles themselves are kept very well. They're released within breeding age so the captive population doesn't threaten the wild, and the popularity of the festival appears to have even increased local eagle populations as hunters can make a comfortable living through the festival itself.

Since the festival takes place in autumn after a long summer of idleness for the eagles when there's no hunting to do, the first few days often involve the eagles simply ignoring the commands of the hunters as the bonds are re-established, to the hilarity of both locals and tourists.

Albuquerque | USA

USA ranks 27th Colorful hot air balloons floating in a clear blue sky during a balloon festival, with a large star-patterned balloon in the foreground — vibrant aerial event.

Arrive at the end of September for the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival at the start of October, a uniquely American spectacle in which more than 500 balloons take off in New Mexico to sail over the desert.

If you watched Breaking Bad or it's prequel Better Call Saul, you may have a hankering to head out to New Mexico and trace the footsteps of crimelords and lawyers alike. Just don't throw pizza on the roof of Walt's old house, apparently the homeowners are pretty sick of it.

And this is the perfect time to go. The weather settles down from the summer heat to become pleasant and hospitable, the city is ready to receive visitors (more than a million come to watch the balloons in a normal year) and the spectacle is like nothing else on Earth.

Shanghai | China

China ranks 143rd Illuminated historic buildings along the Bund in Shanghai at night, featuring ornate architecture, glowing lights, and modern skyscrapers in the background.

Shanghai is another big riser on our real-time destination leaderboard. China is keen to attract more international tourists after reopening its borders in 2023, and while concerns over the country's political climate have put foreign tourists off in the past, more and more British travellers are starting to visit this fascinating country.

Shanghai is unlike anywhere else in the world. Take a waterfront stroll along the Bund and marvel at the high-end restaurants and art-deco hotels, then cross the river and scale the humongous Shanghai Tower for the best views of the city. Make time for a day trip to Wuzhen – this ancient town is arguably the country's prettiest, which makes for the perfect escape from the intoxicating, bustling city.

Bear in mind that China does score poorly on the Holiday Extras Good Trip Index, our guide to travelling ethically, sustainably and well. Scores for press and human freedoms are particularly concerning, as the government limits internet access and even blocks sites like Google, Facebook, YouTube and X (Twitter). There are also concerns that local laws can be enforced quite harshly, putting travellers at risk of exit bans and wrongfully being detained. Take a look at the FCDO's travel advice so you can make an informed decision about whether you'd like to go.

Ghent | Belgium

Belgium ranks 19th Panoramic view of Ghent, Belgium with medieval buildings, church towers, and a canal lined with tourists on a sunny day — vibrant European cityscape.

A city break in Belgium is always a good idea. You could fly there, but for a more environmentally-conscious trip to Europe you can catch the Eurostar all the way to Brussels. Most British tourists spend their time in the capital, or take the train from there to explore the fairy-tale streets of Bruges.

But don't sleep on Ghent – it's less crowded but just as beautiful as any Belgian city. It was named the European Youth Capital in 2024 and has a playful edge to it, from the street art that adorns its medieval passageways to the nightclubs, museums and breweries that have taken over many of the city's old factories. Don't miss the restaurants and cafes that line the historic canals – vegetarians will be spoilt for choice, as will anyone looking for the classic cuisine and unique beers the Flanders region is known for.

Sozopol | Bulgaria

Bulgaria ranks 43rd Stone house with seaside patio overlooking rocky shore and turquoise waves under a bright sky — peaceful coastal retreat with ocean views.

With extreme heat making the height of summer a bit unbearable in Mediterranean, you might be wondering where to go instead. For the Mediterranean vibe of your favourite Greek islands without the scorching weather, the resorts along Bulgaria's Black Sea coast might be your best bet. And if you go in September you can miss the summer holiday crowds and still enjoy the warm weather.

Jet2 now flies directly to Burgas from the UK in under 4 hours. This lively port city is great for a stopover thanks to its cheap hotels, uncrowded beach and excellent museums. But most travellers decide to leave as soon as they've landed in favour of historic towns and resorts further along the coast.

We'd recommend Sozopol, just a 30-minute drive from Burgas. The cobbled lanes, fortifications and churches in the old town date back to ancient times, and the soft sandy beaches are arguably the best in Bulgaria.

Mauritius

Mauritius ranks 62nd Aerial view of Le Morne Brabant mountain on Mauritius island, surrounded by turquoise lagoon, coral reefs, and lush greenery — tropical paradise landscape.

September is the perfect in-between time for visiting Mauritius. Forget the summer holidays, this is when winter kicks off in the Indian Ocean. And by winter we mean temperatures around 22 to 26ºC, low humidity and calm seas. Bliss.

The high season in Mauritius starts in December, so September means fewer crowds, more space on the beach and sunny skies. Nature's putting on a show too — it's a great month for spotting dolphins, exotic birds, and even migrating whales offshore. Inland, the hiking trails are lush and green without the stickiness of summer rains. You might also catch vibrant festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, when temples come alive with music, colour and celebration. And with fewer tourists around, luxury stays become that bit more accessible.


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