September is warm and nice n many parts of the world and in addition, kids are back at school, and their parents are back to work. It’s an unusual time to go on vacation, but September is a great month to travel to places that were too expensive and too crowded in the summer peak season.
Check out our list of the best credit card bonuses here.
If you want to go to a city to catch a music festival, or go to the wilderness for some time with nature, we have it covered. Read below for more details on the top 10 travel destinations in September.
Hvar Island (Croatia)
| Average Temperature | 76°F high; 59°F low |
| September Events | Hvar Summer Festival |
Hvar offers beautiful scenery of the Croatian island while displaying a rich history that dates back to 6,000 B.C. Explore gorgeous beaches, nightlife and modern accommodations during your stay.
Hvar Island’s sunny weather is perfect for making wine and for an authentic wine country experience, roll up your sleeves and join the harvesting crews in producing wine and seeing how it is made.
The annual Hvar Summer Festival runs through the end of September, showcasing lots of musical heritage staged at different historic locations throughout the island.
Honolulu, Hawaii (USA)
| Average Temperature | 88°F high; 73°F low |
| September Events | Aloha Festivals Waikiki Ho’olaule’a Floral Parade |
What usually is a crowded tourist hot spot, Honolulu Hawaii offers tropical weather in the middle of September. With less crowds and warm sun, enjoy the beaches and excursions that Hawaii has to offer. Enjoy delicious spam, poke, and cool off with shaved ice and pineapple.
Hawaii hosts different events in September as well. Be sure to check out the Aloha Festivals and celebrate Hawaii’s culture. You won’t want to miss out on Waikiki Ho’olaule’a, the state’s largest block party with local foods, entertainment and crafts. Definitely a spot on my bucket list!
Barcelona (Spain)
| Average Temperature | 79°F high; 68°F low |
| September Events | La Merce |
Barcelona offers warm enough weather to hit the beach and a great history to keep you entertained. Definitely check out Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo and Casa Mia to admire the work of Antoni Gaudi.
If you love art, the check out the Museu Picasso for its extensive collection of Pablo Picasso art. In addition, La Merce, a celebration that honors the Virgin Mary, takes place in September. Enjoy concerts, parades, dancing, fireworks, museum exhibitions and block parties during this five-day fiesta.
Cincinnati, Ohio (USA)
| Average Temperature | 79°F high; 59°F low |
| September Events | Oktoberfest Zinzinnati |
Cincinnati is not usually thought of as a top destination, but it is a great place to go in September. From historic landmarks to modern architecture, Cincinnati boasts a lively waterfront.
From visiting national parks or going on beer tours, there is definitely something for everyone to do.
Prince Edward Island (Canada)
| Average Temperature | 65°F high; 50°F low |
| September Events | Fall Flavours Festival |
Go to Prince Edward Island to enjoy nature vibes right by the sea. They have plenty of places offering fresh seafood and many excursions to do as well.
Prince Edward Island’s annual Fall Flavours festival takes place at the end of August through the beginning of October. The event features chef demonstrations, musical entertainment, dinners, culinary adventures and tastings at local breweries, distilleries and wineries.
Greenville, South Carolina (USA)
| Average Temperature | 83°F high; 64°F low |
| September Events | Indie Craft Parade Euphoria |
Enjoy warm weather and a rich history in Greenville, South Carolina. They have plenty of rivers and lakes when you can enjoy hikes and nature. In mid-September, Greenville hosts the Indie Craft Parade, a festival of handcrafted goods like paintings, ceramics, fiber art, jewelry, paper crafts and more.
Shanghai (China)
| Average Temperature | 81°F high; 68°F low |
| September Events | Shanghai Tourism Festival |
Looking to travel into Asia? Shanghai is the perfect place to go to in September. With a vibrant nightlife and city, enjoy all the greatness that Shanghai has to offer. To get a panoramic view of the city, go up to the observation decks of the Shanghai World Financial Center. And for another perspective, take a cruise on the Huangpu River.
When you are hungry, be sure to stop at a food cart or street vendor for some of the cheapest yet tastiest foods you will ever find.
Fort Collins, Colorado (USA)
| Average Temperature | 77°F high; 46°F low |
| September Events | Fortoberfest |
Just right up north of Denver, Fort Collins is home to over twenty breweries, earning the title, “Craft Beer Capital of Colorado.” If you love nature and beer, this is definitely a destination you should check out. Enjoy yummy restaurants, antique stores, and lots of outdoor musical performances here. Don’t forget your hiking boots either as their are many trails that you can explore while here.
And if you’re around in September for Fortoberfest, you’ll enjoy live music and seasonal microbrews at the last outdoor music festival in Fort Collins of the year.
Santorini (Greece)
| Average Temperature | 79°F high; 68°F low |
| September Events | International Music Festival |
Enjoy this beautiful Greek Island with lots of beaches and wineries to explore. The weather is perfect in September and you will be free from crowds. Enjoy seafood on the coast, and cheese made directly in Santorini.
In addition, the International Music Festival of Santorini also occurs in September, featuring several concerts across different music genres.
Malta
| Average Temperature | 83°F high; 68°F low |
| September Events | Victory Day Independence Day |
See rich history and beautiful waterfront view while staying in Malta. In addition, if you happen to be their in September, Independence Day is on September 21st and celebrates the day when Malta won political independence from Great Britain. Various activities are held every year to mark this special date in Maltese history.
Best Credit Cards to Redeem for Flights
There are several amazing destinations in this guide. It would make the visit more worth it if you didn’t have to pay for the flight yourself. Furthermore, there are some co-branded airline credit cards to consider for redeeming for flights.
 The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion(R) Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you'll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together. Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card. Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+(R), or Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. You'll earn: • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. • Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. • $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles(R) Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required. • $200 Delta Stays Statement Credit: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Members can earn up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com. • Receive four Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly together on Delta. After that, you may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location. • Delta SkyMiles(R) Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. This card does come with a $650 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. (See Rates & Fees) Terms Apply. |
 The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. You'll earn: • 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. • 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. • 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. • $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment Required. Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost. $150 Delta Stays Credit: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card Members can earn up to $150 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com. You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight. Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. This card comes with a $350 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee. You'll also get fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®. (See Rates & Fees). Terms Apply. |
 The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. You'll earn: • 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. • 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. • $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com. • $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel. Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card. Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight. There is a $150 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150) and no foreign transaction fees. (See Rates & Fees). Now, you'll get get more savings with your first checked bag for free on Delta flights. Terms Apply. |
 The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card offers earn a Companion Pass good through 2/28/26 plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. In addition, you'll earn 7,500 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary each year. You'll earn: • Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases. • Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. • Earn 2X points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming. Some perks include $75 Southwest travel credit each year., receiving 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available, savings of 25% back on in-flight drinks and WiFi, and more! This card carries a $149 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. |
 The United Explorer Card offers 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. You'll earn: • 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays. • 1x mile on all other purchases Perks of this card include: • Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary • Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply. • Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit • 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card There is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95. Member FDIC |
The JetBlue Plus Card is the best rewards card for JetBlue frequent flyers. It offers bonuses on restaurant and grocery store spending, fast track to Mosaic elite status and a few other travel benefits.
They have an offer for 40,000 TrueBlue bonus points when you spend at least $1,000 in the first 90 days. The value of these points are worth around $520.
Top Destinations by Month
Here are some other guides to show you what the best locations are during the year:
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in January
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in February
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in March
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in April
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in May
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in June
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in July
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in August (coming soon)
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in September
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in October (coming soon)
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in November
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in December
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