11 of the best holiday destinations for September sun

1. Turkey

Turkey roasts throughout summer but by September the temperatures are a little more bearable, often not reaching higher than late 20s.

The best place to soak up the sun is on the temptingly named ‘Turquoise Coast’, which stretches from Çeşme to Alanya.

Buzzing Marmaris is the place to go for all-night partying and sizzling beach days, while the city of Bodrum adds a little culture to the mix with historic sites such as the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Antalya, further south, is the gateway to seaside resorts like family-friendly Side and glitzy golf heaven Belek. But the city is brilliant in its own right, with a stacked list of things to do and interesting day trips within easy reach.

Then, you’ve got coastal towns such as Olu Deniz, which are all about relaxing on beaches surrounded by pretty, pine-clad mountains. It’s where you’ll find the famous Blue Lagoon, too.

2. The Algarve, Portugal

The Algarve is a reliable choice if you’re seeking a September sunbathing session and its gorgeous golden stretches of sand – some of the best beaches in Portugal – are incredibly inviting places to do it.

Temperatures often reach the late 20s in September and the Atlantic, although a bit chillier than the Med, has had all summer to warm up to a pleasant 21C. The sunny days make coastal exploration a dream, whether you’re kayaking to rugged coves or strolling along clifftop trails.

Some of the Algarve’s most popular spots, such as Albufeira and Vilamoura, are bang in the centre of the region, so head east to discover its other side. Here, those iconic golden cliffs give way to huge, flat swathes of sand, a string of small islands, and the Ria Formosa Nature Park.

If you want a day off from the beach, towns such as the regional capital, Faro, laidback Olhão and historic Tavira are just itching to be explored.

3. Spain

The beauty of a holiday to Spain lies in the diversity. On the mainland, consider the Costa del Sol for a kid-approved getaway, visit inland cities like Seville and Granada for guaranteed sun or choose Barcelona for a culture-packed break by the sea.

And don’t forget its islands. In the Mediterranean Balearics, party island Ibiza is going out with a bang – its epic closing parties run into early October. Sleepy Menorca is all about undisturbed R&R, while ever-popular Majorca has cool cities and power-white beaches for days.

In the Atlantic, the Canary Islands are especially lovely in September, with temperatures reaching the mid-20s. Stay on the tourist trail on main islands Fuerteventura, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, or pick up-and-comers, La Palma and La Gomera for a quieter break. Alternatively, turn your holiday into an island-hopping adventure for a taste of them all.

4. Morocco

Marrakech sizzles in September, with temperatures reaching the high 20s as summer comes to a close.

Getting lost in this vibrant city of chaotic souks, splendid mosques and stately palaces is an absolute joy, as is returning to your riad after a busy day of exploring. These little oases in the heart of the city are as welcome and unexpected as the real thing – think small boutique hotels centred around a palm-shaded courtyard complete with a pool.

Make time for highlights like the incredibly beautiful Medersa Ben Youssef school and Jardin Majorelle, which was owned by Yves Saint-Laurent and is every bit as lovely as the pictures.

If the beach is more your bag, Agadir has sea, sand and myriad bars and clubs to keep you entertained at night.

For a traditional Moroccan experience, head up into the stunning Atlas Mountains to visit traditional Berber towns. Or ride into the desert on a camel or quad bike to have dinner in a Bedouin camp.

5. The Greek islands

The Greek islands have a few things in common: great food, outstanding scenery, balmy waters and beaches galore are pretty much guaranteed on all the most popular islands.

To narrow down your options consider Crete, Greece’s largest island. It’s got glorious stretches of sand, including the shimmering pink Elafonissi Beach, historic sites such as the Minoan Knossos Palace and a web of hiking trails through its lush hinterland. In fact, if you’re up for a trek, late September, when the weather cools slightly, is the perfect time to lace up your boots.

Rhodes has more history and exemplary Greek island architecture, and is a great jumping off point for visiting its smaller neighbours. Symi and Chalki are two quiet Greek islands that are just a hop away from Rhodes via ferry.

If you’d prefer to stick to the classics, Santorini is just like the postcards. Go for traditional whitewashed villages and some of the world’s most scenic sunsets.

Note that some Greek island resorts start winding down after the peak summer season, so some shops, bars and restaurants will be closed.

6. Cyprus

Cyprus is hot in September. Temperatures still hit the 30s even this late in the year and the sun shines for a glorious 11 hours.

Beach lovers can get their fix at resorts with long sandy stretches such as Lara Bay, Ayia Napa and Protaras, and a dip in the sea is still more than pleasant with the sea staying as warm as 26C in October.

If you’re feeling active, go off the beaten track to explore the spectacular Troodos Mountains or hit up the nature trails of Akamas Peninsula National Park. The latter is also a major nesting location for sea turtles and September is a great time to spot them close to the shore.

History buff? Discover Cyprus’s secret side at one of its archaeological sites, such as around the village of Kouklia or the eerie ancient ruins of Salamis in the Turkish-occupied north.

7. Croatia

Although Croatia cools down after August, you're quite likely to get sunny weather all throughout September. The mercury hovers in the low- to mid-20s and the sea stays an idyllic 23C.

Speaking of the sea, Croatia’s nabbed a sizable chunk of coastline, so you’ll never be far from a stretch of golden sand or a pebbly cove. Central Dalmatia (think Split, Trogir and the island of Hvar) is a staple for good value all-inclusive deals, or head to Porec or Rovinj on Croatia's Istrian Riviera for a slice of beach paradise.

For a city break in the sun, it’s hard to do better than Dubrovnik, where ancient history, winding lanes and proper old town charm await. For something left of field, capital Zagreb bustles with restaurants, shops and museums.

Head further inland and there are dense forests, waterfalls and canyons to explore in the country’s stunning national parks – Plitvice Lakes and Krka are easily two of the best places to visit in Croatia.

8. Malta

Adrift in the Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast, sun-bleached Malta holds on to summertime temperatures for much longer than most of Europe – making it one of the best destinations for September sun.

Although the island doesn’t have many sandy beaches — Malta's beaches are often of the rocky variety, more of a jumping off point for a dip in the beautiful Med than a place to lay your towel – sandy spots can be found at Mellieha and the aptly named Golden Bay. Many of the hotels have fantastic pools and great views too, so you’re likely to have prime flopping territory right on your doorstep.

You’ll want to leave your sun-lounger at some point though. Malta has so much beauty and history for an island of its size, with megalithic temples dating back to 4,000 BC, a pretty 16th-century capital, and the incredibly clear waters of the Blue Lagoon at Comino.

It’s worth keeping aside a day or two to make the hop over to Gozo, Malta’s other island, where you’ll find swimming holes, red-sand beaches and the 15th-century Cittadella that overlooks island capital, Victoria.

9. Sicily, Italy

You’re bound to get a taste of la dolce vita wherever you stay in Sicily – this Italian island certainly appreciates life’s sweet things.

Cosmopolitan Catania is an excellent pick for a mix of city vibes and the outdoors; you’re near rumbling Mount Etna here and can summit the active volcano on a day trip. Capital Palermo is still more gritty than glam but grand UNESCO-listed architecture abounds and the food is as delicious as it is affordable.

In the southeast, there are baroque towns including Modica and Ragusa, and historic Siracusa, a stronghold of Ancient Greece.

For a classic beach break, look to towns such as Cefalu, Taormina and Trapani along the north coast. Take your pick from long sandy sweeps backed by shops and restaurants or quieter pebble coves to soak up the September sun (temperatures still sit in the early 20s). Or, take to the still-warm Med for snorkelling and watersports.

10. Madeira, Portugal

Unlike some of the other destinations on this list, Madeira isn’t fringed with swathes of sand – but you probably won’t mind. Beaches include Praia da Calheta or Praia do Porto do Seixal, but this tranquil Portuguese island is really about getting back to nature, whether that’s on a dolphin and whale-watching trip or a scuba diving adventure.

Scenic walks along the island’s ancient irrigation channels (known as levadas) is a popular activity, as are the thrills of an urban toboggan ride in Funchal. To see old Madeira, visit Santana where a mini village of traditional triangle-roofed houses are a step back in time.

Neighbouring Porto Santo is ideal day trip material. The journey is long, at around two-and-a-half-hours each way by ferry, but there’s 9km of beautiful golden sand at the end of it. Golfers will enjoy the green (and the views) at Porto Santo Golfe, too.

Expect sunny September highs of 25C and sea temperatures around 24C, the warmest it’ll be all year.

11. Dubai, UAE

September heralds the start of the cooler months in Dubai – though for this sweltering city, that means temperatures that top out at around 38C instead of the low 40s. But for hardcore sun-worshippers who can cope with sizzling heat, this low season is a great time to nab a bargain break.

If it gets too hot, you can retreat to an ever-growing growing number of malls or visit sights such as the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world. There’s even an indoor ski slope at the Mall of the Emirates if you really want to cool down.

Away from the beaches, souks tempt with gold, spices and other delights. Or, you can join any number of tours that venture into the desert for dune bashing on 4x4s, camel rides and Bedouin-style dinners under the stars.