Where to go on holiday in September? Extend your summer in these destinations

September ranks among the most popular months for a holiday, because summer temperatures still hold in most destinations while prices and tourist numbers are already dropping.

Where to fly on holiday in September without leaving Europe

September is one of the most pleasant months for a holiday in Europe. The biggest summer-holiday crowds are gone, while the air and the sea both stay comfortably warm.

• Malta and Cyprus stay pleasantly warm even at the end of the month, yet by now there's no risk of the scorching heat that can make the height of summer uncomfortable. Both destinations also boast a rich history that's perfect for exploring beyond the beach.
• Rhodes and Crete are southern Greek islands where sunshine is all but guaranteed at this time of year. September is one of their most popular months of all, free of the summer crowds and the high prices typical of July and August.
• The Canary Islands offer a stable climate all year round, so you can head there without worry even outside summer. The volcanic landscape is captivating and invites trips away from the beach, perhaps up Mount Teide or into the lava caves.

Air travel to these destinations usually takes just three to four hours from Prague. That makes the European coast ideal for a shorter holiday. Direct flights also do away with stopovers and the risk of delayed connecting flights, which matters most on weekend trips, where you don't want to lose a single extra hour.

Where to go for a September beach holiday with guaranteed warmth

Southern Europe can still be very warm in September, but if you want absolute certainty of temperatures above 30 °C, it's worth heading a little further afield.

• Egypt routinely delivers 30 °C and more in September. The sea stays pleasantly warm all month and is perfect for diving and snorkeling among the coral reefs. Trips to Cairo to see the pyramids are also very popular at this time of year.
• Turkey has plenty of quiet beaches and attractive prices outside the main season. September is among the cheapest months of the year, yet air and sea temperatures remain comfortable for all-day swimming.
• Tunisia enjoys up to 320 sunny days a year, and September temperatures can still run very high. Local hotels also offer good-value all-inclusive packages with a generous choice of food.

A September beach holiday has one big advantage over the summer break: peace. Beaches are less crowded, prices lower, and hotel staff have more time for each guest individually. That's especially welcome on all-inclusive stays with a generous choice of food and drinks.

The three destinations above offer the surest combination of warmth and a lower price than the same holiday would cost in July or August, when demand is at its peak.

Where to head in September for city breaks and sightseeing

If a beach alone isn't enough and you'd like to combine your holiday with sightseeing, September is the ideal month.

• Lisbon and Porto offer the Atlantic coast, rich history and excellent food, and you can enjoy wandering their lanes without the summer heat and the high-season crowds.
• Athens lets you enjoy its monuments without the queues and at kinder temperatures than in high summer. You can walk the Acropolis in peace even at midday, with no need to squeeze through crowds of fellow tourists.
• Barcelona and Valencia combine city and beach in one, ideal for travelers who want the beach in the morning and culture, food or architecture in the afternoon.

Where to go on holiday in September with kids

A short flight, a calm sea with a gentle slope into the water, and hotels with kids' programs — for most parents these are the main criteria when choosing a holiday with children.

• Malta offers exactly that — a short flight, shallows and family beaches; its hotel complexes are used to families with strollers and offer children's pools with shallower water.
• Rhodes has long beaches that shelve gently into the sea, ideal for parents of little ones still learning to swim; the island also has plenty of family hotels with all-day entertainment programs.
• Cyprus serves up warmth and calm even outside the summer peak. September is one of the quieter months of the whole season, with friendlier prices, while the water and the air stay very pleasant.

A beach holiday with kids in September works out cheaper than in the school holidays; hotels are also less full, and staff have more time for each guest — especially welcome on all-inclusive stays with a generous choice of food. Lower occupancy also means a wider choice of rooms facing the right way or closer to the pool.

Where to go on holiday in early, mid and late September

September is a broad brush, and the week you pick can shape your whole holiday. Early September usually has the cheapest flights, and practically the entire Mediterranean is still warm enough. You can also take advantage of the fact that demand drops sharply the moment the school holidays end — and with it the price of flights to most resorts.

By mid-month the south of France slowly starts winding down for the season; beachside restaurants and rental stands cut back their hours, as do many other seasonal businesses along the coast. By late September, guaranteed warmth is more the domain of Egypt, Turkey or Cyprus — the European coast is noticeably cooler by then and swimming less pleasant.

What to keep in mind when planning a September holiday

The cheapest flights tend to fall at the turn of August and September, once the school holidays end. Before you leave, though, it's worth checking whether seasonal businesses at your destination are still open — above all in the less touristy corners of southern Europe, where the end of summer also means a swift end to the seasonal trade.

Plan your journey to the airport and your parking with a comfortable buffer. It's worth reading up on how airport check-in and airport security screening work before you set off, especially if you're flying for the first time or traveling with children.

And if you leave something behind at the airport, our article on lost and found at Prague Airport explains where to turn.

Final tips before your September holiday

Whatever you end up choosing, the best beach holiday in September is always the one you've prepared for well. Pick your destination by the timing within the month, your budget, and whether you need guaranteed heat or are happy with pleasant weather minus the summer crowds. It also matters whether you're traveling with children, as a couple or solo — each comes with slightly different priorities when choosing a hotel and a specific destination.

Tip: before you set off, try our comparison of car parks at Václav Havel Airport and book both flights and parking well ahead. The benefits of airport parking are neatly summed up in a separate article, if you're interested in the details of vehicle security or free terminal transfers.