Best Places to Visit in September: Shoulder-Season Picks and Skips
Athens drops from 91.6°F in August to 83.3°F in September and Rome from 88.9°F to 79.7°F, while crowds thin out. We compared 20 years of data to pick eleven cities and list the hurricane and monsoon places to skip.
The best places to visit in September are the ones where the summer heat has just broken and the crowds have not quite caught up: Rome (highs fall from 88.9°F in August to 79.7°F), Athens (from 91.6°F to 83.3°F), Lisbon, Barcelona, Budapest and Istanbul in Europe, plus Beijing, Seoul and New York for city breaks. We would book September over August almost every time for the Mediterranean, and that is the core of this list of the best places to visit in September.
The reason is simple arithmetic. School holidays in much of Europe and North America end, prices usually ease, and the sea is still warm from the summer. But September is also where some places turn dangerous or wet: it is the heart of the Atlantic hurricane season, deep in Costa Rica's rainy season, and the tail end of the monsoon. Below is a ranked, honest look based on 20 years of WeatherApex averages, with a clear list of what to skip.
Best places to visit in September at a glance
Eleven shoulder-season picks. Celsius is in brackets, and rain is shown in inches and millimetres.
| Place | Avg high F (C) | Avg low F (C) | Rainy days | Rain in (mm) | Sun hours per day | Humidity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | 83.3 (28.5) | 66.9 (19.4) | 3 | 0.9 (23) | 11.4 | 57% | Ancient sites, warm sea |
| Rome | 79.7 (26.5) | 62.8 (17.1) | 8 | 3.3 (84) | 10.9 | 71% | Walking the old centre |
| Lisbon | 77.9 (25.5) | 64.0 (17.8) | 4 | 1.2 (30) | 11.1 | 71% | Light, coast, cafes |
| Barcelona | 76.6 (24.8) | 64.9 (18.3) | 10 | 3.4 (86) | 10.3 | 78% | City plus swimming |
| Istanbul | 76.8 (24.9) | 65.1 (18.4) | 7 | 1.9 (48) | 10.8 | 71% | Sights without August heat |
| Budapest | 72.3 (22.4) | 55.8 (13.2) | 8 | 2.5 (64) | 9.5 | 69% | Baths, river, wine |
| Beijing | 79.9 (26.6) | 60.6 (15.9) | 6 | 2.1 (53) | 9.3 | 64% | Clear autumn skies |
| Seoul | 77.2 (25.1) | 62.6 (17.0) | 8 | 5.3 (135) | 8.4 | 77% | Back to sunny days |
| New York | 75.9 (24.4) | 61.2 (16.2) | 9 | 4.1 (104) | 9.1 | 74% | Mild city weeks |
| San Francisco | 71.2 (21.8) | 56.7 (13.7) | 1 | 0.1 (3) | 11.5 | 77% | Its warmest month |
| Cape Town | 64.2 (17.9) | 51.6 (10.9) | 7 | 1.7 (43) | 10.2 | 77% | Early spring, quiet |
The pattern is easy to see in the rainy-days column: Beijing, Seoul, Athens and Lisbon all log fewer than 9 rainy days, and the sun hours are still above 8 per day in every row.
The shoulder-season effect, in numbers
Shoulder season means the weeks between peak summer and the cold or wet months, and in the Northern Hemisphere September is the textbook example. Here is how several of our picks change from August to September.
| City | Aug high F | Sep high F | Aug rainy days | Sep rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | 91.6 | 83.3 | 2 | 3 |
| Rome | 88.9 | 79.7 | 5 | 8 |
| Barcelona | 82.4 | 76.6 | 7 | 10 |
| Budapest | 81.9 | 72.3 | 8 | 8 |
| Beijing | 86.5 | 79.9 | 11 | 6 |
| Seoul | 84.4 | 77.2 | 16 | 8 |
Two things stand out. The temperature drop is large, around 9.2°F (5.1°C) in Rome and 9.6°F (5.3°C) in Budapest. And rain does not always fall with it. Southern Europe gets its first autumn showers in September, which is why Rome and Barcelona have more rainy days than in August. The storms are usually short, but they are real, so pack for one.
Mediterranean and Iberia: the main event
Athens
Athens in August can be punishing. In September the high is 83.3°F (28.5°C), the low 66.9°F (19.4°C), and the month brings 0.9 in (23 mm) of rain over 3 rainy days, with 11.4 hours of sun. It is the best month to climb the Acropolis without feeling light-headed, and the sea is still warm enough for the islands. The ancient sites are far easier to enjoy in the morning than at 2 pm.
Rome
Rome averages 79.7°F (26.5°C) with lows of 62.8°F (17.1°C), and 8 rainy days. That makes it ideal for long walks through the centre, which is hard work in August. Rain falls as short, heavy bursts, with 3.3 in (84 mm) for the month. Hotels and attractions remain busy, but the heat that pushes everyone indoors has softened. For the rest of Italy, Florence is very similar at 78.3°F (25.7°C).
Lisbon
Lisbon is at its most balanced: 77.9°F (25.5°C), a low of 64.0°F (17.8°C), and 4 rainy days with 1.2 in (30 mm) of rain. The light is gentle, the terraces are full, and nearby beaches are still comfortable. The Atlantic stays cool, but the air makes up for it. We would call this the single easiest city trip of the month.
Barcelona
Barcelona is warm at 76.6°F (24.8°C) with lows of 64.9°F (18.3°C), and the sea is among its warmest after a summer of heating. The catch is that September is wetter than August, with 3.4 in (86 mm) over 10 rainy days. Storms tend to arrive fast and clear fast. Beach days are still likely, just keep a plan B ready.
Istanbul
Istanbul goes from hot to pleasant. The average high is 76.8°F (24.9°C), the low 65.1°F (18.4°C), with 7 rainy days. It is a comfortable month for ferry rides, bazaars and long sightseeing days, and the humidity of 71% is manageable.
Central Europe and East Asia
Budapest
Budapest runs at 72.3°F (22.4°C) for the high and 55.8°F (13.2°C) for the low, with 8 rainy days. It suits the thermal baths, river walks and wine bars, none of which are fun in July heat. Evenings can feel cool, so bring a light jacket.
Beijing
Beijing is the strongest autumn pick in Asia. The monsoon rain has mostly passed: 2.1 in (53 mm) of rain over 6 days, against 5.2 in (132 mm) in August. Highs sit at 79.9°F (26.6°C), humidity at 64%, and the skies are often bright. Aim to be finished before the national holiday week that usually begins on October 1, when domestic travel surges.
Seoul
Seoul has the biggest swing of the Asian picks. August brings 10.1 in (257 mm) of rain, while September brings 5.3 in (135 mm) and just 8 rainy days. The high is a comfortable 77.2°F (25.1°C) and the low 62.6°F (17.0°C). It is good for walking, hiking in the surrounding hills and street food.
North America and the Southern Hemisphere
New York
New York in September is the version of the city people imagine: 75.9°F (24.4°C) highs, 61.2°F (16.2°C) lows, and 9 rainy days. The sticky summer is over, and it is warm enough for the outdoors. Rain averages 4.1 in (104 mm), and tropical remnants can occasionally bring a wet spell. The first week after Labor Day is usually when summer crowds drop.
San Francisco
San Francisco is the rare place that gets better in September. The high is 71.2°F (21.8°C), up from 69.4°F (20.8°C) in August, and rain is almost absent at 0.1 in (3 mm). The fog retreats a little and the city feels warmer than at any other time of year. Pack layers all the same.
Cape Town
Seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere, so September is early spring in Cape Town. The high is 64.2°F (17.9°C), the low 51.6°F (10.9°C), with 7 rainy days and 1.7 in (43 mm) of rain. That is a drier month than August (3.3 in (84 mm)), though the air is still cool and the sea is cold. It is best for hiking, wine country and whale watching, not for the beach.
Other cities that came close
A few more places are worth a look if the main list does not fit. Paris (70.3°F (21.3°C)), Vienna (70.2°F (21.2°C)) and Prague (68.4°F (20.2°C)) are excellent for walking at this time of year, with 8, 10 and 9 rainy days, though the evenings start to feel autumnal. Nice is warmer at 75.9°F (24.4°C) and still good for the coast. Munich (66.0°F (18.9°C)) is cooler and has 12 rainy days, but its beer festival usually starts in the second half of September, so rooms get expensive. Madrid (80.2°F (26.8°C)) is much calmer than in August, with only 4 rainy days. Seville is still hot at 88.0°F (31.1°C), so we would wait until October there.
Where we would skip in September
- Hurricane coast: Cancun (7.3 in (185 mm)), Miami (7.2 in (183 mm)), Orlando and Houston are in the thick of the Atlantic season, which usually peaks around the second week of September. Cancun logs 23 rainy days.
- South Asia: Mumbai (14.5 in (368 mm)) and Kolkata (11.2 in (284 mm)) are still in monsoon.
- Costa Rica: San Jose receives 15.8 in (401 mm) and 29 rainy days. It is among the wettest months of the year, and October is wetter still.
- Typhoon-exposed Asia: Tokyo (7.7 in (196 mm)), Manila and Bangkok are all wet, and storm risk is high in the region.
- Western Norway and Iceland: Bergen gets 10.3 in (262 mm) and Reykjavik is down to 50.7°F (10.4°C) with 6.6 hours of sun.
- Desert heat: Dubai (105.1°F) and Phoenix (99.1°F) are still extremely hot.
Daylight is shrinking, so plan the day differently
One thing the sun-hours column hides: northern daylight is dropping quickly. Reykjavik falls from 9.2 hours per day in August to 6.6, and Edinburgh from 9.3 to 7.6. Even in Rome the figure goes from 12.8 to 10.9. You can still have a lovely day, but there is less slack in your itinerary, so start sightseeing earlier.
How to pick from the best places to visit in September, by goal
- Swimming: Athens has the warmest air (83.3°F (28.5°C)) and the islands are close, while Barcelona and Lisbon offer city beaches. The sea is still warm from the summer.
- Walking cities: Rome, Budapest, Lisbon and New York.
- Fewest crowds: Cape Town, which is in early spring and outside its main tourist peak, and Budapest, which is generally calmer than Rome or Barcelona.
- Driest conditions: San Francisco, Beijing and Athens.
- Cheapest: We do not track prices, but many hotels cut rates after school holidays end. Check fares for the second half of the month first.
If September does not suit your dates, October is the next logical step, and August is the previous one. Our trip planner helps you compare them for a specific city.
What to pack
Think layers. For Athens, Rome, Barcelona and Istanbul: light clothes, sunscreen and a compact umbrella for sudden storms. For Budapest, Beijing, Seoul and New York: a light jacket for evenings and comfortable shoes. For San Francisco: a warm layer even on a sunny afternoon. For Cape Town: a windproof jacket and a sweater, because spring can be fresh.
How we picked, and a data note
We looked at September in every city in the dataset and kept those with highs between roughly 60 and 90°F, no more than about 10 rainy days, and enough sun to make a full day outside realistic. Then we balanced the list across regions so you are not reading ten versions of the same Mediterranean city. One honest weakness: averages cannot show how steady a month is. Rome and Barcelona have the same kind of September, a warm start followed by a first autumn storm, and the exact date of that storm moves around from year to year. For that reason we would give the best places to visit in September a flexible itinerary rather than a rigid one.
The figures come from WeatherApex averages for 2006 to 2025, so they show typical September weather, not a forecast. Individual years vary, especially for rain in Mediterranean cities and storms near the coast. Use the table to shortlist and the forecast to finalise. For official climate data, see World Weather Information Service of the WMO.
Frequently asked questions
Is September a good month to travel to Europe?
Yes, especially for the south. Athens falls from 91.6°F in August to 83.3°F in September, Rome from 88.9°F to 79.7°F and Budapest from 81.9°F to 72.3°F. Rain increases in some Mediterranean cities, such as Rome with 8 rainy days against 5 in August.
Where is the weather best in September?
Athens (83.3°F, 3 rainy days), Lisbon (77.9°F, 4 rainy days) and Beijing (79.9°F, 6 rainy days) are among the most comfortable and dry. San Francisco is at its warmest month, with a 71.2°F high and 0.1 inches of rain. These are 20-year averages, so treat them as typical.
Where should I avoid in September?
Avoid the Atlantic hurricane coast, including Cancun (23 rainy days, 7.3 inches of rain), Miami and Orlando, and the tail of the Indian monsoon in Mumbai (14.5 inches). San Jose in Costa Rica gets 15.8 inches over 29 rainy days. Tokyo and other typhoon-exposed Asian cities are also wet, with 7.7 inches in Tokyo.
Is September a good time to go to Asia?
For Beijing and Seoul, yes. Beijing's rain falls from 5.2 inches in August to 2.1 inches in September, and Seoul's drops from 10.1 inches to 5.3 inches. Tropical places like Bangkok (11.0 inches, 26 rainy days) and Manila (13.4 inches) are still in the wet season.
