Europe in September: The Best Places to Go

September is considered one of the best times to travel to Europe. While the weather is on the cooler side in the northern countries, it's still one of the nicest times of the year.

Perhaps the biggest perk that September brings us is fewer crowds.

July and August are notorious for a huge influx of tourists all over Europe. After all, these two months are the absolute peak of the annual travel season.

Since September is on the edge of that, you can still enjoy good weather, but without people en masse, everywhere you turn.

Here, we're going to highlight some of the best places to travel to in Europe in September, whether it's for the weather or to beat the summer hordes.

Mont Saint-Michel, France

A little island in northern France with medieval architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and plenty of seashell-spotting.

Mont Saint-Michel sees nearly 3 million visitors every year, which is a lot considering it's only 1.54 square miles.

The majority of these visitors explore Mont Saint-Michel during the summer months. After all, it is in Normandy and that's really when you get the best weather.

If you're wanting to be one of the lucky ones who get to see this beautiful 8th century island, September is a great time to visit.

The rainy season hasn't come into full swing yet, and the days are cool, but mild (around 61°F, 16°C).

One of the main reasons September is a great time to visit is because you'll be able to avoid some of the major tourism seen in the height of summer, letting you explore the island a bit more easily.

The Amalfi Coast, Italy

A stretch of coast on the Southern Coast of Italy with colorful villages, dramatic cliffs, and bright blue waters.

Another destination that is small but sees millions of tourists each and every year is the Amalfi Coast.

On the Southern coast of Italy, this stretch of coastline is an incredible destination that tourists love. It has colorful villages, winding, hilly streets, and turquoise blue waters.

Striped beach umbrellas, sunny terraces, aperol spritz... what's not to love?

The Amalfi Coast has several towns you can visit as you travel up and down the shore.

It gets really hot here and the weather is beautiful in September, averaging 77°F (25°C). Like Mont Saint-Michel, the Amalfi Coast is great in September because there are fewer crowds.

Santorini, Greece

A small Greek island in the Mediterranean with white-washed buildings and crystal-clear waters.

Over 3 million tourists head to Santorini every year, either to stay in the city or as an excursion stop on a cruiseship.

Like the other places on the list (thus far), the crowds in Santorini can be overwhelming, especially during the summer months.

Santorini, while it gets really hot, has white, domed buildings that were designed to reflect the sunlight and keep the interiors cooler.

With little streets, donkeys, and some of the most delicious food you'll come by, Santorini is a great place to go in September. The daytime temps are warm (77°F, 25°C) and the crowds are starting to die down.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

An ancient coastal city off the southern coast of Croatia.

Located on the very southern coast of Croatia, Dubrovnik is extremely popular, especially after the world learned it was one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones.

This walled city has both the old and the new, giving its visitors a romantic mix of history and modern ammenities.

In fact, there's a rule in the city that says there can't be any modern billboards, neon signs, or modern storefronts, which lets its residents and guests to fully immerse themselves into a storybook atmosphere.

In September, the city is sunny and warm (averaging 75°F, 24°C), which gives travelers plenty of opportunities to enjoy a picnic by the sea or an after-dinner stroll before relaxing for the night.

In September, you'll find great weather and fewer crowds.

Munich, Germany

A German city in the south of Germany with the world's largest beer festival.

Now, a bit opposite from the other options on the list so far. In September, Munich is incredibly busy.

Millions of travelers go to Munich each year, and the majority of them do it in September. Why? Oktoberfest. While "October" is in the name, the festival usually lasts from mid/late September to the first Sunday in October.

It's a little cooler, around 65°F, 18°C, but nice enough to enjoy the outdoors with a pretzel.

If you like festivals, beer, and want to experience a true German Oktoberfest, you should add Munich to the list!

Transylvania, Romania

A region in Romania that is famous for being the birthplace of vampire legends.

Home of vampire legends and spooky castles, Romania is as stunning as ever in the fall.

Transylvania isn't a city in Romania, it's a region, but it's full of places to go, see, and things to do. It's even home to the "Merry Cemetery", a cemetery that has colorful tombstones.

September in Transylvania is beautiful as the leaves are changing and summer is turning into fall. The weather is still pleasant enough at around 64°F (18°C) during the day.

If you are a self-proclaimed Halloween fanatic or have simply always wanted to go to Romania, you should consider a trip in September.

Barcelona, Spain

A popular city on the northwestern coast of Spain, famous for its uniquely artistic architecture and vibrant street life.

Sunny siestas, pink and orange sunsets, tapas - Barcelona is such a fun place to travel to.

It can get very hot there (and very crowded) in the summer months, making September the ideal time to explore.

With temperatures averaging 77°F in September (that's 25°C) and fewer crowds, travelers find Barcelona a really nice place to visit that time of year.

Budapest, Hungary

A beautiful city in northern Hungary that's famous for its thermal baths, architecture, and a buzzing nightlife.

Budapest sees millions of tourists each and every year. Its stunning architecture and exciting nightlife make it a go-to destination.

If you want to explore Budapest's night life, but aren't completely sold on large crowds, September might be a more ideal time to immerse yourself into the city.

Crowds lessen and the temperature is still nice (68°F, 20°C on average), letting you wander the winding streets comfortably.

Venice, Italy

An ancient canal city in Italy, where there are no roads - only waterways and sidewalks.

Venice is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in Europe with its age-old canals, stunning architecture, and truly unique Venetian culture.

Gondola rides, blown glass, and carnival masks are just a few of the things that draw travelers here.

With nearly 20 million visitors each year, the summer months are extremely busy in the ancient city. In fact, due to overtourism and crowding, Italy has even announced new policies to help improve Venice's infrastructure.

September offers fewer crowds in Venice and warm daytime temperatures (75°F, 24°C).

Valletta, Malta

If you haven't added Malta to your Bucket List, open up your Notes app and get typing!

Malta is a small island country in the Medterranean, just south of Italy. Valletta an entirely walled city, is its capital and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Travelers who head to Malta love it for its sundrenched sea views, twisting medieval alleys, and delicious seafood. In fact, Valletta is one of the hottest cities in Europe. In September, the temperature still averages at 81°F (27°C).

Because of all of this, Valletta sees a lot of tourism, but September is when it starts to get a little quieter on the island, making it the perfect time for you to start your journey!