Recently updated on November 24th, 2023 at 06:34 pm
From the vibrant energy of New York City to the stunning beaches of Sydney to the rich culture of Tokyo, let’s dive deep into the best cities to visit in September. With mild weather, great events and fewer crowds than in the peak summer months, September is an excellent month to explore these brilliant world-class cities and uncover the best culture, cuisine and celebrations. Deciding where to travel in fall (or spring!) is tricky. Let’s look at what it’s like to travel to these nine incredible cities in September and why each destination makes our list.
New York City, USA
The magic of New York is on full show in September, as summer departs and autumn leaves start turning the city into a fall wonderland. It’s a great time to explore the city’s iconic landmarks and attractions, from the Statue of Liberty and Central Park to Broadway shows and famous museums and galleries. Beyond mild and pleasant weather, September in NYC is also New York Fashion Week. If you have a passion for fashion or street style it’s a great time to explore Manhattan. Keep an eye out for the cool crowd gathering for shows. Undoubtedly, New York City is one of the best cities to visit in September.
GET INSPIRED BY: New York Explorer
Munich, Germany
Did you know Oktoberfest actually falls in September? This bucket list cultural festival kicks off in late September, turning the whole city in a fun destination. Expect plenty of beer, delicious and comforting food, and Bavarian culture. This event attracts millions of visitors from across the globe, so if you’ve always wanted to dance in a beer hall and clink steins at Oktoberfest you have to plan ahead. Best of all, this time of year is still sunny and delightful so you can spend time outdoors exploring Munich’s rich history and architecture and evenings dancing to cheesy music at Oktoberfest. Don’t miss Marienplatz, the English Garden and the Munich Residence without the summer crowds.
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Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is one of the best cities to visit in September if you love the beach. Right by the historic Spanish city you’ll find long stretches of golden sandy beaches, such as Barceloneta and Bogatell. Best of all, September in Barcelona is still warm and sunny – so you can enjoy days tanning and nights hopping between tapas bars. There are always fun events in Barcelona. September is when the Barcelona International Jazz Festival and the La Mercè Festival fall. The latter is the biggest street party in the city, featuring fireworks, concerts, and traditional Catalan dances. Don’t forget to tick off the city’s top sights – especially architectural masterpieces by Gaudi including La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell.
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Sydney
While most of the world is heading into fall, sunny Sydney is just heating up. September is the start of spring in the Australian city and the mild weather is ideal for exploring. You’ve seen pictures of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but there’s nothing like being there in real life. Soak up views of these iconic landmarks and then get involved in the local cultural scene. Sydney Fringe Festival falls each September, bringing fun shows and performances to the city. And while Australia might be emerging from winter in September, it’s still a great time to visit the famous Bondi Beach. Take a swim in the warm Pacific Ocean or simply enjoy a fresh seafood lunch with views of the water.
GET INSPIRED BY: Wonders of Australia
Tokyo
If you love food Tokyo is the place to be. The Japanese are known for seasonal eating and this time of year you can try special dishes such as matsutake mushrooms, or dine at one of more than 100,000 restaurants that call the city home. This is one of the best cities to visit in September as the humidity is lower than the summer months, making it more comfortable to explore outdoors. The Tokyo Marathon usually falls in September, and it’s the season for Japanese baseball – a great event to attend!
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London
September is a brilliant time to visit London, especially for sports fans. It’s the start of the football season and Premier League matches occur across the city. Plus, the famous Wimbledon tennis championship is on. But beyond sport, sport, sport it rains less in September in London, so you can enjoy the great outdoors while avoiding summer crowds. Have a royal time at Windsor Castle and witness the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Dive into the vibrant arts and culture scene, or spend time soaking up the many brilliant parks and gardens, such as Hyde Park, St. James’s Park, and Kew Gardens.
GET INSPIRED BY: London Explorer
Cape Town
September is a great time to witness wildlife in Cape Town, South Africa‘s ‘Mother City’. Whale watching season kicks off, and it’s the start of spring so you’ll find the wildflowers in full bloom. Visit Table Mountain National Park to see animals such as baboons, ostriches, and antelopes. Then soak up culture in the city with the many museums and galleries, such as the District Six Museum and the Zeitz MOCAA. Cape Town is also a foodie’s paradise, so don’t miss the chance to try the local wine and delicious seafood dishes.
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Dubrovnik, Croatia
Game of Thrones fans need to no introduction to this small Croatian city. With medieval walls on all sides, Dubrovnik’s Old Town is a popular UNESCO World Heritage site. September is a better time to visit the small center with thinner crowds than during the summer months. Early in the month you can still expect brilliant warm weather and blue-sky days, perfect for laying your towel by the Adriatic Sea. Dubrovnik has a few small beaches by the city, or you can take a boat to neighboring islands for a spectacular day on the water.
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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Like Sydney, Rio de Janeiro is emerging from the depths of winter in September – meaning there will be a buzz in the air and hearts full of hope. Of course, Rio is blessed with a tropical climate so it never really gets cold. That’s why September is perfect to explore before the heat of summer really hits. It’s always a party in the Brazilian city and September is festival time with the huge Rock in Rio music festival falling, along with Brazilian Independence Day celebrations. When you’re not exploring the city’s great attractions, such as the Christ the Redeemer statue and the Sugarloaf Mountain, you can spend time enjoying its famous beaches, including Copacabana and Ipanema.
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Those are the best cities to visit in September. Still wondering where to go in September or planning city travel for another month? Let us know in the comments….