The Golden Month: Peak Waves, Empty Trails, and Perfect Weather
September is the travel calendar's ultimate secret weapon. This is the month where you get peak summer conditions without the peak summer crowds, allowing you to secure incredible adventures at dramatically lower prices. It’s the Goldilocks zone worldwide: the intense heat of the Mediterranean is gone, but the sea is still bath-water warm, and the mountainous Northern Hemisphere is drying out, bringing clear skies and the first hint of autumn colours.
This is your chance to ditch the norm and score big: ride the ultimate "combo swell" for world-class surfing in California or Portugal, chase the stunning golden larch foliage in the Canadian Rockies, or go island hopping across Greece's quiet Cyclades. For the high-altitude adventurer, it’s the best time to conquer the clear, dry Andes of Bolivia, photographing flamingos against otherworldly high-altitude lakes, or trekking the perfectly mild mountains of South Korea. Stop fighting the summer rush—September is waiting.
Bolivia – High-Altitude, Low-Budget Expedition
Bolivia is the raw, rugged heart of South America, and September is the strategic time to launch your expedition into the high Andes. You are catching the very end of the peak dry season, meaning road travel is easy, and you get reliably clear, sapphire blue skies essential for photography. Days are getting milder, but the altitude is no joke: expect temperatures to plummet well below freezing at night on the Altiplano, which is a small price to pay for the unparalleled views and pristine conditions.
The biggest win is the surreal Salar de Uyuni and the three-day desert circuit. The dry weather means the massive salt flats are hard and accessible for classic 4x4 perspective photos. From the salt flats, your journey continues through the vast Altiplano, reaching staggering heights over 4,000 metres. This is also one of the best times of year to see massive flocks of flamingos—including the rare James's flamingo—feeding in the vibrant, high-altitude lagoons like Laguna Colorada (which gets its red hue from the algae). The dry conditions and clear air create breathtaking, otherworldly landscapes against the backdrop of snow-capped volcanoes.
Switching from the high desert to the rest of the country is easy and essential. Ride the world-famous "Death Road" mountain bike descent outside La Paz, explore the bustling, chaotic witch markets of the world's highest capital city, or dive into the low-cost culture of historic Sucre and Potosí. If you want a break from the cold, head down to the Amazon basin (Madidi National Park) where the dry season means lower humidity and better wildlife viewing in the Pampas. Bolivia is the ultimate budget-friendly adventure that delivers geographic extremes and stunning beauty at every turn. Grab your thermals and your highest-factor sunscreen.
Canada – The Golden Larch Trek
Canada in August is pure peak season: booked-up campsites, crowded lakes, and high heat. September is the strategic pivot—the month where you get the end of summer warmth combined with the stunning onset of autumn. Crucially, immediately after the Labour Day holiday (the first Monday in September), the peak summer crowds vanish, but the weather remains ideal for adventure, especially in the Rockies, giving you cooler, perfect hiking temperatures.
The biggest win is the autumn foliage adventure. In the Canadian Rockies (Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise), the sub-alpine larch trees turn a spectacular, fiery golden yellow in the last two weeks of September. This creates an unmissable, short-lived spectacle that is best seen by tackling famous, high-altitude trails like the Larch Valley hike. Beyond the Rockies, the moderate temperatures are perfect for multi-day wilderness canoeing in Algonquin Provincial Park (Ontario) or backpacking into the vast wilderness of the Yukon. The cooler air also means the summer bugs are gone, and wildlife, particularly bears and elk, are highly active as they prepare for winter.
After days spent trekking and chasing golden colours, switch to a different kind of adventure. In British Columbia and Quebec, the weather is still mild enough to enjoy city-meets-nature thrills like biking Vancouver's Seawall or exploring Montreal's vibrant student nightlife and cultural scene. For a real rush, try whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River in B.C. or a zipline near Niagara Falls. Canada in September is your chance to trade in the high-stress crowds for expansive, cooler wilderness and some of the most dramatic seasonal colours on the planet. Get your camera (and your layers) ready.
Greece – The Perfect Island Hangover Cure
Greece in July and August is a zoo — scorching heat, packed ferries, and peak prices. September is your strategic strike window, offering the perfect shoulder season sweet spot. The blistering summer heat has mellowed (expect temps around 25°C to 30°C), the sea is at its absolute warmest from the summer baking, and crucially, the crowds have massively thinned out. You get the same stunning experience for significantly cheaper prices and without the relentless queueing.
The biggest win is the late-summer island hopping. With the high winds having died down and the seas calm and warm, September is ideal for sailing or jumping between the Cyclades. You can start in Athens, hit the ancient history before heading out to the islands: chase the last of the intense summer party scene on Ios (where the bars are still open but manageable), explore the dramatic caldera and iconic sunsets of Santorini without fighting a thousand people for a photo, or head to the massive, diverse island of Crete for both amazing beaches and world-class hiking.
Switching from the beaches to the mainland is easier than ever. With the crowds gone, the ancient sites of the Acropolis and the Peloponnese are far more enjoyable to explore in the cooler daytime temperatures. You can take advantage of the relaxed vibe to find authentic tavernas in the smaller villages where the locals have reclaimed their space. Greece in September is your chance to ditch the stressful summer rush and tick off a massive cultural and coastal adventure that won’t totally bankrupt your future travel plans. This is your final chance to grab that tan before winter hits.
California – Endless Summer Swell
California is the ultimate road trip destination, but the summer crowds and coastal traffic can be brutal. September is the strategic time to visit because it extends the summer sun and warmth, but the massive tourist rush vanishes right after Labour Day. The biggest win is the surf: the water is still bathtub-warm, the crowds thin out, and you get the year’s most consistent, clean waves, thanks to the combination of the last South Pacific swells mixing with the first winter Northerly swells, often accompanied by favourable offshore winds.
September delivers what locals call the "combo swell"—a mix of wave directions that creates perfect, peaky beach breaks and powerful point breaks, especially across Southern California (Orange County, San Diego). This is the best time to be learning or progressing your skills, hitting iconic spots like Trestles or enjoying the warm water of La Jolla Shores. You get the warm-water feel of summer with the clean, consistent swell of fall, all without fighting a thousand other surfers for every set wave.
After riding the perfect waves, switch to inland exploration. The coastal temperatures are ideal for an epic Highway One road trip through Big Sur, where the dramatic cliffs meet the calm Pacific, or for tackling the rugged trails in the state's massive national parks, such as the accessible hiking on the Channel Islands. For the city fix, San Francisco and San Diego are buzzing with student life, street culture, and amazing urban outdoor opportunities like biking the Golden Gate Bridge or hiking to sunset cliffs. California in September gives you endless sunshine and perfect waves, proving that the end of summer is truly the beginning of adventure. Time to wax up your board.
South Korea – The Golden Season Kickoff
South Korea is an emerging adventure powerhouse with culture and nature that runs deeper than K-Pop. September is the ideal moment to visit. The sticky, humid monsoon season is over, giving way to mild temperatures (around 20°C to 25°C), dry air, and incredibly clear blue skies. With low rainfall and the dense summer crowds gone, you get perfect conditions for exploring the country's huge network of mountains and ancient cities.
The biggest win is the start of the golden trekking season. The pleasant temperatures and clear air make this the best month for outdoor activity, especially hiking in the National Parks. While the peak autumn foliage hits later, late September brings the first burst of colour in the northern mountains, especially in Seoraksan National Park, where the high-altitude trails begin to glow with fiery reds and golds. This temporary window gives you the beauty of the changing season without the intense crowds and costs of the October peak. It’s the perfect time to join locals on the trails and experience the country’s passion for mountain life.
Switching from nature to the high-energy cities is effortless with Korea's slick transport. The mild weather is perfect for exploring the ancient palaces and trendy street markets of Seoul, or visiting the bustling port city of Busan for its seaside atmosphere and seafood markets. You might also catch the tail-end of summer festivals or the national harvest holiday, Chuseok, which offers a deep cultural experience. South Korea in September delivers the perfect balance of challenging natural beauty and high-tech urban culture. Get ready for a smooth, scenic, and deeply rewarding adventure.
Portugal – Shoulder Season Swell
Portugal is one of Western Europe’s most dynamic and affordable destinations. September is the ideal time to explore: the intense, scorching heat of August has dropped to a pleasant warmth (around 25°C), the crowds have significantly thinned out after the school holidays, and the sea is at its warmest. Best of all, Portugal is a fantastic anchor point for an Interrail trip, connecting easily by train to Spain and the rest of Western Europe, making it the perfect finishing destination for your summer rail adventure.
The biggest win is the world-class surfing. September is widely regarded by locals as one of the best surfing months of the year. The Atlantic swell starts to become more consistent and powerful (great for intermediate progression), but the water retains its summer warmth. Head to the central coast—the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve or Peniche (home to the Supertubos break)—where you get clean, consistent waves without the summer crowds in the lineup. The temperatures are perfect for daily surf lessons and hanging out on the beach all day, transitioning seamlessly from the waves to the late-summer city vibe.
Switching from the coast to the cultural centres offers a great balance. The moderate temperatures are ideal for hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail in the Algarve, or for canyoning and mountain biking in the national parks. In the cities, Lisbon and Porto are still lively with late-summer festivals and buzzing nightlife (especially in the student areas), but the reduced crowds make exploring the historic tiled streets and enjoying the fado music much more relaxed. Portugal delivers affordability, perfect weather, and epic ocean adventure, making it the perfect European destination to visit after the summer rush.
Wrap-Up: Your Final Mission
Don't let the best travel month pass you by! September gives you incredible weather, low crowds, and unbeatable prices. The final, perfectly timed adventure starts now—use that budget and book it!