When to go › September

City breaks: where to go in September

32 of 57 destinations scored for city and culture are prime in September — 80 or better on conditions alone. Highest: Bavarian Alps (100), Québec City (95), Cape Cod & the Islands (94). In August 3 are prime; in October, 40.

40 worth considering

September · City & Culture

Every destination scoring 55 or better for city and culture in September, highest first. Ties are listed alphabetically.

Bavarian AlpsGermany · Europe · prime September and December
prime100
Québec CityCanada · North America · prime June to July and September to October
prime95
Cape Cod & the IslandsMassachusetts, USA · North America · prime May to June and September to October
prime94
Dalmatian CoastCroatia · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime94
Santa FeNew Mexico, USA · North America · prime May to June and September to October
prime94
SydneyAustralia · Oceania · prime March to April and September to November
prime94
Côte d’Azur & the CalanquesFrance · Europe · prime May to June and September to October · flagged: wildfire risk
prime93
NurembergGermany · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime93
The Lisbon CoastPortugal · Europe · prime April to June and September to October
prime93
ViennaAustria · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime93
Bay of Kotor & the Budva RivieraMontenegro · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime92
BurgundyFrance · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime92
New York CityNew York, USA · North America · prime May to June and September to October
prime92
The Albanian RivieraAlbania · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime92
Chianti & TuscanyItaly · Europe · prime May and September to October
prime91
Costa Brava & the EmpordàSpain · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime91
Cusco & the Sacred ValleyPeru · South America · prime May to September
prime91
Italian LakesItaly · Europe · prime May and September to October
prime91
RiojaSpain · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime91
San Sebastián & the Basque CoastSpain / France · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime91
SantoriniGreece · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime90
Amalfi Coast & CapriItaly · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime89
Puglia & the SalentoItaly · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime89
Zakopane & the TatrasPoland · Europe · prime June and September
prime89
BordeauxFrance · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime88
San DiegoCalifornia, USA · North America · prime March to May and September to November
prime88
Douro ValleyPortugal · Europe · prime May and September to October
prime87
CreteGreece · Europe · prime April to May and September to October
prime86
Rio de JaneiroBrazil · South America · prime May to September
prime86
Nashville & MemphisTennessee, USA · North America · prime April to May and September to October
prime85
Napa & SonomaCalifornia, USA · North America · prime April to May and September to October
prime84
Oʻahu & the North ShoreHawaii, USA · North America · prime March to May and September to November
prime81
Piedmont & the LangheItaly · Europe · prime October to November
good78
Cape WinelandsSouth Africa · Africa · prime March to April and October to November
good76
MendozaArgentina · South America · prime March to April and October to November
good75
SedonaArizona, USA · North America · prime March to April and October to November
good73
SicilyItaly · Europe · prime April to May and October
good71
IcelandIceland · Europe · prime June to August
good69
Barossa ValleyAustralia · Oceania · prime March to April and October to November
good65
Costa de la Luz & CádizSpain · Europe · prime April to May and October
good65
Narrow it by region and crowds in the full tool →

Know before you book

Most places have one or two months that are genuinely better — and a booking moment that comes a lot earlier than the trip. I’ll write when one of those is coming up. No schedule, no filler.

Sign up for the newsletter →

Somewhere missing from the list? Write to info@pennyswindow.com and I’ll score it.