Where to go in September on a family holiday
September is the travel world’s best-kept secret – long sunny days, cooler temperatures and a post-summer calm that makes family adventures all the more enjoyable. With Europe still basking in the glow of late sunshine and long-haul escapes becoming ever more tempting, this shoulder-season sweet spot is the perfect moment to swap school runs for sandy toes or cultural thrills. Whether your crew prefers to hunt for shells on quiet beaches in the Med, swim in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean or explore cobbled towns at a toddler-friendly pace, here are our top picks for where to go on a family holiday in September, with hotel recommendations for each destination
Words by Lucy Halfhead
Published: 29th May 2026 | Last updated: 10th September 2026
We’ve spent hours reading the hundreds of reviews you’ve shared with us, to produce a visited & verified shortlist of where to go in September on a family holiday. We hope you find this really useful, and if you do, that you consider booking via our complimentary Tiny Travel Agency service or the affiliate links in the article (meaning we make a small commission, and can keep providing you with this kind of content!)
Love, Frankie & Becky x
A bite sized guide to: Where to go in September on a family holiday
Greece: temperatures between 20-28 degrees
Cyprus: temperatures between 29-30 degrees
Italy: temperatures between 18-28 degrees
Portugal: temperatures between 20-27 degrees
Turkey: temperatures between 20-30 degrees
Spain: temperatures between 20-30 degrees
Mauritius: temperatures between 20-26 degrees
Mallorca: temperatures between 19-27 degrees
France: temperatures between 13-27 degrees
Malta: temperatures between 22-28 degrees
Menorca: temperatures between 19–27 degrees
Montenegro: temperatures between 16-27 degrees
Is September a good time to travel with kids?
We know we’re not supposed to have favourites… but if you don’t yet have children in school, September might just be our ultimate month to travel. With the school-holiday peak behind us, there are some seriously good deals to be snapped up, and weather-wise, Europe is still delivering on sun and sea – just with temperatures easing off a little, which is ideal if you’re wary of the summer heat. It’s also the month to try that luxury family hotel you’ve had your eye on, when availability opens up and value really shines. Parents, repeat after us: travel in September for as long as you possibly can. Trust us – you’ll miss it when term time starts calling
Which is the best hotel for children by age?
Best hotels for babies and toddlers in September: Domes of Elounda, CORFU IMPERIAL, Verdura Resort,
Best hotels for kids in September: Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Feuerstein Nature Family Resort , Martinhal Sagres
Best hotels for teens in September: Four Seasons Astir Palace, Amathus Beach Hotel , The Rebello, Lujo Hotel Bodrum
How am I best to book my holiday?
We’ve designed Tiny Travelship to make booking your family holiday as simple, transparent, and stress-free as possible. If a hotel is an official Tiny Travelship partner, you’ll be directed to their dedicated listing page in our digital directory, where you’ll find detailed information on everything from flight & transfer times to room layouts, and monthly temperature guides. On these pages, we also provide honest advice on the best way to book. This might be via Tiny Travel Agency, in the instance they price match what you would pay by going direct (whilst seamlessly planning your escape end to end, for free, and even unlocking extra perks!). Or, you might get the best rates by booking with the hotel themselves (though sometimes Tiny Travel Agency can still step in and help, if you’re eager to forgo any holiday headaches). If a hotel isn’t an official partner, we’ll either link you through to booking.com to complete your booking – meaning we make a small commission – or flag that we’d recommend booking via Tiny Travel Agency (again, so you can access great rates & added benefits, whilst receiving complimentary support and insider intel). Either way, rest assured, every hotel we feature has been tried, tested, and genuinely loved by fellow well-travelled parents
More family holiday recommendations
September in Greece is effortlessly enchanting: the sun is still shining but the frenetic pace of August starts to slip away. Now’s the time to wander ancient ruins like the Acropolis without the intense heat or island-hop through the Cyclades with space to build sandcastles on the beautiful beaches. In Crete, olive harvests are beginning – a great chance for kids to see old-world traditions come to life – while Corfu’s lush landscapes are still ripe for exploring, with shaded trails and hidden waterfalls. The sea remains bathwater-warm, perfect for snorkelling, paddleboarding, or simply splashing about. For culture, cuisine, and castaway vibes in equal measure, it’s hard to beat a Greek escape at this time of year
September weather: between 20-28 degrees
Stay
To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Greece, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap
£
Parga Beach Resort, Greece
Village Heights Resort, Crete
Candia Park Village, Crete
Mitsis Selection Laguna, Crete
Phāea Cretan Malia, Crete
Cyprus
By September, Cyprus has hit its stride – the stifling heat of high summer has softened, but the sea is at its warmest and the skies remain cloudless. It’s the ideal time to explore without worrying about little ones overheating and there’s lots to do, from roaming the ancient ruins of Kourion, to clambering over castle walls at Kolossi, and sailing along the Akamas Peninsula in search of sea turtles. For beach days, Fig Tree Bay and Coral Bay offer shallow, turquoise waters and soft sand for digging. Inland, lemon groves and sleepy villages are peppered with family-run tavernas serving grilled halloumi and honey-drizzled loukoumades, and you’ll find colourful harvest festivals and uncrowded nature trails
September weather: between 29-30 degrees
Stay
To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Cyprus, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap
Italy
There’s no denying the understated charm of Italy in September. The heat mellows, the crowds thin, and the country’s best-kept secrets start to shine again. In Tuscany, you can cycle past burnished vineyards and medieval towers, stopping for creamy gelato or impromptu grape tastings. Rome’s grand monuments are no less jaw-dropping, but far more accessible, while Venice’s canals feel made for dreamy gondola rides with little travellers wide-eyed at the magic. Along the Amalfi Coast and in Sicily, the sea still sparkles invitingly, but beaches are far more serene. It’s also a time of culinary bounty – truffle fairs, wine festivals, and late-summer markets brimming with tomatoes, peaches, and cheeses
September weather: between 18-28 degrees
Stay
To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Italy, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap
Portugal
Portugal’s September is like an encore summer where the crowds are almost gone, but the sunshine lingers on. The Algarve’s beaches, from wide sandy swathes to hidden coves, remain glorious, and now they’re yours to share with just the locals and the odd dolphin pod. Lisbon and Porto feel cooler in every sense: cobbled streets, open trams, and creamy pastéis de nata enjoyed al fresco. Families can surf gentle waves in Cascais or take a scenic drive through Alentejo’s cork forests and whitewashed villages. It’s also festival season with seafood fairs in Setúbal, music in Sintra, and harvest celebrations in the Douro Valley
September weather: between 20-27 degrees
Stay
To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Portugal, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap
Turkey
Turkey in September is a revelation: warm Aegean air, vivid blue seas, and landscapes rich in both legend and leisure. Along the Turquoise Coast, places like Bodrum and Fethiye offer serene stretches of sand and sparkling bays suited to family swims, boat trips and lazy beach days. Inland, Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and underground cities create a storybook setting for curious kids. Istanbul, too, is cooler and more walkable now, great for wandering spice-scented bazaars or sailing the Bosphorus at sunset. With its deep-rooted hospitality, dazzling history and child-friendly cuisine (hello, freshly baked gözleme!), Turkey blends east and west into a memorable escape
September weather: between 20-30 degrees
Stay
To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Turkey, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap
Spain
Spain in September is full of rhythm, colour and late-summer joy. The scorching temperatures have mellowed just enough to make exploring palaces, parks and tapas bars with children not only manageable but infinitely more fun. Seville’s Moorish architecture is at its most striking, so make sure to visit the Alcázar before enjoying a family flamenco show. In Barcelona, Park Güell feels like a dreamscape where Gaudí’s mosaics will spark little imaginations. On the coast, Mallorca and the Costa Brava offer peaceful beaches and pine-shaded coves, while the countryside of Andalusia is peppered with festivals and grape harvests. Oh, and the Balearics are also in their prime: warm, breezy and uncrowded
September weather: between 20-30 degrees
Stay
To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Spain, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap
Mauritius
As Europe begins to cool, Mauritius comes into its own – September marks the start of its dry season, soaked in sunshine and with barely a drop of rain. Families will love the calm, reef-sheltered lagoons ideal for little swimmers and snorkellers, and the island’s diversity means there’s always something new to discover. Hike through the otherworldly Black River Gorges, go dolphin-watching off the west coast, or take a sugarcane train through tropical countryside. Many resorts offer stellar kids’ clubs, but the real joy is sharing island adventures together, like spotting giant tortoises on Île aux Aigrettes or trying street-side dholl puri – proving that Mauritius is more than just a fly-and-flop destination
September weather: between 20-26 degrees
Stay
To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Mauritius, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap
Mallorca
Mallorca in September feels like you’ve got a ticket to the island’s golden season. The weather is still excellent, but the chaos of high season has slipped away, revealing quiet coves, atmospheric towns and a blissfully local pace of life. You can get outdoors and hike in the Tramuntana mountains, explore the Moorish gardens of Sóller, or take the vintage train to Palma, where culture, gelato and gothic cathedrals await. On the coast, beaches like Cala Mondragó and Playa de Muro offer gentle surf and pristine sands, with nearby chiringuitos serving up tot-friendly grilled fish and watermelon slices. Mallorcan markets burst with late-summer produce and the sea remains deliciously warm for swimming, sailing or SUP adventures
September weather: between 19 – 27 degrees
Stay
To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Mallorca, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap
France
relaxed rhythm. The Côte d’Azur is still basking in balmy temperatures, but without the throngs, making it perfect for days en plein air or evening strolls through pastel-hued towns like Villefranche-sur-Mer. Provence, meanwhile, hums with post-harvest energy: vines are heavy with grapes, and village fêtes spill into the streets with music and market stalls. Burn off youthful energy on a cycle through lavender-lined paths or take a steam train through the Verdon countryside. In Paris, the air turns crisp and it’s ideal for a first museum trip (bonus: your little ones won’t be queuing for hours) or a bateau-mouche glide along the Seine
September weather: between 13-27 degrees
Stay
To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in France, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap
Malta
Malta’s honey-stoned cities and sapphire waters are at their best in September, when a post-summer calm descends on the island and temperatures hover in the mid-20s. Valletta’s grand ramparts and narrow lanes are made for adventures – kids can spot cannons, climb watchtowers, or take a traditional dgħajsa boat across the harbour. The island’s compact size means everything is within easy reach: you can snorkel in the crystal shallows of the Blue Lagoon on Comino, explore the silent city of Mdina or watch live re-enactments at Fort Rinella. Malta’s layered history feels like a real-life treasure hunt, and the island’s blend of Mediterranean warmth and British familiarity (driving on the left, red phone boxes) makes it an easy win for family travel
September weather: between 22-28 degrees
Stay
To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Malta, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap
Menorca
Often overlooked in favour of its livelier Balearic sisters, Menorca is big on family-friendly charm and is mellow, sun-washed and wonderfully uncrowded in September. Its beaches are among the best in Europe: Cala Mitjana, Son Saura and Cala Macarella all offer soft sands and shallow turquoise waters perfect for paddling. Sporty families can kayak around the coast, explore ancient Talayotic ruins or take a pony ride through pine forests. The capital, Mahón, boasts a spectacular natural harbour and a lively produce market to source picnic supplies. September also marks the island’s vibrant Sant Nicolau festivities in Es Mercadal, with traditional parades and music
September weather: between 19-27 degrees
Stay
To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Menorca, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap
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*Coming soon*
Montenegro
Montenegro might just be Europe’s most unsung family destination and September is the time to discover it – think Croatia 20 years ago but with better ice cream and zero queues. The Adriatic waters are balmy, the medieval towns are more tranquil, and the scenery is nothing short of cinematic. Start in the fjord-like Bay of Kotor, where fairytale villages tumble into glassy waters; you can swim in hidden coves, take boat rides to Our Lady of the Rocks, or meander through Perast with its palazzos and vendors selling sweet treats. Inland, head to Durmitor National Park for lakes, forests and ziplining adventures for the older members of your tribe
September weather: between 16-27 degrees
Stay
To see all of our visited & verified recommendations in Montenegro, take a look at our Tiny Travelmap
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*Coming soon*
Themes: Where to go when by month, with kids, The Family Friendly European Edit, The Family Friendly Winter Sun Edit, The Family Friendly Adventure Edit, The Family Friendly UK Edit,
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