Planning a September getaway? Look no further (Picture: Getty Images)
If you’re a big fan of summer and the carefree vibe it brings, you’re probably feeling sorrow at the thought of saying goodbye to August.
While you might’ve missed the boat for a peak summer European getaway, there’s still plenty of joy – and sunshine – to be found in September.
For starters, it’s not as scorching hot, and if the five heatwaves the UK had this summer were enough for you, that’s probably welcome news.
However, the sunshine is still out and about – and if it brings you any solace, the autumn equinox isn’t until September 23.
If you’ve got the budget for a last-minute getaway, Metro has rounded up the best destinations across Spain, Greece and Portugal for September.
Porto
Portugal is visited by around 2.5 million Brits each year (Picture: Getty Images)
Now, Portugal is a destination absolutely adored by Brits. Around 2.5 million of us visit each year, the largest of any visiting country.
It’s a destination absolutely synonymous with summer, with trips to the sunny Algarve being a particularly popular pick.
By September, Porto, the country’s second city, is still alive with all the promise of a perfect mini break. Firstly, it’s much cooler, but not too chilly.
The temperature sits around 20°C on average, with only around four days of rain. By our estimation, that’s warm enough to sit out and enjoy a coffee in the morning, and perhaps even a breezy dinner outside.
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There’s plenty to do, too.
Porto Pride takes place between September 11 and September 13 this year, and it’s the oldest LGBTQ+ event in northern Portugal. Expect sunset events, drag brunches, and even a Pride party boat.
There are all the usual sights to see, too, which will be quieter given the season. The São Bento train station in the historic centre is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Monument of Portugal.
The building houses over twenty thousand Portuguese azulejo tiles, while the ornamented exterior showcases Beaux-Arts architecture.
The vibrant buildings on the Douro River and Vila Nova de Gaia don’t disappoint, shining just as brightly as they would during the high season.
Évora
Évora is about four hours away from Porto (Picture: Getty Images)
Elsewhere, Évora, which is around four hours south of Porto, doesn’t disappoint once the peak of summer is over.
September is widely known as grape-picking season, which means there’s plenty of opportunity to get involved and take part in this vital process of the wine-making procedure.
The Cartuxa Harvest takes place between September 5 and October 4, while the Fitapreta Harvest runs from September 3 until the month’s end.
As for the crowds, too, it’ll be a lot quieter in September. The city centre was UNESCO-listed back in 1986, and it’s clear to see why: it’s more than 2,000 years old. The Roman Temple of Évora was built in the first century AD, while Roman baths were discovered beneath the Town Hall.
The weather is still balmy this time of year, too, as the average highs reach between 27°C and 30°C, with around nine hours of sunshine each day.
There are direct flights to the nearest airport, Lisbon, from the likes of London through the likes of easyJet and Ryanair, taking around two hours and 50 minutes. At the moment, there’s also an option available through Tap Air Portugal, departing on September 25 and returning on September 27 for £205.
You’ll then need to catch a coach or hire a car for the 1.5-hour drive.
Lefkada
Many of Lefkada’s beaches are empty during the shoulder seasons (Picture: Getty Images)
Even during the summer, Lefkada is a quiet slice of paradise that remains under the radar for British tourists, while many other Greek destinations struggle under the pressure of overtourism.
Beaches like Kathisma and Egremini on the island’s west coast are virtually empty during the shoulder seasons.
Metro‘s consultant travel editor, Alice Murphy, previously visited during March and September, and loved it all the same.
Lefkada is small — at just 35km long, it takes about 2.5 hours to drive the perimeter on well-paved roads with decent signage.
Sleepy traditional villages break up the journey, a sort of ‘land that time forgot’ where locals spend hours sipping strong coffee on the veranda.
If you want to visit, though, regardless of season, you’ll need to bear in mind the fact that there’s no airport.
The easiest route is to fly direct to Athens, then take a €40 bus to the island, which takes between four and five hours.
The weather is still warm, too, with highs of between 26°C and 29°C.
San Sebastián/Donostia
San Sebastián is known for its culinary history (Picture: Getty Images)
Like Portugal and Greece, Spain is another much-loved destination for Brits. In 2025, around 19 million Brits visited, with popular picks including the Costa del Sol, the Costa Blanca, and the Canary Islands.
Barcelona is another hugely popular city, known for combining culture, party life, and beaches, but it’s no secret that locals don’t exactly love the culture of overtourism that’s been brewing over the last few years.
Up in the Basque Country in northern Spain, San Sebastián (known as Donostia in Basque) is known for its culinary culture and breathtaking beaches, channelling a similar vibe to Barcelona, but in a quieter fashion.
The city lies on the Bay of Biscay, its Old Town flanked by two sandy beaches, where you’ll find streets filled with photogenic bars serving up mouthwatering local tapas and cider.
Its winding streets come alive each September for the San Sebastián International Film Festival, but its star quality is, undisputedly, the food.
With the second-most Michelin stars per capita and an enviable claim to the title of most bars per person, this is a destination for people who eat differently.
The Basques even have a name for it: pintxo, aka hopping from bar to bar and sampling bite-size bits of culinary art.
Seville
Seville is known as the ‘frying pan of Spain,’ and for good reason (Picture: Getty Images)
There’s a reason Seville is known as the ‘frying pan of Spain,’ and that’s because it’s hot. During the summer, temperatures reach the extremities, with averages of 36°C to 39°C in August alone.
By September, things typically cool off ever so slightly, averaging between 32°C and 34°C. So, still nice and toasty, if that’s your thing.
Weather aside, Seville has other things going for it in September, including the famous Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla, the largest in the world. There are 72 shows across 11 venues, so plenty to choose from.
While perfect for a city break, Seville also isn’t as hectic as other European cities.
Take a stroll through the Real Alcázar of Seville, a royal palace with distinctive architecture and fountains dotted throughout the gardens.
Food-wise, you should make a beeline for some oranges as soon as you touch down, considering this is what Seville is known for.
There are bursts of colour across the city’s streets, mostly characterised by the 40,000 orange trees, which thrive thanks to the toasty climate.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk
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