Where's Hot In September?

Costa Blanca, Spain

Average temperature: 25°C

Flight time: 2.5 hours

Benidorm has long been a fave with Brits holidaying on the Costa Blanca and it's easy to see why: the vast sandy beach is backed with lively all-inclusive hotels, British-style pubs and nightclubs, plus it basks under balmy Spanish sunshine for the best months of the year. What’s not to love?

It's a top choice for a stress-free family holiday with heaps of kid-friendly attractions on your doorstep, including the epic Aqualandia water park and Terra Mitica theme park. If you fancy staying somewhere quieter, the smaller seaside resorts of Calpe, Denia and Altea have got you covered, or seek out Spain’s traditional side on a city break in Alicante.

Lisbon, Portugal

Average temperature: 23°C

Flight time: 2.5 hours

Searching for a sun-kissed city break with a few days on the beach, too? Lisbon is the September hotspot for you! The old town’s narrow cobbled streets, lined with trendy boutiques and cosy cafes, make it the perfect place to ditch the guidebook and discover your own favourite places. And it’s all the more enjoyable in September, with temperatures hovering in the low 20s.

The sea remains warm enough for refreshing dips, too. There are patches of sand close to the city, but a short bus ride to the superior sandy beaches of Carcavelos, Estoril or Cascais is well worth the trip. Trust us.

Santorini, Greece

Average temperature: 24°C

Flight time: 4 hours

With its iconic white-washed buildings and eye-popping cliff top views over sparkling turquoise sea, it's no surprise that Santorini is considered one of the most stunning holiday spots in Greece.

It's the postcard version of Greece, and it fills up with tourists during summer – but by September, the crowds ease up slightly for a more peaceful Santorini holiday. Cue you.

As for the beaches, they’re a sight in themselves. Alongside white-sand stretches are dramatic black and red bays made up of volcanic pebbles. Days are best spent enjoying watersports such as sea kayaking, diving and cave snorkelling, then finishing up with large helpings of moussaka!

Florida, USA

Average temperature: 27°C

Flight time: 9 hours

With an average of 230 days of sizzling sunshine a year and more activities than we can keep up with, there’s something for everyone in Florida! Apart from the endless miles of white sand beaches, the Sunshine State has got shopping and partying down to a tee too. Miami, Tampa and Orlando are your top spots.

Sport enthusiast? You won’t get bored either. Try a new watersport, work your way round a pristine golf course or see world-class sport played out at a hockey, baseball or football game.

Of course, Florida’s main boast is its world-famous theme parks – bragging rights fully deserved. Choose between Disney World, Legoland or Universal Studios!

The Maldives

Average temperature: 27°C

Flight time: 10.5 hours

Dreaming of some late summer sunshine on a luxuriously secluded getaway this September? (Who isn’t?) The Maldives is your answer. Most of the resort islands only have one hotel, meaning that the number of guests is delightfully limited and you can enjoy a peaceful patch of beach all to yourself. Win.

Although September falls within the latter half of the islands’ rainy season, the weather is still wonderfully warm and you're more likely to find cheaper holiday prices. It's also a great time to spot the Sea of Stars, a natural phenomenon that makes the sea around Vaadhoo Island glow neon blue at night – it usually happens during late summer!