Where’s hot in September? Short-haul holiday destinations to visit and the best deals to get you there

THE long-awaited summer season is already ending. Luckily, there are still plenty of hotspots where the sun doesn’t stop shining.

So, we’ve rounded up some of the sunniest destinations to visit in September and the best deals to get you there.

There are many sunny deals available if you're not ready to let go of summer just yet — There are many sunny deals available if you’re not ready to let go of summer just yetCredit: Getty

Booking a holiday in September is a clever way to save money as schools reopen and demand drops.

You’ll enjoy fewer crowds while still experiencing all the peak season benefits, like warm weather, parties, and everything is open.

Even better, all the top spots we’ve found are just a short flight from the UK.

September is ideal for Mediterranean getaways, where temperatures can soar to 29C and rarely dip below 24C.

Here are the best destinations to soak up the sun this September:

1. Croatia

Croatia is an excellent choice for an autumn break. It has warm Mediterranean weather, ancient historical sights, and plenty of beaches. The average high temperature is 24C.

Plus, it’s pretty close – just over two hours to fly from London to Zagreb.

Croatia’s most famous city, Dubrovnik, boasts incredible historical sights and beautiful beaches.

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Croatia’s second city, Split, is located on the famous Dalmatian Coast, and Hvar Island is the sunniest spot in Croatia – and one of the most picturesque towns in the country.

Brač Island is a wallet-friendly island known as ‘Croatia’s best-kept secret’, and its beaches rival those of Greece.

Croatia makes a great choice for an autumn break with average high temps of 24ºCCredit: Getty

2. Malta

A short flight away is Malta, which is based in the Med between Sicily and the Tunisian coast.

The island nation and its sister island, Gozo, are both blessed with a sunny climate.

The average high temperature in September is 28ºC, and there is lots for visitors to see and do, from a city break in Valletta to sandy beach breaks.

A short flight away is Malta between Sicily and the Tunisian coastCredit: Getty

3. Greece

Rhodes, Santorini, and Halkidiki are all good options for a hot holiday in Greece. Rhodes is the southernmost part of the Greek islands and has warm temperatures of about 24C, even in autumn.

It also has traditional villages, mountains, and Blue Flag beaches to explore.

The island of Santorini is a beautiful destination with gorgeous hotels and average temperatures of 26C.

Meanwhile, Halkidiki, a region in northern Greece, also has a warm autumn climate with high temperatures of 26C in September.

Greece will offer sun, sea and fun in SeptemberCredit: Getty

4. Spain

You don’t have to go far for some late-summer heat. Spain is always an excellent choice for early autumn sun, especially if you head to the Canary or Balearic Islands or the Costa del Sol or Benidorm on the mainland.

With a short flight time from the UK, highs of 26ºC, and eight hours of sunshine daily, holidaymakers flock to Spain in September.

It’s the ideal spot for a last blast of hot weather before winter, with endless excellent resorts to holiday at.

You could visit mainland Spain or its islandCredit: Getty

5. Italy

You could head to Sardinia in Italy, where average temperatures hover around 24C.

Visitors can expect lovely beaches like those in Costa Smeralda or do some celeb spotting in swanky Porto Cervo.

Other Italian destinations where you can enjoy autumn sunshine are the island of Sicily, the southern region of Puglia and the Italian lakes.

Italy has plenty of destinations to offer when it comes to beach holidaysCredit: Getty

6. Portugal

The Algarve, Madeira, the Douro Valley and the Azores are four Portuguese destinations that should be firmly on your list if you’re after autumn sun.

Madeira is a small island on the green list near the Canaries. It’s great for sunbathing and is known for its walking trails and botanical gardens.

Another island option is the Azores, famed for its dramatic landscapes, or the Douro Valley—a must-visit for wine lovers.

The Algarve is always a popular choice for Brits, and even outside of the peak summer months, there are lots of visitors and festivals still going on. In September, you can expect high temperatures of 27ºC.

The Algarve is always a popular choice for Brits, and temperatures reach highs of 27CCredit: Getty

7. Morocco

If you love the heat, Morocco offers guaranteed toasty temperatures, with September averages of 27C and highs reaching 33C.

Head to Marrakech or Fes to explore the souks or stop at a rooftop cafe to take refuge from the heat.

Alternatively, you can flock to the seaside resorts of Agadir or Essaouira to unwind on the beach — most destinations are about a four-hour flight from the UK.