September is, for a lot of seasoned visitors, the perfect month. The sea reaches its warmest of the entire year, the weather stays gloriously hot and sunny, yet the moment Europe's schools go back the crowds melt away and prices drop. It's the best of both worlds: full summer conditions with an autumn calm settling in. If warm-sea swimming and a relaxed atmosphere are what you're after, September is very hard to beat.
September at a glance
| Typical September | |
|---|---|
| Daytime high (south coasts) | Around 27–29 °C |
| Overnight low | Around 20–21 °C |
| Sea temperature | Around 23–24 °C (warmest of the year) |
| Rainfall | Very low |
| Crowds & prices | Easing after August; better value from mid-month |
The weather: full summer, gently softening
September stays hot and dry, barely stepping down from August on the coast, and the trade winds keep it comfortable. The difference is in the mood rather than the thermometer: the light turns a little softer, the north's summer cloud begins to thin, and the whole archipelago feels more settled. The odd late-summer calima can still bring a hot, hazy spell, but on the whole September serves up wonderfully reliable sunshine. The mountains remain cooler and clear — ideal for stargazing up on La Palma or Teide.
The sea & swimming
Here's September's trump card: after a long summer of sun soaking into the Atlantic, the sea is at its warmest of the year. It's genuinely lovely for swimming, snorkelling and lazy floating, and every watersport is at its best. Enjoy it at Maspalomas, Playa del Duque, Papagayo or the turquoise coves of Fuerteventura. If a warm sea is your priority, this is the month.
Warmest sea of the year plus thinning crowds and easing prices is the reason so many repeat visitors quietly swear by September. Book the second half of the month for the best balance of value and space.
What's on
September carries its own fine fiestas. Around 8 September, Teror on Gran Canaria celebrates the Virgen del Pino, one of the island's most important pilgrimages, while Santa Cruz de la Palma marks the Virgen de las Nieves (in its every-five-years grand form, the famous Bajada). It's also the start of the grape harvest — a good time to explore island drinks and the wine country, and to seek out a guachinche for young local wine and hearty food. See our festivals guide for more.
Crowds & prices
Early September still carries a little August momentum, but once the schools go back the change is swift: beaches empty out, restaurants relax, and prices for flights and accommodation slide. From mid-month onwards you get high-summer weather at shoulder-season prices — a combination that's genuinely hard to find elsewhere in Europe. It's a smart pick for couples and anyone free of the school calendar.
Best islands & things to do
With the warmest sea and calmer resorts, September is superb for a beach-focused trip on Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura or Lanzarote. It's a fine month for diving and whale watching in the warm, clear water, and — as the fierce midsummer heat softens — for gentle hiking in the cooler mornings and high ground. A little island-hopping works well too; see our itineraries.
Who September suits
September suits warm-sea swimmers above all, plus couples, older travellers and anyone free to travel outside the school holidays who wants summer weather without the summer crowds or prices. There's very little it doesn't do well. The only caveat is that early September can still feel busy and pricey — aim later in the month. Compare the year in our best time to visit guide, or read on to October, as the winter-sun season begins.