Where to Travel in September for Perfect Weather

The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is the driest non polar desert on earth. It sits on a high plateau west of the Andes mountains. This unique location between two high mountain ranges blocks moisture from both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. September brings mild spring daytime temperatures and very clear night skies. It is a transition month with fewer tourists than the peak summer season. The air is exceptionally dry, which makes stargazing here some of the best in the world. You can explore salt flats, geysers, and large sand dunes. The landscape feels empty and remote. It is a vast area stretching over 100,000 square kilometers.

Antelope Canyon is a series of narrow slot canyons located on Navajo land near Page, Arizona. The site includes several distinct sections. Visitors can walk through Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon, or Canyon X. September is one of the best months to visit because the extreme summer heat is fading. The risk of flash floods from summer monsoons also starts to decrease. You still get good sunlight filtering down into the narrow sandstone cracks. The sandstone walls have been shaped by water erosion over thousands of years. The shapes are smooth and swirling. You must book a guided tour to enter any part of the canyon.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is located in Hunan Province in China. It is part of the larger Wulingyuan Scenic Area. The park is famous for its thousands of tall, thin sandstone pillars that rise out of the forest floor. September offers a break from the heavy summer rains and high humidity. The autumn foliage begins to turn, and the mountain air becomes crisp and clear. This makes walking the cliffside paths much more comfortable. The park is massive and requires a lot of walking. Cable cars and outdoor elevators help visitors reach the higher viewpoints. You can see deep ravines and stone bridges carved by nature.

The Colosseum stands in the center of Rome, Italy. Emperor Vespasian started construction in 72 AD, and it was finished in 80 AD. It remains the largest standing ancient amphitheater in the world. September is a smart time to visit Rome. The intense Italian summer heat begins to break, and the massive crowds of July and August start to thin out. Walking around the unshaded stone ruins is much more pleasant in the autumn air. You can walk through the outer corridors and look down into the exposed underground chambers. The scale of the stone and concrete structure is immense. It sits right next to the Roman Forum.

Iguazu Falls is the largest waterfall system in the world. The falls are located on the Iguazu River, which forms the border between Argentina and Brazil. Most of the waterfalls are on the Argentine side, in the province of Misiones. September is a great month to visit because it falls between the wet and dry seasons. The water volume is still high, but the heavy summer rains have not yet started. The weather is warm but not stifling. You can walk along wooden catwalks that get you very close to the roaring water. The spray is constant and will get you wet. The park is surrounded by a dense subtropical forest.

The Sagrada Familia is a large Catholic church in Barcelona, Spain. Antoni Gaudi took over the design in 1883 and changed the plans to his own unique style. The building is still under construction today. September is an excellent time to visit Barcelona. The peak summer beach crowds are leaving, and the city temperatures become comfortable for walking. The autumn light shines through the stained glass windows at beautiful angles. Inside, the columns look like giant stone trees reaching up to the ceiling. The design is unlike any other church in Europe. It was designated a basilica in 2010.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is the oldest and largest national park in Croatia. It is located in the mountainous karst area of central Croatia, near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The park is famous for its series of sixteen linked lakes. In September, the summer crowds begin to shrink, and the forest leaves start to change color. The water levels are usually stable, and the waterfalls are active. The temperature is cool enough for long hikes along the wooden pathways. The lakes are formed by natural tufa barriers, which are moss and algae that have turned to stone. You walk directly over the water on wooden boardwalks. Swimming is strictly banned to protect the ecosystem.

Lake Como is a deep glacial lake located in Lombardy, northern Italy. It has a distinct Y shape carved out by ancient glaciers. It is one of the deepest lakes in Europe, surrounded by steep mountains. September is one of the best months on the lake. The summer heat is gone, replaced by mild, sunny days. The ferry boats are less crowded, making it easier to travel between the lakeside towns. You can explore the historic villas and public gardens along the shore. The water is usually too cold for swimming by late September, but the views of the Alps are clear. The main towns are connected by passenger boats.

The Gateway Arch is a 630 foot tall monument in St. Louis, Missouri. It is built of stainless steel in the shape of a weighted catenary arch. It is the tallest human made monument in the United States. September is a great time to visit St. Louis because the high humidity of the midwestern summer begins to drop. The park grounds around the arch are pleasant to walk. The lines for the tram ride to the top are shorter than in July. The tram system carries visitors inside the hollow legs of the arch to an observation deck at the peak. From there, you can see the Mississippi River and downtown St. Louis. The monument was built to honor westward expansion.

The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of steep coastline in southern Italy, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is famous for its cliffside towns and narrow coastal road. The main town of Amalfi gives the coast its name. September is the best month for this destination. The extreme summer traffic on the narrow roads begins to ease. The sea is still warm enough for swimming, but the air temperatures are much cooler than in August. The towns are built into the steep rock faces, with vertical streets and stone stairs. You can travel between towns by ferry or bus. The views of the sea are constant as you travel along the cliff edge.