September in Europe is to my mind one of the best times of the year. The schools are back in and everyone is back at work leaving areas that in August are crowded with tourists peaceful without being empty. The summer sun is still shining but it has lost the intense heat of the past few months and the colours are starting to change to the golden hues of Autumn.
I can’t think of anywhere in Europe where September would be a bad time to visit, but I think it is the perfect time to explore outside of the main cities whilst the weather is still on our sides. These are my picks of places to go in Europe this September.
- Bohuslän coast – Sweden
- The Cotswolds – England
- Lipari – Italy
- Are these the best places to go to in Europe in September?
Bohuslän coast – Sweden
This is Sweden’s western most province, a couple of hours drive south of Norway’s capital, Oslo. It boasts an impressive amount of islands and skerries (a skerry is a small rocky island that may be covered by the sea at high tide) and is affectionately called “the best coast”.
Why is it a good place to go in September?
Fishing is still a major part of life and the seafood caught in these salty waters are considered some of the best in the world. And September is the start of Lobster season.
Smögen is perhaps the most famous town in the area, with its long pier lined by colourful boathouses. It is lively in summer but far more relaxed in autumn, when you can wander its narrow lanes, shop in small boutiques or watch the morning fish market. Smögen also offers some great swimming! I recommend going to the Valleviksbadet outdoor baths, where you can swim from the rocks with ladders, diving boards and even a pool for the little ones.
Fjällbacka is equally charming, known both for Ingrid Bergman, who holidayed here, and the crime novels of Camilla Läckberg. It’s an adorable village with colourful little streets. I suggest a climb up to the Vetteberget cliff, reached by a wooden staircase, for sweeping views before heading back down for a seafood lunch.
Grebbestad is another fishing town, best known for its oysters, which you can taste fresh from the sea or on a boat trip with a local fisherman. Further inland, Tanumshede is home to Bronze Age rock carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage site where almost 500 engravings are scattered across smooth granite. The nearby museum explains the history behind them, making it a rewarding cultural stop.
Other highlights include Marstrand, with its royal history and 17th century fortress, the art museums and sculpture park on Tjörn, and the pretty villages of Fiskebäckskil and Grundsund.
How to get to the Bohuslän coast:
I recommend taking the train from either Copenhagen or Stockholm to Gothenburg (Göteborg in Swedish) then renting a car. (Gothenburg itself is worthy of a day or two.) Alternatively you could rent a car from Oslo and drive down from there. To explore the Bohuslän coast properly you will need a car, and ferries are a regular part of travel here, treated almost as an extension of the road.
What to do on the Bohuslän coast:
Join a local fisherman for a shellfish tour in the beautiful archipelago. You get to help prepare the langoustine pots or harvest the oysters and mussels. And after that you often get to cook and taste your catch.
Rent a Kayak or go on a kayak tour
Go on a boat tour from Grebbestad and visit some beautiful beaches and coves only accessible by boat.
Where to stay on the Bohuslän coast
It has to be said that there isn’t a huge choice of high quality accommodation in the area but the Hotell Smögens Hafvsbad is excellent. Just a five minute walk from the town centre it offers understated white rooms with sea views. They will organise kayak rentals and seafood safaris for you.
Where to eat on the Bohuslän coast
On the opposite shore to Smogen is the town of Kingshamn where you will find the restaurant Tant Anton for a buzzing atmosphere and a stunning view.
In Fjalbacka I recommend the upscale Restaurang Mamsell for great service and partial views over the marina in a upscale yet laid back setting.
The Cotswolds – England
To the west of London, between Oxford and Bath, this area of England is often what is thought of by typical English countryside, with rolling hills and chocolate box villages (Did you know they are called that because there used to be paintings of cottages on the lids of chocolate boxes – true story, painting them was my great-grandfather’s job!)
Why is it a good place to go in September?
In the golden light of September the Cotswolds seem to be covered in honey. As we get to the end of summer the coach trips rarefy giving space to enjoy the beauty of these villages. The turning leaves compliment the colour of the stone making the scene all the more splendid. The weather at this time of year is perfect to enjoy the many footpaths that connect the villages.
Each village offers its own character during this season. Burton-on-the-Water’s low bridges reflect the changing leaves, while Stow-on-the-Wold’s antique shops tea rooms and small galleries provide perfect refuge when autumn showers arrive. I have a particularly soft spot for Broadway, whilst it’s wide main street is not as twee as some of the other villages I find it has it’s own charm, and also has some of the best restaurants!
The area is awash with pubs serving great food, much of which is far more suited to September than the hotter summer months, and many an hour can be whiled away in a pub garden.
How to get to the Cotswolds
Many tourists take a day trip from London or Bath to visit the Cotswolds, but I think this is doing the area, and visitors, a disservice and you are far better of staying in the area. I recommend hiring a car from either London or Oxford to make the most of the beautiful countryside. Starting from Oxford you can wend your way through the villages on the way up towards Stratford-upon-Avon.
What to do in the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is a walkers dream, beautiful countryside with paths that take you from pub to pub. You can walk part (or all) of the Cotswold’s way, a 164km national footpath which takes you through private land dotted with sheep (always make sure you close gates behind you and keep dogs firmly on the leash).
I recommend a visit to the National Trust property Hidcote Manor with it’s fabulous Arts and Crafts style gardens.
Where to stay in the Cotswolds
This is my dream spot is in Broadway. Abbots Grange was built in the 14th-century as the summer manor for the Abbot of Pershore. Its original medieval architecture, setting and serenity have attracted some remarkable house guests including Claude Monet, Oscar Wilde, John Singer Sargent, Mark Twain and Edward Elgar. These days the refined guestrooms feature 4-poster beds and Egyptian cotton sheets
Where to eat in the Cotswolds
The Double Red Duke pub in the village of Bampton is quintisentially English. It has won much acclaim from the British press for its unpretentious yet elevated menu of British classics.
Lipari – Italy
Overshadowed by more famous destinations such as Capri and Sardinia, the island of Lipari is one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. With its breathtaking volcanic landscapes, secluded beaches and rich historical heritage, Lipari deserves its place among the jewels of the Mediterranean.
Why is it a good place to go in September?
September is one of the best months to visit Lipari because the island still holds on to the warmth and sunshine of summer, but without the crowds of Italian visitors that fill its streets and beaches in July and August. The sea remains warm enough for swimming, and the weather is more comfortable for hiking the island’s volcanic trails or climbing up to the castle without the oppressive heat of midsummer.
Upon arrival, you will be immediately struck by the diversity of its landscapes. Steep cliffs line beaches with sand that is sometimes black and sometimes golden, while Mediterranean vegetation flourishes around volcanic remains. Monte Pilato, an ancient extinct volcano, dominates the horizon and tells the story of the island’s intense geological history.
The small port of Lipari (Marina Corta), is a picture postcard in itself. Small fishing boats rub shoulders with tourists heading for the island of Stromboli. Several churches and a cliff topped by the fortifications of a castle complete the picture.
Nearby beaches offer contrasting delights: Canneto’s pebbled shore framed by cafés, the secluded black sands of Valle Muria, the tranquil shallows of Acquacalda, and the cliff-embraced da Vinci Beach reached only by boat. Porticello, with golden sand and pumice, is great for families, while Praia di Vinci, only accessible by boat, with it’s superb view of the Faraglioni has waters rivalling the Caribbean.
How to get to Lipari
One of the reasons, perhaps, that Lipari is less popular with overseas visitors is that it is slightly more difficult than other destinations to get to. You can fly into Catania, then take the bus or train to Milazzo before taking the Hydrofoil (1 hour) to the island. You could also hire a car in Catania then drive and take the car ferry from Milazzo. Ferries to Lipari and the other Aeolian islands can also be taken from Naples, but the car ferry is an overnight service and the Hydrofoil takes about 6 hours.
What to do in Lipari
Hikers can explore volcanic landscapes, climbing Monte Pilato or following coastal trails, the slightly cooler weather of September means that hikes which would be inadvisable in the heat are once again possible.
History lovers can spend time at Lipari Castle and the Aeolian Archaeological Museum, which houses treasures from the island’s Greek and Roman past. If you like greek and roman finds this museum is a good reason to visit Lipari on its own.
Take a boat trip to the nearby Panarea and Stromboli. If you are lucky you might get to see some volcanic activity.
Where to stay in Lipari
Walking distance from the ferry port Hotel Mea Lipari is a little gem of a hotel with views over the town and the water beyond and a great restaurant.
Where to eat in Lipari
The Ristorante Meraviglia on the beach of Canneto is reputed to be the best on the island. The Octopus is particularly higly regarded.
Are these the best places to go to in Europe in September?
September in Europe really is the best of both worlds. The crowds have gone, the prices reduce, and the miler weather makes hiking and sightseeing much more comfortable. It is very difficult to narrow down the best places to visit, but I would be happy to go to any of my choices. Do you think there are better places to go in September?
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