The sea out of season. Ten (non-exotic) destinations where a September beach holiday is perfect.

Temperatures are finally becoming pleasant, airports are emptying, and while cities are returning to their daily routines, beaches are free from summer crowds, offering the best of September vacations. September is the ideal month to experience seaside destinations, taking advantage of the still-favorable weather, the most affordable prices, and, above all, the lack of crowds.

Liguria

Starting from our coasts, for example by visiting the Ligurian Riviera and Portofino . Between the cliffs of Santa Margherita, the azure sea, and the Gulf of Tigullio, nestled between the Riviera di Ponente and the Riviera di Levante, this small seaside village has a timeless charm, with its colorful houses, small harbor, and small square beloved by the jet set. For art and history enthusiasts, the Church of San Martino is a must-see. Built in the twelfth century in honor of Saint Martin of Tours, it houses works by artists from every era. From the center, a highly evocative hike is the climb to the Church of San Giorgio, the patron saint: to reach it, you follow a path immersed in Mediterranean scrub, with breathtaking panoramic views. The same path leads to the lighthouse, with its lookout point offering an incredible view of sea and sky. Following the path, you also reach Castello Brown, surrounded by sumptuous villas, perched at the top of the bay.

Calabria

Capo Rizzuto is renowned for its pristine natural beauty, located in the Capo Rizzuto Marine Reserve, the largest Marine Protected Area in Italy. With magnificent beaches and turquoise waters, in early autumn this seaside resort offers long, peaceful days on the Spiagge Rosse and Spiaggia Le Cannella, free from the summer crowds. Take advantage of the calm to explore the biodiverse seabed and underwater archaeological sites, snorkeling and diving. Also not to be missed is the Aragonese Castle of Le Castella, a 15th-century fortress on a small island connected by a narrow strip of land.

Capri , too, after its summer rush, is now showing off its best side. The Blue Island isn't just glamour and stars. It offers numerous trails for exploring the area. The Pizzolungo walk offers spectacular views of the Matermania Cave, Punta Campanella, and Villa Malaparte, all the way to the Tragara Belvedere overlooking Marina Piccola. To admire it from above, the Punta Carena Lighthouse lookout is a must-see, as is the Anacapri Philosophical Park, established by Gunnar Adler-Karlsson to protect the Mediterranean scrub.

Sicily

From one island to another, we fly to Taormina . The French writer Guy de Maupassant wrote: "This landscape possesses everything on earth to seduce the eyes, the mind, and the imagination." Thanks to its location perched atop a cliff, it has been the inspiration of artists and writers, from Tennessee Williams to Truman Capote. This ancient town on the side of Mount Tauro, overlooking the sea, was an unmissable stop on the Grand Tour. After a stroll along Corso Umberto I, Porta Messina, and Porta Catania, continue to Piazza Duomo and the Cathedral of Taormina: built around 1400 on the ruins of a small medieval church. Also worth a visit is Palazzo Corvaja, a noble villa whose diverse styles tell the story of the place. Also worth seeing are the Sicilian Museum of Art and Popular Traditions, Giardini Naxos, Mazzarò, and Isola Bella.

On the southeastern coast of Sicily, Syracuse is one of the most captivating destinations in the Mediterranean. Its heart is Ortigia, the historic center, connected to the city by the Umbertino Bridge and the Santa Lucia Bridge. An island of intricate alleys, hidden courtyards, and flower-filled squares, strolling through the cobbled streets offers glimpses of buildings with Baroque details, Greek motifs, and Spanish influences. The white architecture contrasts with the bountiful marine life: coves, beaches, and emerald waters, from the Fonte Vigliena to the Fonte Aretusa, from Arenella to Fontane Bianche, not to mention the Lido di Noto and the Vendicari nature reserve. Boats also depart from the Ortigia Marina for the Plemmirio Marine Protected Area, a corner of paradise less than an hour from the city, with wild beaches, pink flamingos, and rejuvenating silence.

Greece

A couple of hours' flight away, we're in Greece. For those still dreaming of the sea, Santorini is a perfect choice. The queen of the Cyclades captivates with its volcanic landscapes and endless sunsets. In September, temperatures hover around 29 degrees Celsius, the perfect time to explore the black-sand beaches and whitewashed villages that dot the island. Don't miss Oia, with its maze of alleys and stairways leading to spectacular viewpoints, Perissa beach, the imposing cliffs of the Caldera, the panoramic terraces, and the pools suspended over the blue Aegean.

Lesser-known (and less expensive) but picturesque, Dhermi in Albania is a place that returns to its relaxed pace in September, when the summer crowds are a distant memory. Dhermi and Drymades beaches offer a pleasant spot in the sun, while the town itself exudes a charming atmosphere. The cobbled streets with traditional whitewashed houses and the little churches with blue domes—so reminiscent of Greece—offer a postcard of traditional Albanian life. The traditional seaside tavernas are ideal for enjoying fresh fish overlooking the water. There's also plenty of untamed nature: if you want to venture into the rugged landscape, the nearby Gjipe Canyon leads to a secluded beach, perfect for diving and kayaking.

Balearics

The Balearic Islands in Spain are no exception. With its lush vegetation and a succession of hidden coves lapped by turquoise waters, Menorca is a relaxing, green island, boasting a variety of beaches, towering cliffs, and Mediterranean scrub. Visit one beach a day, from the wide, golden expanse of Santo Tomás to the Son Bou coastline, to the scenic, shell-like Cala en Porter. Perched on a cliff overlooking the harbor, Mahon is a picturesque town with winding alleys and colonial buildings; while Ciutadella, the island's historic heart, captivates with its Moorish buildings, flower-filled squares, and artisan workshops.

Remaining in the Balearics, party-loving Ibiza , famous for its clubs and nightlife, hides a picturesque hinterland, made up of rural landscapes, inviting you to discover an unusual side of the island. Starting with the old windmills, the 16th-century El Puig Fortress, but also the two museums: the Barrau, which houses the collection of Catalan impressionist Laureà Barrau, and the Ethnography Museum, which houses contemporary art, jewelry, historical documents, and traditional crafts. In San José, with its traditional atmosphere, are the remains of the Phoenician village of Sa Caleta and the Punic village of Ses Paises. Heading northeast, you reach San Juan, a quiet town home to natural wonders such as the Can Marcà cave, where 100,000-year-old fossils were discovered, now preserved in the local Natural History Museum. Here, you can visit the Cova des Cuieram, a sanctuary erected for the Carthaginian goddess of love, Tanit. Also not to be missed is the Portinatx area, for its breathtaking views of the coast.

Canary Islands

If we move to the Canary Islands, Lanzarote is the most pristine. A land between Africa and the Atlantic, full of contrasts and surreal panoramas. To understand the essence of the island, the starting point is the Timanfaya National Park, a vast lava field created by volcanic eruptions. Crossing it on camelback may seem like a tourist attraction, but it's actually a way to slow down and observe the landscape with new eyes. Moving along the coast, you'll find long beaches. Playa de Famara is a vast sandy expanse surrounded by cliffs, a surfer's paradise, while Playa del Papagayo, in the south, can only be reached via dirt roads: the effort is rewarded by a turquoise sea that seems straight out of a postcard.