Best places to visit in Europe in September

An autumn holiday in Europe

The sun may be setting on summer, but that doesn’t mean travel season is over. In fact, autumn, with its milder weather and sparser crowds, is the ideal time for a shorter, more intentional reset before winter.

We've rounded up some of the best experiences to enjoy in Europe this September. From walking a stretch of the Camino and making new culinary discoveries in Italy to stargazing in Portugal, here are three ideas to inspire your autumn reset.

Walking the Camino de Santiago

Walking the Camino de Santiago is the equivalent of finally having that long-overdue conversation with yourself. The sheer distance and simplicity of the journey create space for reflection, while thinner crowds and milder temperatures make September an ideal time to contemplate life's bigger questions.

For a shorter break, two routes stand out. The final 120 kilometres of the Camino Portugués from Tui to Santiago de Compostela – through historic towns and scenic forests – can be completed in five to six days and is eligible for the Compostela certificate.

For something less charted, the Camino Inglés is a compelling alternative. Historically used by British and Scandinavian pilgrims arriving by sea at Ferrol, the route covers around 120 kilometres through Galicia, passing smaller villages and attracting fewer walkers than the Camino Francés.

When heading off on a journey like this, or returning home afterwards, a little advance planning can make the experience smoother and more enjoyable. From pre-booking a seamless airport transfer through CarTrawler to unwinding in Santiago VIP Lounge at Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport, a few thoughtful travel touches can make the travel aspect feel just as rewarding as the walk itself.

Dark sky tourism in Portugal's Alentejo

The Dark Sky Alqueva reserve in Portugal’s Alentejo region holds a designation found nowhere else in the world: the first Starlight Tourism Reserve, certified for the quality and consistency of its dark skies.

With cooler evenings and darkness arriving earlier, September in Europe is a stargazer's dream. It is one of the best times to experience Alqueva’s night skies. To get there, pick up a rental car through CarTrawler and follow a route through Alentejo's rolling vineyards, olive groves and whitewashed villages before arriving beneath some of Europe's darkest skies.

Here, nightly observation sessions, astrophotography workshops and multi-day programmes deliver an experience that instils a lasting sense of scale and awe.