September is the ideal month for those who want to travel without breaking the bank: schools have started again, the main share of summer tourism has faded, and prices for flights and accommodations drop. With a budget of €500 per person you can plan a true week-long vacation, not just a long weekend: let’s assume about €100 for the round-trip travel, hunting carefully for deals and last-minute offers, and €400 for seven nights’ lodging, choosing simple but comfortable accommodations such as B&Bs, hostels, or shared apartments.
If you’re seeking inspiration, here are 8 destinations, between Italy and Europe, to depart in September.
Cardoso, Tuscany
If you’re after real mountains, away from the crowds of the better-known spots, Cardoso is the perfect base: a stone village and chestnut forests at the edge of the Parco delle Alpi Apuane, where in September temperatures drop just enough to hike all day.
From here you can reach the Monte Forato, with its spectacular natural arch, and trails that wind between ruins and ancient abandoned villages. In the evening you return to a real town, not a tourist resort, with prices authentic to the mountains. You can reach Pisa Airport, located about 50 km away, or take the train to Pietrasanta or Viareggio and then a bus/car to Stazzema.
Castelmezzano, Basilicata
Clinging to the Lucanian Dolomites, opposite its twin Pietrapertosa, Castelmezzano, though considered one of Italy’s most scenic villages, stays off the major tourist routes. The sandstone houses climb narrow lanes up to the remains of the Norman-Svevo castle, with a view over the Basento valley. Adrenaline lovers can try the famous flight of the angel or cross the suspended tibetan bridge between the rocks.
In September the climate is perfect for trekking without the summer heat, and accommodations in the village cost less than in more crowded destinations. The nearest airport is Bari (about 100 km away), or you can arrive by train to Potenza and continue by car for about 40 minutes.
Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Abruzzo
Situated at 1,250 metres, at the southern entrance of the Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso, Santo Stefano di Sessanio presents itself as a stone medieval village dominated by the Medicean Tower, toppled in the 2009 earthquake and today rebuilt and visitable. From here you can reach on foot or by bike Rocca Calascio and Campo Imperatore, among the most evocative landscapes in Abruzzo.
The historic center has become an albergo diffuso (diffused hotel): sleeping in the ancient stone houses still costs far less than in the more renowned alpine destinations, and in September the town empties of passing tourists. Driving there is the easiest option; alternatively you can take a train or bus to L’Aquila and then a local bus (about 45 minutes).
Donnalucata, Sicily
The seaside hamlet of Scicli, Donnalucata owes its name to the Arab traveler Al Idrisi, who spoke of a spring able to gush five times a day, “the fountain of hours.” Today it offers a golden-sand beach with calm waters, made famous by the TV series Inspector Montalbano, and in September it empties of the summer crowds while remaining warm and welcoming. It’s also easy to reach: from Verona, a Volotea flight to Comiso Airport, just a few minutes away, can be as low as €30 per leg.
Corfu, Greece
With its turquoise waters, architecture that blends Venetian, French, and British influences, and the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, Corfu remains one of Greece’s most beloved destinations, but in September the summer tourist flood eases and the climate stays pleasantly warm.
Unmissable stops include the Achilleion Palace, the battlements of the Venetian Old Fortress, and the beaches of Paleokastritsa. The connection to reach it is very convenient: direct flights depart from numerous Italian airports (Milan, Rome, Bologna, Bari, Naples, Pisa, Turin, Venice, Verona) with Ryanair, easyJet, Volotea, and Wizz Air, and in September return trips can be found for well under €40–€50.
To stay on budget, it’s wise to skip Corfu Town and the most popular coves, instead choosing areas like Sidari, where accommodations can fall below €50 per night.
Saranda, Albania
Facing the Albanian Riviera, with turquoise waters recalling nearby Corfu (only 30–40 minutes by ferry), Saranda is the ideal starting point for exploring southern Albania. From here you can reach the crystal-clear beaches of Ksamil, the ancient UNESCO site of Butrint, and the charming stone town of Gjirokastër.
Prices remain far lower than in Greece or Italy: a 3-star hotel costs on average €35–€40 per night, while a 4-star around €60–€70. To reach it, the most direct option is to fly to Tirana (via Wizz Air, with fares starting from around €40–€45 per leg from some Italian hubs) and continue by bus. Direct ferry connections from Brindisi to Saranda are seasonal and not always available.
Ohrid, North Macedonia
Hidden in the Balkans, between Albania and North Macedonia, Lake Ohrid is Europe’s oldest and deepest lake, a UNESCO site famed for its pristine nature and the Orthodox monasteries perched along its shores. The town of Ohrid, nicknamed the “Jerusalem of the Balkans” for its countless churches, features a historic center of cobblestone lanes, Ottoman houses, and the striking Church of Sveti Jovan Kaneo, a viewpoint over the lake. Don’t miss the Sveti Naum Monastery, perched dramatically on the hillside.
Until September, Wizz Air operates direct Milan–Ohrid with two weekly flights, with fares starting from about €25–€30 per leg.
Nessebar, Bulgaria
Finally, on a small peninsula connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus sits Nessebar, a city with more than three thousand years of history, whose UNESCO-listed Old Town is filled with Byzantine churches and cobbled streets facing the sea. Highlights include the Church of Saint Sophia and the Church of Saint John Aliturgetos, while the sandy beach just beyond the Old Town remains the ideal place to unwind even in September.
It is also one of Europe’s most affordable destinations for food, lodging, and nightlife. The main airport is Burgas, just a few kilometers away, connected by direct Ryanair and Wizz Air flights from Rome, Milan (Malpensa and Bergamo), Naples, and Bologna, with fares starting from roughly €28–€55 per leg.
