Budget Holidays in September: 9 Affordable Late Summer Getaways

Autumn is nearly upon us by late August, but don’t forget that going away at summer's end still offers warm weather along with fewer crowds. Budget-wise, transport and accommodation costs reduce significantly once the peak holiday season is over. Tourist towns return to their usual rhythm, giving you the chance to meet locals and engage with them properly too. From the vineyards of Champagne to Bulgarian beaches, we hope you’ll be inspired by our nine favourite destinations for French and European budget holidays in September.

Where are the best places to travel in September on a budget? With our three top tips, you can book budget breaks and have cash left over for making everlasting memories.

Foodies take note: September is the perfect time to discover Lyon’s famous gastronomic traditions. Mushrooms appear on market stalls, and the grape harvest heralds the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau. Staying at ibis Lyon Part Dieu Les Halles is perfect for discovering the city’s culinary heritage as it’s opposite the legendary Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse – nicknamed the “belly of Lyon”. At this iconic gastronomic hub, you can sample regional specialities like cured pork sausages, savoury pike dumplings and cervelle de canut, a vegetarian dish made with herb-seasoned fromage blanc.

Easily accessible by train from most major French cities, Bordeaux is ideal for French city breaks in September as it coincides with the grape harvest and the collection of oysters from the Arcachon Basin. For an affordable stay in the Gironde capital, budget-friendly ibis budget Bordeaux Centre Mériadeck has comfortable rooms just steps from the tram, and you can hire e-bikes nearby too. It’s a wonderful base for exploring Bordeaux’s UNESCO-listed historic centre at your own pace on budget holidays in September!
 

Where to start? Perhaps with the 2nd-century remains of the Palais Gallien amphitheatre, standing testament to the ancient Roman era. The Grosse Cloche on Rue Saint-James is a medieval gateway and former prison that formed part of the city’s defence ramparts, while the monumental Palais de la Bourse takes you back to the 18th century; get there late on a sunny afternoon to see its image reflected in the Miroir d’Eau (Water Mirror) at its feet.

Looking for a budget couples' holiday in September? Épernay is a romantic destination nestled among vineyards half an hour from Reims. You can stroll hand in hand along the chic Avenue de Champagne, a prestigious showcase for the region’s finest sparkling wine houses. Right beneath your feet, more than 110 km of cellars carved into the chalk hold millions of bottles of the “nectar of kings”; book a guided tour and you’ll get to sample fine Champagne too! Just five minutes’ walk away, ibis Épernay Centre-Ville offers comfortable accommodation at affordable prices.

In the surrounding countryside, numerous marked trails meander around valleys and forests, revealing stunning panoramas over the Champagne vineyards. In September, the spectacle reaches its peak as the grape harvest is in full swing.

Wondering where to go for a long weekend in September? Worry no more; here are our three favourite French destinations for a short early autumn getaway.

Just 10 minutes’ drive from Monaco and Menton, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin is a hidden Riviera gem for anyone looking for budget-friendly South of France holidays in September. A former retreat of Coco Chanel, its narrow alleys lined with colourful houses and olive trees exude a typical Mediterranean charm. Admire spectacular panoramic views to the sparkling Mediterranean from the hilltop village of Roquebrune, then follow the Cap Martin coastal path through pine trees down to numerous secluded coves – ideal for a cooling dip in the sea. Only five minutes’ stroll from Plage des Sirènes beach, ibis Roquebrune Cap Martin Menton offers cosy rooms with balconies, perfect for soaking up the late-summer sun.

Need a battery recharge before autumn arrives? Head to Albertville in the scenic French Alps to follow trails in the Beaufortain Massif and Val d’Arly on foot or by mountain bike. The September landscapes are breathtaking: snow-capped peaks overlook turquoise lakes, and apples turn the orchards a vibrant red. For more sedate adventures, stroll through Albertville’s medieval neighbourhood of Conflans to the hilltop ramparts – from there you’ll have stunning views over the Combe de Savoie valley.
 

Travelling with family? Book a room for up to four guests at ibis budget Albertville nearby; it’s also close to the Albertville Olympic Hall, where you can go ice skating in September. If you’re fascinated by Olympic history, check out the entertaining displays of bob sleighs, skis and medals from the 1992 Winter Games at the Maison des Jeux Olympiques d’Hiver next door.

September means European Heritage Days, held over a weekend late in the month. Where better to celebrate than at Perpignan, with its thousand-year history and Catalan influences? The fortified Castillet gate is a symbol of the city and marks the entrance into its historic heart. From there, stroll the historic neighbourhoods of Saint-Jean, Saint-Mathieu and La Réal, stopping off at the majestic Palace of the Kings of Majorca and the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist – a masterpiece of Catalan Gothic architecture – en route.
 

Soak up the vibrant city atmosphere while tucking into Catalan-style tapas like anchovies, cargolade grilled snails and cockles cooked in aniseed liqueur. If you’re looking for a budget hotel for a September holiday, ibis budget Perpignan Centre puts you 10 minutes’ walk from the train station and five minutes to the historic centre.

There are many European destinations suitable for budget holidays in September. Here are three of our favourite affordable places to visit at the end of summer.

Dreaming of somewhere filled with relaxation and heritage? Bulgaria’s Black Sea seaside resort of Varna does just that. It’s a perfect destination for September getaways, with pleasant temperatures, warm water for swimming and the peak summer crowds long gone. Book ibis Styles Golden Sands Roomer Hotel for an affordable stay just steps from the famous Golden Sands Beach. Between dips, you can unravel the region’s millennia-old history on visits to 2nd-century Roman baths, the ornate Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral and Varna Museum of Archaeology.
 

On your sightseeing adventures, don’t miss spectacular Aladzha Monastery, carved into the rock face and surrounded by rare trees in Golden Sands Naturе Park. For a day trip, head to the soaring cliffs at Cape Kaliakra to see the ruins of a Byzantine fortress.

The small Adriatic port of Trani is your chance to sample la dolce vita on budget holidays in September. At 10 minutes’ walk from its historic centre, ibis Styles Trani offers a cosy balance of tranquility, comfort and affordability – without high-season crowds! Once you’ve settled in, wander narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses to the Romanesque cathedral overlooking the sea; grab a seat at a pavement café nearby and wait for the sun to go down – you’ll have spectacular views of Castello Svevo di Trani as the light turns its stone façade to gold. As night falls, enjoy a romantic dinner in Piazza Teatro.

With its medieval Vieille Ville (Old Town) and stunning lakeside location, Lausanne promises a stay that is both culturally enriching and immersed in nature. You can tour three superb museums – the Museum of Fine Arts, the Photo Élysée and the Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts – in the innovative Plateforme 10 arts district, but if you’d rather simply stroll around the lake, there’s an elegant esplanade around the shoreline too.
 

Book ibis Styles Lausanne Center Mad House in the lively Quartier du Flon and you’re within walking distance of both districts. On a September trip to Lausanne, you can watch Chasselas grapes being harvested at terraced vineyards in the UNESCO-listed Lavaux Wine Region. Hiking trails between wineries and villages are also easily accessible by train, bicycle or car from the city.