And just like that, August was over… but summer isn’t ? School might be back in sesh but that doesn’t mean you’ve got to swap your Birks for UGGs just yet. Enter, our next money-saving hack – shoulder-season trips. You already saw it feature in one of our earlier cheat codes (Wonky holidays) but the hack’s so good we had to give it its own moment.
Shoulder seasons aren’t as obvious as your peak summer or winter sun picks, which is why they’re ideal to snap up a bargain and catch some last-minute rays. Travelling in early or late summer is basically the same as travelling in August, anyway – the sun is still very much out, but it’s a bit cooler to do things that don’t just involve lying horizontal poolside – we’re looking at you, City Breaks. Plus, there are no kids about. So actually, it’s nothing like peak season… it’s better.
The other big difference is it can be a lot cheaper. You could save up to £240 per booking in September compared to August. You’re welcome. T&Cs apply.
Wondering where to pick? Keep reading to find out where you can get the best shoulder-season deals. Spoiler alert – they’re all under five hours away.
Already sold? Keep the summer vibes going with our September and October deals.
What’s a shoulder season?
Shoulder seasons are those awkward lil bits between summer and winter when people don’t usually think about going on holiday. September’s still a pretty popular month for late-summer trips, but in October, most of us don’t realise that we could be soaking up the last of the sun in Southern Europe instead of watching Bake Off or Strictly on the sofa. You need to squeeze in every last bit of Vitamin D you can until winter hits! Or if you’re more into city sights than sandy sweeps, October and the beginning of November are also ideal for a city break. The summer tourists are gone but the Christmas markets haven’t quite started yet – hello quiet museums and cheaper stays.
It’s not just autumn, either. Spring is very much a shoulder season – you might be used to flying off for some winter sun in the middle of January, but if you can hold out until March or April, your bank account will thank you for it. This is one of the least popular times of year to travel, which is a major win for your budget. Head somewhere long haul for guaranteed sun, make the most of the warmer temps around the Med or pick a city where it doesn’t matter what the weather’s doing.
What are the best destinations for shoulder-season travel?
Craving sunshine but fancy staying close to home? Anywhere around the Mediterranean is a pretty good guide – think Turkey, Cyprus, Spain and Greece in Europe. Ofc, there are always the Canary Islands, too, or you could hop over to Morocco or Tunisia in North Africa. They’re all only a short flight away, but the temperature difference compared to the UK is wild. Plus, long summers mean they’re a go-to when you want to drop everything and book a last-minute deal.
Add on a few hours and you’re pretty much guaranteed sun all year round. Dubai is a fave for the influencer crowd, live your best beachy life in Cape Verde or combine ancient sights with scuba scenes in Egypt. If you’ve got the AL to play with, send it somewhere tropical like Mexico, the Caribbean or Thailand – it’s always summer somewhere.
Don’t tell everyone, but exploring a city is actually the most pleasant during shoulder seasons, too. Not only is everything less busy, but it’s more comfortable in cities like Seville, Marrakech and Rome where summer temps can easily reach the late 30s. Pick somewhere with urban beaches like Valencia, Lisbon and Barcelona to mix sightseeing with days by the sea. Not fussed about the weather? You can’t go wrong with visits to Copenhagen, Stockholm or Berlin.
Here are the best places to bag a shoulder-season deal…
Turkey
If you’re a sun lover but not a fan of crowds, Turkey in September is all yours. It’s still a very toasty 31°C, so it’s a great time to enjoy the off-peak perks – fewer people, cheaper prices and a whole lot of space on the sand. The Antalya and Dalaman areas are big names for their dreamy beaches and buzzy vibes.
Off-peak pick
Tenerife, Canary Islands
This pick’s a classic all year round. Tenerife cools down to the mid-20s in September, which is the perf temp for mixing beach days with hikes, trips to Mount Teide and hitting the slides at Siam Park. It will feel a lot quieter compared to the peak months, too, especially in popular tourist hubs like Playa de las Americas and Costa Adeje.
Off-peak pick
Majorca, the Balearic Islands
This Balearic babe’ still a lovely 28°C in September, then it cools down to 24°C in October, so you can pack in the island’s best bits without breaking a sweat. Palma, Majorca’s capital, is home to most of the age-old sites, like the Gothic cathedral, Moorish Palace and Arab baths – you could even pack it all into one sightseeing sesh if you run the Palma Marathon in October. If you prefer things a little more laidback, Alcudia in the north is blessed with beautiful beaches – and the only exercise you’ll be doing here is a drinks run to the bar.
Off-peak pick
Cyprus
At a steamy 27°C, Cyprus’ summer is still very much on in September. You’ll have your pick of the 64 Blue Flag beaches, from Nissi Beach’s white sweep to the golden sand in Coral Bay. Away from the coast, it’s also comfortable enough to soak up the island’s historic side – tick off the Tomb of the Kings in Paphos or the crumbling Kourion in Limassol. Away from the coast, it’s also comfortable enough to soak up the island’s historic side – tick off the Tomb of the Kings in Paphos or the crumbling Kourion in Limassol.
Off-peak pick
Crete, Greece
The shoulder seasons are the perfect time to see Crete in all its glory. The weather’s warm enough for a beachy break, but it’s now comfy to explore beyond the sand. Set off on a walking trail through the Samaria Gorge, enter your archaeologist era at ancient Greek sites and stroll along harbours in cute fishing villages.
Off-peak pick
Cape Verde
Cape Verde’s an unreal dupe for the Caribbean – it’s giving tropical and beachy, but only around five hours from home. Plus, you can always back these islands for good weather. Go in spring for mid-20s temps, or if you like it HOT, it hardly ever goes under 30°C in autumn. Pick Sal for lively local towns, beach bars and salt lake swims, or go for Boa Vista’s chilled vibes and watersports scene.
Off-peak pick
Do your budget a favour and check out our cheap deals.
Psst… check out all of our travel hacks for more ways to keep the cost of your holiday down.
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Author: Daisy Colley (she/her)
Last updated: 01/09/2025
*£240 per booking shoulder-season saving
The £240 per booking saving is based on 2 adults and a £120 difference in average (per person) price between (7-night) holidays departing 01-31 Aug 2026 and those departing 01-30 Sep 2026 from various UK departure airports, the prices were taken on 22Aug25, the £240 per booking saving represents the saving observed at the time of analysis. Prices are live and subject to change, availability is limited and varies by date and destination, and not all holidays will be cheaper in September 2026 than August 2026. Holidays subject to availability. Booking conditions apply. Prices are subject to change.
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