The summer rush might be over, but your travels certainly don’t have to be. September is a great time to be on the move. Prices drop, and previously overcrowded or overheated locations, open up like a golden treasure trove.
For digital nomads, there’s a whole raft of fantastic places to choose from to finish up the quarter and start the home run towards Christmas. Pretty much all of these places are not only gorgeous, but they should enable you to stay productive.
Let’s take a look!
1. Morocco
City Recommendation: AgadirNomadList Rating: 4/5
First on the list for best places to travel in September is Morocco, with all of its warm, earthy colours and spices…
Just wrapped up in that thought alone, I can see in my mind’s eye the beautifully rich lamb tagine, and bowls laden with couscous and roasted vegetables. Bustling markets in Marrakech, the white beaches and blue waters of Agadir. There are a million things to see and just as many things to eat.
In addition to this Moroccan hospitality is difficult to beat. Find yourself a wonderful riad for that pampered feeling that comes with being completely looked after. Alternatively hostels and airbnb’s remain an affordable option if you’re looking to stay long term.
At this time of year, the weather gives you that perfect balance; not too hot and humid, not too cold. The feeling is similar to how Goldilocks must have felt when she helped her cheeky self to Baby Bear’s porridge…it’s just right.
The area you choose to stay will vastly depend on your needs. Agadir scores pretty high on NomadList likely because it’s stunning and beachy – perfect if you either want to focus on a project or relax and get that vitamin D from the sunshine. If you enjoy surfing then nearby Taghazout is close by with excellent opportunities for riding those waves.
The internet is a little difficult; speeds average at about 7mbps which is not great. However there are coworking spaces that will get you that high speed internet you know and love in all of the major Moroccan hotspots. Data is reasonably cheap to buy so you can be connected on the go. If the internet thing is an absolute sticking point, then forgo the beach and live out your Moroccan dream in Casablanca, which will give you all the modern comforts of city life and more abundant WiFi.
Please note that Morocco can be a tricky place to negotiate particularly if you are of the female species. But on the whole, if you are prepared for the significant culture shift, you’re set to have a wonderful time.
I’m still salivating over the possibility of the most exquisite tagine…
Top 5 BucketList Items
- Live your best beach life…
- Visit the Souss-Massa National Park
- Surf in Taghazout
- Hike in Paradise Valley
- Bargain in the jewellery souks of Tiznit
Content to Get Your Research Started
- Morocco Digital Nomad Guide – Barbaralicious
- Top Things to do in Morocco – Planetware
- Top Things to do in Agadir – Culture Trip
2. Bali
City Recommendation: CangguNomadList Rating: 4.73/5
Prepare to become the picture of health as the Balinese sun kisses your skin, and the fresh food gives your body the boost it always wanted. Bali is one of the digital nomad capitals of the world. Here you’ll find a huge nomad community and great coworking spaces. There are loads of things to do; you can go hiking through the jungle as you look for hidden temples, you can climb the sticky waterfalls or climb a volcano. Surfing and yoga are some of the daily activities you’ll be doing, followed by a massage after a hard day’s work.
Bali is beautiful at any time of year but in September you’ll catch the end of the dry season and just miss the wet, rainy season. It’s not too hot and you won’t get soaking wet…winner, winner, chicken dinner.
Canggu is the place we’d recommend. Rolling rice fields, jungled mountains, hopefully sleeping volcanoes…
…just kidding, they are sleeping 😉
In terms of lifestyle, it’s difficult to beat. Get your scooter up and running, find your massage place, your favourite gym, your fave smoothie places. You can really choose the life that you want for yourself here and have friends around you that make it feel like a home base.
The cost of living is rising slightly due to the influx of expats and holidaymakers, but it is still one of the most cost-effective places for digital nomads to live. If you want to give your bank account a rest whilst maintaining some of life’s luxuries, Bali is definitely the place to be.
Top 5 Bucketlist Items
- Visiting the Sacred Monkey Temple
- Taking off with a Jetpack
- Taking a Cooking Class
- Visiting the Turtles!
- Touring Waterfalls
Content to Get Your Research Started
The Pia Newman Trilogy
3. Portugal
City Recommendation: LisbonNomadList Rating: 4.5/5
Portugal. Absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful beaches, rolling hills and a thriving digital nomad scene. the varied richness of Portuguese culture is owed to the history that spans a thousand years. Generations have forged what we see today and you’ll often find yourself flitting back and forth between the old and the new.
It’s made it to the list as one of the best places to travel in September firstly because the weather is balmy; comfortably warm and perfect. Secondly, Portugal’s proximity to the sea means its seafood offering is particularly good. Thirdly, the wine is excellent and those addictive little custard tarts, Pastéis de Nata, will become a part of your daily existence whether you like it or not.
If you are a surfing enthusiast then Portugal again will not disappoint; there are plenty of beaches that suit a variety of levels. Go sailing, do wine tours, enjoy some of the sensational architecture…you will not be short of activities to keep you occupied.
For digital nomads, you may well have heard that this is one of our favourite places to go…ever. Lisbon, The nightlife is amazing, there are loads of awesome coworking spaces and cafes to work from. Porto is also a fantastic place to be this time of year; there’s a little rivalry in fact over which city is better out of the two! Portuguese coffee is said to rival some of the more well-known coffee capitals of the world so that’ll be good news for some of you. In addition to these, you’ll find it super easy to make friends and settle in. Seems like paradise to me…
Top 5 Bucketlist Items
- Explore Downtown Lisbon and eat Pasteis De Natas
- Go to Cascais beach to surf
- Do a tour of Sintra
- Take a Trip to the Algarve
- Take a train to Porto
Content to Get Your Research Started
- Digital Nomad Guide – WebWorkTravel
- Lisbon for Digital Nomads – Portugalist
- Why Are So Many Digital Nomads ‘Settling’ in Lisbon – Dario Villirilli
4. Chile
City Recommendation: ValparaisoNomadList Rating:3.61/5
Not necessarily your first thought when thinking about travelling in South America I know. But this pencil thin jewel of a nation along the western edge of the continent has over 6000km of coastline to offer the coast-loving enthusiast. Perfect for those of you who love surfing.
In Valparaiso, you’ll find yourself captivated by the bright colours, the beat of the music and some of the best seafood you will ever eat in your life. Chile’s unrivalled access to the most incredible coastline means that it’s a hotspot for delicious seafood at a range of budgets…I adore seafood, so my mouth is already watering.
If surfing isn’t first on your list of priorities, you can get your hiking gear together and spend a few days trekking through Torres del Paine National Park. It’s got mountains, and lakes and glaciers…it’s an adventurer’s dream. If you’re into birdwatching, this park won’t disappoint; you’ll have over 100 species to watch out for whilst you’re there.
For digital nomads, you’ll likely love Valparaiso. Internet access is pretty decent; it’s not going to be super high speed, but it should be more than enough for work.
It is also important to note that Chile’s political climate is pretty charged as they transition from one government to another. Things can get a little hectic and we’d never advocate putting yourselves in unnecessary danger. So do your research to minimise your risk of hairy situations.
Having said all of that though, I’d argue that this is the kind of travel experience that moves beyond the superficial. It’s not about picturesque, perfect instagram set ups anymore. You become a part of the raw reality of people’s lives and their communities. It’s moving to be a part of such an iconic moment in time that will be discussed in the years to come.
I’m sold.
Top 5 Bucketlist
- Doing a Wine Tasting whilst riding a horse
- Exploring the city furniculars
- Visit Reñaca beach
- Visit Santiago
- Do a hike through Patagonia
Content to Get You Started
- Chile – WiFi Tribe
- Things to do in Valparaiso – Culture Trip
- A Guide to Valparaiso – Goats on the Road
6. Turkey
City Recommendation: IstanbulNomad List Rating: 3.5/5
Turkey has so much to offer. This transcontinental nation has borders that straddle both Eastern Europe and Western Asia, and a history that features it in ancient empires that have long since passed. This makes this location one of our most fascinating picks for September and the most culturally diverse.
The city we really want to focus on has a pretty amazing score on NomadList and was the former home of the Turkish Sultans…Istanbul. Incredible architecture, vibrant colours, stunning weather and so many adventures to be had.
For all of you history nerds, you know that Istanbul was in fact Constantinople, the jewel of the former Roman Kingdom. The city was hard won, and stands as an embodiment of the former might of the Ottoman Empire. I am unashamedly nerding out over this – I have already watched Rise Of Empires: Ottoman on Netflix…
…no judgements until you have watched it!
For digital nomads, it’s a dream. The cost of living is reasonable, the food is amazing, transportation is cheap. There are loads of cafes to work from and the people are so welcoming and friendly, you’ll never be short of things to do and places to go.
Get me there now!
Top 5 Bucketlist
- Visit Topkapi Palace
- Check out the Egyptian Obelisk
- Visit the Grand Bazaar
- Visit the Spice Market for something incredible to eat
- Visit the Prince Islands
Content To Start Your Research
- 44 Amazing Things to Do in Istanbul – Our Escape Clause
- Digital Nomad Guide To Istanbul – Sol
- Digital Nomad Guide to Living in Istanbul – John Spencer Ellis
7. Greece
City Recommendation: AthensNomadList Rating:3.89/5
Greece, like Turkey, has been a part of our history books and the stories of humanity for millennia. The sand-coloured stone walls built thousands of years ago continue to hold their own charm and ancient mystery.
You’ll never be bored when you’ve got so many islands to explore in the Aegean and Ionian waters. The black, volcanic sand beaches in Santorini will mess with your mind in all the best ways, and Athens gives you an opportunity to see all the cool places you’ve only ever seen on TV. Everywhere you go, there’ll always be incredible Greek food…I don’t need to say anymore.
For digital nomads, Greece is establishing itself as a bit of digital nomad hotspot; costs of living are low and the internet is decent. The timezone is pretty universal meaning that most people can make it work as a location and there’s a nomad community there that’s really gaining some momentum so there are excellent opportunities to network.
Athens is amazing. There’s loads to do, the cost of living remains pretty reasonable AND the city starts to empty as the tourist season begins to calm down so you’re not completely surrounded by sweaty armpits.
Greek food is also amazing. To be honest, the food is enough of a pull for me to book my flight. I confess that right now without shame.
Top 5 Bucketlist Items
- Visit the Acropolis
- Visit the National Gardens
- Street Art tour in Plaka
- Go to a concert at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus
- Go to Glyfada
Content to Get Your Research Started
- Athens Bucketlist – 13 Sites not to miss – Girl With A Passport
- Perfect Cafes – This is Athens
- Johnny’s Guide to Greece – Johnnyfd
8. Scilly Isles
City Recommendation: All of itNomadList Rating: None Listed
The UK is known for many things. Consistently warm sunshine is not one of them. With that said, the UK has few little golden nuggets of land called the Scilly Isles which are renowned for mild temperatures, beautiful hiking spots and tasty seafood.
The Scilly Isles are made up of different islands; which one you visit is entirely dependent on what you’re looking for on any given day. Go to Tresco for a subtropical island experience. The unique climate means that the owners of this island are able to grow exotic plants from all over the globe. The beaches have some of the finest sand you’ll ever walk on and there are Bronze Age ruins to explore; it’s a whole adventure off the beaten track.
If you’re looking to take a walk on the wild side, the Scilly Isles still boasts some uninhabited islands which have been left for the wildlife and vegetation to thrive. Go snorkelling off the coast of the Eastern Isles to see the gorgeous sealife for yourself.
There’s not a lot about the Scilly Isles in terms of nomad life. It’s definitely the place you’d go for a bit of peace and quiet. The kind of adventure that’s challenging, but more serene. So this suggestion is the opportunity to try something new. You’re still in the UK so high speed internet connections average at around 67mbps and 4G coverage is good on both the EE and Vodafone networks.
I’m British so maybe I’m biased, but it sounds like an awesome place to finish that project, or plan my next move to help me live my best life.
Top 5 Bucketlist Items
- Tresco Abbey Garden
- Do a Wine Tour in St. Martin’s Vineyard
- Walk along Porthcressa Beach
- Go to Troytown Farm Ice Cream Factory
- A sophisticated fresh seafood dinner at High Tide
Content to Get Your Research Started
- Top Things to Do in The Scilly Isles – Lonely Planet
- Visit Isles of Scilly
- Scilly Isles Itinerary – Hand Luggage Only
The wanderlust is real my travelling friends…it is real. All of these places just seem so nice! We’ll be updating this list as we discover more places that deserve to be on the list of best places to travel in September. You can check out August’s top picks and you can look forward to the next one in this series coming out soon!
