Where to go to the beach in Italy in September? The best destinations for extending summer in an exclusive villa
Navigate the article:
- Puglia in September: Warm Seas and Uncrowded Beaches
- Sardinia in September: peak water temperatures and quiet glamour
- The key advantages of booking a luxury villa in September
- What to do in September in Raro Villas destinations: beyond the beach
September is the month that the most experienced travellers keep for themselves. Beaches empty out, the water reaches its peak temperature of the year, prices fall and restaurants return to working with care. Those who have spent August in an exclusive villa already know: extending summer by a few weeks in the right destination turns what could be a simple holiday postponement into something qualitatively superior.
This guide is for those who want to understand where it is genuinely worth going to the beach in Italy in September, with a precise focus on the quality of the experience: not just water temperature and beach crowding, but also the availability of luxury villas, masserias and prestigious residences where the summer season extends in full comfort.
Puglia in September: Warm Seas and Uncrowded Beaches
Puglia benefits more than almost any other region from the shift into September. The reason is simple: the Ionian sea, which washes the western Salento between Gallipoli and Porto Cesareo, accumulates heat throughout the summer and in September reaches temperatures between 24 and 26°C in the first half of the month, with values still above 22-24°C in the second half. The Ionian coast tends to be 1-2°C warmer than the Adriatic side, and many locals consider September their favourite month for swimming because the water retains the summer heat while the air becomes pleasantly cool.
In Gallipoli, average sea temperatures hover around 25.4°C—the highest anywhere along the Salento coast this month. Iconic beaches like Baia Verde and Punta della Suina lose their heavy August crowds while keeping their crystal-clear waters. Top beach clubs stay open, offering attentive service without the frantic wait times.
Staying in a villa in Salento in September also comes with distinct practical advantages: popular areas like Valle d'Itria and Ostuni should still be booked 2 to 4 weeks ahead (as September grows more popular with insider travelers), airport transfers can easily be set up just 5 to 7 days out, and getting a table at great local restaurants rarely takes more than a same-day call.
- Gallipoli and the Ionian Salento: water up to 25°C, free beaches accessible, lidos open without queues
- Ostuni and the Adriatic coast: sea between 24 and 26°C, Parco delle Dune Costiere in ideal conditions, end-of-summer festivals and markets in the historic towns
- Porto Cesareo and Santa Maria di Leuca: crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Taranto, shallow seabed and white sand, ideal for families and snorkelling
Among Raro Villas' properties in this area: Masseria Lamagrotte, just 800 metres from the sea at Ostuni's Parco delle Dune Costiere, with 11 bedrooms and 21 beds among centuries-old olive trees, is the ideal September choice for large groups wanting to combine beach, countryside and local gastronomy.
Read also: Puglia or Sardinia? How to choose the right destination for your exclusive villa holiday
Sardinia in September: peak water temperatures and quiet glamour
In Sardinia, September has a solid and well-deserved reputation among those who know the island well. The sea is at its thermal peak of the year, between 26 and 28°C. Beaches empty out almost overnight after 10 September and restaurants return to cooking with care. Prices drop by 30-40%.
In Porto Cervo and across the Costa Smeralda, the month of September marks a shift in pace that is less about winding down and more about refinement: the remaining crowd is international, discerning, and focused on quality over quantity. Every September, the region hosts the Sardinia Cup sailing regatta, filling Porto Cervo’s marina with world-class yachts and making it one of the most exclusive scenes in the Mediterranean autumn.
In areas like Olbia, average water temperatures reach their highest point between August and September, around 24-25°C. This is why September is so popular among those who want to enjoy long swims without the full crowding of Ferragosto.
At Portobello di Gallura, the situation is even more favourable: the coves reachable only by boat, accessible in high season only in the early morning hours, become available for most of the day in September. This effortless atmosphere is exactly what properties like Villa Vega were built for. Designed as two independent villas hosting up to 20 guests, it offers private access to 3 km of coastline filled with white-sand bays, along with on-demand amenities like private chefs, catamaran charters, transfers, and luxury vehicle hires. What would require meticulous planning in July unfolds with effortless ease in September.
Among other Raro Villas properties in Sardinia for September: Villa Luce at Portobello di Gallura, with 7 bedrooms and pool, bookable as two independent villas for extended families or groups of friends, and Villa Le Vele in Arzachena, 2 km from Porto Cervo, with a private 1,500 sqm garden and panoramic terrace overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The key advantages of booking a luxury villa in September
Anyone who has stayed in an exclusive villa in Puglia or Sardinia during both August and September will rarely choose August again if they can avoid it.
The first being the quality of daily life: no traffic along the backroads, no queues at beach entry points, and no waiting at the morning fish market. Everything runs seamlessly. The second advantage is price: high-end villa rates in September are, on average, 30% to 45% lower than during the peak of July and August—substantial savings that become immediately noticeable on a one- or two-week stay.
The third advantage, often overlooked, is the culinary experience: September coincides with the grape harvest (vendemmia) in Puglia and a return to unhurried, attentive service at top local restaurants that operate at maximum capacity in August. Wineries throughout the Itria Valley host exclusive tastings and tours, while farmers' markets showcasing late-summer produce—from ripe figs and heritage tomatoes to early-harvest olives—are at their absolute best.
To check availability of Raro Villas properties in the destinations covered in this guide for September and October 2026, the fastest way is to contact the team directly or to browse availability in the villas section. The central weeks of September, from the 7th to the 21st, offer the best balance of climate, availability and pricing.
What to do in September in Raro Villas destinations: beyond the beach
September opens up a whole range of experiences that are simply too hot or crowded to enjoy in August.
In Puglia, daytime temperatures settle into a comfortable 25–28°C, making afternoon strolls through historic whitewashed towns genuinely enjoyable. Destinations like Ostuni, Locorotondo, Cisternino, Alberobello, and Martina Franca, places you could only comfortably visit at dawn or dusk in August, can be explored at a relaxed pace all day long.
In Sardinia, September offers perfect conditions to explore inland Gallura, tasting wines at boutique vineyards in Arzachena, or visiting ancient stone nuraghi and historic villages that get overlooked during peak summer. In Porto Cervo, the sailing season brings a refined, energetic pulse to the town.
Across both regions, overall service reaches its peak in September. Private chefs, boat charters, and custom wine-tasting tours are far easier to book and far more tailored than during the summer rush. Guests at any Raro Villas property can arrange these experiences directly through our team and our trusted local network.