Turkish Resort City Tops Ranking For Sunny Fall Travel Destinations

Shoulder season travel—the period between peak season and off-season—is now favored by many vacationers. Travel trade association ABTA dubbed its growing popularity ‘Super September’ in its 2026 travel trends report. And the continued surge in demand is evident across all age groups, not just older travelers.

The findings are backed up by a recent survey from travel insurance comparison site Quotezone. Just under half (48%) of travelers said they would consider moving their annual vacation to fall instead of during the peak summer months.

Extreme temperatures across much of Europe is driving the change, with more than half of holidaymakers (52%) saying they would actively avoid southern Europe in summer because of the heat.

This year, western Europe has experienced its hottest June-to-July period on record, with wildfires burning across parts of several countries including France and Spain—only one year on from the worst recorded fire season in the European Union.

For more than a quarter of vacationers, it’s not just the soaring temperatures that make these pre-winter months so appealing—26% said cheaper prices influence their decision to travel in fall. More than 4 in 10 (42%) are open to holding out for a last-minute price drop before booking their shoulder season break, and 11% confirmed they always wait for a fall deal.

Avoiding the summer rush was also key, with 21% saying their main reason for shoulder season travel was that it was less crowded, had fewer children (16%), and was easier to get time off work (3%).

Best Destinations For Shoulder Season Travel

Quotezone has also created a 2026 Shoulder Season Index to help holidaymakers find the best places in southern Europe for fall sun without the extreme heat and hefty price tag. The company ranked destinations based on factors such as sea and air temperature, hours of sunshine, average rainfall and cost of accommodation.

The research revealed Antalya—part of the Turkish Riviera, or the Turquoise Coast—as the best destination for shoulder season travel, particularly for travelers chasing late-season sun.

Holidaymakers can enjoy 9.5 hours of daily sunshine and average temperatures of 27.6°C across September and October, while sea temperatures of 27.5°C make it comfortable for swimming and enjoying beach activities.

With average rainfall of 42mm across the two months, visitors can expect it to stay mostly dry, and for those looking for a bargain, the lowest price of a 3-night stay at a 3-star hotel can be found for £127 ($173).

Second on the list is Tenerife—part of the Canary Islands—with the popular year-round destination standing out for its warm average temperatures, minimal chance of rainfall, and low cost of accommodation at £108 ($147) for a 3-night stay.

The island is also home to one of Europe’s best national parks—Teide National Park—giving holidaymakers the chance to experience its striking volcanic landscapes and enjoy other pastimes such as hiking, better suited to the cooler fall temperatures.

In third place is the Cypriot town of Larnaca, where visitors can enjoy beach days at one of Europe’s best beaches—Nissi Beach—well into autumn with a sea temperature of 27°C, average temperatures of 25.5°C, and only 12mm of rainfall over the two months.

Greece’s largest island, Crete, takes fourth spot, offering holidaymakers eight hours of daily sunshine, while across the Mediterranean, Malta rounds out the top five—providing warm sea and air temperatures late into the season.

Temperatures begin to cool for the remainder of the list but stay above 18°C, providing pleasant conditions for outdoor activities and sightseeing.

Budva in Montenegro is in ninth, and Croatia’s Dubrovnik rounds out the list in tenth—with the most likely chance of rain, fewer average hours of sunshine and slightly more expensive accommodation.