Summer in the UK is drawing to a close, but there’s plenty of places where the sunshine is still going strong. If you want to enjoy late sunshine but without the crowds that the high season brings, now is the perfect time to book a holiday.

One great location that is still warm in September is  Malta – just three hours and 20 minutes from London on a direct flight. This beautiful country has some of the most amazing beaches in the world as well as historic cities, charming fishing villages and jaw dropping scenery. As an added bonus, September temperatures in Malta hover around 25C and the water is even warmer, making it perfect for swimming and sunbathing. 

Located just off the coast of Sicily, Malta is nestled right in the heart of the Mediterranean and is also one of the sunniest places in Europe. 

The island is packed full of beaches with more than 200km of coast line, and dozens of Blue Flag beaches. A visit in the shoulder season of September means there will be fewer crowds and more places to put your beach towel. 

Some of the best beaches in Malta include Mellieħa Bay, which is Malta’s largest sandy beach, and Golden Bay, a beautiful beach known for its clear water and magnificent sunsets.

It’s not all beaches though. No visit to Malta would be complete without a visit to the historic city of Valletta. The capital city of Malta is perfect for history lovers.

Once an enclave for the Knights of St John, it’s also known as the ‘Fortress City’ for its many walls and fortifications that date back to 1552.

If you want to see the island from a new perspective, you could take a boat trip out to the Blue Grotto, a network of caves with some of the most incredible views Malta has to offer.