Trying to decide on a vacation next fall. I hear about the intense crowds of tourists in Mallorca and wondered just how crowded it is in mid to late September. Is it as crowded as Santorini in June? Also would love to spend extra days in Menorca. Also considering Sardinia, same time of year. I know this would be less crowded but not sure if it has what I am looking for and it will take extra flight hours to get there. Looking for a vacation vibe, good food, beautiful beaches that area accessible and charming villages. Not into high price shopping but love hand crafted items. I have been to Spain twice before so I know the food is excellent - not so sure about Sardinia as I read it is totally different from Italy. I guess I would prefer Mallorca but do not want to deal with Santorini like crowds.
Posted by
OP
USA
247 posts
We are also considering Sicily and a few days in Malta if anyone has info on that. Again, mid to late September. Trip is being planned for 2026.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16873 posts
I don’t know about crowds on the Balearic Islands in mid September, but I know that Sardinia will not be crowded at all after schools start. The school year in Italy starts on September 15 this year for nearly all Italian regions, with very few exceptions where they start as early as September 10. Other European countries’ school year starts earlier than Italy.
Sardinian food has dishes that are unique and somewhat different compared to other Italian regions, but great nevertheless.
As far as beaches are concerned, few places on the Mediterranean have better beaches, which probably rival beaches in the South Pacific or the Caribbean.
Just be aware that renting a car is really necessary to visit Sardinia.
Posted by
London
662 posts
We were in Mallorca last year in mid September. We always take Mediterranean holidays at this time of year because the weather is still good and it's normally a bit less crowded since most of the school holidays have ended. Some parts of the island were a bit intensely crowded- particularly Valdemossa (which you can understand why, it's beautiful) and the old fashioned train/tram to Soller. However the beaches we visited (mostly northwestern corner like Alcudia) were busy but much more manageable. Palma was also fine and we were able to get bookings at good restaurants without much notice etc.
We also went to Sardinia at the same time of year a few years ago- in Alghero and then Santa Teresa de Gallura in the north. It felt less crowded than the parts of Mallorca mentioned above but still lively. The food was excellent. We especially loved Alghero, one of the best old towns in Europe, and taking a boat out to the Maddalena Islands, some of the best beaches in Europe.
Incidentally we also visited Santorini at this time of year several years before that, and outside of Fira when the cruise ships were in and Oia at sunset, did not find it too crowded. We stayed in Perissa and it was very quiet and relaxing.
To summarise- from my experience, both Mallorca and Sardinia in mid September have pretty much exactly what you are looking for (those are the things we look for, too!).
Posted by
OP
USA
247 posts
Thanks for the info. Now my decision is even harder! Both places sound amazing and have everything I am looking for.