November is a transition month for many destinations, when temperatures are cooling and so are the tourists who are traveling less as they gear up for the holiday season. This is why you can get some great rates for hotel rooms and airfares to some destinations in November.
While November means the start of the winter season for the Northern Hemisphere, it is one of the best months from a weather standpoint to visit destinations in the Southern Hemisphere like Australia and New Zealand.
It is also one of the best months for some of the world’s most stunning natural experiences like the northern lights in Iceland. So, while many people hold tight in November gearing up for the holidays, you can take advantage of some of the late-year travel perks that this month has to offer.
Plan your next vacation with our list of the best places to travel in November.
Top 10 places to visit in November:
Portugal
The small country of Portugal is a great place to visit in November, when tourist crowds are gone, and the prices for hotels are affordable. Compared to other European destinations that are generally damp and grey in November, many parts of Portugal have sunny days and comfortable temperatures.
You will likely want to base out of Lisbon to enjoy the winding city streets. You can walk or ride Tram 28, the cable car that takes you through many local neighborhoods like Alfama and past some of the most popular tourist attractions.
Since November is the start of the off-season in Portugal, you will be able to find airfare deals and better availability than in the summer months.
London
The weather in London in November is not necessarily beautiful, but if you are looking to visit the city and take advantage of lower rates and lesser crowds, this is a good month for it.
November offers another advantage: a more authentic and cultural side of London with many annual festivals that celebrate England’s history, like the Guy Fawkes Night celebration.
Without the summer crowds, you can take in the best of London’s attractions, from the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. With fewer crowds visiting in November, it will be easy to book one of the many city tours that take you to see all of the highlights.
Paris
As one of the most visited cities in the world, finding the best time to visit Paris, France is relative depending on the experience you are looking for, but November offers some advantages.
Fall is a great time to visit, namely because the summer tourists are gone, and lines at some of the attractions in Paris are not long. You will also find great rates on hotels and airfares in the fall compared to the summer months.
In exchange for the savings in Euros and fewer tourists, you will need to pack a jacket as you head out to explore the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower.
Belize
There is a small window to visit Belize in November, when you can escape the summer crowds and enjoy the best attractions in the country before the holiday tourists arrive.
The ideal time to plan your trip to this Central American country is mid-to-late November. You will get great weather and low rates for hotel rooms and local tours.
Pack your bathing suit and adventurous spirit and enjoy the flexibility on tours to enjoy snorkeling along the barrier reef at the Great Blue Hole and visiting ancient Mayan sites like Lamanai, Altun Ha, and the cultural experience in the nearby Cayo District.
Iceland
Iceland has one great feature going for it in November—the best chance to see the spectacular Northern Lights. You either get lucky and catch the occasional overnight show during the high tourist season in the summer, or you can visit during November in the window when the nights are the longest in the country.
Pack your winter gear and prepare for a natural spectacle of not just the Northern Lights but also the Blue Lagoon, volcanoes, waterfalls at the Golden Circle Gullfoss, and glacial treks.
Since November is in the low-season, you can get great deals on hotel rooms and airfares. You can base out of Reykjavik and take day trips to many of the top destinations on the island.
Ireland
A fall trip to Ireland will have spectacular temperatures, and the summer crowds will be long gone. While November will require a light jacket, you will have more opportunities to see attractions like St. Patrick’s Cathedral and St. Stephen’s Green park in Dublin without long lines.
Festivals are kicking into high gear in the capital city and throughout the country, so it is a great month to immerse yourself into the authentic Irish culture.
You can find great rates on hotels, and save money on local transportation by taking the hop-on, hop- off city bus line.
Auckland
November is a shoulder month in Auckland, New Zealand, which makes it a great time to consider a vacation. It is springtime in the city, so the weather is moderate with mostly sunny days, and it is comfortable for outdoor excursions like a visit to Mount Eden and Cornwall Park.
November is a perfect month for hiking, hitting the beach, biking, and strolling through the parks to enjoy the abundance of flora and fauna unique to this region.
The additional perk to traveling to Auckland in November is that you will avoid the tourist crowds and the premium rates for hotel and airfare.
Madrid
The month of November is one of the best times of the year to visit Madrid, Spain, when the city weather is cooler, tourists have left for the season, hotel rates are lower, and you can experience the city at your own pace.
There are fall festivals to enjoy in Madrid, and without the crowds, you can feel like a local at the El Rastro flea market. You can stroll the gardens at the Buen Retiro Park without the worry of intense summer heat that can oftentimes make it tough to enjoy the outdoor attractions.
During the occasional rain, you can hit one of the many indoor attractions like the Prado Museum and the Plaza de Cibeles, which can be tough to see in the high tourist season.
Bermuda
If you have your eye on a discounted deal to Bermuda then November can offer that. While this might be the perfect time to catch a golf vacation on the cheap and fewer tourists, be advised that the water is still a bit chilly for swimming. If you didn’t plan to swim anyway and just want to soak in the perfect ocean beaches and famous pink sand then pack your bags.
There are plenty of excursions to enjoy in Bermuda, from the underground Crystal Caves and golf courses on the ocean to the winding old streets in Historic St. George.
You will be able to find great hotel rates in November and, likely, package deals to bundle the activities that you would like to do while you are here.
Melbourne
November is one of the best months of the year to visit Melbourne, Australia. It is in the shoulder season, so you will get the best of all things, including cooler temperatures, fewer tourists, and lower rates for hotels and airfares.
Springtime in Melbourne means that flowers are in bloom at the Royal Botanic Gardens, and you will have plenty of room at the top tourist attractions like the National Gallery of Victoria and Port Campbell National Park.
Weather in November is about perfect anywhere in the country, so you can easily set up base and take day trips from Melbourne to the Yarra Valley and the Mornington Peninsula.
