Best Places to Go in Europe in November: The Off-Peak Playbook
November is when most people write off Europe. "Too cold," "too gray," "everything's closing." And honestly? They're partially right — for certain destinations. But they're completely wrong about others. November is the deepest off-season month before Christmas markets kick in, which means rock-bottom prices, empty landmarks, and a completely different (often better) experience of cities you thought you knew. Here's what the data says about where to go.
The November Case: Why Bother?
Let's talk numbers. November hotel prices across Europe average 40–55% below July rates. Flight prices from the US bottom out at $350–500 round trip. Major attractions that have 2-hour queues in summer? Walk right in. The Louvre in November has roughly 60% fewer visitors than August. The Colosseum? Similar story. You're trading some warmth for massive savings and a qualitatively different experience.
Top Destinations for November in Europe
1. Canary Islands, Spain
Weather: Average high of 24°C (75°F), 4 rain days Crowd Level: Low-Medium Daily Budget: $75–115
The Canary Islands are Europe's year-round escape hatch. While mainland Europe goes gray and cold, these volcanic islands off the African coast serve up beach weather in November. Tenerife and Gran Canaria are the most developed; Lanzarote and La Palma are more chill. Water temperature hovers around 22°C — genuinely swimmable.
| Expense | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Mid-range hotel (per night) | $55–85 |
| Meals (per day) | $18–25 |
| Teide National Park | Free |
| Whale watching | $40 |
Pro Tip: Fly into Tenerife South (TFS), not North. South has better beach weather and more budget airline connections.
2. Porto, Portugal
Weather: Average high of 16°C (61°F), 12 rain days Crowd Level: Low Daily Budget: $65–100
Porto in November is moody, beautiful, and practically empty. Yes, it rains. But between showers, you get golden light over the Douro River, port wine cellars without reservations, and francesinha sandwiches that warm you from the inside. Hotel prices are at annual lows.
| Expense | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Mid-range hotel (per night) | $45–70 |
| Meals (per day) | $15–22 |
| Port wine cellar tour + tasting | $15 |
| Livraria Lello entry | $5 (redeemable on books) |
Pro Tip: The São Bento train station is one of Europe's most beautiful — and it's free to walk in and admire the azulejo tiles without fighting through summer tour groups.
3. Malta
Weather: Average high of 20°C (68°F), 7 rain days Crowd Level: Low Daily Budget: $70–110
Malta in November still has mild weather, especially compared to mainland Europe. Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage capital that you can explore in near-solitude. Temples older than the pyramids, incredible diving (water's still 20°C), and Maltese food that fuses Italian and North African flavors.
| Expense | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Mid-range hotel (per night) | $50–80 |
| Meals (per day) | $18–25 |
| Hypogeum entry (book ahead!) | $35 |
| Gozo day trip (ferry) | $5 |
4. Vienna, Austria
Weather: Average high of 7°C (45°F), 8 rain days Crowd Level: Low (pre-Christmas market) Daily Budget: $90–135
Vienna in November — before the Christmas market crowds arrive in late November/December — is a cultural powerhouse at bargain prices. The opera, museums, and coffeehouses are all less crowded and occasionally discounted. The city is built for indoor experiences, making cold weather irrelevant.
| Expense | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Mid-range hotel (per night) | $70–100 |
| Meals (per day) | $25–32 |
| Vienna Pass (1 day) | $80 |
| Standing room opera ticket | $4 |
Pro Tip: Vienna State Opera standing room tickets are $3–4 and go on sale 80 minutes before performance. You're getting world-class opera for the price of a coffee. This is the best deal in European travel, period.
5. Seville, Spain
Weather: Average high of 19°C (66°F), 6 rain days Crowd Level: Low Daily Budget: $70–105
Seville in November is criminally undervisited. The scorching summer heat is gone, replaced by pleasant mid-teens to low-twenties temps. The city's indoor treasures — the Alcázar, the Cathedral — are practically empty. Flamenco shows run year-round and feel more authentic without the tourist sheen.
| Expense | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Mid-range hotel (per night) | $50–75 |
| Meals (per day) | $20–28 |
| Alcázar + Cathedral combo | $25 |
| Flamenco show | $22 |
6. Istanbul, Turkey
Weather: Average high of 14°C (57°F), 9 rain days Crowd Level: Low-Medium Daily Budget: $55–90
Technically transcontinental, but Istanbul in November is too good to exclude. The lira's exchange rate makes it insanely affordable. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar — all without the summer stampede. November temps are cool but comfortable for walking. And Turkish food in autumn? Seasonal stews, roasted chestnuts, fresh pomegranate juice. Outstanding.
| Expense | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Mid-range hotel (per night) | $40–65 |
| Meals (per day) | $12–18 |
| Hagia Sophia | Free |
| Bosphorus cruise | $8 |
Pro Tip: Get an Istanbulkart for transit — it's a reloadable card that cuts fare prices by 50% versus tokens. Works on ferries, buses, trams, and metro.
Budget Breakdown: November Costs
| Budget Style | Daily Cost (USD) | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | $35–55 | Off-season hostel rates are wild |
| Mid-range | $70–110 | Best value month in Europe, hands down |
| Comfort | $130–200 | 4-star hotels at 3-star summer prices |
Flights from the US to Europe in November: $350–500 round trip. I've seen sub-$300 fares on error deals and Scott's Cheap Flights alerts. November is when airlines get desperate to fill transatlantic seats.
Getting Around Europe in November
Flights: Dirt cheap. Ryanair and easyJet run $15–40 intra-Europe routes that are half-empty. Flexibility with dates drops prices further.
Trains: No reservations needed on most routes — just show up and go. Night trains (Nightjet, Caledonian Sleeper) run at lower capacity and sometimes offer deals.
Buses: FlixBus prices bottom out. I've done $5 inter-city routes in November. Comfort hasn't improved, but at $5, complaining feels wrong.
Pro Tip: November is the best month to use airline miles for European travel. Award availability opens up dramatically when demand drops.
Packing for November in Europe
The range is huge. Canary Islands? Shorts and T-shirts. Vienna? Proper winter coat. Pack for your specific destinations:
- Southern Europe & Islands: Layers, light jacket, rain shell, one warm sweater for evenings
- Central/Northern Europe: Winter coat, scarf, waterproof boots, umbrella
- Universal: Comfortable walking shoes are always priority number one
FAQ
Is November too cold for Europe?
Depends entirely on where you go. Southern Spain, Portugal's coast, Canary Islands, Malta, and southern Italy all have pleasant 16–24°C temperatures. Central and Northern Europe are cold (5–12°C) but manageable with proper clothing.
Are things closed in Europe in November?
Some seasonal attractions close (beach clubs, island ferries on reduced schedules, some mountaintop restaurants). But major museums, restaurants, and cultural sites operate year-round. Cities are fully functional.
When do Christmas markets open?
Most open in late November (around the 20th–25th), with some starting as early as November 15. Vienna, Strasbourg, and Nuremberg are among the earliest. If you time late November right, you catch the opening days before the big December crowds.
Is November rainy in Europe?
It's one of the wetter months in much of Europe, particularly the Atlantic coast (Porto, western France, UK). Mediterranean destinations are drier. Pack rain gear regardless.
What are the best November events in Europe?
Beaujolais Nouveau release (third Thursday of November, France-wide), early Christmas markets, truffle season in Italy and Croatia, and Bonfire Night in the UK (November 5).
You Might Also Like
- Best Places to Go in Europe in October — Autumn at its peak, warmer than November
- Best Places to Go in Europe in March — When Europe starts waking back up
- Best Places to Go in Europe in April — Full spring swing