Where to Go in Europe This November (Avoid These)

November is Europe's awkward middle child—too late for fall foliage, too early for Christmas markets. Most cities are gray, wet, and depressing. But eight places actually shine this month, and I've spent three Novembers testing them Here's what works (and what doesn't) for the best place to visit Europe in November For where to go in europe this november (avoid these), this is worth knowing.

1. Seville, Spain — Actually Warm

Why November: 20°C (68°F) average, zero crowds, half-price hotels.

Seville in November feels like California in October. The Plaza de España isn't packed with tour groups. You can actually get a table at El Rinconcillo without waiting.

The Real Alcázar (official site) takes two hours when it's not tourist season. In summer, you'd wait 90 minutes just to enter.

Skip: The cathedral rooftop tour. Wind makes it miserable in November Stay: Hotel Amadeus (€85/ For best place to visit europe in november, this is worth knowing.night, November rates). Piano in every room, if that's your thing 💡 Pro tip: Book flamenco shows at Casa de la Memoria (€18) instead of the tourist tablao places (€45+). Same quality, locals actually go there

2. Porto, Portugal — Wine Country Without Rain

Why November: Harvest just finished, Douro Valley tours still run, hotels drop 40%.

Porto in November is what Lisbon pretends to be year-round—actually manageable. The Ribeira district along the Douro River doesn't smell like urine (unlike summer).

The Douro Valley wine train (CP Trains official) runs €25 round-trip. Book the morning departure, do a quinta tour, return by sunset.

Best quintas for November: Quinta do Vallado (modern tasting room, heated) and Quinta da Pacheca (overnight stays, vineyard views).

Eat: Cantinho do Avillez (€30 for t For where to go in europe this november (avoid these), this is worth knowing.hree courses). José Avillez's casual spot. No reservation stress in November.

💡 Pro tip: Skip the €15 port tastings in Vila Nova de Gaia. Walk to Graham's Lodge at 4pm for the free daily tour—you'll taste five ports for €8 at the end.

3. Malta — Mediterranean Without the Heatstroke

Why November: 18°C water (still swimmable), diving visibility peaks, flights from UK are €40.

Malta in summer is 35°C and overrun with British stag parties. November Malta is what the Mediterranean coast was in the 1970s—quiet, cheap, actually enjoyable.

Valletta loses its cruise ship crowds. You can walk the bastions without dodging selfie sticks. The Upper Barrakka Gardens (Visit Malta official) overlook the Grand Harbour without 200 other people.

Diving: Water clarity in November hits 30+ meters. The Um El Faroud wreck (30m depth) is the best place to visit Europe in November if you dive. Book with Dive Systems (€45 for two dives).

Skip: Gozo ferry tours. Wind makes it rough. Do the Hypogeum instead (€30, book weeks ahead).

4. Budapest, Hungary — Thermal Baths Season

Why November: Outdoor thermal pools steam in 8°C air, Christmas markets start late-month, hotels are €35/night.

Everyone talks about Budapest's ruin bars. November is about the thermal baths. Széchenyi Baths at night, when it's cold enough to see steam rolling off the water, beats any spa experience I've had.

Skip Széchenyi on weekends—it's still crowded. Go Tuesday or Wednesday after 6pm (€22 evening rate). Bring flip-flops; the changing rooms are gross.

Better option: Gellért Baths (€24 weekdays). Art Nouveau architecture, fewer tourists, same thermal water.

💡 Pro tip: Get the Budapest Card (€35 for 48 hours). Free metro, free one bath entry, 20% off restaurants. Pays for itself if you're doing two museums.

Eat: Bors GasztroBar (€4-6 for soup in a bread bowl). Stand at the counter, order the daily special, leave happy.

5. Edinburgh, Scotland — Moody Castle Weather

Why November: Hotel rates drop 50%, no Edinburgh Fringe crowds, whisky season kicks in.

Edinburgh in November looks like a movie set—fog rolling off Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh Castle emerging from mist, Royal Mile actually walkable.

Skip: The castle itself (£19.50, mostly empty rooms). Do the Royal Yacht Britannia instead (£17, more interesting, heated).

Whisky: Forget the tourist distillery tours. Go to The Scotch Whisky Experience (official site) for the "Silver Tour" (£25, four drams, proper glassware). Or just hit Bow Bar on Victoria Street (£6-8 per dram, 350 bottles).

Stay: Old Town Chambers (€55/night). Right off Royal Mile, full kitchens, washer/dryer. Way better than hotels at this price 💡 Pro tip: The National Museum of Scotland is free and has better artifacts than the castle. Spend two hours there, then walk to Greyfriars Kirkyard for the real Edinburgh vibe.

6. Marrakech, Morocco — Europe Adjacent

Why November: 24°C days, Atlas Mountains visible, Jemaa el-Fnaa square tolerable.

Okay, technically North Africa. But Marrakech is a 3-hour flight from most European cities and feels li For where to go in europe this november (avoid these), this is worth knowing.ke the best place to visit Europe in November when you're sick of gray skies.

Skip: Any restaurant on Jemaa el-Fnaa square. Tourist traps with food poisoning. Walk 10 minutes to Nomad or Café Clock (€8-12 mains, rooftop views, won't wreck your stomach).

Must do: Jardin Majorelle (€10 entry). Two hours wandering cobalt blue gardens. Gets hot in summer; perfect in November.

Hammam: La Sultana hammam costs €90 and is gorgeous. Or do Hammam de la Rose (€25) in the medina—same scrub-down, less Instagram-pretty.

💡 Pro tip: Hire a guide for the souks (€20 for 3 hours through your riad). You'll see workshops tourists never find and avoid the "my shop is just here" scams.

7. Athens, Greece — Ancient Sites Without Heatstroke

Why November: 17°C, Acropolis isn't an oven, hotel prices crater.

Athens in August is 38°C on marble with no shade. Athens in November is what archaeology should feel like—cool mornings at the Acropolis, afternoons in museums, evenings at rooftop bars watching the Parthenon light up.

Skip: The Acropolis Museum restaurant (overpriced). Do the museum (€15) then walk to Plaka for lunch at Tzitzikas kai Mermigas (€12-15, modern Greek, locals eat there).

Best deal: €30 combo ticket covers Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Hadrian's Library, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Aristotle's Lyceum. Valid five days. Do two sites per day.

Stay: Airbnb in Koukaki (€40/night). Residential, close to Acropolis metro, real bakeries.

💡 Pro tip: Hit the Acropolis at 8am opening. You'll have the Parthenon nearly alone for 30 minutes. By 10am, cruise groups arrive.

8. Canary Islands, Spain — Beach Without Freezing

Why November: 23°C air, 21°C water, direct flights from most of Europe, zer For where to go in europe this november (avoid these), this is worth knowing.o rain If you want actual beach time in November, Tenerife and Gran Canaria are the only parts of Europe that work. Everywhere else is too cold or too wet Tenerife: South coast (Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos) has beaches and resorts. North coast (Puerto de la Cruz) has character and hiking. Mount Teide cable car (€38) runs year-round—book morning slots.

Gran Canaria: Las Palmas is an actual city (not a resort). Playa de las Canteras is a real urban beach. Maspalomas dunes are otherworldly.

Skip: All-inclusive resorts. You didn't fly to the Canary Islands for buffet food. Stay in an apartment, eat at local spots (€8-12 for fresh fish).

💡 Pro tip: November is whale-watching season. Book a sailboat tour (€45-60) instead of the massive tourist boats. You'll see pilot whales and dolphins.

Where NOT to Go in November

Paris: Rainy, gray, miserable. Save it for April or September. November Paris is a scam.

London: Even worse than Paris. Rain, cold, expensive. You'll spend £15 per museum and see nothing but umbrellas.

Amsterdam: Canals in November look like sewers. Everyone's inside. Museums are packed. Save this for spring.

Sample 7-Day November Itinerary

Budget version (€70/day):

Transport: Ryanair/Wizz flights €30-50 between cities. Total trip: €490-550/week.

Mid-range version (€120/day):

Transport: Regular airline flights €80-120. Total trip: €850-950/week.

Planning More Travel?

For best place to visit europe in november, if you're doing a longer European trip, check out our sister sites:

• TravelPlanUS.com — Planning the US leg before or after Europe? Complete guides for Americans heading back.
• TravelPlanJP.com — Stopover in Japan on the way? November is shoulder season there too.
• TravelPlanKorea.com — Korea stopover tips for the long-haul flight between US and Europe.

Final Thoughts on November Europe

For best place to visit europe in november, the best place to visit Europe in November isn't obvious. Most "best of Europe" lists ignore weather reality—they'll tell you Paris or Rome, then you show up to rain and closed attractions.

November works if you choose cities that don't depend on sunshine. Thermal baths (Budapest), museums (Athens), wine (Porto), or actual warm weather (Seville, Canaries, Malta).

My top pick: Porto. €60/day, great wine, actual sun, not overrun with tourists. Book a quinta stay in Douro Valley for two nights (€80-100 for a farmhouse room with vineyard views). That's the best place to visit Europe in November if you want the full experience.

Worst pick: Anywhere in Northern Europe. I wasted a November week in Copenhagen once. Depressing, expensive, dark by 4pm. Don't repeat my mistakes.

November is Europe's secret season—but only if you pick the right eight cities from this list. Everywhere else, wait until spring.

FAQ

Q. Is November a good time to visit Europe?

For where to go in europe this november (avoid these), november is great for Southern Europe and Mediterranean islands—Seville, Porto, Malta, Athens, Canary Islands. It sucks for Northern and Central Europe (Paris, London, Berlin, Amsterdam). The best place to visit Europe in November depends entirely on going south.

You'll save 40-60% on hotels compared to summer, and major sites aren't crowded. But you'll deal with shorter days (sunset around 5-6pm) and occasional raiFor where to go in europe this november (avoid these), n.

Q. What should I pack for Europe in November?

For where to go in europe this november (avoid these), for best place to visit europe in november, layers. A waterproof jacket, one warm sweater, jeans, and comfortable walking shoes cover 90% of November Europe weather. If you're hitting Southern Europe (Seville, Athens, Malta), bring one pair of shorts—you'll get 20°C+ days.

Skip the heavy winter coat unless you're going to Scotland or Nordic countries. Most of the best places to visit Europe in November sit around 15-20°C (60-For where to go in europe this november (avoid these), 68°F).

Q. Are ChrFor best place to visit europe inFor where to go in europe this november (avoid these), november, istmas markets open in November in Europe?

Most Christmas markets start late November (last week). Budapest, Vienna, and German cities (Munich, Nuremberg) usually open around November 24-28. Edinburgh and Prague sometimes start mid-November.

If Christmas markets are your main goal, book for late November or wait until December. The best place to visit Europe in For where to go in europe this november (avoid these), november for early Christmas markFor best place to visiFor where to go in europe this november (avoid these), t europe in november, ets is probably Budapest or Prague.

Q. How much does a November Europe trip cost?

Budget: €60-80/day (hostels, street food, free attractions, budget airlines). Mid-range: €120-150/day (3-star hotels, sit-down meals, paid museums, regular flights). Luxury: €250+/day (boutique hotels, fine dining, private tours).

November is 30-50% cheFor where to go in europe this november (avoid these), aper than summer for the same trip. A week iFor best plFor where to go in europe this november (avoid these), ace to visit europe in november, n Porto or Seville runs €420-560 for budget travelers, €840-1050 mid-range.

Q. What's the weather like in Europe in November?

Southern Europe (Spain, Portugal, Greece, Malta): 15-22°C (60-72°F), mostly sunny, occasional rain. Western Europe (France, Netherlands, Belgium): 8-12°C (46-54°F), frequent rain, gray. Northern Europe (UK, Scandinavia): 4-8°C (39-46°F), cold, dark, wet.

The best place to visit Europe in November for warm weather is the Canary Islands (23°C), followed by Malta and southern Spain. Everything north of Paris is coat weather.