I know there are many places in Europe that can be interesting in November. You can pick almost any destination and still find something to do, depending on what you like.
But this list is based on what really makes sense for this month. For me, that means places where it’s still sunny and warm enough to enjoy the outdoors and where November feels special in other ways: autumn colors, a good chance to see the Northern Lights, or just the right atmosphere for hiking and exploring.
All of these are places I’ve actually visited, which people don’t always think of first for November, but from my experience, they are somewhat the best picks for November travel in Europe!
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Best Places to Visit in Europe in November — Tried and Tested
Andorra (first half of November)
The first part of November is my favorite time to go to Andorra (a lesser-known country that is worth visiting). I’ve been exactly then, and it surprised me — foliage in early November here is really special.
You arrive and see a mix of green and yellow leaves, with crisp nights that sometimes bring the first frost, but sunny days that still feel warm. Because of this, the leaves really show their colors, and the air feels fresh and so clear.
That combination makes it the perfect time to be outdoors. I love going on hikes (there are plenty even right around Andorra la Vella, not only deep in the mountains) and then spending the afternoon in museums or in the thermal baths (there are so many options, but the first thermal bath I visited was Caldea Spa, where one full day is never enough.
I think it is one of the best destinations (together with the next one on my list) in Europe in November for hiking, nature, foliage, and road trips. And in November, you can travel here also on the cheap since this month is considered low season.
For example, it is possible to book a stay in a nice 3-star hotel for €60–70 a night, when in December already the same places cost over €200 (like Yomo Mola Park with breakfast included, for example, where we stayed and loved it, or Hotel Pyrenees). Even excellent four-star hotels and chalets can be booked for around €100 per night (like Tarter Chalets Apartments or Acta Arthotel, another favorite of mine).
I usually fly into Barcelona, rent a car there (cheaper than in Andorra itself and much easier to travel), and then drive up through the Pyrenees. You can use my road trip from Barcelona to Andorra with many scenic stops to extend a vacation in this part of Europe and 4 days in Barcelona if you plan to pause in this city too.
French Pyrenees (any Time During November)
The French Pyrenees are one of the most underrated places to visit in Europe in November. First of all, it is a destination with fewer crowds but still with foliage and mild weather. And second, it is great for off-season travel when prices are low.
I think the whole month is really great, but the first half is better in terms of colors (foliage is in full swing at this time) and some snow on the higher peaks (as you can see in my photos). So you get this mix of yellow forests, misty mornings, and sunshine breaking through the mountains.
I especially liked Bagneres-de-Luchon (which we used as a base), right at the foot of the mountains, with hot springs, old villas, and quiet streets to walk in the evenings, but honestly there are dozens of little villages where you just want to stop.
November is an awesome time to go hiking, visit small villages, thermal baths (because they are a big thing here), and of course try local cheese, wine, mutton stew, Pyrenean lamb, and other goodies.
I also like staying in small mountain B&Bs, places with stone walls, wooden beams, and fireplaces. In November, you often get them for half the price of ski season (just like in Andorra), and it makes evenings feel very local and personal.
Note from me: You can travel here any time in November, but the first two weeks are true off-season — many places close and towns look like ghost towns. That didn’t bother us at all, we loved it. Prices for accommodation were a bargain, and we spent our days road-tripping, going to hot springs, and just driving around without crowds.
Gran Canaria (any time in November)
Together with the other Canary Islands, Gran Canaria is the warmest place to visit in Europe in November. Risk of rain is very low (if it does rain, it literally happens a couple of times per month during a very short period).
I loved to travel there during this time because it’s very unique, with landscapes that feel out of this world, lots of sun, and warmth that makes you forget the rest of Europe is already grey. You can even swim in the south in places like Maspalomas (though the sea is already getting chilly, so I wouldn’t count on it unless you’re used to cold swimming).
But honestly, that’s not the main reason to go. What I enjoy most here are the road trips, views, variety of nature, and chance to stay in beautiful accommodation while prices are still affordable, because in December they start going up fast.
Compared to Tenerife (where I live for part of the year), Gran Canaria feels a little quieter. You can find family-run restaurants, authentic villages, and unique stays where you feel part of the island, not just another visitor. Add in good Canarian food and local wine… for me, this is one of the best warm places to visit in Europe in November.
I also run another travel site dedicated to Tenerife and the Canary Islands, where I share more guides on Gran Canaria. You can plan your travels with my favorite road trips on the island or beautiful luxurious hotels that don’t cost a fortune.
Ronda, Spain (whole month of November)
Ronda is one of my favorite towns to visit in Spain in November because it finally feels calm. The last month of the fall is already a bit chilly here, but there is a LOT OF SUN and not many tourists around.
I have been to Ronda quite a few times when we lived in Malaga, including trips in November on different weeks. It’s the best time to just walk slowly through the whole town, stop at cafes, enjoy the views of the gorge, visit old mansions, and of course stay in one of Ronda’s historic mansions or cliffside hotels, each with its own story, like Hotel Palacio de Hemingway or Hotel Soho, for example (the second one is a more affordable option, we stayed here on one of the occasions and loved it).
You can also drive out to an olive oil farm — we did that once and it was a great way to spend the afternoon. If Malaga during this time is still crowded, Ronda is almost quiet and authentic.
It is also a good base for visiting the white villages. Setenil de las Bodegas, Zahara de la Sierra, and Grazalema, they are all close. In November, they are quiet, sometimes foggy in the morning, but sunny later in the day.
If you are in Malaga for a couple of days, come here at least for one day or if going on a road trip from there. But I think staying overnight is much better. You can hire a car in Malaga railway station or airport, and then drive to Ronda to pause for a night. Waking up with the gorge right outside your window in November light is unbelievable!
Southern Slovakia (first 10–14 days of November)
For me, early November is the best time to be in southern Slovakia. The first ten days or so still have that golden color in the hills and it’s still possible to go hiking without worrying about snow (when in northern Slovakia, it is already quite cold, although in Liptovsky Mikulas, for example, you can still catch some foliage too).
I love slow walks in the countryside here — vineyards turning yellow, small villages, and castles standing over misty valleys. Once mid-November comes, most leaves are gone and it’s much less atmospheric, so it really is a short but beautiful window.
One of my favorite combinations is hiking in the morning and then heading to a hot spring in the afternoon.
Places like Piešťany and Dudince are perfect when it’s chilly outside as sitting in steaming water while the air is cold feels amazing. Add to that a glass of local wine in the evening and it becomes the ideal November day.
If you want to make it extra special, stay somewhere unique, like small boutique hotels in Banská Štiavnica or even a castle stay like Galicia Nueva in Halič.
And if you time it right, you can also catch St. Martin’s Day in the Small Carpathians, when the first young wines are opened and villages like Modra and Pezinok turn into little celebrations. It will be a nice way to wrap up a November trip… hiking, hot springs, and a glass of new wine in the place where it was made.
Rovaniemi, Finland (last 10 days or So of November)
Rovaniemi is my new love destination, and I’m convinced it’s one of the best places to visit in Europe in November for winter activities and Northern Lights, without the December prices (and yes, visiting Lapland on a budget is possible)!
I like it most in the last 10 days of the month when there is usually snow on the ground, very long nights for a chance to see the Northern Lights, and all winter activities have already started.
You can do husky rides, visit a reindeer farm, or go snowmobiling… all before the crowds arrive in December. I also liked spending a few days in Santa Claus Village at the end of November, when lights are up and mood is there, but it’s not overcrowded yet.
November weather here is cold, of course, but it’s exactly what you come for. If that’s the place you’ve been dreaming about for a while and want to plan a trip without spending too much time, use my one-week itinerary for Lapland and other posts about this region.
Another option is to hire a car in Helsinki and drive through Jyväskylä and Oulu to Rovaniemi, of course, if time allows.
Coast of Montenegro (whole month of November)
Another rather unique destination for a November trip in Europe, where you can be by the sea and mountains at the same time, is Montenegro.
I lived there and spent more than one November on the coast, so I can say that it is still a good time to be in this country, although if you are okay with the fact that swimming will not be possible anymore.
Beaches close for the season this month, but coastal towns feel special in late autumn. Kotor, Budva, Herceg Novi (all usually packed in summer) are suddenly quiet, with just enough cafes and shops still open to keep daily life going.
The weather changes a lot (one moment sunny, the next heavy clouds, sometimes short bursts of rain), but this is what I personally like so much and think it’s so beautiful because the scenery looks so dramatic — the Bay of Kotor with stormy skies is unforgettable, as well as the whole coast.
November is also perfect for exploring the entire country. You can visit Skadar Lake or stop at local wineries that are open year-round, go on one of the road trips around Montenegro, spend a day in Podgorica, the capital city, or just explore beautiful towns in Kotor Bay slowly.
Hiking is still possible along coastal trails, though mountain areas like Durmitor are already cold. If you want a taste of snow, you can spend a night there or in places like Kolašin, from where you can explore other mountains of Montenegro where it is possible to try the authentic mountainous food of the region.
If you would like to visit this country earlier, I think October in Montenegro is the best autumn month. Feel free to use all my guides to Montenegro (more are yet to come) to make planning easier.
Cyprus (During The Whole Month of November)
Together with the Canary Islands, Cyprus is another sunniest place to visit in Europe in November, and the south coast is where it feels best.
I stayed on the eastern side near Ayia Napa and Protaras, and what surprised me most was how warm the sea was in mid-November — still so comfortable for swimming when most of Europe is already in winter coats.
Beaches during this time of year are already much quieter, many almost empty, which makes it easy to enjoy a beach holiday without summer crowds. Days feel long, mostly sunny, with a couple of cloudy spells and short rain here and there, but overall the weather stays warm enough to be outdoors all day.
If you want variety, you can spend mornings by the coast and then drive into the Troodos Mountains for short hikes in cooler air or from Larnaca to Limassol via a scenic road, all the way to Paphos, or up north to the Turkish side for a change of scenery and culture. Just rent a car in one of the towns where you plan to stay, which will make things so much easier.
So Cyprus in November works if you are after warm weather, swimming, and light hiking — all at a time when island feels calmer and more authentic than in summer.
Southern Coast of Turkey (First 2-3 Weeks in November are the Best)
I’ve spent a lot of time in Turkey (lived in Istanbul and Antalya) and traveled across the whole country. And if I had to recommend just one region for November, it would be the southern coast. You can visit Cappadocia, Istanbul, or the Black Sea in November too, but for the best chance of sun and mild weather, Antalya and the stretch of coast toward Fethiye is where it feels right.
It’s not swimming season anymore (the sea is chilly), but the air is still warm enough to spend full days outside, even by the beach. Resorts around Antalya remain lively, while places like Kaş get much quieter, which I personally enjoy (I think you will too after reading my weekend in Kas itinerary). Some spots close for the season, but that just makes it calmer.
November is also a great month for road trips. The drive from Antalya to Pamukkale or from Fethiye to Pamukkale are the ones you could do, or just base yourself in Antalya and go on day trips from there.
To be honest, the whole south coast feels warmer than most of Europe at this time, and you get the bonus of seeing world-famous sites without the peak-season rush.
If you are curious to explore Turkey or discover it for yourself (if that’s a first trip), you can browse through my Turkey travel blog page, where I have lots of posts, including those about Istanbul.
Vienna (During the Whole Month)
Vienna isn’t warm in November, but it’s a city that makes sense this month for two reasons. First, because it stays full of interesting things to do even when the weather is grey, and second, because the Christmas season starts early here.
Museums, the number of cultural events, cafes, concerts, and food tours make Vienna feel bright and cultural in the last autumn month. And prices, by the way, are lower than in December.
I’ve been to Vienna a few times for the Christmas markets, but also in the first week of November, when it is known for being rainy and grey. Oh yes, it rained when we were there, the skies were heavy too, and on some days it felt damp, but I absolutely loved it.
Everything was open and working as usual. I enjoyed walking through the streets in all directions, just popping into different cafes, and enjoying the sense of anticipation for the Christmas season.
For me, it is one of those trips that proves Vienna doesn’t need sunshine or markets to impress. It already has everything that is great to experience in any season.
Douro Valley (First Half of the Month)
I visited the Douro Valley two times, once in spring (which was my favorite) and in November, which also turned out to be an amazing time to go.
What I like most is that early in the month, hills are still golden with the last autumn colors, and even later the landscape has that calm, post-harvest look with vineyards turning yellow and brown. It’s not hot, but the weather is mild enough for slow walks, short hikes in the area, and boat rides along the river without people (it was so quiet when we visited, I even hoped for a bigger crowd).
I also enjoyed a combo of the outdoors with wine. Many quintas (wineries) stay open for tastings in November and visiting them feels personal compared to the busy harvest season. Towns along the river, like Peso da Régua or Pinhão, are quiet but still working, which is perfect for introverts or anyone who prefers solitude and calm destinations.
The Douro in November will make sense if you haven’t been to Portugal yet (or have visited and would love to return) and want to have access to nature, wine, and some city life (Porto is there if you don’t mind rain and can find a warm apartment).
I’ll keep adding more places for November travel in Europe as I explore different regions. For now, these are the less-thought-of destinations that, in my opinion, really make sense this month — warm enough, atmospheric, some with foliage, others with quiet streets but nature nearby, but all worth the trip.
Do you have your own favorite November spots in Europe? Share them below!
What Else You Might Love Visiting in November
- Hidden Villages in the Bavarian Alps – my favorite beautiful villages not affected by mass tourism
- Tallinn in November – not the best time to visit, but here is how to make the most out of this month
- Christmas Markets in Tallinn – many open in the third and fourth week of November
More travel inspiration for Europe:
- 13 Places to Travel in Europe in Winter – that are still cheap
- 10 Cheap Places to Travel in Europe in Summer – you didn’t think about
- Cold Places to Visit in Summer in Europe – my favorite picks
- Cheapest Places to Live in Europe – With Less Than €2000/Month For Two
- 10 Surprising Spa & Wellness Retreats in Europe – best for stress relief
- Best Ski Resorts in Europe – from budget to luxury