Best destinations to visit in November
Best destinations to visit in November
Crisp mountain trail runs and early winter light display avenues in November
November means low season in a lot of places, right before the start of the December holiday rush.
Thanksgiving drives a huge spike in domestic travel across the United States, even as international trips quieten down elsewhere in the days around it. Christmas markets begin opening across parts of Europe toward the end of the month, giving an early taste of the holiday season ahead. Ski resorts across the Northern Hemisphere start their season too, though snow can still be inconsistent this early. The Southern Hemisphere moves into early summer, with warm weather building well before the region's own peak season begins. Prices in many destinations stay low during this quiet stretch before December's crowds arrive.
The destinations on our list cover that same range, from early ski season snow to the first warm days of a Southern Hemisphere summer.
Lists by region
City in United States
New York City
Five boroughs of skyline, food and museums
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade fills Manhattan streets with giant balloons each November. Central Park's trees hold late autumn colour into early November most years. Ice skating rinks open at Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park as the season shifts. Broadway theatres keep evening shows running throughout the colder months.
Country
United Arab Emirates
Desert luxury meets coastal charm
Warm November weather with highs near 30 degrees Celsius suits outdoor sightseeing across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Burj Khalifa rises 828 metres above downtown Dubai with an observation deck near the top. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi has 82 white marble domes. Desert safaris in the dunes stay comfortable as temperatures cool.
Country
India
Palaces, temples, backwaters and Himalayan peaks
Mild November weather across the north suits visits to the Taj Mahal in Agra. Diwali, the festival of lights, often falls in late October or November with fireworks and oil lamps. Camel safaris cross the dunes near Jaisalmer in the Thar Desert. Houseboats drift along the calm backwaters of Kerala.
Island in Spain
Canary Islands
Spain's volcanic paradise year-round
A cable car carries passengers to 3,555 metres on Mount Teide in about eight minutes. Warm year round weather keeps November beaches busy across Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Short viewpoint paths near the top station offer views across the volcanic landscape. Black sand beaches formed from volcanic rock line parts of the coastline.
Country
Egypt
Ancient wonders meet desert landscapes
November weather in Luxor brings highs around 28 degrees Celsius, cooler than summer. Karnak Temple's Hypostyle Hall holds 134 giant stone columns in sixteen rows. The Valley of the Kings contains more than 60 royal tombs. Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan typically take three to four nights.
City in Argentina
Buenos Aires
Where Tango and Culture Thrive
Jacaranda trees bloom purple across Buenos Aires streets and parks through November. Mild spring weather with highs near 24 degrees Celsius suits walking through Palermo's parks. Tango shows fill small clubs in the San Telmo neighbourhood most evenings. Recoleta Cemetery holds elaborate mausoleums along narrow stone paths.
City in Thailand
Chiang Mai
Ancient temples and mountain escapes
Yi Peng lantern festival fills the sky above Chiang Mai with glowing paper lanterns each November. Loy Krathong follows on the same nights, with small floral rafts set adrift on rivers. Cool dry weather suits walking around the old city moat. Sunday Walking Street fills Ratchadamnoen Road with handmade crafts and snacks.
State/Prefecture in United States
Hawaii
Tropical Vibes and Volcanic Wonders
Humpback whales begin arriving in Hawaiian waters as their winter migration starts in November. Whale watching boats off Maui and the Big Island spot early arrivals. The North Shore of Oahu sees waves building as the winter surf season begins. Warm trade winds keep beaches comfortable across the islands.
City in Japan
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
Autumn foliage reaches its peak across Kyoto's temple gardens through November. The Philosopher's Path follows a canal lined with maples in full colour. Fushimi Inari's thousands of vermilion torii gates climb a wooded hillside. Tofukuji Temple's valley of maples draws especially large crowds late in the month.
City in Italy
Rome
The Eternal City of history and charm
Cooler autumn weather with highs near 16 degrees Celsius suits walking between the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Underground passages beneath the arena floor once held animals and fighters. Fewer crowds in November make popular sights easier to visit. Chestnut vendors set up stalls across the city as the weather cools.
Region in Indonesia
Bali
Tropical beaches, vibrant culture and adventure
Dry season sunshine typically continues into early November across most of Bali. Rice terraces near Ubud stay a vivid green through the transitional weeks. Uluwatu Temple sits on a cliff above the sea at the island's southern tip. Occasional afternoon showers begin returning as the wet season approaches.
City in Portugal
Lisbon
Sun-soaked streets and rich history
November weather with highs near 18 degrees Celsius suits riding Tram 28 through Alfama. The Belém Tower, a stone fortress from the early 1500s, stands a short ride from the centre. Pastéis de nata, warm custard tarts, are best eaten fresh from the oven. Fewer crowds in November make popular sights easier to enjoy.
City in United States
Palm Springs
Desert Modernism and Mountain Views
November weather with highs near 25 degrees Celsius suits desert hikes before summer heat returns. The Aerial Tramway climbs to about 2,600 metres above sea level in ten minutes. Joshua Tree National Park is about an hour's drive northeast. Mid century modern architecture tours run through the city's historic neighbourhoods.
Country
Costa Rica
Lush rainforests, stunning beaches, pure adventure
Dry season begins settling over the Pacific coast of Costa Rica by late November. Guanacaste beaches such as Tamarindo see less rain as the transition takes hold. Hanging bridges wind through the misty Monteverde cloud forest year round. Wildlife stays active in Manuel Antonio National Park's coastal rainforest.
City in United States
Sedona
Red Rocks, Vortexes and Starry Skies
November weather with highs near 18 degrees Celsius suits hikes to Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock. Cottonwood trees along Oak Creek hold late autumn colour into November. Airport Mesa remains a popular spot for sunrise and sunset views. Red rock formations glow especially warm in the low autumn light.
City in South Africa
Cape Town
Mountains, Beaches and a Vibrant Culture
Table Mountain rises 1,086 metres above the city with a cable car to the top. Spring flowers bloom across the Cape's fynbos through November. Wine estates near Stellenbosch offer tastings on shaded terraces before summer crowds arrive. African penguins waddle across the sand at Boulders Beach near Simon's Town.
City in Oman
Muscat
Where mountains meet Arabian sea
Mild November weather in Muscat brings highs around 30 degrees Celsius, cooling from summer's heat. Mutrah Souq is a covered market of winding alleys beside the seafront. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque welcomes non Muslim visitors on most mornings. A flat seaside corniche runs past the market with benches along the water.
Town in Cambodia
Siem Reap
Gateway to Ancient Temples and Culture
Angkor Wat was built in the early 1100s by King Suryavarman II. November falls in the cool dry season with clear skies over the temples. Ta Prohm, where tree roots wrap ancient stone walls, is a short tuk tuk ride away. Sunrise crowds gather beside the reflecting pond before dawn.
Region
Patagonia
Untamed Beauty at the End of the World
Perito Moreno Glacier pushes a blue ice wall into Lago Argentino near El Calafate. The wall rises about 60 metres above the water. Spring wildflowers bloom across the windy steppe as the trekking season opens in November. Huge chunks of ice regularly crash into the lake with a loud roar.
Country
Maldives
Coral atolls, lagoons and overwater villas
The northeast monsoon typically settles in by November, bringing drier weather and calmer seas to the Maldives. Whale sharks gather around South Ari Atoll throughout the year. Water temperatures stay near 28 degrees Celsius for snorkelling and diving. Overwater bungalows across the atolls suit quiet, secluded stays.
Country
Mauritius
Tropical Bliss in the Indian Ocean
Calm lagoon beaches at Grand Baie stay warm through November's building summer heat. Giant water lilies float in ponds at the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, dating to the 1700s. Chamarel's Seven Colored Earths show bands of red, brown and purple sand. Sugarcane fields cover much of the island's interior.
City in Mexico
Oaxaca
Colonial Charm and Rich Traditions
Día de los Muertos altars and marigold flowers fill homes and cemeteries across Oaxaca in early November. Families gather in cemeteries with candles, food and music to honour relatives. Mild autumn weather suits walking the colonial centre's colourful streets. Mole sauces and mezcal are specialities of the region's kitchens.
Island in Australia
Tasmania
Wilderness, Wildlife and Wild Coasts
Orange lichen covers the granite boulders along the Bay of Fires on Tasmania's northeast coast. Spring wildflowers bloom across Cradle Mountain's alpine trails through November. Wombats often graze on the grass near walking tracks at dusk. Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay lie further south along the coast.
Lake in New Zealand
Lake Tekapo
The Glacial Gem of the South Island
Lake Tekapo's turquoise water comes from glacial rock flour suspended in the glacial melt. The small Church of the Good Shepherd sits on the lakeshore beneath open sky. Dark sky reserve status around Tekapo makes it a popular spot for stargazing. Mild spring weather suits walking the lakeside paths through November.
Country
Ethiopia
Ancient cultures meet diverse landscapes
Rock hewn churches at Lalibela were carved directly into volcanic stone starting in the 12th century. Cool, mild November weather across the highlands suits walking between the churches. The Simien Mountains offer trekking routes past dramatic escarpments. Addis Ababa's Merkato is one of the largest open air markets in Africa.
Historic Site in Jordan
Petra
Ancient city carved into rose-red stone
Cool November weather with highs near 20 degrees Celsius suits the walk into Petra through the narrow Siq. The Treasury facade was carved into rose coloured sandstone by the Nabataeans. Wadi Rum's red desert stays comfortable for jeep tours and overnight camps. Fewer crowds in November make the site easier to explore.
City in Laos
Luang Prabang
Laid-back charm by the Mekong River
Monks collect alms in a silent dawn procession along the main street. UNESCO named the town a World Heritage Site in 1995. Kuang Si Falls about 30 kilometres south has turquoise pools for swimming. Dry season weather from November onward brings clearer skies and cooler mornings.
Town in Chile
San Pedro de Atacama
Mars-like Landscapes and Starry Nights
The Atacama Desert around San Pedro is one of the driest places on Earth. Clear dry skies make the region popular for stargazing tours with powerful telescopes. Valle de la Luna's eroded rock formations glow at sunset a short drive from town. Geysers at El Tatio steam at sunrise near 4,300 metres above sea level.
Country
Belize
Tropical paradise with diverse ecosystems
Dry season weather returns to Belize in November with clearer skies over the barrier reef. Warm water and calm seas suit snorkelling around the Great Blue Hole. Caye Caulker's sandy lanes have no cars, only bicycles and golf carts. Howler monkeys call from the treetops at the Community Baboon Sanctuary.
Country
Madagascar
Unique biodiversity meets diverse landscapes
Baobab trees line an avenue near Morondava, some more than 800 years old. Dry season weather through November makes lemur spotting easier in the forests. Ring tailed lemurs gather in troops among the spiny forests of the south. Coastal Nosy Be stays warm for diving among coral reefs offshore.
Island in Ecuador
Galapagos Islands
The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador
Marine iguanas, found only in the Galápagos, bask on volcanic rocks along the shoreline. Cooler water in November brings nutrient rich currents that draw more marine life. Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz studies the islands' giant tortoises. Blue footed boobies perform their courtship dance on several of the islands.
Country
Bhutan
Himalayan monasteries, dzongs and trekking trails
Punakha Dzong, built in 1637, stands where two rivers meet in a valley. Clear November skies often give some of the year's best mountain views. Tiger's Nest monastery clings to a cliff about 900 metres above the Paro valley. Thimphu's weekend market fills with fresh produce and handmade crafts.
Outer Territory in United Kingdom
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Remote polar wilderness with wildlife
King penguin colonies at Salisbury Plain can number in the hundreds of thousands during breeding season. Antarctic spring in November brings longer daylight and returning wildlife to the island. Elephant seals haul out on the beaches near research stations. Expedition cruises reach the remote island from Ushuaia or the Falklands.
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