November can be an excellent month to visit Europe as long as you are prepared for the weather, which is mostly on the cool side and rarely even close to frozen. Summer is peak season for most popular European cities, and Christmas season tends to be crowded as well, so a November visit allows you to sneak in when crowds and prices are low and the weather is still decent.
The list below contains Europe’s only good beach destination in November as well as the 14 best options for those wanting a cultural holiday. Pretty much all of the famous cities are on the list below, and fortunately none of them are known for getting much in the way of rain, and that goes for London as well. All of the hotel prices are updated for 2023 and there are some great deals in Europe this November.
Important November 2023 Holidays
- November 1 – All Saints’ Day (major public holiday in most European countries)
- November 5 – Guy Fawkes Night in England (celebrations)
- November 11 – Armistice Day in France (major public holiday)
- November 17 – Velvet Revolution Anniversary in Czechia (major public holiday)
- November 19 – Sinterklaas arrives in Amsterdam (family celebrations)
- November 23 – Thanksgiving Day in the USA (major public holiday)
Below you’ll find
- Europe’s best November beach destination
- Europe’s 14 best November city destinations
Europe's only decent November beach destination
Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
- November avg high: 75°F/24°C
- November avg low: 65°F/18°C
- November avg precip: 1.1″/2.8cm
Tenerife highlights
- Sandy beaches and hundreds of nice hotel pools
- A pleasant atmosphere with very reasonable food and drinks
- Interesting and mellow nightlife with no huge night clubs
- Teide volcano and national park: Great day trip
- Comfortable island for English speakers getting out of the cold
By the time November rolls in, the entire European continent is too cold to sit on a beach and that will be the case until April. The good news is that the Canary Islands are technically part of Spain and there are cheap flights to Tenerife and the other islands all year round. November isn’t scorching, but it’s warm and sunny enough to work on your tan, and it’s quite cheap as well.
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and the best choice for English speakers as well. Head to the resort area in the southwest of Tenerife around the town of Los Cristianos for the most choices of hotels and apartment rentals. In November you’ll be surrounded by northern Europeans and the local workers. You might also look into the other Canary Islands including Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and La Palma, which all have similar weather and hotel prices. Tenerife is arguably the easiest for English speakers, but all of them are very welcoming.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €58 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €85 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €12 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Tenerife
>>>Tenerife prices and travel tips
14 Best non-beach destinations in Europe in November
Rome, Italy
- November avg high: 63°F/17°C
- November avg low: 47°F/8°C
- November avg precip: 4.4″/11.0cm
Rome highlights
- Colosseum, Ancient Rome, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and other monuments
- Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City
- Stunning architecture that surprises you around every corner
- Great place to sample Italian dining and drink styles from all over the country
- Coffee and wine bars that are affordable and friendly
November marks the start of the low season in Rome, but this is a city that is popular all year round so you certainly won’t feel alone. The days are chilly and you might get some rain, but Rome is still a great destination even in the colder months because there is so much to see and do, and much of it is indoors such as the enormous Vatican Museum.
If this is your first visit to Italy you’ll probably want to head north from Rome and visit Florence and Venice (both mentioned below). But if you have more time you might also consider Sorrento, which is a bit south of Naples. It’s a bit warmer in November and it’s the perfect base for day trips of Naples, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast and the Isle of Capri.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €76 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €101 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €15 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Rome
>>>Rome prices and travel tips
Florence, Italy
- November avg high: 59°F/15°C
- November avg low: 42°F/6°C
- November avg precip: 4.4″/11.0cm
Florence highlights
- Florence Cathedral and city hall are two very photogenic attractions
- Ponte Vecchio bridge and its abundant jewelry shops
- Uffizi Gallery and other museums in the home of the Renaissance
- The Tuscan capital is the best culinary stop among tourist towns
- Great wine starting at shockingly low prices
Similar to Rome, Florence is such an amazing destination that it’s worth visiting any time of year. November is chilly and a bit wet, but even more than Rome and Venice, Florence is an indoor destination. This is one of the world’s great capitals for art and you’ll be indoors most of the day even if the weather is nice.
Florence is smaller than Rome so you can see the most famous sights in only 2 days or so, but you might still want to spend 3 or even 4 nights here because this is the ideal base for day trips to Pisa, Siena, and even the Cinque Terre. There are also several nearby hill towns that are worth a look to experience something uniquely Italian. As the capital and largest city in the famous Tuscany region, Florence is also a great food city. Avoid places with English menus out front for the best quality and value.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €77 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €94 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €17 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Florence
>>>Florence prices and travel tips
Venice, Italy
- November avg high: 53°F/12°C
- November avg low: 40°F/4°C
- November avg precip: 3.4″/8.5cm
Venice highlights
- St. Marks Square and Cathedral are unforgettable
- Rialto Bridge for amazing photos
- Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs
- Gondola ride or other boat rides on canals
- Sidewalks and passageways in the morning and evening when they aren’t crowded
Again, if you are coming to Italy for the first time in November you are going to want to spend at least one day and night in Venice even if it’s a bit cool. There is no other city in the world like Venice and the smaller crowds in November will help you feel less like a herd animal.
The downside to visiting Venice in November is that it’s the peak month for the Acqua Alta, which is the high-tide flooding that the city experiences. It’s still possible to get around and enjoy a Venice visit in November, but it’s also wise to keep track of the Acqua Alta situation and work your schedule around it. The hotel prices for 2023 listed below are for rooms on the main island where all the sights are located. You can save some money by staying on the mainland or another nearby island, but it’s a lot of hassle getting back and forth so it’s really not worth it.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €96 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €114 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €26 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Venice
>>>Venice prices and travel tips
Paris, France
- November avg high: 51°F/11°C
- November avg low: 43°F/6°C
- November avg precip: 2.2″/5.5cm
Paris highlights
- Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe among many other amazing structures
- Louvre and Orsay Museum have amazing collections and are beautiful
- Seine river cruise at sunset to see all the bridges illuminated
- Hop-on, hop-off double-decker bus tour (actually amazing!)
- Probably the best food in the world, and wine as well
Similar to Rome and London, Paris is such an amazing city that you are going to want to visit no matter which month you are visiting. Fortunately, Paris still has reasonably mild temperatures in November and not much rainfall. There will be plenty of business travelers around, but tourist numbers are lower so it can be easier to get around and see the top sights.
As long as you dress properly you can still even enjoy the excellent hop-on, hop-off bus tour of Paris in November. It’s arguably the best city bus tour in Europe and it connects nearly all of the most famous buildings and attractions. It’s included in the Paris Pass, so you might also want to check our review of the Paris Pass. The included Seine River cruise is also highly recommended around sunset whether you buy a Paris Pass or not.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €97 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €149 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €19 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Paris
>>>Paris prices and travel tips
London, England
- November avg high: 51°F/11°C
- November avg low: 41°F/5°C
- November avg precip: 2.2″/5.5cm
London highlights
- Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey and on and on
- Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, all in a small area
- Oxford Street shopping is world class
- Camden Markets and Portobello Road market for unusual vibes and items
- Neighborhood pubs and surprisingly good international cuisine
The good news about London in November is that it tends not to rain very hard when it does rain, so you often don’t even need an umbrella. But of course it will be cool every day in November so you will need to bring some outerwear with you. As with a few others on this list, London is such an amazing city that you’ll want to visit no matter the month of your trip.
London is another example of a mostly indoor city so the weather doesn’t really slow most visitors down. The famous attractions such as the (free) museums and famous cathedrals are welcoming no matter the weather outside. You might even want to look at our London Pass review if you want to see the top attractions in 2 or 3 days.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from £101 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from £127 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from £13 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for London
>>>London prices and travel tips
Barcelona, Spain
- November avg high: 63°F/17°C
- November avg low: 47°F/8°C
- November avg precip: 2.3″/5.8cm
Barcelona highlights
- Sagrada Familia cathedral and other Gaudi architectural highlights
- La Rambla pedestrian zone (watch for pick pockets!)
- Sandy beaches located within the city and are nice
- Marina complex with great food, shopping, and activities
- Nightlife that rivals Madrid and is late night and world-class
Being on the Mediterranean, Barcelona stays warmer than Madrid (see below) during the colder months. So November is still fairly nice and one of the better months to visit partly because the summer months have become so ridiculously crowded here. The main attraction here is the interesting architecture, and you can see all of the most famous buildings on top of the hop-on, hop-off bus tour, which is included with the Barcelona Pass.
If this is your first time to Spain you are going to want to spend 3 or 4 nights in Barcelona but also then take the high-speed train (in 2.5 hours) to Madrid for 3 or 4 nights there. The cities are very different from each other and both are wonderful for tourists with excellent food and nightlife on top of everything else. November is actually one of the best times to visit Spain, due to the mild weather and smaller crowds.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €88 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €107 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €18 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Barcelona
>>>Barcelona prices and travel tips
Madrid, Spain
- November avg high: 56°F/13°C
- November avg low: 43°F/6°C
- November avg precip: 2.2″/5.5cm
Madrid highlights
- Best city to experience the wide range of Spanish cultural highlights
- Royal Palace complex
- Prado Museum, which is one of the world’s best art museums and a gorgeous building
- Tapas bars, where you get free snacks with each drink ordered
- Excellent and famous nightlife that draws people from all over the world
Madrid does get a bit cool in November, but as mentioned above in the Barcelona section you are going to want to come here anyway. Madrid is of course the capital of Spain so this is where you see the Royal Palace and many other official buildings of note, as well as the Prado Museum.
The high-speed train that connects Madrid and Barcelona is fairly cheap if you book it at least a couple weeks in advance. Spain has a few of its own low-cost airlines, so flights into Madrid are pretty cheap this time of year, although booking early helps here as well.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €68 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €100 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €17 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Madrid
>>>Madrid prices and travel tips
Lisbon, Portugal
- November avg high: 64°F/18°C
- November avg low: 53°F/12°C
- November avg precip: 4.2″/10.5cm
Lisbon highlights
- Castles, towers, and cathedrals, all in the main center
- Tram 28, which connects many of Lisbon’s tourist sights for €3 a ride
- Elevador de Santa Justa – the famous outdoor elevator
- Great food at surprisingly affordable prices
- Fado local music shows to go along with great meals
If you have ever wondered which city on the European continent has the best year-round weather, you have found it in Lisbon. The breezes off the Atlantic keep this city cool in summer and mild in winter, although it does get a bit of rainfall this time of year.
This otherwise remote city is a real gem for those who go out of their way to get here. It’s a lovely city on 7 hills so views are fantastic in every direction. And the food and culture here are very interesting as well as quite different from Spain. You can take an overnight train from Madrid, but flying is probably the better option for most people.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €55 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €77 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €15 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Lisbon
>>>Lisbon prices and travel tips
Interlaken, Switzerland
- November avg high: 46°F/8°C
- November avg low: 33°F/1°C
- November avg precip: 3.3″/8.3cm
Interlaken highlights
- Gateway to the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the most beautiful place in Europe
- Cable cars and hikes and mountaintop views
- Jungraujoch railway and Schilthorn cable car are amazing and a bit expensive
- Skiing in winter and adventure sports the rest of the year
- Gimmelwald and other tiny villages in the Lauterbrunnen Valley
The weather in Interlaken isn’t exactly great in November, but it’s still worth considering on your trip because this is THE place to see the most dramatic Alps views anywhere in Europe. So many people say they just want to visit “Switzerland” that I wrote an article about where to go in Switzerland on a short visit.
On the other hand, Interlaken in November is not ideal because many hotels and businesses close down between mid October when the hiking season ends and mid December when skiing season begins. There are still places open and plenty to see, but you have to plan a bit more. If you want to visit a second place in Switzerland to admire the unusual beauty, Lucerne is your best bet.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €171 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €177 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €29 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Interlaken
>>>Interlaken prices and travel tips
Berlin, Germany
- November avg high: 45°F/7°C
- November avg low: 36°F/2°C
- November avg precip: 1.7″/4.3cm
Berlin highlights
- Brandenburg Gate and a variety of Berlin Wall attractions
- Berlin Cathedral and Reichstag building
- Museum Island and its collections
- Europe’s most eclectic and interesting nightlife
- Cheap food, drinks, and hotels for a big European city
Berlin has cold winters and in November the weather here is already started to become a bit annoying. Still, this is such an incredible city that it’s worth dressing a bit warmer if a November visit is your best or only choice. The famous nightlife and cultural sights are all going strong all year round, so there is plenty to see and do.
Another great thing about this city is that it’s cheaper than the other large cities in Germany including Munich and Hamburg. Better still, this city has become so popular and international that you can just speak in English to anyone you encounter and you’ll almost always get a polite answer back in English.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €80 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €108 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €15 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Berlin
>>>Berlin prices and travel tips
Amsterdam, Netherlands
- November avg high: 48°F/9°C
- November avg low: 39°F/4°C
- November avg precip: 3.0″/7.5cm
Amsterdam highlights
- Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum
- Rijksmuseum, Rembrandt House and many other top museums
- Heineken Experience is fun and they give you free beer at the end
- Stunning historic center with gorgeous 16th century buildings
- Nearly car-free nightlife and restaurant areas
Unfortunately, Amsterdam is another northern European city that typically only has one or two good months of weather each year. In other words, if you wait until it’s warm and sunny in Amsterdam, you’ll be here with a billion other people in mid July. With an excellent public transport system, it’s easy to get around Amsterdam by street car or even just walking.
The stunning architecture is one of the things that brings people to Amsterdam, and as long as you dress properly you’ll be able to soak that all in this month. Aside from that this is a cultural capital with excellent nightlife and a thriving arts scene. That goes all year round, as do the coffeeshops and small pubs all over town.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €101 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €145 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €27 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Amsterdam
>>>Amsterdam prices and travel tips
Prague, Czech Republic
- November avg high: 44°F/7°C
- November avg low: 36°F/2°C
- November avg precip: 1.2″/3.0cm
Prague highlights
- Prague Castle complex, which is one of Europe’s largest and most impressive
- Charles Bridge and Old Town Square for amazing photos
- Eastern Europe’s most interesting architecture that somehow survived WWII
- Hearty food at great prices (if you avoid tourist zones)
- Arguably the world’s best beer that is also cheap if you follow locals
Prague is a city that is so crowded in summer that many people actually prefer to come when it’s colder like in November, so they don’t have to battle crowds every minute of the day. As you can see, it’s chilly in Prague in November, but it rarely rains much as all so it’s just a matter of wearing another layer.
It will still be crowded in the main squares of Prague in November, but much less so than in warmer months so it’s more pleasant in general. If you want to spend a bit more time in Czechia, head to Cesky Krumlov, which is 3 hours away on a scenic bus ride or train. Cesky Krumlov is much more charming than Prague, and it’s cheaper than Prague by quite a bit as well.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €39 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €58 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €14 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Prague
>>>Prague prices and travel tips
Budapest, Hungary
- November avg high: 47°F/8°C
- November avg low: 36°F/2°C
- November avg precip: 2.4″/6.0cm
Budapest highlights
- Parliament building overlooking the Danube for your own postcard photos
- Some of Europe’s best architecture fitting of a major capital
- Very cheap food and drinks (outside of the main tourist zone)
- Natural hot spring complexes right in the city that are easy and cheap to visit
- “Ruin pubs” set in courtyards of old apartment buildings (highly recommended!)
This part of Europe gets quite cold in winter so Budapest in November is already on the chilly side. But it doesn’t rain much and this city has so much to see and do that it’s worth a visit even in the cool months, when crowds are much smaller as well.
Budapest has a lot in common with Prague, but the architecture here is on a grander scale for the most part and it feels very different. This city is also one of the cheaper capital cities in Europe, so your travel fund really goes a long way here. The famous nightlife in the ruin pubs should not be missed at any time of year.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €46 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €64 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €9 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Budapest
>>>Budapest prices and travel tips
Istanbul, Turkey
- November avg high: 60°F/16°C
- November avg low: 47°F/8°C
- November avg precip: 3.3″/8.3cm
Istanbul highlights
- Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, which are right next to each other
- Grand Bazaar other excellent and interesting shopping areas
- Topkapi Palace
- Great food at very reasonable prices, especially the breakfasts
- Affordable hotels in the popular tourist district of Sultanahmet
November still has reasonably warm days in Istanbul so this is worth considering on any trip of eastern Europe this time of year. Istanbul itself is one of the world’s most historic and interesting cities, and it’s quite a travel bargain these days as well because the currency rate has gone down against almost all countries in the last couple years.
Those that have more than a few days might also consider exploring more of Turkey. For one thing, every other city in the country is at least a bit cheaper than Istanbul. And most places have even warmer temperatures in November, so it’s an ideal time to explore Cappadocia or even the southern coast along Antalya.
The currency in 2023 has plummeted and inflation has been pretty severe. The net result is that Turkey is one of the cheapest countries in the world this year for foreign visitors who bring in other currencies. That said, there has been a bit of unrest (usually very easy to avoid) so keep you eye on the news.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €57 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €69 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €6 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Istanbul
>>>Istanbul prices and travel tips
Hello Roger,
I have been reading through your replies and wondering if you could give me a few suggestions. we ( me and my husband) planning on travelling a few places in europe in 7 days , between 2 november and 9 november. At the moment we have a plan for Big 3, which are Rome, Florence, and Venice or london and paris. which would you recommend us to travel during that time ( nov 2 to nov 7)and which would be best for one week . We mostly want to explore the cities, so planning on being outside most of the time. This is our first europe trip. Please let me know what you think, would be greatly appreciated.
NavyaSree,
Hmmm…that is a very tough call. If I had to choose the two best 7-day options for a first-time visit to Europe I would choose exactly those two you are deciding between. In other words, either one of those would be an excellent introduction to Europe and you could do the other one next time. I’d say if I have to choose one of them for you it would be Italy since you mention your desire to be outside most of the time.
In early November you can expect Italy to be noticeably warmer than London or Paris, and you could get by with light jackets as opposed to having to bundle up more in Paris and London. You also get more hours of daylight in Italy that time of year, and that should also come in handy. I’d do about 24 hours in Venice and then 3 nights in Florence and 3 nights in Rome. Buy your train tickets as early as possible for the best fares, though it should be fairly cheap even if you had to buy them on travel day. London and Paris are both much nicer in summer months because they are pretty far north so in summer you get very long days and moderate temperatures. Summers in Italy can be quite hot, so going in the autumn should be great. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
When we plan a family vacation, one of the first things we consider is transportation and lodging; how accessible will everything be from where we will be staying. What type of transportation will we need during the day-train, bus, rental car. We would prefer to use public transportation in Europe so would try to find lodging within walking distance of a train or bus station, if possible.
As far as lodging, we prefer to stay in an apartment or condo, where we have a kitchen to prepare our own meals. Not only does that save a bit of money, but we love to explore local markets so our boys can try new types of food. We will occasionally eat out at a nice dinner so also try to find dining establishments where our children won’t be a bother. Because even though our boys are usually very well-behaved, I do understand some people just don’t want children around that could possibly interrupt their dinner, and we try to respect that.
As you mentioned, we also want to make sure we’re in an area that has different types of attractions, so everyone can enjoy themselves. It’s a plus if the city has a park or beach, where we can take a picnic lunch in the afternoons (weather permitting) and let the boys run off some energy. We’ve learned what works best for our family is to pick a few attractions/activities ahead of time, but keep the schedule flexible and try not to fit too much in one day.
We started traveling when our oldest was a few months old, with weekend trips just to nearby cities. Because my husband and I both just absolutely love to travel. Quite a few people have told us it’s a waste to travel with young children, because they won’t remember most of it. And we understand that. But we both feel the more they travel now, the better they will understand and appreciate the different cultures and lifestyles that they see and experience. They might not remember the details, but they will learn how diverse the world can be.
Trista,
Thank you very much for this. It was very valuable and I’m going to start my long article on family destinations in Europe soon now that I’ve seen your notes. -Roger
Hello Roger,
I have been reading through your replies and wondering if you could give me a few suggestions. I’m planning on travelling a few countries in europe in 10 days , between 26 november and 5th december. At the moment we have a plan for barcelona, nimes,paris and amsterdam. My first preference was italy but i always thought italy was a place to go in summer, plus apparently its the flood season in november? (read it on some website). Reading your replies, you say italy is one of the best places to visit during the europe winter. Would you recommend us to travel rome, venice and florence during 1-5th of december? We mostly want to explore the cities, so planning on being outside most of the time. Would it be raining? Please let me know what you think, would be greatly appreciated.
A,
If you are going for 10 days I would recommend visiting 3 or perhaps 4 cities at most. Nîmes is relatively small so you could see some of it in a day or two, but otherwise I would spend 3 nights in each place you stop.
If you wanted to go to Italy instead I’m sure you’d enjoy it and 10 days there would be great. Italy doesn’t typically have a general “flooding” problem at all, but specifically in Venice there is something they call Acqua alta (high waters) and November is one of the months where the lagoon can flood the sidewalks for a few hours at a time. When it happens they put planks across the water so you can still get around, but of course it’s not great for sightseeing. And it doesn’t happen every day, as it comes and goes. I’d still visit Venice on your trip for a day or so, and hopefully most of the time it is dry.
As for rain, almost all of Europe gets rain most of the year and it’s pretty evenly distributed. So there are no “rainy seasons” on the flat lands, although it can rain any given day. It would be extremely unlucky if it rained for most of a day or several days in a row, so you can basically just keep what you are doing and if there is rain in the forecast you bring an umbrella. All over Italy it will be dry most days in November, so it’s a good time to go. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
We are planning to travel to Europe with our children (4 and 9 years old) this November, for about 8 days. Our children have traveled quite a bit in the states but this will be our first trip to Europe. Which cities do you think are more child/family friendly?
Trista,
I’m really glad you asked this question and I’ll try to help. Especially lately I’ve received quite a few questions from parents asking about child-friendly or family-friendly destinations in Europe, and I think it’s time to write a detailed article on that topic. Could you give me a few more clues as to what sorts of things you are looking for in a “child-friendly” destination? It would help a lot. I know for parents of infants and toddlers they are very interested in cities that have public restrooms with changing tables and transportation that is stroller-friendly and streets that are stroller friendly (rather than steep or cobble stones). And I’m guessing for parents of kids 4 to 15 they are mostly interested in cities that have sights such as natural history museums or other exhibits with hands-on displays, as well as accessible theme parks or other things that are fun for kids like boat rides or pirate ships. Are those the sorts of things you have in mind?
Generally speaking, Europe tends to be very family oriented and they do a great job with making transportation easy for all ages and whatnot. There are a few places that lag behind, but pretty much all of the top places get so many families that they have no choice but to make it easy. However, when it comes to fun activities for kids there are some that are far better than others. For example, I think most of the attractions in Rome and Venice are quite boring for younger kids. But in London and Paris they have kid-friendly museums and boat rides and Ferris wheels and some other cool stuff. If you can tell me more about what you are looking for I will give you a more complete answer, and it will also help me write a detailed article that should help others in the future. For now, I think London and Paris could both be ideal, and they are pretty amazing in general. I appreciate any more feedback. -Roger
Planning to go Europe with my wife in November. I have seen most of Europe but my wife is going for the first time. Which cities do you think are the most appealing in November? We like to go to beaches do hikes, love diverse food not really into museums. I was thinking of Italy and Spain. Our plan is to go for 8 days.
Roman,
My top recommendations for Europe in November are in the article above, and I think Italy and Spain are both great choices that time of year. That said, I think I would choose one or the other because if you did 4 days or so in both of them you’d be rushing around and also missing things, and most of one day would be spent flying between them. Since this is your wife’s first time to Europe I would vote for Italy because I really do think it’s far more impressive for a new visitor.
November is a good time for Italy as long as you aren’t planning on beach days (and Spain is too cold for beaches in November as well). And personally, I think Italy is in the Top 2 for European food (along with France) and I’d put Spain in the middle of the list at best. If you really want to impress her I’d focus mostly on the Big 3, which are Rome, Florence, and Venice. There are plenty of fantastic sights in all of those cities that aren’t museums, although you still might want to squeeze in the Vatican Museum in Rome because it’s pretty amazing.
If you really prefer hikes and the outdoors to cities and culture then Spain might be a better choice, although it’s not ideal in November. Barcelona and Madrid are both very worthwhile and very different from each other, and you’d probably have time for one more stop as well. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Roger, I could use your help. I am planning a trip to Europe this coming Thanksgiving. A few years ago we did a trip to Prague and Paris at the same time and it was epic. This is my wife’s second trip to Europe so I am trying to expose her to the various cultures. Rome is top of my list for the next trip. We walk a lot and the City will be exciting. The problem is the second city. We fly between City’s so distance is not really an issue. The places I have been looking at are Austria-Salzburg or Vienna, Germany because I think that culture difference would be cool. I am excited to go in off season questionable weather and all just to avoid tourists. We are in our mid 50’s so nightlife is not crucial. Do you have any ideas?
Bill,
Rome will be amazing and it’s very different from Paris and Prague. As for a second city, Salzburg or Vienna would be great choices, or you might even visit both because there are fast and frequent trains running between them. Salzburg is a beautiful and charming town at the foot of the Alps and it’s very proud of being Mozart’s birthplace. As I frequently say, the Sound of Music bus tours are really fun even if you aren’t much of a fan of the movie because the scenery they visit is really gorgeous. Vienna is very buttoned-down and it’s very different from Salzburg. The opera and the waltz events are very popular there, and the season should be going when you are there.
In Germany I think the best options are Berlin and Munich, although they are both very different as well. Berlin is very cool and cutting-edge in many ways, while Munich is more traditional as a rich city. Munich is also the capital of Bavaria, which is where lederhosen and that traditional lifestyle is from. I think any of them could be good choices so it’s a matter of what sounds most interesting to you. If you were going in summer I would probably put Salzburg on top of the list, and it should be nice enough in late November, but it would be an easier call in summer. Vienna is wonderful if you enjoy cafes and palaces and culture more than nightlife. I hope this helps and I’m happy to answer other questions if you have them. -Roger
Hi Roger,
i really appreciate your views and suggestion
i am planning a 14 day trip to europe in this september
i am targeting london amsterdam france switzerland
and its the first time i am travelling to europe
1) how should i divide my days between these countries
2) can you please highlight places to visit in these countries
3) please do let me about the connectivity in these countries
4) i would like to cover the most must visit places
5) please brief about the accomodation in these countries accomodation
can you please help me with best and most experential itenary
thank you.
Shehzad,
I’ll try to help.
1) I’d do London for 3 or 4 days and then Paris for 3 or 4 days. From there you could either take a train to Amsterdam and stay about 3 days or take a train to Interlaken and spend 3 or 4 days in Switzerland and then fly from Zurich to Amsterdam for 3 days.
2) If you look at the individual page for each destination on this site you’ll see the top attractions listed, but you might also look into a guidebook or do more research on Things to Do in (city) to see what appeals to you most.
3) If by “connectivity” you are wondering about internet access, you’ll get free wi-fi in any hotel and it’s quite fast in these places. You can also buy a SIM card for your phone and get a data package for a few days, but it can be a bit complicated and sort of expensive. Now that Europe has laws that all SIM cards have to include cheap roaming between countries, you can probably get a SIM card in your first country for the whole two weeks. If you buy a SIM card at an airport it will often be more expensive than if you buy at a phone store in the city, although it’s usually faster and easier as well.
4) This is the same as #2 above
5) On each of those city pages I have a link to an article with hotel recommendations, and on those articles I discuss the different neighborhoods that are best and easiest for first-time visitors. Aside from that, I’m not a travel agent and I can’t book anything for you. I just try to help people if they have specific questions. Have a great trip. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Me and my wife are going to London for 2 weeks in mid November 2018, this is our second time visit London and plan to spend only 3-4 days in London.
We are also plan to cover another 2-3 cities, so far in mind would be Paris (mainly for shopping and Eiffel tower), and shortlisted either Germany (Berlin or Munich), Austria (Vienna or Salzburg), Czech (Prague), or Amsterdam. Any tips to share for the first timer? Thank you in advance.
Zhi,
All of the cities on your list are fantastic and worth a visit. I think you have time for London and 3 or possibly even 4 other cities as long as they are easy to reach from each other. The easiest to reach and the best next stop is Paris because it’s only a bit over two hours away on the Eurostar train. From there it’s fastest and easiest to reach Amsterdam, in a bit over 3 hours on a high-speed train, so I’d do that one next.
From Amsterdam you can get to Berlin by train in about 6 hours and then to Prague from Berlin in about 4 hours. Or from Amsterdam you could fly to Munich and then take a short train ride to Salzburg before flying home. I think doing London, Paris, Amsterdam, and at least Berlin would be my top choice and those are all pretty easy train rides to great cities. I’m happy to answer any other questions if you have them. -Roger
Hi Roger,
This article is exactly what I have been looking for, thank you! Our only time available for a 12 day trip to Europe, 1st timers, will be this November. We know it will be cooler and are fine with that, almost welcome it living in Florida. Our big cities to visit are Paris, Barcelona,but open to other suggestions. Germany is also on the list, we just don’t know how difficult travel might be between the cities and what is best to see in Germany. Can you give your ideas and a rough itinerary? Thanks so much!
Sherri,
If you have 12 days I would recommend seeing 4 total cities. You’ll want to spend 3 or 4 nights in Paris and then 3 nights in Barcelona. With the remaining 5 or 6 days you could also visit Madrid for 3 nights because it’s very worthwhile and very different from Barcelona. But if you want to visit Germany you’ve got many options so I wrote an article about where to go in Germany that I think will help. You could visit Munich and also one or two of the smaller towns mentioned in that article.
Again, think in terms of cities rather than countries and it will become more clear. I’m happy to help more if you have other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger,
My family and I want to take our first trip to Europe over Thanksgiving this November, and we’re not sure if we should do 1) Rome, Florence, Venice OR 2) London, and Paris. We will have about 9 days for the trip, flying out of LAX. I know the weather will be a bit warmer and possibly dryer in Italy, but I wanted to get your thoughts and opinions on which trip we should do. We are a family of 4 with an 11 and 13 year old. Thanks so much!
Morgan,
You summarized my main point already, which is that Italy will have nicer weather and also noticeably more daylight hours in late November. Paris is a bit better, but in London the sun will come up around 8am and the sun sets right around 4pm that time of year. I think 9 days is a great amount of time to visit Italy’s Big 3, and you might even have time for one more stop for a couple days such as Sorrento. Nine days is also slightly long for just London and Paris, although I love both of those cities and you definitely won’t get bored. I think I’d vote for Italy because of the time of year. If you were going in, say, September I’d probably vote for London and Paris, but Italy is always nice. I’m not sure how much this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger