15 Best Europe destinations in November of 2023

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

  1. Europe’s best November beach destination
  2. 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

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All Comments

  1. Staci Bertenshaw says:

    Hello Roger! First of all, your posts are so incredibly helpful! My husband and I are planning our 3rd trip to Europe in November. We’ve been to Barcelona, Nice, Dublin, St. Tropez, London, Paris, Rome, Florence/Tuscany, and Cinque Terre. We LOVE Italy and are thinking of doing Southern Italy but I know there are so many other options to explore. We will have 8-10+ days. We don’t mind cooler weather! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Narrowing down the destinations is just so hard when there are sooo many to choose from! Thanks so much!

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Staci,

      I’m always thrilled to hear that some people find this advice useful. You could do Naples and Sorrento and even Sicily in November, but the beach areas such as the Amalfi Coast and the Isle of Capri would be chilly and mostly empty in November. The beach areas even in southern Europe basically run from May through October and then most hotels and restaurants close down until the following May. Naples, Sorrento, and the main places on Sicily are going all year, of course.

      The article above literally contains my top recommendations for Europe in November, so hopefully a few of the choices look interesting to you. You could do Amsterdam, Berlin, and Prague, for example, and experience places that are very different from the ones you’ve visited. Or you could do Madrid, Seville, and Granada or Valencia? Spain is fairly mild in November and those are all fantastic places. I’m happy to help with more advice as you are sorting out where you want to go. -Roger

  2. Clara says:

    Hi, I’m headed to London for a week in November and I am looking for a suggestion for a day trip by train. I would love to visit another country, but I am not looking to go to Paris since I’ve already been there. I would consider visiting another city in England if its worth the trip, but would prefer a trip to a town in maybe France or Belgium. Thanks

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Clara,

      I’ve actually got quite a few suggestions for where to go from London on this other article about best Europe itinerary suggestions. The easiest options would be to stay in Britain. The best places for most visitors are Edinburgh, Bath, and/or York, and each of those is very different. Edinburgh is a wonderful city that will remind you of London in some ways, but is also uniquely Scottish in many other ways. There are high-speed trains from London that are cheap if you buy well in advance and they take about 5 or 6 hours. That would be my top pick. Oh, I just noticed that you are looking for a “day trip.” If you want to go back to London that same night then I’d definitely stay in England. If you left your hotel at, say, 8AM to take the Eurostar to Paris or Brussels, you wouldn’t get there until 11AM (partly because you have to check in 30 minutes early for the Eurostar), so it’s not ideal for a day trip.

      My other article about where to go in England, Scotland, and Wales for 1 to 3 weeks might be better for choosing a day trip. One challenge is that most trains out of London are slow, with the exception of some of the Edinburgh ones. So it takes at least 2 or 3 hours to get almost anywhere, and usually longer.

      From London it can actually be better and much easier to take a day trip by bus (coach). You can do a trip that will take you to Oxford, Bath, and Stonehenge in one long day. Each of those places is really interesting. If you just want to take a train to a town and then explore on your own I’d suggest Bath, which is really impressive. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

  3. TravelMama says:

    Roger-

    Thinking of heading to Amsterdam and possibly Belgium this Thanksgiving. We will have 7 days, flying into and out of Amsterdam(non-stop). We love Museums, architecture, food, hiking, biking and all active things. Thinking of splitting between 2 cities and then doing day trips as needed. Any 2 places you recommend? We are a family of 4-myself, husband, 16 and 13 year olds. We have been to a good part of Europe-(London, Ireland, France, Italy, Barcelona, Greece, Switzerland, Munich, Salzburg, Croatia, Prague) but not his area- does that sounds like a good plan. I understand the weather will be cool/cold and possible wet but will it still wow us? I’d be happy not to have the crowds as much of our other travel has been during the crowded summer months.

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Travelmama,

      That sounds like a really nice trip. Yes, it’ll be a bit chilly and possibly a bit drizzly, but Amsterdam and the better Belgian cities are gorgeous and interesting any time of year. I’d focus probably 4 days in Amsterdam itself, with probably a day trip to Delft and Rotterdam and The Hague and the Flower Market, which is a fun and popular bus trip. Then you could take a train to Bruges for your other 3 nights. Bruges is really wonderful and from there you can reach Brussels in one hour or Ghent in 30 minutes, both of which are good day trips. The main square in Brussels (called the Grand Place) is really amazing and the area around it is worth exploring (including the Manakin Pis statue), but the rest of the city is kind of a dud. Ghent is fairly similar to Bruges, but with far fewer tourists so it’s interesting to visit even though there are also fewer attractions. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

  4. Saminda says:

    Hi Rodger,
    I need some assistance. I am planning to come to London in November 2019. I planned to visit Switzerland as well, but as many forums say that November isnt the best time to travell Swiss, i am in a doubt. My total tour period will be 14 days. Can u please help me with some suggestions if Switzerland is not the best option.
    Thank you

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Saminda,

      The destinations on the article above are my top picks for November, and you can combine a few of them with London pretty easily if you include at least a couple of flights. As for Switzerland, the summer hiking season ends around 15-October each year and many smaller hotels and restaurants close until 15-December when the ski season starts. So it’s true that November is a quiet month, but the weather is usually fairly pleasant and nearly all hiking trails are still open. It’s just not warm enough for short sleeves and there won’t be snow except for the higher peaks. One nice thing is the hotels that stay open will charge lower rates and the crowds are smaller. I’d consider going anyway.

      Aside from Switzerland I would definitely visit Paris if you’ve not been before. You can get there on the Eurostar train from London in a bit over two hours. From Paris you can reach Amsterdam on a high-speed train in a bit over 3 hours. It’s usually gray and a bit gloomy weather in Amsterdam in November, but it’s actually that way most of the year and the city is lively year round so it can be a nice time to go.

      If you want something a bit warmer you could take a train from Paris to Barcelona in about 6 hours, and then perhaps go to Madrid from there. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

  5. Fiona says:

    Hi, I am travelling to Düsseldorf in mid-November for a conference. My 18 year old wants to travel with me, travel to some other cities before the conference and stay with me during the conference week. Please can you provide some advise on where we can travel before the conference and day trips she can take alone while we are in Düsseldorf? She has already been to London, Paris and Istanbul. I am concerned with the weather that will we be able to enjoy the architecture of a city without being hindered by weather. Thanks

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Fiona,

      That sounds like a great opportunity. The November weather in that part of Europe tends to be drab and gray quite often, but it rarely rains very hard or for long periods at a time, so it should be good enough for a bit of sightseeing.

      Düsseldorf, as you may know, is in a highly industrialized part of Germany that was mostly rebuilt after WWII, so there aren’t many super charming highlights. The obvious one is the city of Cologne, which is only about 20 minutes by train from Düsseldorf. The cathedral there is pretty amazing and the old town area surrounding it is worth most of a day. There is also Aachen about 1 hour 20 minutes away by train. My brother used to live there and the historical district is quite charming and better than staying in a Düsseldorf hotel for the day.

      The best nearby highlight is Amsterdam, which is about 2 hours 20 minutes each way by train. It would be an exciting day trip, but I think it would be better if you could stay at least one night because it is one of Europe’s most amazing cities to see in person. Brussels is about the same distance away, and I strongly prefer Amsterdam of the two.

      That gives you a few options and hopefully that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

  6. Tom PHX says:

    Is 6 days total for Rome & Paris doable in November? And what’s the best way to get from Rome to Paris?

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Tom PHX,

      Yes, three nights in Paris and three nights in Rome is actually ideal for someone wanting to see a lot and still move quickly. From Paris to Rome you are best off flying. The flight will be pretty cheap if you book well in advance. There are trains including overnight trains, but they are slow, expensive, and still sell out long in advance. The flight is by far the better option. -Roger

  7. pooja says:

    Hi. Planning a trip to France for our 25th anniversary,around 1st week of November for about 14 days.
    Along with Paris, which other region do you suggest? Provence? Can you suggest places there which are accessible by bus? As we are not inclined to drive around. Which place in South of france? around Nice etc.. many thanks

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Pooja,

      I’d spend at least 3 or 4 nights in Paris. After that you could go in almost any direction, depending on what you want to see. The Loire Valley is fairly close to Paris and it’s famous for chateaus and estates that can be toured. Many wine fans like to head to Bordeaux for some tasting and vineyard tours.

      Some people like to head to Normandy to visit Mt Saint Michel, although in November the weather won’t be ideal. Avignon is a very popular and historic smaller city that you can stop in on your way to the southern coast. Aix-en-Provence is a great base for exploring the Provence region, and it’s very close to Avignon as well.

      As far as the French Riviera, I would recommend Nice as the ideal place to base yourself. Nice is a really wonderful city itself, and it’s also about a 20-minute train ride from Cannes in one direction and from Monaco in the other direction. It will be pretty uncrowded in November since it’s a popular beach town, but Nice is a fairly large city so it’s worth visiting any month of the year and I’d definitely spend at least half a day in Monaco. Those are some of the best places to add to a Paris visit and once you look into each of them I’m sure you’ll be inspired by a few of them to help you fill out the trip.

      All of the places I mentioned are served by France’s high-speed rail network, or at least you can get close to all of them and then take a local train or bus. I’d highly recommend taking trains as much as possible since they are much faster and more comfortable than buses. The trick is to decide where you’ll go at least a month before you arrive and then buy your train tickets as early as possible. The train tickets start out cheap and then get more expensive as more seats are sold. So if you buy early enough the train tickets will be fairly cheap and you’ll have many departure times to choose from. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

  8. GURURAJ patil says:

    Hi Roger,

    I’m planning to visit below cities in the first and second week of November. My trip starts on November 3rd in Amsterdam and and will follow the itinerary as below. Please suggest is it a good idea to visit these cities or should i look to visit something else.

    Netherlands: Amsterdam / Rotterdam 2N, France: Paris 2N, Switzerland: Lucerne 2N, Engelberg, Italy: Venice, Melide, Lugano, Padova 1N, Florence, Pisa 1N, Rome 1N.

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Gururaj,

      Most of those cities are well worth visiting, but if you followed that itinerary you’d be spending most of your holiday on trains and in train stations. This comes up a lot so I wrote an article explaining why I strongly recommend staying 3 nights in almost any European city you visit. So hopefully you have more time or are willing to cut at least a few of the stops. I’d skip Rotterdam and just stay in Amsterdam. It’s best to visit Pisa as a half-day trip from Florence. Aside from the Leaning Tower, Pisa isn’t very interesting. I’m happy to help more as you are working on your itinerary. -Roger

  9. Prathyusha says:

    Hi Roger,

    Thanks for your suggestion on Italy trip. It was really helpful. Now, we are planning for Switzerland in mid of May for 4-5 days. We’ll be flying from Stockholm to Swiss. As I could see, we can land in Zurich or Geneva but not Interlaken. Please suggest which places can be covered in this short duration. Kindly provide the full itinerary. TIA

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Prathyusha,

      I’m happy to help people make decisions on how to plan a trip, but I’m not a free travel agent, unfortunately. If you have 5 days I’d fly into Zurich and then spend the first 3 days in the Interlaken area and the final two days in the Lucerne area, which is only about an hour by train from Zurich Airport for your flight home. You’ll find all of the best options for these places in my main article about where to go in Switzerland. The Lauterbrunnen Valley next to Interlaken is where you’ll find the most stunning scenery, but the city of Lucerne is also beautiful and quite different. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

  10. Dee says:

    Hi Roger,

    We are a family of 4 from California and plan to travel to Europe in August. I know it is not ideal due to heat and crowds, but school and summer camps have restricted us to those weeks. We have 9-10 days. What would be our best destination(s)?

    Thanks! Dee

    1. Roger Wade says:

      Dee,

      Actually, August can be a great month to visit certain cities in Europe. It’s really better to avoid beach resort destinations in Europe in August because they are all completely packed, but actually Paris and Rome empty out to some degree during August because so many office workers are gone. I’d definitely put Paris on your list. With 9 days you’ve got enough time to two other places (3 nights in each city is ideal) and it would be hard to skip London (2 hours by Eurostar train from Paris) if this is your first trip to Europe. The major attractions in London are quite crowded in August, but at least it’s a good weather month and the sun doesn’t set until well after 9pm so you can see a lot.

      You could also spend 3 days or so in Switzerland, and particularly in the Interlaken area.

      It would be a bit simpler to visit elsewhere in Britain. Bath and York are probably the two most interesting smaller cities to visit and you’d have time for both of them. Or you could visit one or more of the wine regions in France instead. All of the beaches in France are packed in August, and some of the small country towns are popular with locals as well, but other places are less crowded so you’ve got plenty of options. I hope that at least gives you some ideas. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger