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
Hi Roger,
Do you have any places to suggest nearby Zurich/Feldkirch for 3 days in mid-November? I read that the weather isn’t great at this time of the year and was hoping for any suggestions on nearby cities with decent weather? I need to catch back my return flight from Zurich.
Thank you so much! – Kriti
Kriti,
The weather all over that part of Europe will be pretty similar in November. You might just bring some warm clothes and explore the most beautiful parts of the Alps, which are mostly in the Interlaken area. You can read all of the main highlights of Switzerland in this article.
If you are looking for somewhere with warmer weather you can choose among some of the options in the article above. Rome or Barcelona could be good choices that time of year. Airfares in and out of Zurich are usually pretty reasonable if you book well in advance. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi,
I along with my family (includes my 2 year old son) will be in Germany in the first two weeks of November and I have about 3 days to make a trip in between my work. November being cooler, is there a better place outside Germany for us to visit 8-9 November 2019? Could you please suggest something which suits for all of us, especially my son! I had Austria – Innsbruck, Hallstatt on my mind, but want to know if its ok to visit during November? Can you please suggest something other than Austria as well.
Poorima,
The article above actually consists of my recommendations for this. If you are looking for somewhere to go by train it would depend on which part of Germany you’d be in, of course. First off, Innsbruck is mainly a ski destination and I’d highly recommend Salzburg instead. The ski season doesn’t tend to get going until mid December anyway. Hallstatt is a lovely village, but in November it might be a bit chilly to really enjoy. One great thing about Salzburg is that it has a gorgeous historic center and a really lovely location surrounded by photogenic hills with lots of culture as well.
If you are looking for a worthwhile place that has milder weather than the ones discussed you’ll really need to fly. It should be easy to find cheap flights that time of year, and with a 2-hour flight you could be almost anywhere in southern Europe. I’d think about Barcelona as a very pleasant place that will be warmer and really fun that time of year. You could even go to Rome. If you are looking for something different, please provide more details and I’ll try to help. -Roger
Hi Roger,
I am very pleased to find this page. I am going crazy organizing my trip. I have only been to Germany and Amsterdam before. I wanted to celebrate my first anniversary and my wife will be visiting for the first time.I have booked the flights as per 9 nights and 10 Days, arriving in Barcelona and departing from Milan.
4 nights in Barcelona, 3 nights in Nice-Monaco and remaining in Milan where day trips to Lake Como and Florence was in my mind. I have not yet done any bookings. Would be really grateful ig you could give your expertise as i am beginning to wonder i may not be chosing the best places to visit.
Prateek,
I think your plan sounds quite good. Four nights in Barcelona will be great, and you could probably enjoy it in 3 nights if you wanted to press on a bit sooner. Unfortunately, the trains along the southern coast of France are still pretty slow, so Barcelona to Nice takes 8 to 10 hours by train depending on the departure. In other words, flying probably makes more sense. Three nights in Nice should be perfect, and then the train to Milan takes about 5 hours, so I’d take the train rather than flying on that one. If you are planning on doing this in November (based on the article above), it’s worth noting that Lake Como will be in low season, but it’s still a fun day trip and most things will be open.
Milan actually isn’t a great tourist city because it’s not as “Italian” as most of the others, but it’s a very useful hub and a great base for the day trips you have in mind. You could even do a day trip to Venice instead of Lake Como, as it’s only a bit over two hours away by train. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
I m planning for 5 days trip to Europe in early November.. Most of the city will be cold… can you suggest some nice place to visit where it should not be cold and dicey weather.
Krita,
The list above is meant to answer that question and the average weather stats for each city are included. So Lisbon tends to have the nicest November weather in mainland Europe, and Spain is also quite mild. With 5 days I think spending 2 days in Madrid and 3 days in Barcelona is your best bet. There is a high-speed train between them in a few hours, while Lisbon requires a night train or a flight to reach from Madrid. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi All,
? am planning to visit Italy (along with vatican if possible) and Spain in early Nov 2019. ? have an infanct of about 2 years and hence cannot venture out more. if someone can guide me which cities should ? visit and what should be the route then it would be great. ?n total ? am planning to have 14 days.
Ranjeet,
With 14 days I’d recommend 5 total cities and fortunately there are 5 perfect choices for you. I’d spend 3 or 4 nights in Rome (with one full day in the Vatican) and 3 nights in Florence and 1 or 2 nights in Venice. Then you can fly into Barcelona for 3 nights and then take the high-speed train to Madrid for your remaining 3 nights. The trains in those countries on the high-speed lines are comfortable for families with infants, and there are usually changing tables in at least one bathroom on each carriage.
You could do it in almost any order, but the key parts are to take trains between Rome, Florence, and Venice (90 to 120 minutes each ride) and a train between Barcelona and Madrid (about 2.5 hours). Barcelona and Madrid are both very large cities that are very different from each other, so it’s worth visiting both of them. In other words, you could start in Venice and then take trains to Florence and Rome and then fly to Madrid and then a train to Barcelona and fly home from there, or any other way as long as you are taking the internal train rides. The train across southern France is slow and expensive, so flying is the best option. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Thanks Roger!
I’d still like to see Lake Como, so I’ll put it on my list of places to go. Given the weather in November, any thoughts on Cinque Terre and if it is still worth a visit?
Lastly, just trying to figure out if I should start in Venice, make my way through Florence and other places on the way to Rome or do it the opposite. I’m most looking forward to Rome and seeing as much as I can there (budgeting 4 days, maybe 5) but not sure if it’s best to put at beginning or end of trip – I really want to enjoy it. Thanks for all your help Roger!
Nick
Roger,
Thanks for all the threads, this has been very helpful. I’m planning to take a trip to Italy in November for about 2 weeks and want to start in Rome and make my way up to Venice. I wanted to know if there are any other places north that would be worthwhile and allow enough time (i.e. Vienna or Munich). I’ll likely be traveling solo and want to see as much as I can while being able to enjoy the sights. Appreciate any feedback you may have, thanks!
Nick
Nick,
As you’d imagine, Italy is packed with worthwhile places to visit. I discuss many of the more popular ones on this article on where to go in Italy. One thing to note though is that November is really dead in all of the beach areas and even in Lake Como, so those might not be ideal unless you really want to see what the places are like when it’s only you and the local residents.
You might consider a stop in Sorrento, which is discussed in that article. The weather there is reasonably mild and there is still quite a bit to see in November while based there. Naples is worth a day trip at least, and Pompeii is also a must if you can make it. You can make it Sorrento in about 3 hours with 1.5 hours on a high-speed train south to Naples and then on the local train south from there.
Milan isn’t a classic tourist city, but if you’ve got the time it could be interesting for 2 or 3 days. I don’t think I mention it in that article, but Bologna is known as the best food destination in Italy, which is saying something. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Is there a particular reason why Athens doesn’t make the list for November? I’m a UK traveller planning ahead for next year, and Athens seems like one of the most historic affordable cities that I haven’t already visited.
Lloyd,
That’s an interesting question. I suppose I didn’t include Athens during the winter months because it’s kind of chilly (although certainly warmer than the UK) and the resort islands are pretty much shut down from November through early May, so combining Athens with another nearby stop is not as easy. That said, I’d certainly go to Athens in November given the chance. It should even be warm enough to visit some of the main sites in the Peloponnese region, which is obviously also loaded with important history. Now that you mention it, it’s probably worth listing Athens at least through November in spite of the other points. Thank you. -Roger
Hey Roger,
I’ll be travelling to Europe from 28th Oct – 9th Nov
28th Oct – 2nd Nov : Paris and Spain (Barcelona for beach) with Family
2nd Nov – 9th Nov : Solo trip
Can you pls help where all should I go. Amsterdam is already in the list. Rest I want to do some party. Also, the places are safe to travel.
Thanks
Himanshu,
So you’ve got one week for a solo trip. I think Amsterdam is a perfect place to start and I’d stay there for 3 nights. If you’ve got 4 nights left it’s probably better to choose one or maybe two more places. Two more great party cities that are fairly close to Amsterdam are Berlin and Prague, and there is good train service between all of them. You might even just stay in Amsterdam for two nights because it’s fairly compact, and spend 3 nights in Berlin because it’s huge and quite spread out. Those places are all safe to travel as long as you take the usual precautions. Pick-pocketing is a major issue in almost all European cities, but it’s easy to avoid if you carry your wallet in a front pocket rather than in a back pocket or a backpack or handbag, and that sort of thing. Let me know if you’ve got any other questions. -Roger
We are a group of 3 people ( All men) and are looking to spend couple of days after our business meetings at frankfurt and will have a free weekend between 8-10 November 2019. Looking for advice that which city we should visit during these 2 nights and 3 days – we were looking for Amsterdam for an option but are open for all places within Schengen Countries
J Zafar,
If you are looking for a very interesting city that is also a great “party city” and is within a reasonable train ride from Frankfurt, I think Amsterdam is probably the best choice. It’s about 4.5 hours by train from Frankfurt and it’s very easy to explore without a lot of studying because most of the interesting neighborhoods are a short walk from the train station. That would have been my top suggestion even if you hadn’t mentioned it yourself.
My second choice would be Berlin, which is only about 4 hours by train from Frankfurt. Berlin is super cool (and less touristy in a good way) than Amsterdam, but it’s sprawling and it’s harder to find the best things to do in a short time on your first visit. If you were looking for a place to explore for four days I’d suggest Berlin, but if you’ve only got 2 or 3 days I think Amsterdam is easier and better.
My third choice would be Prague. It’s about 6 hours from Frankfurt by train and it’s not as easy to explore as Amsterdam is, but it’s more compact and easier compared to Berlin. Prague is also the cheapest of the three if that matters, although centrally located hotels in Prague will cost as much as similar hotels in Berlin (Amsterdam will be quite a bit more). I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger