What are the best countries to visit in November? This is a great question because November is a great time to travel! Many people are looking for some warm November weather to escape the upcoming winter at home and there are plenty of countries in November offering this, and, you are missing the hiked up prices of the upcoming December and Christmas holiday travel!
In this post, I’ll give you plenty ideas of where to travel in November and the best countries to go to in November based on local festivities, good weather and available activities!
These range from warmer European destinations like Portugal, the best countries to visit in Asia in November based around dry, comfortable temperatures, I spent the whole month of November in India the other year so I highly recommend India in November! And some great options if you are looking for an adventure in Africa or Central and South America like diving in Mexico, or reduced heat in the Middle East like an Oman road trip!
So let’s get into the ideas of the best countries to go to in November!
1. PORTUGAL
The Algarve in Southern Portugal is my pick for anyone who wants Europe in November without the chill setting in completely. Daytime temperatures sit around a comfortable 17°C to 19°C, dropping to 11°C to 14°C once the sun goes down late afternoon, and the weather in Southern Portugal stays remarkably stable through the month with plenty of sunny spells rather than constant rain.
November is firmly the quiet season in the Algarve so you can benefit from slightly lower prices. With that being said, I would not come purely for a beach holiday to Portugal in November, it is a touch cold for that, but it is a brilliant time for walking one of the popular walking routes in the Algarve like the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, exploring inland villages by car, or catching sunset from one of the cliff backed viewpoints the region is famous for.
2. SPAIN
If proper beach weather in November is what you are after and you do not want to leave Europe, the Canary Islands are the answer! Tenerife and Gran Canaria sit around 21°C to 23°C during the day with sea temperatures possibly swimmable, which is honestly hard to beat anywhere else on this side of the Atlantic in November! It is a lovely spot for hiking Teide National Park which I did a few years ago and loved, whale and dolphin watching off the coast, or simply topping up a tan while everyone back home reaches for a coat.
However, mainland Spain shouldn’t be forgotten either. I went to Granada and Seville in early November the other year and I wore a light top (although locals were in coats!) and it was a enjoyable way for sightseeing without the heat. This is why Spain is one of the best countries to visit in November!
Related posts: Southern Spain Itinerary COMPLETE GUIDE – Short or Long Trip!
3. MALTA
Malta is one of those small islands that quietly does November better than most of the Mediterranean. The sea stays around 20°C, warm enough that you can still fit a swim in, and daytime air temperatures hover around 21°C, mild enough for wandering Valletta’s honey coloured streets or the ancient walled city of Mellieha without breaking a sweat.
Crowds thin out noticeably once the summer package holiday season ends. November in Malta is also a good month for diving, since the water clarity is excellent and the summer boat traffic has calmed right down. I would pack layers for the evenings, but by day you can get away with fairly light clothing during the day making it ideal to visit in November!
4. TÜRKİYE
Türkiye is one of my all round favourite countries and Türkiye in November is a country of two climates depending on what you want from a trip. The coast around Antalya and Izmir stays gentle at 15°C to 20°C making them ideal for an off season beach break. I recently stayed at the Hilton Dalaman which is an amazing family all inclusive with a huge indoor pool, ideal for off season!
While inland regions like the popular area of Cappadocia drop further to somewhere between 5°C and 15°C, cool enough that you will want a proper coat, scarf and gloves for hot air balloon mornings but still pleasant for exploring during the day. Istanbul sits somewhere in between, I lived in Istanbul during November and was surprised that Autumn arrives in November here rather than October and the city takes on a genuinely beautiful autumnal look and ease of getting around without the summer heat.. although it can get a bit wet!
Related posts: What’s The BEST Time to Visit Cappadocia? Weather By Month!
5. OMAN
Now that the winter is approaching we can start visiting Middle Eastern destinations and the Gulf countries more and Oman is the best one on offer! Oman does not get anywhere near the attention it deserves, and November might be its best month of the year. Muscat sits around a warm 30°C by day, cooling to a pleasant 21°C at night, while the popular area of Salalah in the south offers similar beach weather with highs around 30°C.
Oman is all about adventure and if you head up into the Jebel Akhdar mountains it drops to a crisp 21°C during the day and 12°C at night, genuinely refreshing after the summer heat, while a night camping in the Wahiba Sands desert gives you 32°C days and cool nights around 19°C, perfect for stargazing. The timing also lines up with Oman National Day, the country’s biggest celebration, marked with parades, fireworks and cultural performances. So when looking for where to go in November, Oman is a strong option, just know that prices start climbing as peak season begins.
6. UAE
Dubai and Abu Dhabi go back to being enjoyable destinations in November, with daytime temperatures settling into a comfortable 20°C to 30°C after months of unbearable summer heat. This is the month the outdoor scene properly switches back on, so desert safaris and excursions, beaches and rooftop all come alive again and the locals are here to enjoy it too!
You can enjoy the UAE in many ways, from all inclusive hotels, sightseeing and relaxing but Dubai always has something going on and November is a month with a packed events calendar – Dubai Design Week, the Dubai International Boat Show docks in late November, and Diwali celebrations light up neighbourhoods like Meena Bazaar and Karama with an entirely different kind of festive energy to the rest of the city. The trade off is that this is peak season underway, so expect busier attractions and higher prices than you would find in the quieter summer months, but the weather alone makes it worth it!
Related posts: 20 BEST Places To Visit in the UAE! Alternative Destinations!
7. UZBEKISTAN
I would send anyone chasing Silk Road history to Uzbekistan in November, provided you stick to the cities rather than heading for the mountains because after visiting Uzbekistan in April myself just as the summer heat was starting, I knew I wouldn’t want to go back in summer but instead the Spring and Autumn months, like November!
The 3 main cities to visit of Samarkand, Bukhara and Tashkent sit around a mild 14°C during the day, comfortable for full days spent wandering turquoise tiled madrasas and busy local markets, and tourist numbers fall away sharply compared to spring and summer. I do recommend Uzbekistan as one of the best countries to visit in November, but, what I would not do is plan any mountain trekking this month, since the high altitude regions become inaccessible as the snow sets in. Keep your itinerary focused on the historic cities.
Related posts: What to Wear in Uzbekistan As a Tourist! Inside and Outside of Tourist Attractions!
8. GEORGIA
Georgia in November is quiet, characterful and genuinely good value, which is exactly why I love it for this month. The capital city of Tbilisi sits around 7°C to 14°C, cool enough for a coat but still very walkable, and the city’s opera, theatre and concert season is in full swing and you can warm up at the thermal baths in Tbilisi if you need to!
Spend a few days here exploring the city but also heading into the countryside like Kakheti where October’s harvest is in full swing. I do recommend Georgia as one of the great places to visit in November thanks to its’s off season travel but I will say to save the mountain regions for another trip though since Georgia in November is not for hitting the mountains.
9. INDIA
A few years ago on one of my backpacking stints, I spent the whole month of November in India so I can rate it highly as one of the best countries to visit in November! Firstly, Diwali falls towards the start of November with big celebrations happening for days leading up to it. (Although it does also get very busy and big cities like Delhi become very polluted from the fireworks which is where I spent Diwali!) Another popular event in November in India is the Pushkar Camel Fair in Rajasthan, an extraordinary gathering of thousands of camels, traders and travellers alongside carnival energy for days!
However, for me, the reason why India in November is where I recommend people travel in November is because of the weather! North India and the popular Golden Triangle finally shakes off the summer heat and the monsoon haze clears, giving you some of the clearest, most comfortable conditions of the entire year for city sightseeing and desert exploring alike. Further North, places like Rishikesh the home of yoga, and Dharamshala are still accessible and good to visit before the cold sets in over winter, and the South like Goa and Kerala are also opening up after a wet and humid summer for beach travel!
Related posts: 24 BEST Places to Visit in India on FIRST Trip!
10. PAKISTAN
Pakistan is becoming more and more visited by intrepid travellers for many reasons and if the mountains of Pakistan are on your radar, November is the last real window before winter properly sets in across the north. Head to Hunza and the northern mountain areas early in the month, where temperatures sit around 13°C to 23°C and the passes are still open, since they begin closing toward the end of November as snow arrives.
However, November is perfect for the cities further south. Lahore offers pleasant 13°C to 23°C days, comfortable for exploring the old city, the forts and the food scene without the extreme summer heat, the same for Islamabad and Karachi on the coast! For an off the beaten path destination in November, think of Pakistan!
Related posts: A 2 Week Pakistan Itinerary to Northern Pakistan & the Cities!
11. THAILAND
There’s not much that can beat Thailand in November and it sits as easily one of the best countries to visit in November! The islands and areas on the Andaman Seat Coast, aka the South West of Thailand are best in this month, think Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi giving you the perfect beach break and the Northern inland city of Chiang Mai is cooling down after the summer heat.
Loy Krathong is another one of the reasons Thailand in November is popular, this festival sees thousands of candlelit floating lanterns released onto rivers and canals across the country with a very spiritual feel. Whether you base yourself in Chiang Mai for the lantern releases or head south to the islands for the improving beach weather, November genuinely is one of the best months of the year to be in Thailand.
Related posts: EPIC 2 Week Thailand Itinerary – North & South Islands!
12. SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka flips its weather almost on cue in November, as the northeast monsoon shifts the rain away from the west and south coasts. That means beaches around Galle, Mirissa and the southwest come into their best form right as the wet season wraps up elsewhere, with good surf, warm sunny days and noticeably fewer crowds than you will find once the December peak season arrives.
November in Sri Lanka is a lovely window if you want the beach conditions combined with adventures in the country’s hilltop tea estates or a trip to spot elephants and leopards inland. This is why Sri Lanka is one of the best countries to visit in Asia in November!
Related posts: Places to Visit in Sri Lanka on Your First Trip & Travel Tips!
13. VIETNAM
Northern Vietnam comes into its own in November, further proof that Asia dominates any serious search for where to visit in November, when Hanoi, Sapa and Ha Long Bay settle into crisp, dry, genuinely comfortable weather before winter properly bites.
This is one of the better months to explore the region before the chillier months set in further north, with clear skies making Ha Long Bay’s limestone karsts look their absolute best from the deck of a boat, and Sapa’s terraced rice hills offering excellent trekking conditions without summer humidity or monsoon downpours to contend with. I would layer up for cooler mornings and evenings, particularly in the mountains, but by Vietnamese standards this counts as a very gentle, easy month to travel.
14. TAIWAN
Taiwan is one of my favourite countries! It gets a fraction of the attention Japan does for autumn travel but it’s well worth skipping the queues of Japan in Autumn for because it’s one of the more underrated countries to visit in Asia in November! Temperatures in Taiwan sit in a comfortable 20°C to 26°C range depending on where you are, with the south around Tainan the driest and warmest option and the east coast around Hualien the wettest, so it is worth planning your route with that in mind.
Fall foliage peaks early in the month, with golden ginkgo leaves and red maples appearing across the island, and November brings a festivals you will not find anywhere else: the Silver Grass Festival in New Taipei City where rolling hills are covered in blooming silver grass, ideal for hiking and walking trips. On top of all that, this is past typhoon season and well before the busiest tourist months, so you get all of this with noticeably fewer crowds.
Related posts: 18 BEST Places to Visit in Taiwan! Taiwan Tourist Spots!
15. MAURITIUS
A few people have recommended Mauritius in November to me because it is heading into its summer season by November, making it one of the best countries to visit in Africa in November, with daytime temperatures around a lovely 27°C and rainfall dropping to a relatively dry 50mm spread across just a handful of days.
That combination of rising warmth and low rain makes it one of the better shoulder season windows on the island, before the true summer heat and humidity build up toward the new year. Diving conditions are excellent this time of year thanks to clear water and calmer seas, and the big family resorts are far less packed than they will be over the Christmas period.
16. MOROCCO
After a hot summer, Morocco becomes comfortable to explore by November, and it is usually the first name I mention when someone asks about the best countries to visit in Africa in November, with daytime temperatures settling into the high teens and low 20s across most of the country.
That is a genuine relief if you have ever tried wandering Marrakech’s medina in August like I did a few years ago! November in Morocco opens the door to activities that are too hot in summer, like hiking sections of the Atlas Mountains or spending a night out in the Sahara. Marrakech, Fes and the coastal city of Essaouira are all at their most enjoyable this month. You will likely need some layers, especially come evening but it is one of the best all round months to see the country properly without needing to plan your day around avoiding the midday sun.
Related posts: 20 BEST Cafes & Restaurants in Marrakech! PLUS, Rooftops in Marrakesh!
17. TANZANIA
If wildlife is what draws you to travel, November might be Tanzania’s single best month, and it is the destination I point people to first out of all the best countries to visit in Africa in November. This is when the Great Wildebeest Migration begins its journey south into the Serengeti, with vast herds moving through the Seronera Valley, an area that also delivers some of the best lion pride and cheetah sightings anywhere on the continent at this time of year.
Pair a mainland safari with a few days on Zanzibar, where whale shark season is underway and diving visibility is excellent, and you have got one of the most complete wildlife and beach combinations available anywhere in November. It is genuinely hard to think of a better month to plan a Tanzania trip around.
18. SOUTH AFRICA
Remener that South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere so November is coming up to summertime and Cape Town in November is close to perfect, rounding out my picks for the best countries to visit in Africa in November, averaging around 9 hours of sunshine a day while still sitting comfortably ahead of the peak summer crowds that arrive over the festive season.
Table Mountain, the penguin colony at Boulders Beach and the winelands around Stellenbosch are all far quieter than they will be just a month or two later, and the malaria free Eastern Cape offers proper Big Five safaris with minimal rainfall this time of year, making it a smart, family friendly alternative to safari regions further north. Between the coastal cities, the wine country and the wildlife, South Africa manages to cover almost every kind of trip you might want in a single country during November.
19. MEXICO
Mexico is consistently one of the best places to go in November for a mix of culture and warm weather, and even though Día de los Muertos itself falls in early November, the celebratory atmosphere lingers well into the first week of the month.
People recommended the Yucatan Peninsular to me for the best area to visit in Mexico in November because of the comfortable temperatures and good beach weather. We visited a few years ago in early December doing a 1 week Yucatan road trip so I can see November also being good for places like Cancun and Isla Holbox before the Christmas and New Year crowds arrive.
20. BRAZIL
Southeast Brazil hits its sweet spot in November, earning Brazil a place among the best countries to visit in South America in November, with Rio de Janeiro enjoying its coolest, driest and sunniest stretch of the whole year right before the summer crowds and heat properly arrive.
It is an ideal window for hiking up to Christ the Redeemer, relaxing on Ipanema and Copacabana before they get packed, or exploring further south into Brazil’s beach season. I would steer clear of the northeast of the country though, since that region tends to stay wet inland through this period. Stick to the southeast and you get Brazil at one of its most comfortable and least crowded moments of the year for a South American adventure in November.
21. PERU
If Peru is on your bucket list, November is ideal to visit for trekking since November sits right at the tail end of the dry season in the highlands around Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Daytime skies stay clear with barely any rainfall, and temperatures remain stable, making this one of the most reliable windows of the year for multi day treks including the Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu.
It is a slightly quieter month than the July and August peak too. Pack for cold nights at altitude, but by day this is about as good as highland trekking weather gets.
22. ANTARCTICA
Finally, not a country but an epic 7th continent adventure to visit! November marks the start of the winter (or summer down there) travel expeditions. I went on the second expedition of the season towards the end of November and benefitted from a cheaper 10 day Antarctica cruise than the prices in December and January and plenty of chances to see wildlife and lots of snow! It might not be one for this year if you are reading this with November approaching but consider it for another year! This is why I recommend Antarctica in November!
November Travel Ideas FAQ
What are the best countries to visit in November?
Based on weather and festivities, Thailand, India Oman, Tanzania, India and Spain stand out most. Thailand and India are in particular the best countries to visit in November, between the cooling weather and local festivals.
Where is the best place to go in November for warm weather?
The Canary Islands in Spain are hard to beat without leaving Europe, while Oman, the UAE, Mauritius and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula all offer reliably warm days too. South Africa is also heading into its own summer by November, so Cape Town is warming up rather than cooling down.
What festivals happen around the world in November?
Diwali and the Pushkar Camel Fair in India, Loy Krathong in Thailand, Oman National Day, the Silver Grass Festival in Taiwan, Diwali celebrations, and the tail end of Día de los Muertos celebrations in Mexico all fall in November.
Which countries are best for a beach holiday in November?
The Canary Islands, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, particularly around Cancun and Isla Holbox, are the strongest beach picks, with Malta also worth considering if diving is part of the plan.
I hope this post helps you with the best countries to visit in November and gives you some ideas and travel inspiration for a great month to travel in!
- For more of my month by month travel guides see:
- 22 BEST Countries to Visit in OCTOBER! Autumn Colours & Good Weather
- 20 BEST Countries to Visit in SEPTEMBER – Perfect Weather and Fewer Crowds
- 33 BEST Places to Visit in Asia in December & January!
- 30 BEST Places to Visit in Europe in December – Christmas & non-Christmas Travel!