The 7 Best Places to Go in November 2026

November is one of the few months when you can still chase European sunshine, head north for the first taste of winter, or escape to the Southern Hemisphere for summer.

In Portugal and Spain, you can find mild Mediterranean days without the summer crowds, while further north, Finland begins its transformation into a snowy winter wonderland. If you’re planning on going further afield, the Southern Hemisphere is just beginning its summer season, making November one of the best months to go travelling.

These are the 7 best places to go in November.

This is where to visit in November 2026

1. Albufeira – Portugal

Average Temperature in November: 20℃

Closest Major International Airport: Faro International Airport (FAO)

If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to sunshine, Albufeira is a great place to head to in November.

Located on the warm, dry Algarve on Portugal’s southern coast, Albufeira enjoys a mild climate year-round, and its quieter November atmosphere makes it a very different experience from the livelier summer months.

The beaches are much quieter, as are the local towns and villages, meaning that you don’t need to set out too early to guarantee a spot. Plus, with daily temperatures often soaring into the mid-to-high 20s, it’s more than comfortable enough to walk around in shorts and a T-shirt.

The Algarve’s food scene is arguably at its peak in November, with fresh fish caught daily, and if you hire a car, you can visit nearby towns and cities like Faro, Lagos and Vilamoura: all within a 40-minute drive of your base in Albufeira.

2. Playa Blanca, Lanzarote – Canary Islands

Average Temperature in November: 23℃

Closest Major International Airport: César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport (ACE)

If you’re on the search for winter sun without travelling halfway across the world, the Canary Islands are a great destination.

Specifically, Playa Blanca in Lanzarote experiences year-round temperatures which rarely dip below 20℃. Located approximately 125km from the coast of Morocco, the island sees relatively little rainfall throughout the year, making it a fantastic destination for winter sunshine.

Hiring a car in Playa Blanca also ensures that you do not need to just treat a visit here as a beach holiday: the volcanic landscapes of Timanfaya National Park are just half an hour away by car, while you can reach Órzola at the northern tip of the island in an hour.

In fact, a road trip around the perimeter of the island (which only takes around 2-3 hours) is a fantastic way to experience Lanzarote in November, with colourful beaches, beautiful weather and fantastic food along the way.

3. Alicante – Spain

Average Temperature in November: 19℃

Closest Major International Airport: Alicante Airport (ALC)

For a Mediterranean city break with plenty of sunshine, culture and good food, look no further than Alicante on the Spanish mainland.

November brings mild temperatures to the Costa Blanca, making it much more bearable to walk around and explore the region on foot when compared to the baking hot summer temperatures, which often break the 40℃ mark.

The city’s waterfront is incredibly scenic, and no trip to Alicante is complete without visiting Santa Bárbara Castle, which offers spectacular views across Alicante Bay. The entertainment scene in and around the city also heats up in November, with multiple performances across all sorts of mediums, from late-night live music to theatre shows.

If you wish to explore nearby areas, consider hiring a car and travelling to nearby towns and cities like Elche, Altea and Benidorm for a day trip or simply to experience the Costa Blanca’s gorgeous mild November climate.

4. Cape Town – South Africa

Average Temperature in November: 21℃

Closest Major International Airport: Cape Town International Airport (CPT)

While much of the Northern Hemisphere is heading into winter, November marks the beginning of summer in Cape Town.

The Mother City really comes alive at this time of year, with long, warm days spent at the beach and numerous outdoor events, including the beginning of the cricket season, which is a huge spectacle in South Africa.

A day at the beach is always a good idea, with daytime temperatures comfortably in the 20s, while swimming and surfing can also be a good way to pass the time. As the sun begins to set, you can enjoy a traditional South African barbecue, or braai as it is known locally, washed down with some fantastic Cape Town wine.

Stellenbosch – one of the world’s greatest wine regions – is under an hour away from the city, so a vineyard tour is an excellent choice when visiting in November, while Table Mountain or a drive round the Cape Peninsula are also unforgettable experiences, complemented beautifully by the dry, warm weather.

5. Sunshine Coast – Australia

Average Temperature in November: 27℃

Closest Major International Airport: Brisbane Airport (BNE)

As its name suggests, Australia’s Sunshine Coast, in Queensland, is sun-baked for the majority of the year: it receives, on average, 300 days of sunshine a year, with the November average at 8-9 hours a day for over 20 days of the month.

As spring gives way to summer, the region’s beaches and hinterland come alive. The Sunshine Coast is an excellent place to visit in November, as it is significantly quieter than its southern Queensland neighbour, the Gold Coast, which turns into ‘Australian Miami’ during November, as many college and university students flock there for the nightlife for an early summer break.

The Sunshine Coast has many great things to do in November – visit Steve Irwin’s world-famous Australia Zoo for a fun-filled family day out, or head to the beach for swimming and surfing in the perfect Pacific conditions.

A hike through Noosa National Park and searching for local wildlife is also another great way to spend a day or two, and there’s nothing better than firing up the barbecue at the end of the day, or visiting a vibrant Aussie bar for a couple of cold ones in the late evening sun.

Fly into Brisbane, hire a car, and head just over an hour north to the Sunshine Coast. Noosa Heads is slightly further north, while the Gold Coast is around two hours south of the Sunshine Coast, making a road trip – or even just a day out – plenty of fun for your Australian November visit.

6. Bordeaux – France

Average Temperature in November: 15℃

Closest Major International Airport: Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD)

Wine lovers: this one is for you.

Bordeaux is famed for being one of the best wine regions in the world, and November brings a quiet magic to the area. The city is packed with elegant architecture, which looks even better under autumn colours.

Packed with historic museums, restaurants, cafes and bars, the city itself is well experiencing in November, while the wine regions are just a short drive away.

In the city, the Place de la Bourse, the famous Miroir d’Eau and the Garonne are all easy to explore thanks to Bordeaux’s pedestrianised streets. Naturally, there are plenty of opportunities for a pit stop along the way for a coffee and croissant or something stronger.

To truly experience the wider Bordeaux region, though, a vineyard trip outside of the city is essential. Visit a nearby château to learn more about the history surrounding Bordeaux’s famed wine-making industry, while also being given the chance to sample some of the finest wine in the world.

7. Rovaniemi – Finland

Average Temperature in November: -9℃

Closest Major International Airport: Rovaniemi Airport (ROV)

If you’re already thinking of snowfall and the first hints of Christmas as soon as the November chill hits, then a trip to Rovaniemi is a must.

Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland and is one of the best places for an early winter getaway. Temperatures can range from around -15℃ to around -5℃, and snow is practically a guarantee.

Because of its location so far north, Rovaniemi experiences shorter daylight hours than many people are used to, and in November, this ranges from around seven hours in early November to just under five hours by the end of the month. However, being in darkness for so long does have its advantages: Rovaniemi is one of the best places in Europe to see the Northern Lights.

It is also a fantastic place to travel with a family: Santa Claus Village is fully decorated for Christmas from early November onwards, while if you want to travel further afield out of the city, you can try several excursions, such as husky sledding, reindeer encounters, or even an ice plunge, followed by a traditional Finnish sauna.

Note: 2026 temperature information taken from AccuWeather