November is the one month when the summer crowds are gone, the winter prices have not kicked in, and the weather in the right places is better than you think. Morocco cools to 20 degrees, perfect for wandering the souks without melting. Japan turns red with autumn maple. Greece is empty and warm. Here is where to go, sorted by the type of trip you want, with the cheap flights routes that get you there.
For sun: Greece, the Canary Islands, and Morocco
The Mediterranean in November is warm, cheap, and empty. Greece still sees 20-degree days. The water around the islands is still swimmable. The crowds that pack Santorini in July are long gone. A hotel room in Athens starts at €50. A gyro costs €3.
The Canary Islands are the year-round European sun pick. Tenerife and Lanzarote see 24 degrees in November, with Atlantic beaches and volcanic landscapes. Spain is comfortable for sightseeing without the 40-degree summer heat. The Alhambra in Granada has minimal queues in November compared to the two-hour waits in April.
Morocco is the desert pick. Marrakech sees 20 to 25 degrees in November, perfect for wandering the souks, trekking the Atlas Mountains, or camping in the Sahara. The summer heat that makes Morocco unbearable from June to August is gone. A tagine in Jemaa el-Fnaa costs €5. A mint tea costs €1. The desert nights are cool and clear, perfect for stargazing after a sunset camel ride. Chefchaouen, the blue-washed city in the Rif Mountains, is at its best in November light.
For culture: Oaxaca, Andalusia, and Kyoto
Oaxaca, Mexico, hosts the world-famous Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, celebrations from October 31 to November 2. Altars, parades, marigolds, and comparsas fill the streets. It is one of the most visual festivals on earth. Book months ahead. Hotels sell out by August. A meal at a market stall in Oaxaca costs €3 to €5. Mezcal, the local spirit, is poured everywhere.
Andalusia in southern Spain stays mild compared to the rest of Europe. Seville and Granada are 20 degrees, walkable, and the queues at the Alhambra are a fraction of what they are in spring. The Alhambra needs booking ahead regardless of season. The Alcázar of Seville, a Moorish palace with gardens, is €13. A tapa and a beer costs €3.
Kyoto in November is spectacular for autumn foliage. The maple trees turn a brilliant red, especially around the historic temples of Kiyomizu-dera and Tofuku-ji. The air is crisp, 15 to 18 degrees, ideal for walking. Japan in November is what photographers talk about. The crowds are thinner than the April cherry-blossom rush, but the colours are just as dramatic. A bowl of ramen costs €7. A temple entry costs €5.
For adventure: Sedona and Egypt
Sedona, Arizona, offers red rock country at its best in November. Crisp, mild autumn weather, 15 to 22 degrees. Peak hiking season for trails like Devil’s Bridge, Cathedral Rock, and Boynton Canyon. The summer crowds are entirely gone. The town is quiet. The sunsets are the kind that make you stop walking. A hike to Cathedral Rock takes 45 minutes up and gives you a saddle between two red rock spires with a 180-degree view.
Egypt in November is 25 to 28 degrees. Cooler than summer but still warm. The Pyramids of Giza, the temples of Luxor, and a Nile cruise are all comfortable without the 40-degree summer heat. The crowds are thinner than spring. A Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan takes 4 days and costs €300 to €500 including meals. The Valley of the Kings needs a full day. Entry to the pyramids costs €15.
For city breaks: Prague, Budapest, and Istanbul
Central European cities in November are cheap, atmospheric, and empty. Prague ’s old town in November feels like a Christmas card without the crowds. The Astronomical Clock strikes on the hour. A beer costs €1.50. Budapest ’s thermal baths are the point in cold weather. Széchenyi Baths, the grandest of them, costs €25 for a day ticket. The outdoor pools are 38 degrees while the air is 5. Istanbul is 20 degrees, comfortable for sightseeing, and the bazaars are less crowded than spring. A simit costs 20 lira. A ferry across the Bosphorus costs less than a euro.
For Christmas markets: Germany and Austria
Late November is when Europe’s Christmas markets begin to open. Nuremberg, Dresden, and Strasbourg transform into twinkling wonderlands of mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and handcrafted gifts. You get all the magic with fewer crowds than December, plus the novelty of experiencing the markets when they are still fresh. A mug of Glühwein costs €4. A bratwurst costs €3. The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt opens on the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent.
When to book
For Morocco and Egypt: 6 to 8 weeks. Shoulder-season fares are stable. For Oaxaca: 3 to 4 months. Día de los Muertos sells out early. For Japan: 8 to 12 weeks. November is popular with savvy travellers. For European city breaks: 4 to 6 weeks. Prague and Budapest fill up on weekends. For Sedona: 4 to 6 weeks. Peak hiking season books up. For Christmas markets: 8 to 12 weeks. Late November is almost as busy as December.
When you book a trip that combines separate flights, the Kiwi.com Guarantee covers your connection if one leg is delayed or cancelled.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best vacation spot in November?
Depends on the trip. Morocco for desert and culture. Oaxaca for Día de los Muertos. Kyoto for autumn foliage. The Canary Islands for sun. Sedona for hiking. Prague and Budapest for cheap city breaks. Christmas markets in Germany and Austria start late November.
What US state is best to visit in November?
Arizona. Sedona is at its best in November: red rocks, mild weather, and empty trails. New York is also good for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and holiday window displays, but go early November to avoid Thanksgiving week crowds.
Where is it cheap to travel in November?
Central Europe. Prague, Budapest, and Istanbul drop their hotel rates by 30 to 40% from August. Flight prices drop 20 to 30% from October. Morocco is also cheap once you arrive. A meal in Marrakech costs €5 to €10.
Where is the best tropical vacation in November?
Thailand. November marks the start of the dry season. Sunny skies, calm waters, and lower humidity before the December rush. The Canary Islands are the European sun pick. Aruba is the Caribbean pick, sitting below the hurricane belt.
