The best places to visit in November
If you’re looking for some winter sun, November is a great time to plan a trip abroad. In the UK, the nights are getting longer, the days are getting colder, and the chance of snow is real. For me, that means it’s time to get away! Another benefit of a November holiday is that it’s outside of school term times, so if you can take advantage of that then it’s likely you’ll find cheaper trips (in locations that might be full of kids/families over summer).
These are some of the best countries to visit in November.
Australia
Winter in the UK means summer in Australia. And while high-summer months like December and January can be uncomfortably hot in some states, November is a great time to visit. Whether you want to go hiking in Tasmania, diving at the Great Barrier Reef, hitting the beaches of Sydney or exploring the city in Melbourne, you’ll never run out of adventures to choose from in Australia.
Read our full three week Australia itinerary here.
The Canary Islands
When November rolls around, we often take off to the Canary Islands. They don’t have a great reputation and many people write them off as a ‘Brits abroad’ holiday destination, but our experience has been totally different. Sure, there is no shortage of Irish pubs and English food is as easy to come by as tapas… But the scenery in Lanzarote, beaches in Gran Canaria, and hikes in Tenerife keep us coming back for more.
For us, the benefits of the Canary Islands are the weather – it’s great all year – and the fact that the time zone is only one hour ahead of the UK in November so it’s a perfect digital nomad spot.
Copenhagen
If you’re not chasing the sun, Copenhagen is a brilliant weekend away. You could go pretty much any time of year, but in November you’ll benefit from the crisp winter weather and, hopefully, fewer tourists.
Find out how we spent a long weekend in Copenhagen here.
Mexico
December and January are often considered the best months to visit Mexico, but if you go in November you’ll find the weather is still perfectly warm and beach-worthy. It might be cooler in cities like CDMX where you’re further from the coast… But cities are often better to explore in cooler weather anyway!
Here’s how we spent three weeks in Mexico.
Sri Lanka
In November, Sri Lanka’s monsoon season is coming to an end, meaning the weather is warm but not unbearably hot. It’s a great time to visit the tea plantations, the beaches around Mirisa, and hike through the Knuckles Mountains.
Find out how we spent two weeks in Sri Lanka here.
The Philippines
November is a great time to visit The Philippines because it’s the dry season, but not yet the peak season. The main attractions in islands like Coron and El Nido can get incredibly busy at the height of tourist season, so if you have the chance to visit in November and make the most of the warm weather and quiet beaches, you should take it.
Find out how we spent two weeks in The Philippines here.
Tromsø
Of course, winter sun isn’t the only reason to get away from the UK in November. If you’re not so bothered about chasing warm weather, Tromsø is a great place to visit. In Norway’s arctic circle, Tromsø has a perfectly wintery feel in the winter months, when the days are short and the snow creates a true winter wonderland.
Find out what we think are the best things to do in Tromsø, including arctic fjord cruises and ethical dog sledding trips.
Warsaw
Another great city break for those who are less bothered about catching the sun is Warsaw. We visited on a snowy long weekend, and although I generally am not a fan of cold weather, it suited the beautiful old town perfectly.
Find out about our long weekend in Warsaw here.