Where to go in November: 9 places at their best
November is the quiet month between the autumn colour and the winter holidays. In the north the weather turns grey and cold, and the Christmas markets have not quite begun. Most of Europe is at its emptiest and cheapest. This is the time to go where the weather is moving the other way, towards sun.
The Gulf, Egypt and Jordan come into their cool seasons. India settles into its dry months. The southern hemisphere moves into spring and early summer, with long days and the crowds not yet in. Prices are lower than in December in almost all of them, which is the real reason to go now. Here are nine places at their best in November.
If you are choosing between them, think about how long you can go. A long-haul week to the southern hemisphere is worth it if you can stretch it to ten days, while the Gulf, Egypt and Jordan work for shorter trips.
It is also a good month for a trip around a birthday or a long weekend, since the sun is far away at home and the flights are not yet at their December prices. If you work to school terms, a week in half-term can cover it, with a shorter list of places and more time in each. Whatever you pick, expect days to be shorter than in summer, so start sightseeing early.
United Arab Emirates
Winter is the season in the Emirates, and it starts in November. Days are warm and dry, evenings are mild enough to eat outside, and the beaches, desert and parks are all comfortable. It is the busiest and dearest time of year, but November comes before the Christmas peak. National Day on 2 December is usually a public holiday and is celebrated with events across the country. Start with the Dubai itinerary and the United Arab Emirates travel guide. Beaches, the desert and the museums are all comfortable now, and you can eat outside in the evenings.
Egypt
Autumn is warm and bright. The heat has eased, the sea is warm, and the high season is beginning, so the temples, tombs and Nile are comfortable to visit without the Christmas crowds. Book Nile cruises and hotels ahead for the last weeks of the month. The Egypt travel guide covers the route from Cairo to Aswan. Allow time for Cairo, the Nile and Luxor, with a few days on the Red Sea at the end. Dress for cool evenings in the desert.
Jordan
Warm days, clear light and cooler nights make November one of the best months for walking in Petra and Wadi Rum. The Dead Sea and Red Sea at Aqaba are mild. Rain becomes more likely later in the month, and heavy rain can cause flash floods in narrow canyons, so listen to local advice before walking in them. See the Jordan travel guide. Combine Amman, Petra and Wadi Rum with a float in the Dead Sea. Bring a warm layer for the nights.
India
November is in the main season for the north, Rajasthan, Agra and Varanasi, and for Goa and Kerala, where the sea is calm and the weather dry. Diwali falls in October or November and moves each year, so book trains and hotels early if your dates are near it. Air quality in Delhi and the northern plains is often poor, so check conditions if you are sensitive. Read the India travel guide. The north is at its best, and the south and Goa are drying out. Book trains early, since families travel for the festivals.
South Africa
Spring is warm and green. Wildflowers cover the West Coast earlier in the season, game viewing is still good, and the weather around Cape Town is settled and the crowds lighter than in summer. Whale watching at Hermanus runs roughly June to November. School holidays and the summer rush begin in December, so November is the value month. Use the Cape Town itinerary and the South Africa travel guide. Combine Cape Town and the winelands with a safari. The bush is green and the animals are still easy to see.
Argentina
Spring in Buenos Aires means jacaranda trees in flower in October and November and mild days. It is good for Mendoza and the north-west, and Patagonia warms up as the season goes on, before the summer crowds arrive in December and January. Southern right whales are still on the Valdés Peninsula. See the Buenos Aires itinerary and the Argentina travel guide. Pair Buenos Aires with Mendoza or the Lake District. Patagonia opens up as the season goes on.
Morocco
Autumn is nearly as good as spring. The summer heat has gone, light is soft and prices ease. Marrakech is pleasant for walking all day, the desert nights are cold, and the Atlantic coast is mild. Ramadan and Eid dates move each year, so check them before you book. Plan the city with the Marrakech itinerary and the Morocco travel guide. Add the Atlas valleys and a night in the desert, and take a day on the Atlantic coast at Essaouira.
Australia
Spring is a great all-round time. The south warms up, wildflowers bloom in Western Australia, and the tropical north is hot but still dry before the wet season. The crowds are lower than in summer and prices are below the Christmas peak. Stingers, box jellyfish, begin to appear in the tropical north from about November, so check local swimming advice. The Australia travel guide helps you choose a region. Choose a region, since the distances are huge. The south coast, Tasmania and Western Australia all suit spring.
Taiwan
November is often ideal: warm, dry and clear, with typhoon season over and comfortable temperatures for walking cities and hiking gorges. Taipei is not yet in its winter drizzle, and the south is sunny. It pairs well with South Korea on a longer trip. Read the Taiwan travel guide. Taipei, the hot springs and the east coast gorges make a good week. The mountains, including Alishan, are cooler.
Planning a trip for November
November is the month to book the Christmas-adjacent weeks first. Hotels in the Gulf, Egypt and the Cape fill from the last week of the month, and flights tighten near the start of December. Our advice on how far in advance to book gives an order. Away from those weeks, you can often book later and pay less.
Think in two layers when you pack: warm clothes for the flight and the cold end of the journey, and light layers for where you are going. For more on timing a trip off-peak, see shoulder-season travel.
At this time of year, the cold weather at home makes a warm trip tempting, but the best deals do not last. Check dates for school holidays at both ends of the journey before you book flights.
