The 11 best places to travel in November

If you’re looking for a little winter magic to perk up the grey days of November, Finnish Lapland is the place for you. The first great dumps of snow can arrive as early as October, and northern lights can be seen in the region’s clear skies from as early as August, so by the time November arrives, they should both be in full swing. Ski at Finland’s premier ski resort, Levi, hike across frozen lakes in the middle of the night to find aurora or take exhilarating husky dog rides across the snowy landscapes. Any way you look at it, it’s prime winter wilderness that deserves to be explored.

Why go now? Finnish Lapland doesn’t just have the usual four seasons: this part of the world is known for having eight, including the Polar Night, when the sun doesn’t rise at all. November marks the season of ‘First Snow’, when there’s excitement around the ski slopes opening and enough daylight to ski without floodlights (most of the time).

Time Out tip: Some parts of Finnish Lapland, notably Rovaniemi, have been affected by overtourism in December, largely due to visitors coming to see Santa Claus. Head to the HaliPuu Forest for a real sense of calm where you can swing in fleecy hammocks over the snow and hear the sound of birdsong.

Average temp in November: 6C/43F

November is silly season in London. It kicks off with Bonfire Night on November 5, where fireworks are set off, bonfires are lit and sparklers are swung through the air. By mid-month things are getting properly festive – Christmas lights are switched on with great ceremony, and the festive fair behemoth Winter Wonderland takes over Hyde Park before tens of other Christmas markets start opening. By the end of the month, office workers have pretty much given up on the year, so central London’s pubs are packed with beer-glugging folk in very high spirits. It’s the most wonderful time of the year to see the UK capital at its cheeriest (and sparkliest).

Time Out tip: Obviously, you’ll want to do some Christmas shopping. Avoid the likes of Oxford Street, which will be heaving, and have a poke around some of the capital’s brilliant indie shops instead. 

Average temp in November: 12C/54F

📍 Discover the best things to do in London

Having successfully flipped its image from snoozing backwater to a food and art hotspot with ample natural beauty, Australia’s rugged island state is on a tourism high. To beat the crowds, head over in November before summer truly kicks in. Explore the historic city of Launceston, meet the peacocks in the picturesque Cataract Gorge, and visit the Southern Wild Distillery in Devonport for gin made using locally foraged botanicals. Then head south for cultural hub Hobart.

Time Out tip: Launceston’s Change Overnight Hotel, a boutique apartment-style hotel where guests are invited to choose one of eight causes that their stay will contribute to, is a revelation. 

Average temp in November: 15C/60F

📍 Discover the best things to do in Tasmania

Oaxaca has got a whole lot more going for it than just its rainbow of Day of the Dead celebrations – although, these are rather spectacular. Head to the city on the first two days of this month and you’ll be jam-packed amongst Calavera (decorative skull) covered altars, cempasuchil flowers and street parties, while locals welcome their loved ones’ spirits back into the world. But the mostly dry weather and balmy temperatures mean this is a solid time of year to explore the city’s UNESCO-protected streets, art galleries, and of course, sample its cuisine. This is the food capital of Mexico after all, and the dishes range from locally-crafted delicacies (such as Tlayuda, a pizza-like dish which often features spicy cactus) to expertly executed national dishes.

Average temp in November: 26C/79F

📍 Discover the essential guide to Oaxaca

Post-rainy season, November is a great time to head to Thailand’s jungles and beaches. You can hit all the usual spots, but consider some of Thailand’s lesser-known yet equally beautiful places like Pranburi. With secluded natural beaches and spread-out boutique accommodation options, the area’s still better known for fishing than tourism. There are mangrove forests to explore, and the spectacular Tham Phraya Nakhon cave is just along the coast – inside, the country’s smallest temple is bathed in sunlight from an opening in the rock above.

Average temp in November: 29C/84F

📍 Discover the best things to do in Thailand

Attention’s been on the up for Canada’s sparsely populated, mountainous territory Yukon, spurred by the 2020 movie Call of the Wild (about a domesticated dog who’s stolen from California and sold to sleigh dog racers, starring Harrison Ford). November marks the start of the winter season in this freezing wilderness – explore on skis, take a snowmobile or go ice-fishing. The film is set in the 1890s, during the Gold Rush, so check out some Klondike Gold Rush history in Dawson City, too. And then wait for the skies to light up with aurora borealis at night.

Average temp in November: -8C/17F

📍 Discover the best things to do in Canada

Hong Kong has always been a looker, with its instantly recognisable skyline of densely packed skyscrapers and lush, green peaks, and its uniquely East-meets-West feel. By November, the drenching heat eases off to a gentle autumn warmth. Tick off Victoria Peak, the Star Ferry and a cable car to the Big Buddha on Lantau Island, then head out to hip hood Sai Ying Pun, on the western side of Hong Kong Island. On its clattering streets, historic dried seafood stalls share space with many hot new cafés, bars and restaurants – including Balinese export Potato Head. 

Average temp in November: 22C/72F

📍 Discover the best things to do in Hong Kong

While Marrakech gets all the attention, you’ll find that history, culture and good food also abound in other Moroccan cities. Take bohemian Tangier, for example, with its 1950s beat poet history: Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg drank in The Tangerinn, while William S Burroughs wrote Naked Lunch in Hotel El Muniria. A short hop over the Med from Spain, Tangier’s art galleries offer a sense of this port city’s exciting collision of Europe and African culture, while its medina is smaller and more manageable than Marrakech – ideal conditions for some unique Christmas gift shopping.

Average temp in November: 18C/64F

📍 Discover the best things to do in Morocco

Nothing beats the warm, fuzzy feeling of stepping out of the winter cold and into a warm, cosy pub. And Dublin does an unbeatable line in warm, inviting boozers – from low-lit watering holes that have barely changed since Victorian times to drinking spots known for their live music and rabble-rousing atmosphere. Head to the 250-year-old Long Hall for obscure ales with extra character, The Cobblestone in Smithfield’s for quaintness in spades and live music, or settle in for a session at Toners. It has a short but sweet whisky list and strong literary ties – it’s rumoured to have been the only place WB Yeats would go for a drink.

Average temp in November: 8C/46F

📍 Discover the best things to do in Dublin

After many years of stalling, the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo will officially open on November 1, meaning antiquities such as Tutankhamun’s gold mask and a behemoth, 83-tonne, fist-clenching statue of Ramses II are almost within reach. Still, history is tangible here, and it oozes out every nook and cranny. The Sphinx International Airport on the Giza side of the city should make it easier to drop in for an immersive ancient history lesson from the country’s beaches too. 

Average temp in November: 23C/73F

In Türkiye, socialite season is over and it’s not sunbathing weather anymore – but that means Bodrum's crowds will be gone. Explore the whitewashed Aegean city and its fourth-century BC Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, then check out the castle. Be sure to take in Istanbul, too, especially for the cooler-than-cool Kadıköy district. Its Çiya Sofrası restaurant, serving forgotten Anatolian dishes, also appeared on Chef’s Table. 

Average temp in November: 17C/62F

📍 Discover the best things to do in Istanbul