Best Places to Travel in November

If you’re already thinking about taking your annual leave in November but haven’t thought about what is next on your bucket list, this is all the November inspiration you need. This guide rounds up the best places to travel in November for all types of travellers, from festival-goers to hikers, divers, animal lovers, and even those trying not to spend too much money before the Christmas season comes around.

November is a great month to travel. This month is perfect for all kinds of travellers, whether you are a sun worshiper or want to catch the first snowfall in the mountains. You can chase clear mountain skies in Nepal, head to the desert in Jordan, or fly to Australia and dodge the December crowds with Santa hats on the beach (though I do think everyone should experience a classic Aussie Christmas at least once).

You’ve most likely heard of a few of November’s most popular travel destinations already. Diwali lights up India with endless colour, Mexico spends the first days of the month honouring Día de los Muertos with marigolds, altars and parades.

I’ll be covering everything, no matter which climate you prefer to travel in. Grab a coffee (we get into the topic of Colombian coffee very soon), and I am almost certain you’ll feel inspired by the end of this travel guide.

India: Diwali and the Golden Triangle

November is arguably the best month of the year to be in northern India. Diwali usually falls in late October or early November, and the days around it become a burst of street celebrations where locals love having you join in.

Temperatures finally drop to a comfortable 20-28°C in Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, making this the ideal window for the classic Golden Triangle route. If you’ve done the Delhi 40-degree heat before, you’ll imagine how comfortable that temperature range is! It’s also peak season for a reason, so expect busier crowds, but it’s so worth it for the comfortable temperature. I can’t think of a better time of year to be ticking off one of the new seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal.

Check out some of our India guides to give you inspiration for planning your once-in-a-lifetime trip:

• The realities of travelling to India: 10 things you should know before you go
• Things you should know before you solo travel in India
• 20 unique things to do in Mumbai, India (from a local’s perspective)

If you’ve got time, I’d recommend visiting Rishikesh; it’s only a 4-5-hour bus ride from Delhi, and it will slow your pace. It’s known as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’. Check out our The Best Things To Do In Rishikesh.

Mexico: Sugar Skulls and Cobbled Colonial Towns

One of Mexico‘s best months is November, with Día de los Muertos, a festival you really can’t miss and at the best time when the country’s weather is mild. Think 22–27°C in Oaxaca and San Miguel de Allende, with the rain easing off and marigold petals covering the streets.

This is the perfect destination if you want culture, colour, and some of the warmest hospitality (I always feel genuinely looked after by the locals). Other than the festival, it’s the perfect road trip season through the highlands, hopping between towns on quiet mountain roads.

Looking for The best things to do and see in Mexico. Check out our post to help with planning your trip!

Nepal: Trekking in the Himalayas

If hiking gets you excited for travel, Nepal in November is most certainly one of the best months for the clearest mountain visibility all year (and I am pretty sure views of the Himalayas are the reason for the trip!). Temperatures on lower trails usually sit around 15-20°C during the day, and visibility on classic routes like Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit is unbeatable. Pack your layers, but totally worth it for some of the best mountains in the world, always thinking about the day I’ll return to Nepal.

This is peak trekking season for a reason, so expect busier trails and teahouses, but it has some of the best mountain views; it’s not called one of the most beautiful countries for no reason. November’s clear skies also make it the best month for spotting Everest from Kathmandu on a clear morning flight.

Jordan: Desert Hiking in milder temperatures

Jordan is an undiscovered hidden gem for adventure travel that, if you’re quick (as it will be very popular soon), won’t have the crazy crowds. In November, Jordan drops from its extreme summer heat and settles into enjoyable hiking temperatures, with Amman around 15-20°C and Wadi Rum’s desert nights turning properly cold and clear for stargazing (it’s giving the ultimate cosy vibes!).

This is one of the best times of year for adventure travel if something like canyon trekking through Petra’s Siq or camping under Wadi Rum’s red dunes excites you. Roads are quiet, guesthouses are affordable, and the whole country feels more chilled than in peak spring season. Renting a car and driving the King’s Highway south is one of the best things to do in Jordan, linking Amman, Petra and Wadi Rum all in one easy loop.

Zanzibar: Diving and Safari Combos

Zanzibar’s dry season is in full swing in November, with warm 27-30°C days and calm, clear waters that make it one of the best places to travel for diving (if underwater kingdoms are your thing!). Visibility off the coast is amazing, and this is a great time to combine a few days on the beach with a short safari on the Tanzanian mainland. If I say so myself, that’s a pretty perfect combo!

Spice tours, getting properly lost in Stone Town, and diving the Mnemba Atoll reef should all be at the top of your list. Honestly, diving the Mnemba reef is one of the best things you can do in Zanzibar, definitely something to add to the list.

Sri Lanka: East Coast Season Begins

As Sri Lanka‘s west coast winds down, the east coast becomes alive, making the whole island genuinely brilliant for November travel. Expect 27-30°C and calm seas around Trincomalee and Arugam Bay. A bonus time to travel as the rainy season is coming to an end, so you beat the mid-peak-season crowds.

This is a great pick for anyone who wants surf, wildlife, and cheap eats (my mouth is watering at the thought of Kottu Roti and Rice and Curry), without the Bali-level crowds. Combine a few days on the east coast with inland stops like Sigiriya and Kandy for one of the most well-rounded trips out there.

The perfect country for everyone, no matter who you are (it’s one of mine and my grandparents’ favourite countries!). It’s got something for everyone: beaches, mountains, hiking, safari, temples, city vibes, tea plantations… the perfect all-round location in my opinion.

Whether you are planning a longer trip or a shorter trip to Sri Lanka (even though I’d always recommend longer!), here are the perfect itineraries for you:

• A 1-week itinerary for Sri Lanka
• The Ultimate 2-Week Itinerary for Sri Lanka

Japan: Peak Autumn Foliage Season

Japan’s autumn foliage, known as koyo, comes alive across most of the country in November, and it’s a real bucket-list moment for travel this time of year. In my opinion, it’s better than cherry blossom season (others might disagree!), as it brings a quieter, calmer kind of beauty.

Temperatures sit around 12-18°C, crisp enough for jumpers (and layers!) but still comfortable for full days out walking. Kyoto’s temples framed by red torii gates are the classic postcard image, but Tokyo’s parks and the Japanese Alps are just as stunning and far less crowded, a truly perfect, diverse country.

No matter which Japanese city sparks your interest the most we’ve got the guides all set to cover you through everything and give you all the best tips and recommendations:

• Best things to do in Osaka, Japan 
• A 3-Day Itinerary for Kyoto, Japan
• A complete guide to Tokyo, Japan
• A Guide To Niseko, Japan

Namibia: Safari in the Dry Season

Namibia’s dry season is in November, which makes wildlife easier to spot around waterholes, and the famous red dunes of Sossusvlei really glow a dramatic red against the clear skies. Sossusvlei’s dunes are among the tallest in the world, with some reaching over 300 metres.

Days sit at around 28-32°C (don’t forget safaris get chilly in the early mornings, though) with little to no rainfall, and this is genuinely one of the best self-drive safari destinations in the world, thanks to Namibia’s well-maintained gravel and quiet roads.

It’s a fantastic pick if you’re after a road trip with a wild, adventurous edge, since you can put together an itinerary that combines desert, safari, and coastline in one loop without even needing to book onto a tour group.

Australia and New Zealand: Spring Has Officially Sprung

In November, Australia and New Zealand are heading into spring, making this one of the best places to travel in November if you want warmth without the peak summer heat, prices or crowds. Expect 20-25°C across most of Australia’s east coast, wildflowers blooming across Western Australia (just make sure to bring hay fever tablets!), and New Zealand’s hiking trails reopening after the winter snow.

A perfect time for road tripping the famous Great Ocean Road, diving the Great Barrier Reef before crowds arrive, or tackling New Zealand’s best hikes while they’re still on the quieter side. How could I forget to mention, ultimately, an animal lover’s dream: trying to fit in the last month of the whale-watching season across Australia before the whales head south to Antarctica.

Check out our Australia and New Zealand guides for the best tips and recommendations when planning your bucket list destinations.

The Aussie Bible: your 124-page guide to all things Australia. The best bits, the practical tips, all in one spot.

Finnish Lapland: Winter Starts Early

If winter travel is what you’re craving, Finnish Lapland gets there before almost anywhere else in Europe. Snow usually settles by early to mid-November, temperatures drop to -5 to -15°C, and the Northern Lights season is already well underway thanks to long, dark nights.

November here is perfect for a proper cold-weather reset. Husky sledging, snowshoeing, glass igloo stays- all before the Christmas market crowds turn up. It’s quieter and noticeably cheaper than December, making it a smart pick if you want a magical winter twist.

Ready to start planning? These guides will help you make the most of your Finland adventure:

• 4 days in Finland: Snowshoeing, snowmobiling and a traditional Karelian cooking lesson
• 4 days in Finland: Driving the Koli Ice road and Koli National Park
• 4 days in Finland: Husky safari with an open fire lunch and Spa Bomba
• A winter travel guide to Levi, Finland

Patagonia: Trekking in Chile and Argentina

November marks the real start of trekking season in Patagonia, as spring finally brings the trails alive around Torres del Paine and El Chaltén after a long winter closure. Days hover around 10-15°C with long daylight hours, and the region’s famous winds haven’t reached full summer strength yet, making hiking noticeably more comfortable than in January.

This is one of the best places for adventure travel this time of year if multi-day treks past glaciers and granite spires are what you’re after (more unique than the classic type of hiking trip). Fewer crowds than peak season also means easier refugio bookings and quieter viewpoints for that first look at the Torres themselves.

• Check out A One Week Patagonia road trip Itinerary.

Colombia: Road Trips Through the Coffee Region

Colombia in November sits in a sweet spot, with the worst of the rainy season dying down and temperatures around 18-24°C across the coffee region.

This is one of the best-value destinations in South America, making it an easy pick if you want an affordable trip with a road-trip edge. Renting a car and winding through the Zona Cafetera’s hills, staying on working coffee fincas along the way (coffee all day, every day… yes please!), is one of the best things to do in Colombia and a completely different pace from the cities. It’s making me want a Colombian coffee while writing this at 10 pm!

• A Complete Colombia Travel Guide
• Best things to do in Bogotá, Colombia 

Egypt: Red Sea Diving and Winter Sun on a Budget

Egypt’s Red Sea coast reaches a more comfortable 26-30°C in November after summer’s intense heat, while the water stays warm enough for diving without a wetsuit.

Towns like Dahab remain some of the best value diving bases anywhere in the world, making this a strong pick if you want winter sun travel while on a bit of a budget. Visibility along the reef is excellent this time of year, and the Blue Hole is one of the best things to do in Dahab for new and experienced divers. It’s also much quieter than the bigger resorts further up the coast, with a laid-back backpacker energy that is perfect if you are after a solo trip.

Wherever You Land, November is the perfect time to travel!

Whether you’re drawn to Nepal’s clear mountain skies, Namibia’s red dunes, or Lapland’s husky-filled snowy kingdom, there’s genuinely something for every kind of person reading this guide. Pick the one that gets you excited when you read it back.

Where are the best places you have travelled to in November?

Anything you’d add to this November bucket list?

Lots of love and happy travelling x

Charlotte Storey