9 Best European Cities To Stop by In November (2022)

When you imagine of a vacation in Europe, you are inclined to think of sunshine, walking and sitting outdoor, spring flowers, and packing only gentle dresses. Assume of November, and gray skies, rain, and cold spring to intellect — off-placing when it arrives to journey, for sure.

Although I need to admit to remaining a Northern European with a unique foible for snow and ice, I do not like persistent rain, both. But really, the temperature really should only be a person thought when planning a trip, simply because the temperature is only a small part of it, and undesirable temperature can get the job done in your favor as effectively.

With that in thoughts, below are a few cities that I personally assume are best to go to in November, even if you could have to pack an umbrella and a warm coat.

1. Athens, Greece

Like Rome, Athens is a city that desires to be explored on foot, but in the summer season it is usually as well warm and far too crowded to definitely enjoy the experience. November brings fewer crowds and temperatures in the mid-60s, so you can really climb up to the Acropolis and get pleasure from viewing a lot more and additional of the city’s historical constructions come into view. This is this kind of a better approach than arriving by air-conditioned coach!

Afterward, you can meander by the previous community, the Plaka, with no acquiring to dodge the crowds, and take pleasure in the Monastiraki Flea Market without acquiring to force individuals out of your way. The weather conditions may well change, but you are going to have lots of museums to escape to for a couple wet several hours.

Pro Tip: Make positive you love some day visits to sites such as Delphi and Cape Sounion, given that these spots are ordinarily much too crowded to delight in in the summer.

2. Sofia, Bulgaria

Sofia is a small city for a funds, but in addition to staying really worth visiting for its heritage, it is also a hub for day outings to the famous Transylvania. In late autumn, when the weather conditions turns colder, the leaves that are continue to clinging to the trees exhibit stunning hues, the mist lingers around the region, and snow can be felt in the air. This is the time to wrap up and go to see the seemingly limitless Bulgarian countryside!

Just after a weekend in Sofia, head for Pristina, a picturesque ancient city commonly loaded with day trippers. Explore the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery and search out the a lot of castles that sit on Bulgaria’s mountaintops, most notably Bran, explained to be the household of Depend Dracula.

Be sure to hike up Vitosha, a mountain on Sofia’s doorstep. You can get a neighborhood bus and then a chairlift up to some sections. It is specifically gorgeous in the early morning when the mist clears.

3. Budapest, Hungary

The cash of Hungary, Budapest, is a majestic metropolis on the just-as-majestic Danube, and November is probably the most effective time to enjoy it. It is chilly, with temperatures hovering about 40 degrees, but sunny. You can however practical experience individuals incredible outdated-fashioned baths, open up outdoors all yr lengthy. The crowds are at their thinnest ahead of the Xmas hurry, but, the good news is, the Christmas markets open up in early November, so you can however get into the Xmas spirit.

Budapest is well-known for its outdated-fashioned coffeehouses and luxurious cakes, and they’re in particular welcome soon after a working day used out in the cold. Check out Cafe Gerbeaud for its allure and cakes. And of class, it genuinely needs to be a small chilly outside for you to really take pleasure in a big, heat pot of hearty Hungarian goulash!

4. Rome, Italy

Rome is an amazing city, 2nd only to Paris — even though several will argue that it is far better than Paris! But it suffers for its elegance and historical past by attracting far too lots of readers, and, pretty actually, in summer months, when it is sizzling and overcrowded, you’d be better off going to any other city but Rome.

And which is why November is great. It is the month there are no school holidays wherever in Europe, and it is when the Eternal Town enjoys a lull just before the Christmas rush. The climate is a delicate 60 levels, enabling you to sit out on the piazzas in a light jacket and appreciate the city’s well-known gelato.

Professional Suggestion: November 1 is a nationwide holiday in Rome, so all the things apart from for the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums will be shut.

5. Valletta, Malta

Malta is a Mediterranean island brimming with record. And when the sea could possibly beckon, there is so significantly to check out that in the warmer months it is just not possible to do it all devoid of struggling from heatstroke. In November, nonetheless, the temperature is a balmy 70 levels, which is great not only for sightseeing but also a dip in the h2o.

In Valletta, the ancient money of Malta, head straight for Saint John’s Co-Cathedral. I have traveled a ton and frequented several beautiful churches, but this is 1 of the most attractive I have viewed. Be ready to devote an hour or extra inside — it is actually awe-inspiring.

Afterward, take pleasure in a relaxed harbor cruise, seeing all the fortifications from the sea even though having fun with the warm climate, and then head to the forts them selves, using time to climb up the ramparts.

Pro Tip: The A few Palaces is a festival that will take put about the to start with 10 days of November in Malta, that includes concerts ranging from opera to jazz.

6. Prague, Czechia (Czech Republic)

Prague is a different lovely European metropolis that is also well-known for its possess superior. The historical metropolis, the castle, the cobbled streets, and the well known Charles Bridge get so overcrowded in the warmer months that it will take all the enjoyment out of browsing. November temperatures assortment from 33 to 43 levels, and the city receives close to 4 several hours of sunshine each day it is chilly, but correctly wonderful to stroll around.

Even though the crowds are slim, there are a good deal of specific activities and exhibitions on. A person you shouldn’t miss out on is the Dali Enigma Exhibition, on until eventually the finish of December 2022.  

Just one exciting way to see Prague and study about its background is by having an just after-dim going for walks tour. The excellent point about November is that it receives darkish early, and you will not have to keep up all night time for the tour.

7. Istanbul, Türkiye (Turkey)

Istanbul is one of individuals metropolitan areas that does all seasons perfectly. I have visited in the height — and heat — of summertime, in the snowy wintertime, and in in between, and every single year has one thing heading for it. But, yet again, it is the deficiency of crowds in November that can make checking out at this time of yr so substantially a lot more enjoyable. You can meander as a result of the Grand Bazaar and just take your time, without the need of obtaining to dodge people today, and get a key seat on the quite a few ferries up the Bosporus, and you will not have to queue all over the block for the harem at the Topkapi Palace.

For artwork lovers, the Istanbul Biennial modern artwork pageant can take area every other yr among mid-September and mid-November. In 2022, it runs concerning September 17 and 20.

Pro Tip: On November 10, Türkiye erupts in celebrations commemorating Kemal Ataturk’s death, with festivals and ceremonies across the nation.

8. Reykjavík, Iceland

Reykjavík is wonderful all 12 months prolonged, but one of the primary good reasons to go to this northern island in the wintertime is to get a glimpse of the Northern Lights. You are far more very likely to see glaciers and wonderful waterfalls then, too. And November, in specific, offers the finest of both equally worlds: The waterfalls are in entire pressure, the glaciers frozen, and the mini-icebergs on the Black Diamond Seaside in their primary, but you will not be far too chilly or knowledge also significantly snow on the roadways to get all around. And it is aurora borealis period, so your prospects of seeing the incredible Northern Lights are excellent.

Professional Idea: Iceland is well-known for its heat lagoons, and they are so a lot more pleasing when it is cold outside. Even the well-known Blue Lagoon is not far too chaotic in November.

9. Stockholm, Sweden

The initially time I visited Stockholm, it was winter. Even though I also visited in summer season, it will often be at its prettiest in wintertime, in my thoughts. Usually coated in snow Stockholm’s a lot of islands are nevertheless connected by flowing h2o in November, creating a sightseeing cruise probable — they are a wonderful way to get your bearings. Just costume warmly. 

With the weather a minimal chillier, this is a great justification to pop down into the metro stations, several of which have been adorned to resemble art galleries. You must get a working day go and merely prevent-and-go at each and every station to have a glimpse around.

Pro Idea: There’s nothing at all like combining two excellent matters when on holiday vacation, and this evening meal cruise ticks, in reality, extra than two: sightseeing, terrific foodstuff, and a cruise.