9 incredible places to visit in November around the world

Updated September 24, 2024

In the U.S., the holiday season kicks off in earnest with Thanksgiving weekend, bringing with it crowded airports and soaring prices. But this year, the holiday falls extremely late, on November 28, meaning that we get nearly four full weeks of blissful pre-holiday time. In many parts of the world, this is shoulder season, when great deals can be found and temperatures are still quite comfortable before winter sets in. Of course, for those who are festively inclined, the month also offers the chance to start your Christmas merry-making early, too.

Here, nine destinations we’re thankful for this November.

Average temp: 63ºF high, 45ºF low

September and October reign supreme for autumn leaves, but if you’re still hankering for some of that sweet foliage action, head to Japan. The leaves in Kyoto often don’t reach their peak until mid-November.

Some must-sees? The popular Kinkakuji Temple, which was built in 1397 for a shogun; it’s covered in gold leaf, which makes it look especially dramatic against the changing leaves. The Gio-ji Temple, meanwhile, is blanketed with cushiony green moss that gets showered in crimson maple leaves. The city also illuminates many of its landmarks for incredible after-dark leaf views. Last year, that list included the Toji-in, Byodoin, Hogonin, Ninna-ji, and Tofuku-ji temples.

Tip: Use the city’s handy guide that charts when the leaves will likely change—from green to partially colored to peak—in more than 75 parks, castles, and botanical gardens.

Average temps: 69°F high; 46°F low

From late October through February, tens of thousands of Western monarch butterflies congregate in California’s coastal forests—and in November, one of the best places to see them is Pismo Beach, a small town about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The monarchs flock to the towering eucalyptus trees in Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove, where they have everything they need to thrive: plenty of humidity, dappled sunlight, and protection from wind. The park is small, but you could easily spend an entire afternoon here marveling at the insects, learning about their life cycle, and wandering its wide, flat dirt trails.

Beyond the butterflies, spend time exploring the city’s handful of lovely parks: Dinosaur Caves Park, which earned its name from a roadside attraction (a 50-foot brontosaurus) built in the ‘40s that eventually fell into ruins (the current playground is dino-themed); Eldwaylen Ocean Park, where stairs lead down to a sandy beach with tide pools; and Margo Dodd Park, which is popular with snorkelers and birdwatchers.

Tip: If you want the shortest drive, fly into Santa Barbara’s airport—otherwise, it’s about four hours from SFO or LAX, which you can easily turn into a coastal road trip.

Average temp: 78ºF high, 59ºF low

One of the world’s great safari capitals, South Africa is an obvious choice for wildlife watchers, but this year, there’s a new, more human reason for heading to the country. Among the latest batch of UNESCO World Heritage Sites is a series of locations collectively known as Nelson Mandela Legacy sites, which honor the anti-apartheid leader’s legacy across four provinces. Among the newly designated sites is Liliesleaf, a former safe house for the African National Congress in Johannesburg that’s been turned into a museum, and the Union Buildings, the seat of government in Pretoria, where a nearly 30-foot-tall bronze statue of Mandela was erected after his death. They join the already inscribed Robben Island, where Mandela was incarcerated from 1964 to 1982. (Tours of the island, which run about 3.5 hours, are a must.)

For something more cheerful, head to the iconic Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, a 125-year-old pink palace. Mandela used to stroll here from his offices, sans bodyguards, to have tea.

Average temps: 48°F high; 40°F low

Vienna’s Christmas markets are some of the earliest to open in Europe, with the more-than-180-year-old Christkindlmarkt kicking off in front of Vienna City Hall in mid-November. It’s full of handcrafted, artisanal gifts—from ceramics to holiday ornaments—and is best explored with a cup of mulled wine in hand. It also has an ice rink, a reindeer train, and a Ferris wheel, making this a family-friendly affair.

You’ll find markets in nearly every corner of the city, but two highlights that also open in mid-November include one on Stephansplatz in front of St. Stephen's Cathedral, and one at Maria-Theresien-Platz, between the Museum of Natural History Vienna and the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna.

For an incredibly elegant crash pad, book a stay at the Rosewood Vienna, which opened in 2022 in a former bank's headquarters. The hotel bar is phenomenal—the peppermint-spiked SBG, made with chocolate spirit and dark chocolate liqueur from the Mozart Distillerie in Salzburg, is a must-order.

Average temp: 57ºF high, 27ºF low

Denver may have a reputation as an outdoorsy hotspot, but the city has emerged as one of the best art towns in the U.S. From November 1 to 10, the city will celebrate Denver Arts Week with film screenings, literary events, and late nights at museums. It’s a perfect excuse to explore gallery-filled neighborhoods like the RiNo Art District, Art District on Santa Fe, and the Dairy Block, a hip micro-district built within a 1918 dairy company’s HQ.

Be sure to visit the impressive Denver Art Museum. This fall will see the opening of an expansive new exhibit called Wild Things, dedicated to author and illustrator Maurice Sendak. If you prefer your arts to be of the musical theater variety, The Denver Center for the Performing Arts will host Hamilton (October 16–November 24, 2024) and Gutenberg! The Musical (November 2, 2024–May 4, 2025).

Average temp: 84ºF high, 70ºF low

There are just two states in the U.S. where coffee grows well: California and Hawaii. The most prized beans are grown on the Island of Hawaii (a.k.a. the Big Island) in what’s known as the Kona coffee belt, a 30-mile strip on the slope of two active volcanoes. In early November, it’ll host the 53rd annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, the state’s oldest food fest, which includes a local artisan market, a lantern parade, a quilt show, and exhibits at the Donkey Mill Art Center. Grab a $5 entry button from a local farm or retailer and check the official schedule to make a game plan.

The best way to experience the region is to visit a working coffee farm. At the family-owned Buddha’s Cup Coffee Estate, you can take part in a barista-led flight sampling. Greenwell Farms, meanwhile, has a 90-minute Seed to Cup Farm Tour, where you’ll learn how beans are grown and processed. And if you want to try your hand at harvesting, head to UCC Hawaii during the festival. (All three options are free with a festival button.)

For even more info, book a tour of the Kona Coffee Living History Farm, which is centered around a 1920s farmhouse and tells the story of how Japanese immigrants pioneered coffee-growing methods in the area.

Average temp: 86ºF high, 75ºF low

November is the last month of spring in Australia, so it’s technically still shoulder season, which means more affordable hotels and more comfortable temps. Those looking for sand, sunshine, and a bit of adventure should make a base in Townsville, about a two-hour flight from Sydney and a stellar gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

To get on the reef, book a snorkeling trip with Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive and spot clownfish, stingrays, parrotfish, and more. You might also luck out and witness coral spawning, a once-a-year phenomenon where entire coral reef colonies send colorful gametes into the water simultaneously. It’s difficult to predict the exact date, but it usually occurs around November’s full moon.

Recently, the area welcomed two new luxe lodging options: The four-suite Pelorus Private Island, which is only accessible by helicopter or yacht and is surrounded by white-sand beaches and coral reefs, and the Ardo Townsville, the city’s first five-star waterfront hotel, with a day spa and a rooftop pool.

Average temp: 70ºF high, 49ºF low

South Carolina’s Lowcountry is one of America’s undisputed seafood capitals, and Hilton Head is no exception. This November, the resort town will host its annual oyster fest, which includes an all-you-can-eat event at Shelter Cove Community Park; last year, the organizers recycled an impressive five tons of shells.

Oysters peak in the winter months, when they tend to be meatier, and if you don’t make it to the festival, there are plenty of spots around town to try them. At the Old Oyster Factory, you can try them in a variety of preparations, including Lowcountry Rockefeller (fried, with collard greens, pimento cheese, and red pepper jam) and Oysters Muscovite (with caviar, smoked salmon, horseradish, and sour cream). Elsewhere around town, you can slurp down raw or charcoal-roasted oysters at Quarterdeck, which looks out over the yacht marina, or try them steamed and served by the bucket at Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks.

Average temps: 58°F high; 44°F low

You don’t need to battle the crowds in Rome or Athens to marvel at ancient ruins. Instead, head to Nîmes, a roughly three-hour train ride south of Paris. The city is home to the Maison Carrée, one of last year’s 42 new UNESCO World Heritage Sites; it’s a beautiful Roman temple that dates back to the 1st century—and, for being roughly 2,000 years old, it’s in remarkably good condition.

Keep the Roman history tour going by visiting the Arènes de Nîmes, an impressive amphitheater that once accommodated more than 23,000 spectators for gladiator battles; the octagonal Tour Magne; and the Musée de la Romanité, an architecturally modern museum filled with centuries-old artifacts.

Tip: The best way to take it all in is with the very affordable CityPass, which gets you access not only to the Roman-era landmarks but also more recent (relatively!) treasures like the 12th-century Abbatiale de Saint-Gilles.