Where to Go on Holiday in November
Six genuinely different November escapes, compared for warmth, experiences, weather risks and value.
November is an underrated month to travel, but only if you match the destination to the holiday you actually want. There is a real difference between eating lunch outdoors in Madeira, exploring Valletta without midsummer heat, and spending most days on a beach in Dubai. All three can be excellent November trips. They are not interchangeable.
For travellers leaving the UK, the strongest choices depend on whether you want sunshine, swimming, scenery, cultural discoveries or simply a quieter change of scene. This guide weighs six destinations from the main infographic, points out where their weather claims need qualifying, and explains what to check before paying for a package.
November holiday ideas at a glance
- Most straightforward European winter sun: southern Tenerife, particularly for hotels with heated pools.
- Best for nature and walking: Madeira, as long as you plan around changing conditions and trail reservations.
- Best cultural short break: Malta, where history and restaurants matter more than swimming.
- Best sensory change of scene: Marrakech, with its medina, food, gardens and riad stays.
- Best peaceful late-autumn coast: Cyprus, especially if you want sightseeing rather than a summer-style resort.
- Best for genuinely warmer weather: Dubai, with a longer journey and careful budgeting.
Weather note: historical averages are not forecasts. Actual weather, sea conditions and what feels comfortable vary considerably between weeks, coasts and elevations.
Explore live holidays for your next escape
These are examples of upcoming package holidays from across our available operators and destinations, ordered by departure date. They are not filtered to November: use TripsByDate to choose the airport and dates that work for you. Availability and advertised prices can change.
Explore holidays departing on your dates
TripsByDate shows advertised package holidays across its wider inventory. The changing options below are not necessarily Christmas-week departures or packages to these five destinations. Use them as starting points, then compare your own dates and check the final price, availability and festive arrangements with the provider.
LGW • 7 nights
AI · Broadway Travel
SEN • 7 nightsSkiworld
LHR • 7 nightsAI · Skiline
BHX • 2 nightslastminute.comBefore choosing: three November decisions that really matter
1. Do you want hot weather or just a break from British winter?
If the goal is sunbathing most afternoons, look first at Dubai or southern Tenerife. If you would be happy walking in a light jacket and eating lunch outdoors, Madeira, Malta and Cyprus open up far more interesting itineraries. November sun is not one single category.
2. Do you want a full resort or an independent trip?
A resort holiday relies on what is open: pools, children's clubs, entertainment, beach services and nearby restaurants. In shoulder season, check each facility, not just the star rating. For sightseeing destinations, a central hotel near restaurants and transport can matter much more than a huge pool complex.
3. Can you tolerate a rainy day?
In Madeira, Malta, Cyprus and Marrakech, build in flexible indoor plans or short drives to alternative areas. Booking a trip around one spectacular outdoor photograph creates unnecessary risk. A good November destination still offers something worthwhile if the weather changes.
1. Tenerife, Spain: the easiest all-round winter-sun choice
Best for: Couples, families and travellers who want resort facilities with a reasonable chance of warm afternoons.
For an easy November escape, start by comparing Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas in southern Tenerife. The south is generally more favourable for sun-seeking resort holidays than the greener north. Costa Adeje offers polished hotels and beaches; Los Cristianos has an established town and promenade; Playa de las Américas suits people who want more going on in the evenings.
Spain’s meteorological agency, AEMET, records an average November daily maximum of 24.8°C at Tenerife South Airport for its historical reference period. That does not mean every day reaches that temperature, or that it will be dry for your entire week. The same table records average November rainfall and nearly two days with measurable rain at the airport.
There is plenty to do off the beach, including Teide National Park, whale-watching excursions and volcanic landscapes. Bear in mind that mountain conditions can be dramatically colder than at the coast. A beach-holiday suitcase alone will not cover a trip to higher altitude.
Check before booking: Is the pool heated? Does the accommodation face the sunnier south coast? Is the hotel genuinely near a beach, or up a steep hill? If children want to swim daily, a heated pool may matter more than a promising daytime average.
Research: AEMET’s Tenerife South climate table.
2. Madeira, Portugal: green scenery rather than guaranteed beach weather
Best for: Walking, gardens, food, viewpoints and relaxed sightseeing.
Madeira feels completely different from the Canary Islands’ classic beach resorts. Stay in Funchal if restaurants, public transport and easy evenings out are priorities. Consider Caniço for a quieter base, or a rural stay if you intend to hire a car and explore. Its winding roads and steep terrain mean that the location of a hotel has an unusually big effect on how relaxing your trip feels.
Official Madeira tourism guidance describes year-round mild conditions, but warns about substantial microclimates. The south coast can be warm while a levada walk or mountain viewpoint is wet, windy or foggy. November can be a brilliant time for greenery and waterfalls; it is also a month to plan wet-weather alternatives.
A particularly important practical detail: classified PR walking trails require advance reservations, and access charges apply under the rules introduced in 2026. Trail status can change following heavy rain or unsafe conditions. Check the official trail listing before building a holiday around one walk, and never assume that a popular route is open.
Check before booking: Can you reach the places you want without a car? Are walking routes open and bookable? Will you be happy sightseeing if two days are rainy? If the only thing you want is guaranteed pool weather, Madeira would not be my first choice.
Research: Visit Madeira travel FAQs and official trail status and booking guidance.
3. Malta: culture, harbours and atmospheric November city days
Best for: History, restaurants, short breaks and travellers who prefer sightseeing to sunbathing.
Malta is compelling in November precisely because the summer crowds and heat are no longer the main event. You can spend a day on the streets of Valletta, cross the harbour to the Three Cities, explore Mdina, and have time to linger over a long lunch. For a short cultural break, this can be much more rewarding than trying to fill every day with beach time.
Choose your base carefully. Valletta is strong for history and evenings out; Sliema suits restaurants and transport connections; St Julian’s has a livelier atmosphere. On a longer trip, Gozo can add rural landscapes and a slower pace, but ferry logistics matter if your arrival and departure times are tight.
November is not peak beach season. Expect a mix of mild, sometimes sunny spells and possible rain or wind. A waterfront hotel can feel colder than the temperature suggests when the breeze picks up. Boat trips and some outdoor activities may be affected by sea conditions.
Check before booking: Are your chosen museums or attractions open on your dates? How close is your hotel to transport? Would you be happy swapping a boat day for a museum or café if it rains? A flexible itinerary is much better than planning every hour outdoors.
Useful planning: Visit Malta’s official destination guide.
4. Marrakech, Morocco: markets, gardens and a completely different atmosphere
Best for: Food, architecture, riads, shopping and culture, rather than a conventional beach holiday.
A November trip to Marrakech can deliver one of the biggest changes of scene for someone flying from Britain. The pleasure is in wandering the medina, stepping into hidden courtyards, discovering traditional crafts, tasting Moroccan dishes and taking breaks in gardens or a riad. Daytime conditions are often more comfortable for walking than summer’s intense heat, but evenings can be surprisingly cool.
Decide whether you prefer an atmospheric riad inside the medina or a larger hotel outside it. Riads can be intimate and beautiful, but some involve walking through busy lanes with luggage; taxis may not be able to stop at the door. Hotels outside the old city may have more conventional pools and facilities, but could reduce the feeling of staying in Marrakech itself.
Do not assume a city pool will feel warm enough for swimming in November. If pool time matters, confirm it is heated, rather than relying on photographs. Pack layers for evenings, and consider booking an experienced licensed guide for an initial medina walk if the street layout feels daunting.
Check before booking: The exact location and access arrangements for your accommodation, what transfers include, dress considerations at cultural sites, and current UK government entry and safety guidance. An Atlas Mountains excursion will have different temperatures from the city.
Official entry and travel advice: FCDO Morocco travel advice.
5. Cyprus: late-autumn coastal walks, not a hot-weather guarantee
Best for: Independent sightseeing, historic sites, outdoor lunches and a peaceful coastal break.
Cyprus is sometimes presented as if summer continues untouched into November. It does not. The official Cyprus travellers’ handbook climate table shows a historical November average maximum of 22.4°C near Limassol, but an average sea temperature of approximately 18.5°C. That is a different proposition from the warm Mediterranean sea in September.
In Paphos, ancient mosaics, archaeological sites and coastal walks can make a satisfying week even if swimming is limited. Limassol has a busier urban feel and restaurants, while Ayia Napa and Protaras are more dependent on the summer resort season. Some seasonal businesses may close or reduce their hours as winter approaches.
Cyprus is a particularly good illustration of why choosing the right type of holiday matters. A quiet hotel with sea views, good food and a hire car may be excellent in November; a beachfront resort chosen entirely for watersports and nightlife may disappoint.
Check before booking: Winter opening times for the hotel, restaurants and facilities; whether the pool is heated; and whether you need a car to reach the sights you care about. Be especially cautious about late-November swimming promises.
Research: Visit Cyprus climate and weather guidance.
6. Dubai, UAE: the warm-weather choice with a bigger overall budget
Best for: Warmer beach weather, large resort hotels, attractions and travellers happy with a longer flight and a different price level.
Dubai is the most convincing choice on this list if your November holiday really depends on warm outdoor temperatures. Visit Dubai gives an average November temperature of around 27°C. Note that this is a general monthly average, not a promise of cloudless skies or a particular daytime maximum.
Jumeirah Beach Residence suits people who want beach access plus restaurants; Dubai Marina offers an urban waterfront base; Palm Jumeirah is popular for resort-style stays; and Downtown Dubai is more useful for city attractions than a walk-to-the-beach break. Maps can be deceptive here: a property can look close to the beach but still require a taxi or transport connection.
Look carefully at the total holiday cost. A competitively advertised room might not include meals, attraction tickets, beach-club access or transfers. Larger family resorts may be convenient, but the gap between headline package price and final holiday spend can be significant.
Check before booking: Beach access, meal basis, room occupancy rules, current attraction dates, transfers and the full cost of getting around. If November warmth is the non-negotiable requirement, Dubai deserves consideration; if short flights and low total cost matter more, compare Tenerife first.
Research: Visit Dubai's monthly weather guide and FCDO UAE travel advice.
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Choose your departure airport and dates, then compare holidays that actually fit your plans.
Find holidays by dateAre November holidays cheaper?
They can be, especially where demand drops after October half-term and before the Christmas period, but there is no universal November discount. Warm-weather resorts, school breaks, special events and the timing of flights can keep prices high. Compare the same trip length, departure airport, board basis, baggage and transfers before deciding one package is better value.
For a five- or seven-night break, compare departures a few days either side of your preferred date if possible. A cheaper outbound flight is not a saving if it forces an extra night or a costly transfer. For packages, check whether the advertised price assumes two adults sharing; solo travellers and families may see different prices.
When in November should you travel?
Early November can retain some late-autumn warmth around the Mediterranean, but do not assume seasonal hotels are still fully running. Mid-November is worth comparing if you are flexible, as it avoids some holiday peaks. Late November often feels distinctly wintry in southern Europe and can bring Christmas markets or festive preparations in cities; that is attractive for culture, less so if you expected summer-style beaches.
For the Canary Islands and Dubai, selection of location and hotel facilities matters at least as much as which week you travel. Look at historical averages as context, then check a current forecast close to departure.
What about the other destinations in the supporting graphic?
Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are sensible alternatives to Tenerife when flight times or accommodation suit you better. AEMET's historical average November daytime high at Lanzarote Airport is 24.2°C. For a quieter holiday, choose the resort and accommodation carefully rather than assume an entire island is peaceful. Check the official Lanzarote climate table.
Valencia and Málaga can make excellent city breaks, with art, food and urban beaches to walk beside. The Algarve also has beautiful coastal trails and towns. But none should be sold as reliable hot November beach escapes: local weather, rainfall and operating seasons are important. These work best if you'll be content sightseeing even when beach time is limited.
How to plan a November holiday without nasty surprises
- Check what is actually open. Pools, restaurants, boat excursions, waterparks and family facilities may not operate on summer schedules.
- Compare total cost. Flights, checked bags, meals, transfers and attractions can change which holiday is best value.
- Don't use one national temperature. Tenerife's north and south, Madeira's mountains and coast, and Cyprus's coast and interior behave differently.
- Prioritise usable daylight. For walking and sightseeing, shorter days matter, especially if you have a late arrival.
- Check entry and health advice. Use the UK FCDO destination guidance before booking and again before travelling.
- Check who sells the package. TripsByDate helps you discover and compare advertised holidays; your booking and the operator's terms are with the relevant provider.
November holiday FAQs
Where is hot in November from the UK?
Dubai is the warmest of these six featured choices in typical November conditions. Tenerife and other Canary Islands can be pleasantly warm, but are better described as winter-sun destinations rather than guaranteed hot weather.
Can you swim in Cyprus in November?
Some people do, but the official historical average sea temperature is around 18.5°C. That is cool for many holidaymakers. A heated pool or a sightseeing-focused itinerary is a safer expectation.
Is Madeira rainy in November?
Rain is possible and the island has strong microclimates. Mountain hiking can be affected by fog, wind and closures. Choose your base well and keep alternative plans.
Is Malta worth visiting in November?
Yes, particularly if you enjoy history, food and walking around towns. It is less suitable for someone who mainly wants hot beach days and swimming.
Is November good for a family holiday?
It depends on school dates, flight lengths and children's priorities. Tenerife offers familiar resort infrastructure, while Dubai can deliver warmer weather. Verify heated pools, clubs, opening times and total costs rather than relying on a general family-friendly label.
Is November a good month for cheaper holidays?
Sometimes. Demand and prices vary by airport, operator, destination, hotel and exact dates. Comparing real packages on your available dates is more reliable than assuming November is always cheaper.
More ideas for planning your trip
Compare October holidays if you can travel earlier,. For mountain holidays instead of sunshine, visit our skiing guides. You can also browse every topic in our travel guides hub.
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