November Leave List
Chase the sunshine.
Where to travel in November ?
November is the month for chasing the sun before winter properly arrives.
As temperatures drop across Europe, some of the world’s most exciting destinations are entering their ideal travel season. From colourful autumn landscapes in Japan to tropical beaches in Thailand and the Seychelles, November offers an impressive choice of warm-weather escapes.
You can experience spectacular festivals, explore ancient cultures, cruise rivers, hike through tropical landscapes or escape to beaches and desert landscapes. It’s also a great time to discover parts of Africa before the busier winter travel season begins.
Whether you want autumn colours, tropical sunshine, cultural adventures or an escape somewhere completely different, November is a fantastic month to use your annual leave.
Best Places to Visit in November
Autumn colours & cultural adventures
Japan
Perfect for: Autumn foliage, temples, culture & food
Average temperature: Around 10–20°C depending on region
Season: Autumn
November is one of the most beautiful times to experience Japan. Across much of the country, maple trees and other deciduous forests turn vivid shades of red, orange and gold, creating spectacular backdrops for temples, gardens and mountain landscapes.
It’s an especially rewarding month for combining Japan’s famous cities with its quieter autumn scenery.
Best things to do: Explore Kyoto’s autumn temples, visit Tokyo, see the foliage around Nikko, explore Osaka, visit Mount Fuji or take a day trip to Nara.
India
Perfect for: Culture, festivals, history & food
Average temperature: Around 15–28°C depending on region
Season: Cooler dry season
November combines comfortable weather with one of India’s most spectacular celebrations. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, brings homes, temples and streets to life with lamps, decorations and celebrations.
It’s also an excellent time to explore Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle before temperatures become warmer later in the season.
Best things to do: Experience Diwali, explore Delhi, visit the Taj Mahal, discover Jaipur, wander through Jodhpur or explore Rajasthan’s forts and palaces.
Guatemala
Perfect for: Volcanoes, culture, lakes & adventure
Average temperature: Around 18–27°C depending on altitude
Season: Dry season begins
After the rains, Guatemala’s landscapes are lush and vibrant, while the start of the dry season brings increasingly reliable conditions for exploring.
It’s a destination that packs a huge amount into a relatively small area, making it ideal for travellers who want culture, nature and adventure in one trip.
Best things to do: Explore Antigua, hike Acatenango, visit Lake Atitlán, discover Mayan ruins at Tikal, explore Chichicastenango’s markets or climb a volcano.
Tropical sunshine & island escapes
Thailand
Perfect for: Beaches, temples, food & island hopping
Average temperature: Around 25–32°C
Season: Dry season begins
November marks the end of the monsoon season across much of Thailand, bringing brighter skies and better conditions for exploring. It’s a fantastic time to combine the country’s temples and cities with tropical islands and beaches.
Best things to do: Explore Bangkok, visit Chiang Mai, island hop in the south, discover temples in Ayutthaya, explore Khao Sok National Park or relax on the beaches of Krabi.
Seychelles
Perfect for: Beaches, diving, snorkelling & island hopping
Average temperature: Around 25–30°C
Season: Tropical transition season
November is a particularly appealing time for the Seychelles as the trade winds shift, creating periods of beautifully calm seas. The warm tropical weather makes it easy to spend your days moving between beaches, islands and coral reefs.
Best things to do: Explore Mahé, visit Praslin and La Digue, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, dive around coral reefs, hike through tropical forests or take a boat trip between the islands.
Cape Verde
Perfect for: Sunshine, hiking, beaches & island adventures
Average temperature: Around 25–29°C
Season: Dry season begins
Cape Verde offers reliable sunshine as Europe heads towards winter. The islands combine volcanic landscapes, long beaches and dramatic mountains, making it a great choice if you want more than a traditional beach holiday.
Best things to do: Hike through Santo Antão, explore volcanic landscapes, relax on the beaches of Sal, discover Mindelo, climb Pico do Fogo or explore the islands by road.
Adventure, culture & warm-weather exploration
Laos
Perfect for: River journeys, temples, mountains & culture
Average temperature: Around 20–30°C
Season: Dry season
With the monsoon recently finished, rivers remain high while the weather becomes increasingly dry and comfortable. This makes November a wonderful time to experience Laos at a slower pace, particularly from the water.
Best things to do: Cruise along the Mekong, explore Luang Prabang, visit Kuang Si Falls, discover Vang Vieng, explore ancient temples or travel through the countryside.
Oman
Perfect for: Desert adventures, mountains, wadis & road trips
Average temperature: Around 25–30°C
Season: Cooler winter season begins
After months of intense summer heat, Oman becomes much more inviting in November. Temperatures are comfortable enough for outdoor adventures, while the country’s dramatic mountains, deserts and wadis are ready to explore.
Best things to do: Camp in the Wahiba Sands, swim in emerald wadis, explore Muscat, hike in the Hajar Mountains, visit Nizwa Fort or drive along the coast.
The Gambia
Perfect for: Wildlife, birdwatching, beaches & culture
Average temperature: Around 25–32°C
Season: Dry season begins
November marks the beginning of the dry season in The Gambia, bringing warm, sunny conditions and increasingly reliable weather for exploring. The country’s compact size makes it particularly easy to combine wildlife and culture with some time on the coast.
It’s also a fantastic destination for birdwatchers, with hundreds of species found across the country’s wetlands and forests.
Best things to do: Go birdwatching along the River Gambia, explore Kunta Kinteh Island, visit local villages, discover the Makasutu Cultural Forest or relax on the Atlantic coast.
Ghana
Perfect for: Culture, history, food & wildlife
Average temperature: Around 25–32°C
Season: Dry season begins
November brings increasingly dry conditions to Ghana, making it easier to travel around the country and explore its cultural and historical highlights.
From bustling Accra to the historic castles of the coast, Ghana offers a fascinating introduction to West Africa.
Best things to do: Explore Accra, visit Cape Coast and Elmina castles, discover Kakum National Park, experience local markets and food, or explore Ghana’s cultural heritage.
Why travel in November ?
November is the month for chasing the sun, colourful cultures and unforgettable adventures. As much of Europe starts heading into winter, many destinations around the world are entering their ideal travel season.
You can:
- Chase the sun on tropical islands and warm beaches
- Experience spectacular festivals and cultural celebrations
- Explore ancient cities and temples in comfortable temperatures
- Cruise rivers through lush landscapes and traditional villages
- Go wildlife watching as dry-season conditions begin
- Explore deserts and mountains before the intense heat of summer returns
November is particularly good for travellers who want to swap the first signs of winter for somewhere warm, colourful and completely different.