November trips in Europe; are they a real thing? You bet they are! With airlines chomping at the bit for those tourism dollars and the city breakers holding back from booking until December for the Christmas markets, getaways in November are gaining popularity like never before.
Long dark evenings, low temperatures, and a high possibility of rain; who would want to head off on a little break when all this is on the cards? As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining, and November represents just that. Due to the lack of people wanting to go on holiday during November, the door opens for a seriously cheap getaway for those willing to make the move
But where in Europe is actually ideal for a trip in November? Stay with us as we unveil our top picks in this article!
Get Your Outdoorsy Fix at the Lake District, England
It’s difficult to find places to hike in Europe once November arrives, but if you look further west of the continent to somewhere like the Lake District in England, you can still get your fix of the outdoors.
The Lake District is the biggest of England’s national parks, spanning a whopping 912 square miles, and lies in the northwest of the country. While the wild swimming opportunities may be off the cards during this time of year, the park still features a sizable collection of over 200 mountains amidst peaceful lakes, dense forests, and adorable little towns and villages. If you’re up for a challenge, the park is home to the country’s highest peak, Scafell Pike (around 9.7 km), which stands at 978 meters, but this is really a weather-permitting kind of trek at this time of year. You’ll want to keep an eye on the forecast if you’re considering going for it, and be prepared in case you meet some snow up top. Do not worry if Mother Nature decides to ruin your plans. There are plenty of other less-risk trails you can tackle, like Raven Crag (1.9 km), Latrigg Walk (4.8 km), and Low Fell (7.7 km).
The good news for you is that, unlike other places in Europe, there’s no entry fee to visit any of the national parks in England, making your trip a bit more affordable. That being said, if you want to ride on some of the public buses to get around within the park, they’re capped at a fee of £2 (€2.39). On top of that, for those who are hiring a car, it costs £18 (€21.49) to use any of the five car parks on the grounds.
While you can fly into several airports to reach the Lake District, Manchester International Airport provides the most convenient connections. A direct train operates from the airport to Windermere, which is located in the national park. It only costs around £11 (€13.14) depending on availability, and the journey takes 2 hours and 12 minutes.
Book a Romantic Getaway During the Low Season in Venice, Italy
Venice without crowds, is that even possible? In November, it is! Due to the layout of narrow alleyways and canals, it’s easy to see why the Floating City always seems congested. However, at the back end of the year, things quiet down here for a while, offering you the chance to book a romantic getaway with your other half or go solo if love has yet to find you.
Venice is a very walkable city; I mean, it would have to be for a city with no cars. That will make your life as a tourist much easier, as you won’t have to jump on and off buses whenever you want to see some of the main attractions. You’ll be able to see plenty of things here for free, like the main bridges, including the Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs, and Saint Mark’s Square. When it comes to the paid sights, you have the Saint Mark’s Basilica (€3), Tower of Campanile (€10), and Doge’s Palace (€25), all of which are well worth a visit if you’ve got time.
Of course, while in Venice, you’ll want to head out on a lovely gondola ride around the city. And before you start panicking, they still do run in November, although it might be a little dark and misty. To keep the price down low, I recommend you go during the daytime as it’s cheaper, costing €80 for a 30-minute ride. After 7 pm, this price increases to €100 with no extra time, so it’s not worth it, especially because your chances of catching a sunset won’t be that high.
Nothing can take away from Venice’s beauty, but for me, this place is all about the food. I’m an avid foodie and have traveled quite a bit around Italy, but in terms of cuisine, Venice wins it for me (don’t kill me, my fellow Italian friends). From the mouthwatering servings of cicchetti in quaint bacaris to fresh seafood in the Rialto Market, you’re in for a treat if you like your grub. One tip I can give you about eating out in Venice before you come is to avoid eating in the main tourist areas like Saint Mark’s Square. The meals are seriously overpriced, and the quality falls short of what you’d expect from authentic Venetian plates. Instead, head a couple of streets back, and you’ll stumble upon some little hidden gems like Osteria Al Squero, where cicchetti is priced at €2 and a glass of wine is €3.
Upon landing at Venice Marco Polo Airport, you’ll have plenty of transport options that will take you into the city, but the bus is the cheapest. Passengers have to pay €10 for a single ticket or €18 for a return ticket, and it will drop them off at Venice Piazzale Roma, which only takes around 20 minutes to reach, although factor in some time for the traffic.
Give Yourself the Best Possible Chance of Catching Some Sunshine in Seville, Spain
While most European cities are waiting for the cold winter days to creep in, Sevillians are relieved that the temperatures have just dropped below 30°C for a while. In Seville throughout November, you can expect highs of 25°C and lows of 10°C, which is pretty good when comparing it to the likes of Madrid.
Since the weather will be on your side, that will make exploring some of the famous outdoor sights like Parque de María Luisa (free), Plaza de España (free), and Metropol Parasol (free) that bit enjoyable. If you’re a footie fan, taking a tour of one of La Liga’s most famous football teams, Sevilla FC, is a must. For a small fee of only €12, you can learn about the club’s history and see what it’s like for the footballers before they go to the pitch in the tunnels.
Because Seville is the capital of Andalusia and Flamenco comes from here, there’s no better place to experience your first show. For those of you who are unaware, Flamenco is a type of art form that originated in this region of Spain; it’s made up of three key features: 1. song, 2. dance, and 3. music. All over Seville, you’ll see signs for bars that host these performances on a nightly basis, but tickets are often required to enter. However, there’s one bar in the city that puts on a free nightly show called the Carbonería de Sevilla; you don’t have to pay for any tickets, but you’ll need to buy something from the menu.
Being the popular city that it is, Seville Airport is well connected to the city center. Unless you’re willing to spend around €25 on a taxi, you’ll want to take the bus on the EA line from the airport. A one-way fare will set you back €5 for the half-hour journey, and you can buy your tickets on board from the driver using a bank card.
Experience Lapland in All Her Glory at Rovaniemi, Finland
Unleash your inner child with Santa Claus in Lapland’s capital, Rovaniemi. This city in the Arctic Circle is nothing short of magical once November comes along. Think of the first permanent snow cover for the winter falling, reindeer dashing across the streets, and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights illuminate the sky; it all awaits in Rovaniemi.
The high season in Rovaniemi runs between December and February. But, if you time your trip around the end of November, you’ll get to experience the city drenched in snow while also dodging the high prices.
A November arrival will allow you to get a head start on all the exciting snow-based activities like the reindeer rides (€25 for a 5 to 7-minute ride), Santa Claus Village (free), and Ranua Resort – Wildlife Park (€21.50).
In need of a thrill? Snowmobile rides are a hugely sought-after experience in Rovaniemi, although they are quite expensive. Most companies will try to charge you well over €100 per session, but if you look hard enough, you can find them around €70 for a half-hour ride through the arctic wilderness. After your time in the snow, you’ll love nothing more than a good old traditional Finnish sauna to warm you up. There are plenty of saunas scattered around Rovaniemi; prices start at around €20 for an hour with an ice swimming option included.
After landing at Rovaniemi Airport, you’ll have to take the shuttle bus from there to the center. This is a handy option as the ride is only about 10 minutes, and the ticket price is €8. The only issue you might have is that dragging your luggage around in the snow may not be ideal, so you’ll want to make sure your hotel is nearby, or else you’ll have to take a taxi from the bus stop for the final leg of your trip.
Bag Some Affordable Airfares to Luxembourg
How about flying to one of the smallest countries in all of Europe in November? Luxembourg isn’t your typical holiday destination, but that’s half the beauty of it. I like to describe Luxembourg as quaint, peaceful, and quiet. Things move slower here compared to some of its neighbors like France; you won’t find large mobs of tourists as you would on the Champs Elysees.
I think one full day in Luxembourg City is a suitable amount of time before you venture out to other parts of the country. You’ll get to see the main spots like Chemin de la Corniche (free entry), Grand Ducal Palace (€18), and Place de la Constitution (free entry) while getting a nice feel for the city. Plus, all public transport is free in Luxembourg, eliminating any expenses for moving around.
The main attraction everyone wants to see in Luxembourg is the fabulous Bourscheid Castle, which sits atop a hill 150 meters high, overlooking the breathtaking Sûre valley. It’s estimated that this structure dates back to about the 10th century but was then extended in the 14th and 15th centuries. For a €7 fee, visitors can come to take a walk through the complex and learn about its interesting history through an audio guide for an additional €2.
You’d think that, for somewhere as small as Luxembourg, the country wouldn’t have an airport, but it does. Luxembourg Airport is only roughly 6 km from the center; all of the buses running from there are free of charge, and the journey only lasts 20 minutes. The bus numbers you can take include 16, 29, and 6, but bear in mind they all stop in different places, so be sure to do your research to see which one will take you closest to your accommodation.
Don’t Sleep on the Idea of a European Getaway This November
The last thing you probably thought of this time last year was heading away in November, but it’s a growing trend that will only get more popular as time goes on. And with flights to incredible destinations like these up for grabs, why wouldn’t you jump at the chance? Rovaniemi in the snow, Seville in the sun, and a crowd-free Venice (well, sort of); this amount of opportunities doesn’t come around often for travelers!