November city trip: these are the 8 most fun

Hey, hold on a second: we are not even in November yet. We still have a month to go, why is this suddenly being thought about? Okay, okay: you are right. We still have to get through all of October, but think about it... If you want a top city trip, you can't book last minute. Right? Exactly, yes. So we are not crazy at all; just practical. Sink deeper into your lazy chair, because we will find those trips for you. Take notes, because these are the best city trips in November.

Sun, sea, beach

Are you not in the mood for the autumn cold at all? I totally get it; you have to put on that thick coat again, pull your socks up to your ankles, and if you're unlucky, you might even walk through a rain shower on your way to work. Well, we can't always roll a six in life. Do you want to escape this? Then a sun-sea-beach holiday is something for you.

Athens, Greece (18 degrees)

Ah, the city of tzatziki and temples. Ideal if you don't feel like sitting for hours on a plane. We have written about this amazing city before, but let me spoon-feed you the best tips. This is such a nice city for a city trip: all the fun areas are right next to each other, so you can easily reach your hotspot by metro. And for the worrywarts among us: this is really not expensive. You can buy a five-day ticket for €8.50, which allows you to explore Athens by any metro, bus, and train. Stroll through the neighborhoods of Monastiraki, Plaka, and Psiri for the best restaurants and seize your chance to climb the Acropolis when it’s not a scorching 35 degrees.

Take advantage of the sun at the Art Suites Korai, where you are just five minutes from the National Archaeological Museum. And this won't cost you a fortune: you can sleep here for just €24 per person per night. Or at the Safestay Athens Monastiraki, where you can sleep with a view of the Acropolis for €20.70 per person per night. There, you will also be in the coolest neighborhood of the city. And what about the beaches? They are there too. Within twenty to thirty minutes, you will be at the beach. Where should you go? Take my advice: don’t go to the popular Bolivar Beach Club. It’s super crowded, expensive, and there’s a lot of theft. You already pay €20 just to get in, and you don’t even get a sunbed. Step five meters aside and go to the BAHIA Boutique Beach Bar. The sunbed costs you only €5 and the food is great. Don’t sit right at the front, as that can turn out to be more expensive for you.

Madeira, Portugal (20 degrees)

Eating pastéis de nata every day, drinking sangria, and walking in the sunshine. You can do all that this autumn in Madeira. This island is the ultimate sun escape, because it is truly amazing. It’s not for nothing that it’s called the Hawaii of Europe: with those high, lush cliffs and the ocean, it looks just like a scene from Disney’s Moana. Let me make it clear: this is not a standard sun holiday. Because of those beautiful cliffs and rocky beaches, you can’t just roll out your towel here. Before you start complaining, I have already found a solution: go to Praia de Machico. That’s a man-made beach: so you still get your way. And where will you sleep? Just at the Flag Hotel Madeira for €29.10 per person per night. With a pool and practically on the beach.

Madeira is also the washed-out place for some adventure. Look up hiking trails and hike through the mountains, drive around to all the beautiful spots, or go with a hop-on-hop-off bus to Camara de Lobos and Funchal. This picturesque coastal town will be the highlight of your trip. Look at the fishing boats, wander through cobblestone streets. You can even walk through the volcanic pools of Porto Moniz . You want that, right? So book it.

Las Palmas, Gran Canaria (23 degrees)

This may not be the first city you think of for a city trip, but you can definitely do more here than just lie on the beach at an all-inclusive resort. The capital of this island is versatile: walk through Catalina Park, visit trendy Triana – the heart of the historic center. Think of beautiful, Paris-like buildings in all colors of the rainbow; that’s where you’ll find the best souvenirs. Stroll through the old center of Vegueta from the 16th century – there are even organized walking tours for that. Or rent a bike and do it yourself.

Although there is more to life than baking in the sun, you can of course also go to the beach here. Book the Casa Doramas VV, where you literally have a sea view for €34.60 per person per night. It’s close to Triana, but not on the beach. For that, you need to take a twenty-minute bus ride to Playa de Las Canteras beach. Would you rather be right on the beach? Then you pay a bit more. €48.60 even. But then you are comfortably in the Silken Saaj Las Palmas, right on the Playa de las Alcaravaneras.

Cold but gold

Do you actually love autumn? Walking in the rain with your umbrella, discovering little alleys in unknown cities, or sitting in a cozy local café with a steaming cup of coffee? Then you don’t have to burn yourself on the above trips. These are much more fun:

Stockholm, Sweden (1-5 degrees)

Grab your winter coat and the plane – because we are going to Stockholm. It’s freezing cold there, but incredibly cozy. The largest city in Scandinavia is ancient and at the same time hip. The old town, aka Gamla Stan, is the cutest part I have ever seen. With those beautiful old buildings, like the royal palace, and the cozy shopping streets, you won’t get bored. Want to feel like a real local? Walk through Södermalm and Stortorget. Say goodbye to those tourist crowds and hello to beautiful architecture. Check out the Carl Eldhs Ateljémuseum, try cinnamon buns at Svedjan Bageri , and dream about Swedish interiors at Brandstationen. Are you there on the weekend? Then definitely stop by the Hornstull market with food trucks and vintage items.

That all sounds great, but where can you sleep then? That’s a good question. For example, in Scandic Go, which is only two metro stops from the city center. You sleep there for – unfortunately, there’s a price tag on Scandinavia – €44.60 per person per night. Would you rather stay in trendy Södermalm? Then choose the Skanstulls Boutique Hotel. Here you lie for €43.40 per person per night in your nest. That’s not cheap, but right in the city.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria, Germany (10-15 degrees)

If there is a city that seems to come straight out of a fairy tale, it is Rothenburg ob der Tauber. It even inspired the villages from Pinocchio and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Villages like this breathe history: all the buildings look just as they did in the Middle Ages. Haven't you seen that after a day? Certainly not. There is so much to do. On a medieval music tour through the city, a regular walking tour, on a pub crawl, eat a cake at café Einzigartig or go taste currywurst. Really: you will be amazed here. Put on a dress and run in your heels as if you are in a costume drama.

This is truly a place where you must spend the night. In the evening it is magical, especially in the cold, with all those lovely lights. And in the morning all the tourists are gone, so you can really enjoy this magical city. You don't need to have a hole in your hand for that. You can even sleep in a castle – yes, seriously. A literal castle – for €55 p.p. per night. Well, if you see Wildbad Rothenburg , you won't complain about that. This is the ultimate romantic overnight stay, and even more fun if you stay longer.

Speaking of another cute hotel: you can sleep in a butter yellow inn . Here it feels like you suddenly landed in a Disney movie. For a small €39 p.p. per night, you sleep like a princess on the pea.

Dubrovnik, Croatia (13 degrees)

Can you see yourself walking through King’s Landing? In what? Sorry, that was for the Game of Thrones-fans among us. Dubrovnik was the filming location for many places in the series. Stroll through the old town as if you are a citizen of King’s Landing, see Cersei’s famous ‘Walk of Shame’ on the Stradun and at the Jesuit steps. Enter the Palace of the Rector, where Daenerys asked the Spice King for ships. Want to see more? Take a ten-minute boat ride to Lokrum, which was the set for the trading city of Qarth. If you don't feel like searching for all those locations yourself, just book a Game of Thrones-tour for €25? Just as easy.

Even if you are not a fan of the series, you can visit all these sights. Are you looking for something else? Dive into wine bar D’Vino , find a terrace that hangs over the cliffs or dance until the sun comes up. And yes, that is possible because you sleep comfortably five minutes from the city center in Villa Katarina for €33.80 p.p. per night. Or with a beautiful view in such an old building in Double Room Lukre with city view. What a name, but then you are €36 in the historic center.

Edinburgh, Scotland (5 degrees)

Although this is at the bottom of the list, this is one of my favorite city trips. Edinburgh is autumn. With those medieval buildings and dark alleys, it feels like it was specially designed for that gray, moody weather. This is a city of walking, walking, and more walking. Every alley has a story, like Victoria Street, which was the inspiration for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley. Or try to capture completely dark academia vibes at the courtyard of New College. It then feels just like you are in The Secret History (a great book by the way). Run through Edinburgh Castle, dodge the rain in the cutest shops in the Royal Mile area, and visit the Vennel Viewpoint at least once. For the nice Instagram photos – or, eh, experiences, of course. Now I could talk for hours about one of my favorite cities, but you can also read that in this article that I wrote earlier. Here is your entire trip from A to Z.

You want to spend all your well-deserved pennies on everything you want to see: real Scottish whisky, warm coffees, and food. So you have to save somewhere: your stay. That can be at Edinburgh Travel Guest House. I can already feel the vintage vibes of those rooms in that beautiful old brown mansion. You sleep there for €32.50 p.p. per night, just two kilometers from the center. Sounds like fate, so I already know what I’m going to book in November.

Dublin, Ireland (5 degrees)

A ligean ar dul – or ‘let’s go’ – because we are going to Ireland. The land of Saint Patrick’s Day, Irish mythology, and breathtaking nature. Especially in autumn, this is so beautiful. If you go to Ireland, you must drink Guinness. So definitely sniff around in the Guinness Storehouse. Besides that the museum is amazing, you also get to participate in a tasting event. Fun, right? If you just want to shop, you do that in the Temple Bar Area. Here you will find the cutest shops and restaurants to fill a whole day. The old town is beautiful with buildings like Trinity College, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin Castle and Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Would you like another free tip? Explore the castle gardens with a warm hot chocolate in hand.

And by just staying in the city, you won't get the most out of this trip. Nature (and mythology) is such a big thing in this country. The Poolbeg Lighthouse by the sea is, for example, a beautiful spot. Or the old prison Kilmainham Gaol; you can even go completely spooky on ghosttour . Isn't that fantastic in November? And for that nature, you don't have to arrange anything yourself: go on a tour to the Cliffs of Moher, Burren, and Galway. If you're feeling adventurous, then put on your brave shoes and head out yourself.

Oh, and please stop by and warm up in an Irish pub. That's a must, and it's definitely possible if you're just five minutes away at the Leonardo Hotel. A perfect location for just €42.50 p.p per night. I – the – deal. Do you prefer to sleep in a historic building? That can be done at the Harding Hotel for €43.60 p.p per night, which is next to the legendary Temple Bar.

These are quite enough ideas, it seems to me. There must be at least one here that you want to undertake in November. Or more, that's fine too. Who am I to say what you should do with your life? So grab those suitcases and let's go, hup.

Image: oliviatps