As the days get shorter and darker in Europe, it’s getting to the point where a holiday is anticipated. Why wait for December? November is actually an ideal month for travel – no excessive travel prices, no crowds, and most importantly, milder weather! And if you’re looking for a destination closer to home, Spain is a perfect place for a holiday in November.
No matter what time of year, there’s always plenty to do and see in Spain. November is no different. Visiting Spain in November also means you get the best of all worlds: warm coastal getaways and refreshing city breaks. Our Local Designers in Spain will cater to any desires and needs regarding your next holiday, so don’t hesitate to ask!
Read on to discover what makes travelling to Spain in November worth the trip.
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Where to Go
The weather in November may be more unpredictable than in the summer, but you can still make the most of your Spanish trip.
November offers ideal conditions to sightsee and wander around northern Spanish cities.
You’ll hardly see any queues to major attractions, and with a tolerable climate, you’ll be motivated to experience more of what a Spanish city has to offer. Bilbao, Oviedo, and Santander are classic northern Spanish cities to visit for a crisp city break.
If you’re after more warmth, you cannot miss southern Spain. Southern cities such as Seville, Cadiz, and Granada are balmy and quiet, and toasty sun rays heat the beaches, making afternoon siestas on grainy sand especially satisfying, and ocean dips incredibly refreshing.
Can’t decide between a cooler city break or a warmer beach getaway? Regardless of your preference, connect with our Local Designers in Spain to create your ideal holiday.
What to Do / Best Places to Visit / Unique Experiences
Madrid
Madrid is an ideal place to visit in November for quiet city wandering. The early winter month offers a peaceful experience for strolling around in the crisp, cool weather. It is also a perfect time to admire colourful leaves in red, orange and yellow hues decorating the Spanish capital. You can explore the best of Madrid in November with our 5-Day Madrid City Break.
In terms of Spanish culture, November is a great time to participate in the Fiesta de La Almudena, honouring the beloved patroness La Virgen de la Almudena. You’ll be privy to traditional culture during this special event, including a midday mass at the Plaza Major, followed by a procession with Spaniards donning traditional Chulapo and Chulapa outfits.
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Planning to Visit Spain in November?
Malaga
November is a cosy time in Malaga. You can embrace your me-time with fewer crowds as you soak up the sun at a sparse Malagueta beach. Or brave the chilly 20°C Mediterranean Sea for a revitalising dip. Despite the guarantee of sun-streaked days, you can expect instances of rain, but there’s always the chance that you may just get lucky!
There are plenty of things to do in Malaga throughout November. The International Jazz Festival, featuring artists from all around the globe, takes Malaga by storm in the first week of the month. If you are an olive oil aficionado, travel to the historic town of Baena, where you can experience an exciting olive festival.
Extremadura
For the nature lover seeking an extraordinary experience, Extremadura offers spectacular birdwatching in pristine natural settings. Thanks to its location in the west, November is a great time to visit. This is because the region is home to the highest number of bird species than anywhere else in Spain during winter. Extremadura is especially famous for watching the Egyptian Vulture, Spanish Imperial Eagle, the Great Bustard, Eagle Owl, and much more, in their natural habitats.
After a fun day of birdwatching, wind down with the region’s delectable jamón (Spanish cured ham) sourced from Monasterio.
Festivals / Special Events
All Saints Day
All Saints Day, or Todos Los Santos (Day of the Dead), is an important public holiday in Spain on the 1st of November. During this holiday, Spanish people visit their local cemetery and pay their respects to the relatives who passed away, typically laying bright flowers and candles on their graves. Visiting Spain during this time gives visitors an unforgettable opportunity to experience a different side of Spanish culture.
Although a solemn day, it can get quite hectic. While Spaniards pile in, roads surrounding cemeteries are congested, and streets are lined with eager flower sellers offering blossoming bouquets of lilies, roses, carnations, and more.
For an alternative experience, the city of Cádiz hosts the Tosantos fiesta. Here traditions include humorously dressing up rabbits and suckling pigs from the Virgen del Rosario market.
You’ll also find special treats in local shops and bakeries throughout Spain. Look out for Huesos de Santo (The Saint’s Bones) made of marzipan, eggs and sugar, Buñuelos de Viento (Nun’s Puffs or Farts), fried round doughnuts sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, and small, tasty almond cakes called Pannellets.
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Baena Olive and Olive Oil Festival
Baena’s festival is the perfect day trip when in Andalusia. Only a 90-minute drive from Malaga, the pretty white town sits on the side of a gentle hill boasting vistas of sprawling olive orchards and grain fields. Baena is famous for its intense fruity green olive oil, and it is renowned as Spain’s olive capital.
Olive oil, or “liquid gold”, as Homer once coined it, is an essential part of daily Spanish life. The 3-day event celebrates the end of the olive harvest, where you can watch the picking and crushing of olives. The town also hosts a wine and food market, tastings of the finest olive oil, exhibitions, and cooking workshops. Yet, the highlight of the weekend is undoubtedly the tapas crawl involving olive-based plates.
It may merely be a side trip, but Baena’s festival is a unique event that not many can boast about experiencing.
Orujo Festival in Potes
All the way up north, at the foot of the snow-capped Picos de Europa mountains, Potes’s Orujo festival entices many with its lively celebrations for the pomace brandy (a colourless liquor made from the residue of pressed grapes).
On the second weekend in November, accompanied by live music and traditional folklore, visitors can experience the distillation process involving traditional copper stills (alquitaras), used to make Orujo. Consequently, you can taste various samples of Orujo throughout the town made of “bridges and towers”. Fun fact: drinkers place their alcohol-filled cups in egg cartons to hold them all at once.
The Orujo will keep you warm, but to keep you full, pair your drinks with delicious local delicacies, including cocido lebaniego (a hearty chickpea stew) and slightly spicy Picón cheese.
Weather / Seasons
In November, temperatures in Spain drop, and there is a risk of rain throughout the country. During this time, it is necessary to pack warmer clothes, such as a thick jacket plus t-shirts and long-sleeved tops for layering. And don’t forget to bring a sturdy umbrella!
The average daily temperature across Spain’s northern regions is a cool 14°C. Yet, temperatures can dip to a crisp 8°C in the evening. Overcast days with light breezes are common in November, and the rainfall can be unpredictable. Despite rain being more frequent in the north, it is usually fleeting, and it won’t hinder your trip to explore northern Spain’s verdant landscape.
If the idea of snowfall is exciting, you may even get the chance to experience flurries of snow in highland areas of northern Spain, including the Pyrenees and Cantabrian mountains.
Although the forecast can be unpredictable, you shouldn’t be discouraged from visiting northern Spain in November since it is still possible to experience warm and sunny weather similar to the Spanish coast.
On the other hand, southern Spain witnesses more sun and higher temperatures. The weather is comparable to the climate in October, with temperatures averaging around 20°C. As the Mediterranean climate persists throughout November, visitors can sunbathe with ease, and with sea temperatures averaging 20°C, refreshing swims are also possible.
Andalusia is the hottest region in Spain in November with Seville its hottest city. As the sun is almost always out in this part of Spain, it is the ideal honeymoon spot for newlyweds. Check out our dedicated 9-day Spain honeymoon tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Accommodation and flights are more affordable in Spain in November.
- If a restaurant or bar oozes with Spaniards, it is sure to be a hit and not a tourist trap! You may be in for the best surprises if you follow in the footsteps of locals.
- Make sure to try seasonal food. Gambas rosadas and artichokes are a must-try in November!
- Big breakfasts are not very popular in Spain. Spaniards either skip it entirely or go for a lighter meal, like a pastry paired with a coffee. But with that being said, you still have plenty of options (including multiple brunch spots) to keep you satiated until lunch.
- Staying out late in Spain is a Spanish way of life! The streets come alive at around 9 or 10 pm – it is an ambience that shouldn’t be missed.
Our Local Designers in Spain know best about what makes an experience like no other. They’ll have top recommendations on what to do in November with insider tips for a memorable and authentic trip. Explore the gallery of our fully-customisable tours in Spain or connect with our Local Designers to craft an extraordinary holiday!
