Europe in November: Where to Find Winter Sun

If you are looking for winter sun in Europe in November, the best weather is generally found on the southern islands. Lanzarote reaches around 23°C (73°F) during the day with just 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Paphos in Cyprus combines 22°C (72°F) days with 227 hours of sunshine and a 22°C (72°F) sea. Tenerife, Malta and Madeira are also mild, although rainfall varies considerably between them. On the European mainland, Málaga and the Algarve remain pleasant but are cooler and wetter. The comparison below shows where November still offers the strongest combination of warmth, sunshine and relatively dry weather.

Winter sun in Europe in November at a glance

November creates a clear divide between northern and southern Europe. While much of the continent is becoming cool and cloudy, the Canary Islands, Cyprus, Malta and Madeira can still have daytime temperatures above 20°C (68°F). Southern Spain and Portugal remain milder than most of Europe, but they no longer offer the same level of warmth.

The Canary Islands and Madeira are geographically in the Atlantic off the coast of northwest Africa, but as parts of Spain and Portugal they are commonly included when travelers search for European winter-sun destinations.

Historical averages from Weather & Climate. Conditions in individual years will vary.

Where is warmest in Europe in November?

Among the destinations compared here, Lanzarote is the warmest, with average daytime temperatures of 23°C (73°F) and nights around 20°C (68°F). The difference compared with many Mediterranean destinations is not only the temperature but also the low rainfall. November averages just 16 mm (0.6 in) of precipitation and around 205 hours of sunshine.

Fuerteventura performs similarly. In Corralejo, Weather & Climate records average daytime temperatures of 23°C (73°F), nighttime temperatures of 19°C (66°F), around 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain and 202 hours of sunshine. For travelers primarily interested in warm, dry weather, the eastern Canary Islands therefore stand out.

The weather also suits a trip that is not entirely beach-focused. Timanfaya National Park is dominated by volcanic landscapes created by historic eruptions. With cooler conditions than summer and relatively little rain, November can be a useful month for combining the coast with Lanzarote's volcanic interior.

Cyprus: sunshine and a warm sea

Cyprus is one of the strongest alternatives to the Canary Islands. In Paphos, daytime temperatures average 22°C (72°F), nights 18°C (64°F) and rainfall 46 mm (1.8 in). What stands out most is the sunshine: Paphos averages around 227 hours during November, the highest figure in this comparison.

The sea remains at around 22°C (72°F), matching Tenerife and warmer than Malta, Málaga and the Algarve. That does not guarantee classic summer beach weather every day, but swimming can still be realistic for travelers comfortable with mild water.

Elsewhere on Cyprus, Protaras averages 22°C (72°F) during the day, 19°C (66°F) at night, 222 hours of sunshine and 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain. This shows that the relatively warm November conditions are not limited to Paphos.

Paphos is also useful when the weather is not warm enough for a full beach day. The UNESCO World Heritage site includes archaeological remains at Kato Paphos and Palaepaphos, including villas, tombs and mosaics. That combination of coast and archaeological sites makes Cyprus less dependent on perfect beach conditions.

Tenerife: reliable temperatures throughout November

Tenerife averages 22°C (72°F) during the day, 19°C (66°F) at night and a 22°C (72°F) sea. Rainfall is around 38 mm (1.5 in), spread across approximately seven days, while the island receives about 180 hours of sunshine.

Lanzarote is drier and slightly sunnier in the historical averages, but Tenerife has another advantage: temperatures change relatively little during the month. Weather & Climate's daily historical data shows daytime temperatures staying close to 22°C (72°F) throughout November.

That makes Tenerife particularly useful for a trip in the second half of the month. On the European mainland, average temperatures tend to decline more noticeably as December approaches.

Malta: mild and sunny, but with a greater chance of rain

Valletta averages 21°C (70°F) during the day and 18°C (64°F) at night in November. The city receives around 192 hours of sunshine, which is more than Tenerife, Madeira and Málaga in this comparison.

The trade-off is rainfall. Valletta averages 75 mm (3 in) over approximately 10 rainy days. That is considerably wetter than Lanzarote at 16 mm (0.6 in), Tenerife at 38 mm (1.5 in) or Paphos at 46 mm (1.8 in). Malta therefore works better as a sunny cultural break with the possibility of warm days than as a trip built entirely around the beach.

The average sea temperature of 20°C (68°F) is also cooler than in Cyprus or Tenerife.

Valletta's compact historic center gives Malta a strong alternative when a shower arrives. The fortified capital contains hundreds of historic buildings and monuments within a remarkably small area, making it particularly easy to explore on foot.

Madeira: mild weather for walking rather than beach heat

Funchal averages 21°C (70°F) during the day and 17°C (63°F) at night in November. Rainfall is around 65 mm (2.6 in), with approximately 11 rainy days, and there are about 166 hours of sunshine. The Atlantic remains around 21°C (70°F).

Compared with Lanzarote or Cyprus, Madeira is less likely to deliver long sequences of dry beach days. Its strength is the combination of mild temperatures and a green mountainous landscape. The island's extensive network of levada walks makes November attractive for travelers who prefer walking and scenery to spending every day on the beach.

What about mainland Europe?

If you want to remain on the European mainland, southern Spain and Portugal are among the milder options, but November is no longer reliably warm in the same way as the Canary Islands.

Málaga in November averages 19°C (66°F) during the day and 12°C (54°F) at night. Rainfall reaches 71 mm (2.8 in) over around 12 days, with approximately 170 hours of sunshine. The sea is around 18°C (64°F).

In the Algarve, Faro also averages 19°C (66°F) during the day, but nights are somewhat milder at 14°C (57°F). Faro receives around 190 hours of sunshine, although monthly rainfall is similar to Málaga at 72 mm (2.8 in).

For sightseeing, lunches outside on settled days and a break from colder northern European weather, both can work well. For a holiday where warm weather is the main objective, the Canary Islands and Cyprus offer considerably stronger climate figures.

Málaga has the advantage of being easy to enjoy when temperatures are below beach level. Its Alcazaba is one of the city's major historic sites and can be combined with the old center, museums and waterfront.

Can you still swim in Europe in November?

Yes, but your choice of destination matters. Paphos and Tenerife have the warmest sea temperatures among the destinations compared here, both averaging 22°C (72°F). Madeira follows at 21°C (70°F), while Valletta averages 20°C (68°F).

In Málaga and Faro, the sea has cooled to around 18°C (64°F), which will feel distinctly cool for most swimmers. Those destinations are better viewed as mild autumn escapes rather than reliable swimming holidays.

For travelers who want both sunshine and a realistic chance of swimming, Cyprus and the Canary Islands are the strongest options in this comparison.

Is early November warmer than late November?

On many Mediterranean coasts, the first half of November has a noticeable advantage. In Paphos, historical daily averages decline from around 24°C (75°F) at the beginning of the month to approximately 21°C (70°F) by the end. Valletta moves from around 22°C (72°F) to 18°C (64°F), while Málaga declines from approximately 22°C (72°F) to 18°C (64°F). Faro follows a similar pattern, dropping from around 21°C (70°F) to 18°C (64°F).

The Canary Islands are more stable. Tenerife's daytime temperatures stay close to 22°C (72°F) throughout November, while Lanzarote's historical averages remain around 23°C (73°F). This is one reason the islands become increasingly attractive compared with the Mediterranean as the month progresses.

Where should you go for November sun?

The climate data gives several distinct choices:

• For warm and very dry weather: Lanzarote, with 23°C (73°F) days, 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain and 205 hours of sunshine.
• For maximum sunshine: Paphos, with 227 hours of sunshine, 22°C (72°F) days and a 22°C (72°F) sea.
• For reliable late-November warmth: Tenerife, where daytime temperatures remain close to 22°C (72°F) throughout the month.
• For culture with mild weather: Valletta, with 21°C (70°F) days and 192 hours of sunshine.
• For walking and scenery: Madeira, where Funchal averages 21°C (70°F) and the island offers extensive hiking routes.
• For mainland Europe: Málaga or Faro, both averaging 19°C (66°F) during the day.

Where is the best winter sun in Europe in November?

If weather is the deciding factor, the Canary Islands and Cyprus stand above the mainland destinations in this comparison. Lanzarote offers the best combination of daytime warmth and very low rainfall, while Paphos has the most sunshine and a warm 22°C (72°F) sea.

Tenerife is especially attractive later in November because temperatures remain remarkably stable. Malta and Madeira offer mild weather but a greater chance of rain, while Málaga and the Algarve are better suited to sightseeing than a traditional beach holiday.

For the greatest chance of finding weather that still feels like late summer, choose Lanzarote, Tenerife or Cyprus. For a milder city or walking break where sunshine is welcome but beach weather is not essential, Malta, Madeira, Málaga and the Algarve are good alternatives.