Hectic September and business-like October have passed, and it's time for a sleepy November. It is the month when you want to crawl under a warm blanket and watch soap operas with a cup of sweet tea. But life flies by quickly, so we must get out from under the duvet and embark on a fascinating journey.
The world is a big place with so much to see and do. Why not start broadening your horizons with Europe — its countries need to be tasted a little at a time, like a gourmet dessert. The best place to start is with the leisurely German classics, of which the port city of Hamburg is a shining example.
Its diversity, dancing on the edge of historical richness and modern rhythm, strikes the imagination even of the sophisticated tourist. In this article, we'll look at November and decide whether it's worth taking the kids on holiday, what to see first and whether there are any bargains to be had when organising a trip in this seemingly unappealing month.
Holidays in Hamburg in November: pros and cons
Hamburg in November is a combination of autumnal gilding and exquisite architecture. It's impossible to find negative feedback about Hamburg in November, as the month is full of fun and entertainment. The world-famous Hamburger Dom festival takes place in November and December.
So, it's worth going here in November because:
- It's beautiful, modern and has warm autumn weather in the first decade of the month.
- The city is guaranteed to have an exciting programme in November.
- It is a huge festival.
- There's plenty to see in Hamburg for children and adults alike, even when it's raining.
Every trip has its "cons". The "cons" of Hamburg in November are as follows:
- Many people are coming to the festival — book your hotel in advance.
- Autumn skies are ready to cry at any minute — stock up on an umbrella.
- Bring a change of shoes for your child for the same reason.
- Dress warmly and comfortably so you can have fun without tiring.
Hamburg weather in November
The weather in November and December is warmer than hoped, but it is comfortable for tourists. The weather in early November is still tourist-friendly, with daytime temperatures mostly hovering around +10°C. Even though the city is on the water, it doesn't get too wet.
In contrast, the salty air adds a zesty twist to Hamburg's autumnal ambience. The weather in Hamburg in late November is usually overcast. The temperature in Hamburg in mid-November starts to drop slowly, but only a couple of degrees a week.
December, following November, is wetter, so the sky gets cloudy. But that doesn't stop you from having fun at the Hamburger Dom festival or the Christmas market, which has been open since the end of the month.
Temperature and precipitation
Hamburg's climate is mild and comfortable for travellers, as it is throughout Germany. Temperatures in Hamburg rarely drop below 0°C in November, even at night. November is also one of the three driest months of the year and the most fun!
The water temperature in the sea is kept at around +10°, so it's almost the same temperature as the air on land. Humidity is only felt in the port when the salty wind blows from the sea.
If you decide to take a trip on the Cap San Diego Museum Ship, which takes tourists all year round, you should dress very warmly — the sea breeze, even at low speed, is unforgiving and chills you to the bone. If you're travelling with children under 12, avoiding such an adventure is best. Hamburg has plenty of alternatives for fun in a more comfortable environment.
Air temperature in Hamburg in November
The average daytime temperature in November is +7°C. At the beginning of the month, the thermometer may reach a maximum of +12°С. In mid-November, this figure is increasingly kept within the range of +10°С, and by the end - it drops to +7-8°С.
The average night-time average temperature in November is +4°C. This figure is also higher at the beginning of the month and drops to 0° by early December. On rare occasions, it may even jump to below zero. Precipitation does have a negligible effect on temperature differences, however. There isn't much rain in November, but a rainy day can affect the temperature by a couple of degrees.
Amount of precipitation
On average, Hamburg gets around 42.7 mm of rainfall in November. That's low, especially considering the city's seaside location. You get about two days of rain per month. The days are not necessarily consecutive. It can drizzle for hours in a few days. The dampness in the seaside town doesn't get to the bone, as it often does in autumn. The high humidity is only felt on rainy days.
That's not to say you should always carry an umbrella. However, travelling with small children does help, as the extra rainfall is crucial for their temperature. It's best to simply watch the weather forecast and visit museums and cafés when it's raining. In Hamburg, there are plenty of exciting things to do to brighten up the hours of bad weather.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
Sunny and cloudy days are divided in November equally, with 30% each for both types of weather. A little more, 40%, are grey. Nevertheless, Hamburg is statistically ranked as having the three driest months of the year after March and April. As well as the warm weather, November is an excellent time to stroll along the city's harbour promenade and through the beautiful architecture in the old streets.
Tour Holidays
At the beginning of November, diving straight into the festival atmosphere in Hamburg is not a good idea. It's better to take advantage of the fact that most people flock to the festival and head out on their own to visit various museums. And there are plenty of them in Hamburg, some completely free.
What you and your children will love most is the Falkenstein Dolls Museum, where you can find toys from the last three centuries. But be warned; there is an age restriction for children the museum is open to toddlers over 4. It is probably because young children cannot leave without a loud scandal, and Germans appreciate peace.
The Hamburg Dungeon Museum will also appeal to you and your little companions, as its menacing decor gives you the creeps.
The Spice Museum provides an unparalleled extravaganza of flavours, and the children will be interested to learn that most of the tasty additives are made from flowers and plants. You'll find a small railway and a model city in the Miniature WunderLand Museum.
The Panopticum Museum of Wax Figures turns out exciting photos of famous personalities. And that's just a tiny part of where you can take shelter with the kids if you're caught in mid-November.
Enjoying the city's architecture, such as the Town Hall, Chilehouse, shopkeepers' houses and the churches of St. Michael, St. Jacob, St. Peter, St. Catherine and St. Nicholas, is best done in late November when the Christmas lights begin to shine.
Holidays, events and festivals
Hamburg's festivals in November are colourful and exciting. The main event in November is the Hamburger Dom Festival, during which, in addition to the traditional treats, you can have fun on various rides and merry-go-rounds and enjoy live animation by magicians and jugglers.
There are great fireworks displays on Fridays and family days on Wednesdays when the rides get a discount.
The whole town is charged with a festive atmosphere, and you want to have fun with the crowds, wearing funny hats, singing songs loudly, riding with children on the merry-go-round and eating candyfloss.
The positive mood is so charged with the atmosphere of Hamburg that it feels like you can touch it with your hands. And yes, you can! The delightful souvenirs and sweets can be viewed and chosen as gifts for your loved ones.
And what a delight all this extravaganza brings for children. It is as if they were in a fairy tale: magical lights and animators immerse visitors into an ocean of magic.
At the end of the month, Christmas markets open up all over the city, with the main feature being the Austrian circus troupe Roncalli who put on a colourful show for visitors. And a suspended railway is erected over the central fairgrounds, on which miniature trains or carriages carrying Santa and reindeer run.
Cost of vacation
The festivals and Christmas fairs affect the prices of accommodation and flights, not to the tourist's advantage. We can't call prices in Hamburg in November low. Demand generates supply, so locals try to make a profit from visitors.
Airfares
Flight prices rose by almost 30-40% in November compared to October. But in December, plane tickets will cost even more. The only way to save some money is if you book earlier with the carriers for economy options or if you fly on Sunday and Monday when at least the flow of local tourists calms down a little because of the busy weekdays and the prices of tickets drop by 3-5%.
Package Tours
The festival is a tempting proposition for tourists worldwide, so tour operators also inflate their tour prices by 15-20%. However, they take advantage of special discounts from airlines, so sometimes a package holiday can be more advantageous than organising the trip yourself.
Food
Local venues fill with customers during the festivities, so squeezing into mainstream restaurants can sometimes take effort. But this problem can be solved at the expense of the events themselves. It is where you can sample local food for a relatively small amount of money. It's two or three times cheaper and more interesting, and a dinner for two will cost about 30-40 euros compared to 60-80 euros for a restaurant dinner.
Tips for holidays with children
For preschool children, this trip may be too busy and tiring. Schoolchildren and young people, on the other hand, will undoubtedly enjoy a trip to Hamburg. The journey can be timed to coincide with the autumn holidays or organised during the Christmas markets. This trip will put them in a good mood and energise them with positive emotions. Most importantly, dress warmly and comfortably, don't overeat fatty food and have fun.
Hamburg in November is the best way to dispel your autumn blues. If you've never been here, experience the thick of it and the unbridled fun of the German course!
