Where is hot in January?

We all know that the weather in January in Europe is somewhat lacking if you're craving winter sun. Not only is it one of the coldest months of the year, but the days are short and sunshine hours are near their lowest.

Even in the Mediterranean, where it's warmer and generally sunnier than anywhere further north, it can also be wet and windy.

Hottest places
up to 6 hours
up to 10 hours
10 hours or more

Looking to spend January in the UK? Check out our handpicked list of places to visit in the UK for the best weather in January.

Hottest places to go in January

Below are average maximum temperatures at popular countries, regions and places in January. Select a holiday destination to see more weather parameters.

January weather: where's hot?

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January weather by world areas

Finding hot conditions in January will certainly involve a long haul flight. While you'll enjoy some sunshine closer to home in the likes of the Canary Islands and the Red Sea, you're unlikely to experience especially high daytime temperatures.

We have some fabulous options for everything from warm sunshine within easy reach of the UK to blazing hot beaches far, far away.

Looking for winter sunshine closer to home in January? Check out our list of the best places for winter sun in Europe based on the average weather conditions.

Hot places in January with the best weather

If you're after a relaxing beach holiday, you will have to travel, and we have some great destinations with hot, dry and sunny weather at this time.

However, if you prefer the more pleasant and comfortable conditions of destinations slightly closer to home for walking, hiking or simply escaping the great freeze at home, we have those too. Read on to discover our pick of destinations with the best holiday weather in January:

Short haul
Long haul - up to 10 hours
Long haul - 10 hours or more

Weather in January © Rvc5pogod - Dreamstime.com

Up to 6 hours from the UK

Trusty year-round favourite the Canary Islands offers sunshine in January (warmer and sunnier than anywhere in the Med) with temperatures on the southerly island of Gran Canaria reaching 20°C during the day, falling to a minimum of 13°C at night - similar to Bournemouth at the height of summer in the UK.

While all of the Canary Islands enjoy generally dry weather in January with six to seven hours of sunshine a day, Gran Canaria's location ensures it typically has the highest temperatures.

Winter pursuits, Gran Canaria - photo courtesy of Gran Canaria Tourist Board

The Mediterranean, meanwhile, is at its coldest in January, with the Costa Blanca offering the best conditions peaking at 16°C, followed by Malta.

However, these are not exactly beach holiday conditions. Even reliably warm Cyprus hibernates in January thanks to the cold continental air from Eastern Europe and Russia, which keeps things decisively cool.

Make for North Africa instead, and choose between two very different destinations: in Morocco, the weather in Marrakech makes it a wonderful city escape with temperatures in the high teens, seven hours of sunshine, and minimal chance of rain.

Old Cataract Hotel, Aswan © David Holt - Wikimedia CC BY-SA 2.0

For a touch more heat, however, look east to Egypt's Red Sea resort of Marsa Alam, with up to eight hours of sunshine and temperatures in the low to mid twenties, although the sea is possibly a little cool for some at 23°C, so a heated pool is likely to be needed.

By far the sunniest destination, however, is Aswan on Egypt's glorious River Nile. The weather here in January is warm (tipping just over 23°C by day) and delightfully sunny (with up to eight hours per day).

The only thing to watch out for with Aswan are the cooler evenings, when temperatures dips to below 10°C.

Up to 10 hours from the UK

For real beach weather, nothing quite beats the Caribbean, which is the closest region with true beach holiday conditions at this time.

As a general rule, the islands to the south have the most sunshine, with Barbados standing out as exceptionally good, with invitingly hot and sunny conditions.

Temperatures sit just below 30°C, rarely dropping lower than 21°C at night, and the sea is thoroughly pleasant at around 26°C. There's also little in the way of rain.

St George's, Grenada © Tony Hisgett - Flickr CC BY 2.0

Other islands with almost identical weather at this time include Grenada and St Lucia, although the latter has only moderate heat and humidity, compared to high heat and humidity in both Barbados and Grenada.

When compared to popular winter sun destinations in the Indian Ocean or southeast Asia, the Caribbean isn't quite as hot, with temperatures peaking a few degrees below the likes of the Maldives, Goa and Thailand.

It is, however, that bit closer to the UK, as well as home to incredibly beautiful landscapes and resorts, so don't let the minimal difference put you off visiting this region in January.

10 hours or more from the UK

If hopping on a long haul flight is no issue, think about taking a trip to Thailand, where the weather in January is excellent.

As well as enduring far less heat and humidity than the summer months, it's also the dry season, so there's almost a complete absence of rain.

Expect up to nine hours of sunshine a day in Phuket, with temperatures rising into the low thirties, and sea temperatures at a delightful 28°C.

Holidays to Railay Beach, Krabi, Thailand © Netfalls - Fotolia.com

In the mountains to the north around Chiang Mai, January sees some of the finest weather of the year. You'll often enjoy cloudless days, and cooler, more comfortable temperatures than at the beach resorts in the south of the country.

Another benefit of holidaying in Thailand, is that once you're there, it's an affordable destination to explore and experience.

Then there's the southern hemisphere, where there are plenty of places with perfect holiday weather in January.

Starting in the west Indian Ocean, Kenya's idyllic Malindi is the epitome of an exotic beach destination, with temperatures stretching up to 31°C and falling no further than around 22°C come dusk.

It's also a treat for swimmers, with sea temperature sitting comfortably at around 28°C.

Luxury in the Maldives © Qim Mohd Ali - Flickr CC BY 2.0

Next up is the Maldives, over 2,000 miles to the northeast of the Kenyan coast. It's an obvious choice for a beach break, as January marks the start of the driest time of the year that extends into April.

Temperatures peak at around 30°C during the day and, with nine hours of sunshine most days, it's tropical beach weather at its finest.

The only thing to note with both the Maldives and Malindi is the extreme level of UV, which is severe at this time, so a strong SPF is essential.

Beach in Goa © Samrat35 - Dreamstime.com

Those on more of a budget should look further east to Goa in India, where the weather normally delivers wall-to-wall sunshine with no chance of a rainy day.

Temperatures in Goa in January are in the low thirties and sea is as warm as you'd find in Malindi and the Maldives. Head to the southern half of Goa for quieter beaches and smaller resorts.

Another option in India experiencing good weather in January is Kerala, just under 400 miles to the south of Goa. Temperatures are about the same as in Goa and, although the sky is not quite as cloud-free, it's still the middle of the dry season with nine hours of sunshine a day.

For something more cosmopolitan, Cape Town is superb. As it's the height of summer, days are long with 11 hours of sunshine on average, and temperatures hovering around the mid-twenties with low heat and humidity - great if you don't like it too hot.

Karri Forest south of Perth, Australia © Amanda Slater - Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

Finally, if you don't mind the flight(s), Australia is also enjoying its summer in January. While Sydney has around seven hours of sunshine and temperatures reaching 26°C, why not head to the west coast, where things get a little hotter in Perth. Here you'll find just over 11 hours of sunshine each day, and highs of over 30°C.

It's clear that if you're looking for great beach conditions in January, you'll have to travel further than you would in our spring and summer months.

However, that's not to say destinations closer to home don't offer some great city break and activity focused options.

Ready to book a holiday in January? Check out our current travel deals and discounts for some great winter sun offers.