Where Is Hot in January? The Warmest Places to Go

The warmest January holiday destinations at a glance

The short answer for most people is the Canaries. They're the warmest place in Europe in January, the flight is four hours and there's no time difference, which makes even a long weekend worthwhile.

Where is hot in January in Europe?

Europe's January warmth is concentrated on its Atlantic islands. Further north and east, temperatures drop quickly.

Tenerife and Gran Canaria

The south of Tenerife and Gran Canaria is the warmest, sunniest part of the Canaries in winter. Expect highs of around 21 to 22°C, with long dry spells. Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas are popular resorts with a big choice of hotels.

The north of each island is cooler and cloudier but greener and less touristy. Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak, is often snow-capped in January, which makes for a striking day trip.

Families tend to head for Costa Adeje in Tenerife or Maspalomas in Gran Canaria, where there are big hotels with heated pools and kids' clubs. Couples often prefer smaller places such as Los Gigantes or Puerto de Mogán, which have a quieter feel in the evenings.

Lanzarote and Fuerteventura

These eastern islands are slightly flatter and windier, but just as warm, at around 21°C. Lanzarote's volcanic landscapes and Fuerteventura's long, empty beaches make them feel very different from the busier resorts of Tenerife. Our Lanzarote holiday guide has more on the island's resorts, beaches and day trips.

Madeira

Madeira is mild at around 19°C. It's a good January choice for walkers and anyone who wants to escape the cold without baking, though rain is more likely than in the Canaries.

If you travel over New Year, Funchal's fireworks display over the bay is one of the biggest in Europe, and hotels with sea views book up well in advance. After the first week of January, the island is calm and relaxed.

Malta and southern Spain

Malta and southern Spain are best thought of as mild winter breaks. Highs of around 16 to 17°C are pleasant for sightseeing, and you can sit outside for lunch on sunny days, but it's rarely warm enough for the beach.

Both are short flights, and January is a quiet, good-value time to explore Valletta, Málaga, Seville or Granada.

In Malta, Valletta's honey-coloured streets, the walled city of Mdina and the quieter island of Gozo are all easy to see in a few days. In Andalucía, January is the season for oranges in Seville, and the Alhambra in Granada is far less crowded than in summer.

Hot holidays in January within about 6 hours

These three are a step warmer than the Canaries, without the commitment of a long-haul flight.

Egypt

Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh and Marsa Alam on the Red Sea reach around 22°C in January, with almost no rain. The sea stays warm enough for snorkelling, and the coral reefs are a big part of the appeal. Flights take around five hours, Egypt is two hours ahead, and most British visitors need a visa, so check GOV.UK before you go.

If you'd like to add some sightseeing, Luxor, on the Nile, is warm and dry in January, with highs in the low twenties. Many visitors combine a few days there, or a short Nile cruise, with a week on the Red Sea coast.

Morocco

Agadir has highs of around 21°C, a long sandy beach and plenty of resort hotels, with Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains within reach for a day or two of culture. Nights are cool, especially inland. The flight is around four hours.

Just up the coast, the village of Taghazout is popular with surfers, as the winter Atlantic swells bring consistent waves. Agadir itself is more of a family resort, with a long promenade and a modern marina.

Cape Verde

Cape Verde is the warmest choice within six hours, at around 25°C. Sal and Boa Vista are known for white sand and all-inclusive resorts, and the constant breeze keeps the heat comfortable. Cape Verde is one hour behind the UK, so there's no jet lag to speak of.

Sal is the livelier of the two main islands, with more restaurants and the town of Santa Maria, while Boa Vista is quieter, with huge empty beaches and large all-inclusive resorts. Both are best for a relaxing beach week rather than sightseeing.

Hottest places in January for a long-haul escape

January is peak season for most long-haul sun destinations, so the weather is excellent, but so is demand.

Dubai

At around 24°C, Dubai in January is warm without being overpowering. It's about seven hours from London and works well for a week combining beaches, desert trips and city sightseeing.

Dubai's shopping festival usually runs from mid-December into January, with sales, fireworks and events across the city. It's a fun time to visit, though hotels can be busier.

Thailand

January is one of the best months for Thailand's Andaman coast, including Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta, with calm seas and highs of around 32°C. The Gulf islands, such as Koh Samui, can still see some rain early in the month.

Thailand is seven hours ahead of the UK, so a trip of ten days or more is ideal. Many visitors spend a couple of nights in Bangkok before heading south, which also helps with the jet lag.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's south and west coasts are in their dry season from December to April, with highs of around 31°C. You can combine beaches near Galle with tea country and ancient cities inland. The east coast is wetter at this time of year, so stick to the south and west for a beach break.

The Caribbean

The Caribbean's dry season runs through January, with highs of around 29°C on islands such as Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia. The hurricane season is long over, and trade winds keep the heat comfortable.

Barbados has the most direct flights from the UK and suits first-time visitors, Antigua has a beach for every day of the year, and St Lucia's volcanic peaks make it one of the most dramatic islands in the region.

The Maldives

The Maldives is at around 30°C and in its drier season, with clear water that's ideal for snorkelling. It's a classic honeymoon destination, and January is one of the most popular (and expensive) times to go.

Because January is peak season for almost every long-haul sun destination, the best-value hotels and flights tend to go early. If you're set on a particular resort, it's worth booking several months ahead.

Cheapest time to travel in January

The first week of January, when people are still on Christmas holidays, is usually one of the dearest times of the winter to travel. Once schools go back, demand drops, and many travellers find better choice and value in the weeks that follow.

That's a general pattern rather than a rule, because prices depend on the route, the hotel and how far ahead you book. The best way to see what's good value right now is to compare current holiday deals across every destination and look at more than one week if you can.

• Travel midweek if you can, as weekend departures tend to cost more.
• Look at regional airports as well as London.
• Avoid February half term if you're flexible, as prices often rise again then.

How to choose the right January sun holiday

If you like to budget up front, it's worth comparing all-inclusive deals for January, especially in Egypt, Cape Verde and the Caribbean, where eating out every night can add up quickly.

And if you've decided that only real heat will do, our long-haul holiday deals include current offers for the Caribbean, Asia and the Middle East.