Where should I travel in January?
January is when many of us need light. Choose between winter sun close to Europe, the dry season in the tropics or a proper winter with snow and northern lights further north.
Find your own match in January
We've already picked January. Wayoop asks about your budget, travel time and wishes and finds up to three destinations that suit you.
5 ideas for travelling in January
01Photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons Gran Canaria, Spain
Mild weather all winter and one of the shortest routes to sun from Denmark. Beaches in the south, mountain villages and hiking trails inland.
02Photo: Gfilip · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Winter is the comfortable season without the harsh summer heat. Good for a short trip mixing beach, desert and city.
03Photo: Luxure · CC BY 3.0 au · Wikimedia Commons Krabi, Thailand
Dry season on the Andaman coast, with limestone cliffs, island hopping and calm seas. A long flight, but ideal for a longer trip.
04Photo: Pavel.shyshkouski · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons Abisko, Sweden
Long dark nights and often clear skies give good chances of northern lights. Snow, dog sledding and silence – without leaving the Nordics.
05Photo: Severin.stalder · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons Cuba
January falls in the dry season. Havana, the tobacco fields of Viñales and white beaches make it a trip with both culture and downtime.
Where is it warm in January?
For warmth in January, the Canary Islands are the closest bet with mild, sunny winter weather. Further away it's hot and dry in Thailand and Cuba, while Dubai has pleasant winter days. Abisko is for those who'd rather have snow.
8 of the 28 destinations typically reach at least 25 degrees by day in January.
- 30°+
- 25–29°
- 20–24°
- Below 20°
| Destination | Day | Night | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Gambia · West Africa | 32° | 22° | 24° |
| Phuket · Thailand | 30° | 24° | 29° |
| Phu Quoc · Vietnam | 30° | 23° | 29° |
| Bali · Indonesia | 29° | 24° | 29° |
| Galle · Sri Lanka | 29° | 23° | 28° |
| Punta Cana · Dominican Republic | 27° | 23° | 27° |
| Sal · Cape Verde | 26° | 20° | 24° |
| Cancún · Mexico | 26° | 22° | 27° |
| Dubai · United Arab Emirates | 24° | 15° | 22° |
| Muscat · Oman | 24° | 17° | 24° |
| Miami · Florida, USA | 24° | 17° | 23° |
| Gran Canaria · Canary Islands, Spain | 22° | 15° | 21° |
| Agadir · Morocco | 22° | 12° | 18° |
| Tenerife · Canary Islands, Spain | 21° | 16° | 21° |
| Lanzarote · Canary Islands, Spain | 21° | 15° | 20° |
Holidays in January: good to know
The weeks just after New Year are often quieter than the Christmas holidays. The most popular sun trips for the February school break get booked early.
These ideas are general seasonal tips. Weather, opening times and prices vary from year to year, so check before you book.
Read also: Holidays in January: 8 places for sun, snow or city →Find your own match in January
We've already picked January. Wayoop asks about your budget, travel time and wishes and finds up to three destinations that suit you.