Weather in Albania in January

January climate overview

Daytime highs across Albania in January run from 10.7°C (Tirana) to 11.7°C (Saranda). Days over 25°C are rare anywhere in Albania in January. Nights average 3.3°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Tirana fall to -2°C or below.

Rainfall in January

Expect around 11 rainy days (1 mm or more) in January, with Tirana the driest (10 days) and Saranda the wettest (12 days). The wettest January at Saranda between 1991 and 2020 was 2013 with 376 mm; the driest was 1992 with 16 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 14.9°C around Albania in January - warmest at Saranda (15.3°C). That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.3 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 9.5 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

January against the rest of the year in Albania

January is the 12th warmest month of the twelve in Albania. It is 1.0°C cooler than December and 1.1°C warmer in February. The hottest month here is August (31°C) and the coolest January (11°C).

Which part of Albania in January?

• Most sunshine: Tirana, 4.4 h a day.
• Driest: Tirana, about 10 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Saranda, 15°C.
• Hottest: Saranda, 12°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Tirana, 11°C.

What to pack for Albania in January

Based on the averages: proper layers and a jacket - daytime highs average only 11°C; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 3°C; a rain jacket - roughly 11 wet days.

Similar weather elsewhere in January

Within 1.5°C of Albania's January daytime average: Alanya (13°C, sea 18°C), Antalya (13°C, sea 18°C), Barcelona (13°C, sea 14°C), Santorini (13°C, sea 17°C), Kusadasi (13°C, sea 16°C). See the full ranking for January.

Saranda for milder evenings, Tirana for fewer rainy days

Saranda is the warmer choice, with daytime temperatures of 12°C and nights around 4°C. That makes it slightly more comfortable for outdoor breaks, but not warm enough to leave your coat behind. Tirana reaches 11°C by day and drops to 2°C at night, so the difference is more noticeable after dark than during the afternoon. The catch with Saranda is rain: it averages 12 rainy days, compared with 10 in Tirana. Choose Saranda if milder evenings matter most; choose Tirana if fewer rainy days are the priority. Neither offers enough warmth to make January feel like a summer holiday.

Keep outdoor plans flexible and pack for cold evenings

Across Albania, January averages 11 rainy days and 4.3 hours of sunshine, so leave room to move outdoor plans around the weather. Those figures do not mean rain lasts all day, but they do make a waterproof outer layer and shoes that cope with wet ground sensible choices. Wear layers you can adjust during the day, with something warmer ready for the evening. Midday is a more practical time for a walk than a cold evening, although it will still feel cool. With average sea temperatures of 15°C, treat swimming as a cold-water activity rather than a relaxed part of a beach day.