Weather in Sunny Beach in January

How January compares

January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Sunny Beach and ranks 128th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Sunny Beach is 0.8°C cooler by day and 1.0°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Sunny Beach peaks at 6.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 12.5°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 1.2°C; one night in ten drops to -4.4°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 17.2°C (2010-01-01) and the coldest night -16.0°C (2010-01-25).

Rain in January

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 8 days with 1 mm or more, 53 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2016 with 112 mm, the driest 1992 with 7 mm. Humidity averages 79%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 7.0°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 6.2°C to 8.1°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (25.3°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 3.4 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.2 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:37 and sets about 16:59 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 63%.

Is January a good time to visit Sunny Beach?

January is not the strongest month here: cool days. The best months for Sunny Beach on our scoring are August, July, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug.

Expect cold days and pack for freezing nights

January is Sunny Beach's coldest month, so a proper winter coat is more useful than a light holiday jacket. Pack layers, gloves and closed shoes that can cope with wet weather, especially if you plan to be outside after dark. The average night is only just above freezing, while the coldest 10% of nights fall to -4.4°C or lower. There can be milder spells: the warmest 10% of days reach 12.5°C or more. Treat those as a welcome bonus rather than the basis for packing. This month suits travellers comfortable with winter walks and flexible plans, not anyone relying on comfortable outdoor evenings.

Use the brighter hours, with a wet-weather fallback

There is some scope for time outdoors, but daylight and sunshine are limited. January brings about 3.4 hours of sunshine within 9.2 hours of daylight, so put coastal walks in the brighter part of the day rather than leaving them until late afternoon. Rain reaches the stated threshold on about 8 days, making a waterproof outer layer sensible without assuming every day will be wet. Keep plans flexible enough to spend time indoors when conditions turn unpleasant. The sea is cold throughout its usual January range, so it should be scenery rather than the focus of a swimming holiday. A short flight does not make this a winter-sun destination.