Weather in Zante in January

How January compares

January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Zante and ranks 84th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Within Greece it is 17th of 44 (Greece in January). Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Zante is 6.1°C warmer by day and 8.6°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Zante peaks at 13.5°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 16.0°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 10.8°C; one night in ten drops to 7.5°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 18.9°C (2015-01-22) and the coldest night 0.1°C (2017-01-08).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 13 days with 1 mm or more, 145 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2019 with 326 mm, the driest 2007 with 33 mm. Humidity averages 72%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 16.2°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 15.5°C to 16.9°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (26.2°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.6 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.7 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:51 and sets about 17:40 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 53%.

Is January a good time to visit Zante?

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

Mild afternoons, but pack for cool evenings

Expect weather for a jumper and jacket rather than summer clothes. The average night-time low is 10.8°C, and the coldest nights can fall to 7.5°C or below, so an extra layer matters if you plan to stay out after dark. Warmer days can reach 16°C or more, making time outdoors more comfortable, but do not build the trip around warmth. January is Zante's coldest month, and the sea offers little encouragement: at an average of 16.2°C, it is cold rather than merely bracing. If comfortable swimming is central to your holiday, choose another month; here, the better fit is a break where getting into the water is optional.

Keep outdoor plans flexible

Rain is the main catch. With about 13 rainy days, a waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet conditions are more useful than packing mainly for sunshine. That does not mean every day is a washout: January averages about 4.6 hours of sunshine within 9.7 hours of daylight. Make use of brighter spells for time outside, and leave room to move plans around rather than committing every day to being outdoors. The limited daylight also makes daytime your most useful window for exploring on foot. This suits travellers who can enjoy a cool, changeable break; it is less convincing if your main aim is reliable winter sun.