Weather in Italy in January

January climate overview

Daytime highs across Italy in January run from 6.9°C (Milan) to 14.2°C (Sicily). Days over 25°C are rare anywhere in Italy in January. Nights average 4.2°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Milan fall to -4°C or below.

Rainfall in January

Expect around 9 rainy days (1 mm or more) in January, with Lake Como the driest (7 days) and Taormina the wettest (13 days). The wettest January at Sicily between 1991 and 2020 was 1992 with 273 mm; the driest was 2018 with 8 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 13.8°C around Italy in January - warmest at Sicily (15.2°C). That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.2 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 9.7 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

January against the rest of the year in Italy

January is the 12th warmest month of the twelve in Italy. It is 0.8°C cooler than December and 0.9°C warmer in February. The hottest month here is August (29°C) and the coolest January (10°C).

Which part of Italy in January?

• Most sunshine: Sicily, 5.0 h a day.
• Driest: Lake Como, about 7 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Sicily, 15°C.
• Hottest: Sicily, 14°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Milan, 7°C.

What to pack for Italy in January

Based on the averages: proper layers and a jacket - daytime highs average only 10°C; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 4°C; a rain jacket - roughly 9 wet days.

Similar weather elsewhere in January

Within 1.5°C of Italy's January daytime average: Nice (12°C, sea 14°C), Alonissos (11°C, sea 14°C), Dubrovnik (11°C, sea 14°C), Budva (11°C, sea 14°C), Halkidiki (10°C, sea 14°C). See the full ranking for January.

Choose Sicily or Sardinia for milder weather

Sicily is the warmest option in the figures, averaging 14°C by day and 8°C at night. That suits travellers who want relatively mild conditions for walking, not anyone expecting summer warmth. Sardinia is close behind at 13°C by day and 7°C overnight, and both average 8 rainy days. There is a catch to treating the south as uniformly mild and dry: Taormina averages a cooler 12°C and 13 rainy days. Puglia offers another southern option, with 12°C days and 9 rainy days. Use the destination figures rather than assuming every southern base will give you the same weather.

Rome is mild by day; Florence needs warmer layers

Rome's average daytime temperature of 12°C makes outdoor time more manageable than in Florence, where the average is 9°C. The difference matters if you expect to spend much of the day on foot, though neither calls for light summer clothing. Nights fall to 4°C in Rome and 2°C in Florence, so dress for the journey back as well as the afternoon. Milan is the coolest destination listed, at 7°C by day, making it a less suitable choice if warmth is your priority. Rome and Florence also average 9 and 10 rainy days respectively: plan indoor breaks rather than relying on uninterrupted dry weather.

The southern coast still needs a wet-weather plan

The southern coast offers relatively mild evenings, but it is not a reliable choice for dry weather. Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast and Positano average 12°C by day and 8°C at night, alongside 12 rainy days. Naples has the same daytime average, with cooler nights at 6°C and 11 rainy days. If your plans depend on being outdoors throughout the day, that rain is an important trade-off. Pack a waterproof outer layer, comfortable shoes that can cope with wet conditions, and warm layers for sitting outside. Keep longer walks flexible and have an indoor alternative instead of filling every day with weather-dependent plans.