Weather in Barcelona in January

How January compares

January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Barcelona and ranks 95th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Within Spain it is 83rd of 87 (Spain in January). Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Barcelona is 5.1°C warmer by day and 2.9°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Barcelona peaks at 12.5°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 15.4°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 5.1°C; one night in ten drops to 2.2°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 20.5°C (2018-01-04) and the coldest night -1.6°C (2005-01-30).

Rain in January

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 6 days with 1 mm or more, 41 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2020 with 179 mm, the driest 1993 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 79%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 13.5°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 12.9°C to 14.2°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (25.5°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.8 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.3 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 08:16 and sets about 17:45 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 49%.

Is January a good time to visit Barcelona?

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

Comfortable for walking, but pack for cold evenings

January is Barcelona's coldest month, so treat it as a winter trip even if the daytime temperatures look appealing beside those at home. A jumper and coat give you more flexibility than relying on a light jacket, particularly when heading out after dark. The warmer days can reach 15.4°C or more, but that is a bonus rather than the basis for your packing. At the colder end, nights can fall to 2.2°C or below. Bring layers you can remove while walking and put back on when you stop. Outdoor breaks are more appealing during the warmer part of the day; keep evening plans comfortable with somewhere indoors to warm up.

Make the daylight count and leave room for rain

With about 4.8 hours of sunshine within 9.3 hours of daylight, January offers some bright weather without the long outdoor days of a summer trip. Put the walking you most want to do into the daylight hours rather than leaving it until late afternoon. Rain falls on about 6 days during the month, so a waterproof outer layer and shoes that cope with wet pavements are sensible choices. That does not mean you should expect a washout, but a rigid outdoor schedule is less useful than a flexible one. Keep an indoor alternative in mind and use the brighter spells for time outside.