Weather in Benalmadena in January

How January compares

January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Benalmadena. Within Spain it is 72nd of 87 (Spain in January). Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Benalmadena is 6.2°C warmer by day and 5.2°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Benalmadena peaks at 13.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 16.4°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 7.4°C; one night in ten drops to 4.5°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 20.0°C (2012-01-06) and the coldest night -0.6°C (2009-01-10).

Rain in January

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 8 days with 1 mm or more, 57 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 1996 with 262 mm, the driest 2005 with 4 mm. Humidity averages 76%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 15.1°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 14.6°C to 15.6°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (23.1°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.0 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.8 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 08:30 and sets about 18:25 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 49%.

Is January a good time to visit Benalmadena?

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

Mild afternoons, but proper winter evenings

January is Benalmadena's coldest month, so think light winter clothing rather than a summer wardrobe. A daytime high around 14°C can suit walking, but it is not reliable T-shirt weather. The warmer days reach 16.4°C or more, which gives you some scope for comfortable time outdoors without making warmth a safe assumption. Pack layers that you can remove during the afternoon, plus a warm jacket for evenings. Average overnight lows are around 7°C, while the coldest nights fall to 4.5°C or below. Accommodation with heating is a sensible priority, especially if you tend to feel the cold.

Useful sunshine, with room for wet-weather plans

There is enough sunshine to make outdoor time worthwhile: January averages about 5.0 hours a day within 9.8 hours of daylight. That is a reason to go, but not a promise of clear skies throughout your stay. About 8 days have measurable rain, so a waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with showers are more useful than packing only for dry afternoons. Keep your outdoor plans movable rather than relying on a particular day being sunny. Plan longer walks for the daylight hours and leave yourself something to do indoors when it rains. January suits that flexible approach better than a fixed beach routine.

The sea is for hardy swimmers

At 15.1°C, the sea is cold rather than merely refreshing. If comfortable swimming is central to your holiday, January is the wrong fit; a sunny afternoon does not change the water temperature. Time beside the sea makes more sense than planning to spend much time in it. Do not assume a pool will solve that problem either: check that it is heated before booking if swimming matters to you. For a trip focused on warmer weather, June, July and August are better choices here. January's appeal is instead a cool-weather stay where swimming is optional, not the main activity.