Your January weather guide
WarmWeather in Gran Canaria in January
January is a good time to visit Gran Canaria if you want mild outdoor weather rather than reliable beach heat. Daytime highs average around 20°C, there are about 2 rainy days, and the sea sits at 19.5°C. For a UK traveller, that makes it a practical choice for a warmer winter holiday, provided you pack for cooler evenings and treat swimming as a bracing dip rather than a warm-water soak.
Long-term climate averages for Maspalomas (south coast), not a forecast · 1991-2020
Gran Canaria, month by month
Your snapshot
At a glance
The useful details for Maspalomas (south coast).
- Average daytime high
- 20.2°C
- 9 in 10 days stay below 22°C
- Average night-time low
- 15.5°C
- coldest 10% of nights: 14°C or lower
- Compared with London
- +12.8°C
- London averages 7.4°C in January
- Sea temperature
- 19.5°C
- year to year: 19°C to 20°C
- Sunshine per day (est.)
- 6.8h
- 65% of 10.4 h of daylight
- Rainy days (1 mm+)
- 3
- 14 mm over the month
- Humidity
- 69%
- Days over 25°C
- 1%
- none over 30°C
- Record high 1991-2020
- 26.6°C
- 2018-01-03
- Record low 1991-2020
- 10.0°C
- 2018-01-31
- Flight from London
- ≈ 4 h 24 min
- 2904 km, short-haul (estimate for a direct flight)
Records are observed extremes within 1991-2020, not typical holiday conditions. Warm-day percentages are shares of days, not day counts.
How January compares
January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Gran Canaria and ranks 46th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Within Spain it is 1st of 87 (Spain in January). Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Gran Canaria is 12.8°C warmer by day and 13.3°C warmer at night.
Daytime and night-time in January
The typical January day in Gran Canaria peaks at 20.2°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 22.3°C or more. Roughly 1 in 100 days top 25°C. Nights average 15.5°C; one night in ten drops to 13.5°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 26.6°C (2018-01-03) and the coldest night 10.0°C (2018-01-31).
Rain in January
Dry (3 rainy days or fewer): about 3 days with 1 mm or more, 14 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2007 with 68 mm, the driest 1995 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 69%.
Sea temperature in January
The sea averages 19.5°C - bracing (18-22°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 18.7°C to 20.4°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (23.2°C).
Sunshine and daylight
Around 6.8 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 10.4 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:55 and sets about 18:28 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 35%.
Is January a good time to visit Gran Canaria?
It is a reasonable choice: warm days. The best months for Gran Canaria on our scoring are August, July, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.
Warm days, cooler evenings
Expect comfortable daytime warmth, not summer heat. Gran Canaria's average January high is 20.2°C, compared with London's 7.4°C, so the difference should feel substantial when you spend time outdoors. Light clothing can work during the warmer part of the day, but bring a jumper or light jacket for evenings: average night lows are 15.5°C, and colder nights can fall to 13.5°C or below. Days reaching 25°C are rare, so don't book expecting hot afternoons throughout your stay. January is the island's coolest month, which suits travellers who prefer being outside without strong heat, but is a clear compromise if lying in hot sunshine is the main purpose of your trip.
Mostly dry, but the sea is bracing
Rain is unlikely to dominate your plans: January averages about 2 rainy days, although a dry month is not guaranteed. With around 6.8 hours of sunshine out of 10.4 hours of daylight, there is a useful window for spending time outside, but you should not expect uninterrupted sun. Keep your plans flexible enough to use the brighter spells, and pack a light waterproof alongside sun protection. The bigger catch for a beach-focused holiday is the water. At an average of 19.5°C, the sea is bracing rather than comfortably warm. Short dips may appeal if you tolerate cool water; if you prefer lingering in the sea, January is less well suited to you.
A little perspective
Gran Canaria through the year
January is highlighted. See how it compares with the rest of the year.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuarySelected | 20.2°C | 15.5°C | 19.5°C | 6.8 | 14 | 3 | 1% |
| February | 20.5°C | 15.6°C | 18.8°C | 7.5 | 20 | 3 | 4% |
| March | 21.6°C | 16.1°C | 18.8°C | 8.1 | 16 | 4 | 12% |
| April | 22.0°C | 16.6°C | 19.2°C | 8.5 | 13 | 4 | 8% |
| May | 23.4°C | 17.8°C | 20.0°C | 9.4 | 8 | 3 | 17% |
| Junebest | 25.1°C | 19.3°C | 21.2°C | 11.2 | 3 | 1 | 42% |
| Julybest | 27.6°C | 20.9°C | 21.9°C | 12.1 | 1 | 0 | 89% |
| Augustbest | 28.3°C | 22.0°C | 22.8°C | 11.2 | 0 | 0 | 97% |
| September | 27.0°C | 21.5°C | 23.2°C | 9.1 | 7 | 2 | 90% |
| October | 25.7°C | 20.7°C | 23.2°C | 7.3 | 21 | 5 | 56% |
| November | 23.4°C | 18.8°C | 22.1°C | 6.4 | 15 | 4 | 21% |
| December | 21.2°C | 16.9°C | 20.6°C | 6.4 | 28 | 5 | 2% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
Keep exploring
Similar in January
Closest matches on daytime temperature, sea temperature and sunshine, in other countries.
A little more detail
Gran Canaria in January FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Is Gran Canaria hot in January?
Gran Canaria is warm in January: the average daytime high is 20.2°C and nights average 15.5°C. Roughly 1 in 100 January days reach 25°C.
Can you swim in the sea in Gran Canaria in January?
The sea around Gran Canaria averages 19.5°C in January, which is bracing - fine for a quick dip, cool for long swims. Between 1991 and 2020 it ranged from 19°C to 20°C depending on the year.
How much does it rain in Gran Canaria in January?
Gran Canaria sees about 3 rainy days (1 mm or more) and 14 mm of rain in a typical January. The wettest January between 1991 and 2020 was 2007 (68 mm) and the driest was 1995 (0 mm).
How sunny is Gran Canaria in January?
Gran Canaria gets around 6.8 hours of sunshine a day in January out of 10.4 hours of daylight (estimated from average cloud cover).
How does Gran Canaria compare with the UK in January?
Gran Canaria is on average 12.8°C warmer than London by day in January (20.2°C against 7.4°C).
What is the hottest January on record in Gran Canaria?
Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day in Gran Canaria reached 26.6°C on 2018-01-03, and the coldest night dropped to 10.0°C on 2018-01-31.
How long is the flight from London?
The flight from London takes about 4 h 24 min, making Gran Canaria a short-haul option for milder January weather. It suits a winter trip where warmer days matter more than finding intense heat or warm sea temperatures.
Would another month be better for a warmer holiday?
Yes. January is Gran Canaria's coolest month, while August, July and June are stronger choices for warmer holiday weather. Choose January for mild days and generally dry conditions, rather than because you want the island at its warmest.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Maspalomas (Maspalomas (south coast)). Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 4.1 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C