Your January weather guide

Weather in Spain in January

January is a good month for Spain if you want milder weather rather than dependable beach heat. Country averages of 16°C by day and 11°C at night call for layers, not just summer clothes. Gran Canaria reaches 20°C by day, making it a better fit for warmth than the mainland's cooler options. Choose your destination carefully: this is a month for comfortable time outdoors when conditions allow, with a jacket ready for evenings.

Long-term climate averages, not a forecast · 1991-2020

Average daytime high
15.7°Cacross 87 destinations
Average night-time low
10.5°Cafter dark
Sea temperature
16.1°Ccold for swimming
Rainy days
6days1 mm or more

Spain, month by month

Turn up the warmth

Warmest places in Spain in January

Ranked by average daytime high. The full comparison is in the table below.

#1Warm

Gran Canaria

Spain · 4 h 24 min from London

Day
20.2°C
Sea
19.5°C
Sun
6.8h
Rain days
3
#2Warm

Puerto Rico

Spain · 4 h 24 min from London

Day
20.2°C
Sea
19.6°C
Sun
6.8h
Rain days
2
#3Warm

Puerto de Mogan

Spain · 4 h 24 min from London

Day
20.2°C
Sea
19.6°C
Sun
6.8h
Rain days
2
#4Warm

Taurito

Spain · 4 h 24 min from London

Day
20.2°C
Sea
19.6°C
Sun
6.8h
Rain days
2
#5Warm

Playa de la Arena

Spain · 4 h 24 min from London

Day
20.2°C
Sea
19.9°C
Sun
6.2h
Rain days
4
#6Warm

Amadores

Spain · 4 h 24 min from London

Day
20.2°C
Sea
19.6°C
Sun
6.8h
Rain days
2

Spain destinations ranked for January

All 87 places we track in Spain, ordered by daytime high.

87 destinations

Scroll sideways for more weather, down for more places. Click a heading to sort.

Spain destinations ranked by January temperature
#Destination
1Gran Canaria20.2°C15.5°C19.5°C6.8 h34 h 24 min
2Puerto Rico20.2°C15.6°C19.6°C6.8 h24 h 24 min
3Puerto de Mogan20.2°C15.6°C19.6°C6.8 h24 h 24 min
4Taurito20.2°C15.6°C19.6°C6.8 h24 h 24 min
5Playa de la Arena20.2°C15.6°C19.9°C6.2 h44 h 24 min
6Amadores20.2°C15.6°C19.6°C6.8 h24 h 24 min
7Meloneras20.2°C15.5°C19.5°C6.8 h34 h 24 min
8Puerto de Santiago20.2°C15.6°C19.9°C6.2 h44 h 24 min
9La Gomera20.1°C17.1°C19.9°C6.9 h34 h 24 min
10Los Gigantes20.1°C15.6°C19.9°C6.2 h44 h 24 min
11Playa del Ingles20.1°C15.4°C19.5°C6.8 h34 h 24 min
12Tenerife19.6°C15.1°C19.9°C7.0 h44 h 24 min
13Playa de las Americas19.6°C15.1°C19.9°C7.0 h44 h 24 min
14Los Cristianos19.6°C15.1°C19.9°C7.0 h44 h 24 min
15Canary Islands19.1°C15.7°C19.5°C6.4 h34 h 24 min
16Santa Cruz de Tenerife19.1°C16.3°C19.6°C5.5 h54 h 18 min
17Fuerteventura19.0°C15.7°C18.9°C5.6 h24 h 12 min
18Corralejo19.0°C15.7°C18.9°C5.6 h24 h 12 min
19Playa Blanca18.7°C16.1°C18.9°C5.7 h24 h 12 min
20Costa Adeje18.5°C13.9°C19.9°C6.2 h54 h 24 min
21Playa Paraiso18.5°C13.9°C19.9°C6.2 h54 h 24 min
22Lanzarote18.4°C15.7°C18.8°C5.6 h34 h 6 min
23Matagorda18.4°C15.7°C18.8°C5.6 h34 h 6 min
24Costa Teguise18.3°C15.8°C18.7°C5.6 h24 h 6 min
25La Palma17.3°C14.9°C20.0°C6.2 h44 h 24 min
26Puerto de la Cruz17.1°C15.0°C19.7°C5.9 h64 h 18 min
27Torrevieja15.8°C7.6°C14.7°C5.7 h42 h 36 min
28Estepona15.7°C9.8°C15.3°C5.2 h92 h 54 min
29Nerja15.6°C9.8°C15.0°C5.5 h72 h 48 min
30Costa de la Luz15.6°C8.2°C15.5°C5.5 h82 h 54 min
31Cadiz15.6°C8.2°C15.5°C5.5 h82 h 54 min
32Seville15.4°C6.3°C-5.5 h62 h 42 min
33Alicante15.2°C8.0°C14.6°C5.4 h52 h 30 min
34Fuengirola15.2°C9.0°C15.2°C5.5 h72 h 48 min
35La Cala de Mijas15.2°C9.0°C15.2°C5.5 h72 h 48 min
36Benidorm15.1°C7.7°C14.6°C5.4 h62 h 30 min
37Malaga15.1°C9.5°C15.0°C5.0 h82 h 48 min
38Valencia15.0°C6.9°C14.0°C5.4 h52 h 24 min
39Costa Blanca15.0°C8.1°C14.6°C5.5 h62 h 30 min
40Altea15.0°C7.6°C14.6°C5.5 h62 h 30 min
41Torremolinos14.9°C8.5°C15.1°C5.0 h82 h 48 min
42Ibiza14.8°C10.0°C14.8°C5.4 h62 h 30 min
43Andalucia14.8°C8.4°C15.2°C5.2 h82 h 42 min
44Moraira14.8°C8.7°C14.5°C5.4 h62 h 30 min
45Mojacar14.8°C7.6°C14.9°C5.7 h42 h 42 min
46Marbella14.7°C9.1°C15.3°C5.3 h92 h 48 min
47Costa del Sol14.7°C8.7°C15.1°C5.2 h82 h 48 min
48Albir14.7°C7.3°C14.6°C5.5 h62 h 30 min
49Denia14.6°C9.2°C14.4°C5.4 h62 h 30 min
50Santa Eulalia14.6°C10.3°C14.8°C5.4 h62 h 24 min
51Es Cana14.6°C10.3°C14.8°C5.4 h62 h 24 min
52Calpe14.5°C8.4°C14.5°C5.4 h62 h 30 min
53San Antonio14.5°C10.2°C14.7°C5.5 h62 h 24 min
54Calas de Mallorca14.2°C9.4°C14.8°C4.8 h72 h 24 min
55Cala d'Or14.2°C9.4°C14.8°C4.8 h72 h 24 min
56Playa de Palma14.2°C9.3°C14.7°C4.9 h62 h 24 min
57Can Pastilla14.2°C9.3°C14.7°C4.9 h62 h 24 min
58Porto Cristo14.2°C9.4°C14.8°C4.8 h72 h 24 min
59Majorca14.1°C9.4°C14.7°C4.9 h62 h 24 min
60Palma14.1°C9.4°C14.7°C4.9 h62 h 24 min
61Alcudia14.0°C9.5°C14.6°C4.6 h82 h 24 min
62Palma Nova14.0°C10.8°C14.8°C4.9 h62 h 24 min
63Magaluf14.0°C10.8°C14.8°C4.9 h62 h 24 min
64Puerto Pollensa14.0°C9.7°C14.5°C4.6 h82 h 18 min
65Playa de Muro14.0°C9.5°C14.6°C4.6 h82 h 24 min
66Camp de Mar14.0°C10.8°C14.7°C5.1 h72 h 24 min
67Sa Coma13.9°C9.7°C14.7°C4.8 h72 h 24 min
68Cala Bona13.9°C9.7°C14.7°C4.8 h72 h 24 min
69Cala Millor13.9°C9.7°C14.7°C4.8 h72 h 24 min
70Paguera13.9°C10.7°C14.7°C5.1 h72 h 24 min
71Santa Ponsa13.8°C10.5°C14.8°C4.9 h62 h 24 min
72Benalmadena13.6°C7.4°C15.1°C5.0 h82 h 48 min
73Cala'n Bosch13.5°C11.0°C14.6°C4.7 h82 h 18 min
74Cala'n Forcat13.5°C11.0°C14.6°C4.7 h82 h 18 min
75Cala Blanca13.5°C11.0°C14.6°C4.7 h82 h 18 min
76Menorca13.4°C10.9°C14.5°C4.6 h92 h 24 min
77Salou13.0°C5.4°C13.6°C5.0 h62 h 12 min
78Costa Dorada12.9°C5.5°C13.6°C5.0 h62 h 12 min
79La Pineda12.9°C5.5°C13.6°C5.0 h62 h 12 min
80Tossa de Mar12.6°C5.2°C13.4°C4.7 h72 h 6 min
81Santa Susanna12.6°C4.3°C13.4°C4.7 h72 h 6 min
82Mijas12.6°C6.3°C15.1°C5.0 h72 h 48 min
83Barcelona12.5°C5.1°C13.5°C4.8 h62 h 6 min
84Costa Brava12.5°C4.5°C13.4°C4.7 h72 h 6 min
85Lloret de Mar12.4°C4.1°C13.4°C4.7 h72 h 6 min
86San Sebastian11.2°C6.4°C12.7°C2.8 h151 h 54 min
87Madrid9.6°C1.1°C-4.5 h72 h 18 min

87 destinations shownClimate averages, not a forecast.

January climate overview

Daytime highs across Spain in January run from 9.6°C (Madrid) to 20.2°C (Gran Canaria). Even in Gran Canaria only 1% of days reach 25°C. Nights average 10.5°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Madrid fall to -2°C or below.

Rainfall in January

Expect around 6 rainy days (1 mm or more) in January, with Playa Blanca the driest (2 days) and San Sebastian the wettest (15 days). The wettest January at Gran Canaria between 1991 and 2020 was 2007 with 68 mm; the driest was 1995 with 0 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 16.1°C around Spain in January - warmest at La Palma (20.0°C). That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 10.4 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

January against the rest of the year in Spain

January is the 12th warmest month of the twelve in Spain. It is 0.9°C cooler than December and 0.3°C warmer in February. The hottest month here is August (28°C) and the coolest January (16°C).

Which part of Spain in January?

What to pack for Spain in January

Based on the averages: proper layers and a jacket - daytime highs average only 16°C; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 11°C; a light waterproof for the odd shower.

Similar weather elsewhere in January

Within 1.5°C of Spain's January daytime average: Madeira (17°C, sea 19°C), Sousse (17°C, sea 16°C), Albufeira (16°C, sea 16°C), Ayia Napa (15°C, sea 17°C), Algarve (15°C, sea 16°C). See the full ranking for January.

For warmth, favour Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is the clearest choice if warmth and relatively little rain are your priorities. Its daytime average of 20°C and 2 rainy days make January promising for sitting outside and spending time by the sea, without expecting summer heat. Puerto Rico, Puerto de Mogan, Taurito, Amadores and Meloneras share that pattern, so there is little weather reason to favour one over another. La Gomera matches the daytime warmth, with slightly milder nights at 17°C and 3 rainy days. Los Gigantes and Puerto de Santiago also reach 20°C, but average 4 rainy days. Keep outdoor plans flexible rather than assuming every day will be dry.

Expect a cooler trip in Madrid

Madrid is the coolest destination listed, averaging 10°C by day. That is milder than London's 7°C, but still calls for a proper winter layer rather than beachwear. If warmth is the main reason for travelling, Gran Canaria is a stronger match. Across Spain, the average of 5.4 hours of sunshine gives scope for pleasant spells outdoors, while 6 rainy days make a waterproof jacket sensible. Those country figures are a broad guide, not a promise for your chosen destination. Plan outdoor time around the brighter, warmer part of the day, and bring clothing you can add or remove as conditions change. Evenings need a warmer layer, including in the milder destinations.

A little more detail

Spain in January FAQs

Plain answers, grounded in the averages.

Where is the hottest place in Spain in January?

Gran Canaria is the warmest of the 87 places we track in Spain in January with an average high of 20.2°C; Madrid is the coolest at 9.6°C.

Is the sea warm in Spain in January?

Not really: the warmest sea we track in Spain in January is 20.0°C at La Palma, below the 22°C most people find comfortable.

Is the sea warm enough for swimming in January?

Spain's average sea temperature is 16°C, which is chilly for a leisurely swim. Gran Canaria and the other warmer destinations listed have sea temperatures of 20°C. Those are more inviting if you tolerate cool water, but do not expect a warm-water swim.

Can I expect hot weather in January?

Mild weather is a more realistic expectation than heat. Gran Canaria, the hottest destination listed, averages 20°C by day, and just 1% of days exceed 25°C. Choose it for a better chance of comfortable outdoor weather, not for reliably hot afternoons.

About these averages

ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020

Averages computed from daily values at 87 destination points.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