Gran Canaria
- Day
- 20.2°C
- Sea
- 19.5°C
- Sun
- 6.8h
- Rain days
- 3
Your January weather guide
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
Spain, month by month
Turn up the warmth
Ranked by average daytime high. The full comparison is in the table below.
All 87 places we track in Spain, ordered by daytime high.
Scroll sideways for more weather, down for more places. Click a heading to sort.
| # | Destination | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gran Canaria | 20.2°C | 15.5°C | 19.5°C | 6.8 h | 3 | 4 h 24 min |
| 2 | Puerto Rico | 20.2°C | 15.6°C | 19.6°C | 6.8 h | 2 | 4 h 24 min |
| 3 | Puerto de Mogan | 20.2°C | 15.6°C | 19.6°C | 6.8 h | 2 | 4 h 24 min |
| 4 | Taurito | 20.2°C | 15.6°C | 19.6°C | 6.8 h | 2 | 4 h 24 min |
| 5 | Playa de la Arena | 20.2°C | 15.6°C | 19.9°C | 6.2 h | 4 | 4 h 24 min |
| 6 | Amadores | 20.2°C | 15.6°C | 19.6°C | 6.8 h | 2 | 4 h 24 min |
| 7 | Meloneras | 20.2°C | 15.5°C | 19.5°C | 6.8 h | 3 | 4 h 24 min |
| 8 | Puerto de Santiago | 20.2°C | 15.6°C | 19.9°C | 6.2 h | 4 | 4 h 24 min |
| 9 | La Gomera | 20.1°C | 17.1°C | 19.9°C | 6.9 h | 3 | 4 h 24 min |
| 10 | Los Gigantes | 20.1°C | 15.6°C | 19.9°C | 6.2 h | 4 | 4 h 24 min |
| 11 | Playa del Ingles | 20.1°C | 15.4°C | 19.5°C | 6.8 h | 3 | 4 h 24 min |
| 12 | Tenerife | 19.6°C | 15.1°C | 19.9°C | 7.0 h | 4 | 4 h 24 min |
| 13 | Playa de las Americas | 19.6°C | 15.1°C | 19.9°C | 7.0 h | 4 | 4 h 24 min |
| 14 | Los Cristianos | 19.6°C | 15.1°C | 19.9°C | 7.0 h | 4 | 4 h 24 min |
| 15 | Canary Islands | 19.1°C | 15.7°C | 19.5°C | 6.4 h | 3 | 4 h 24 min |
| 16 | Santa Cruz de Tenerife | 19.1°C | 16.3°C | 19.6°C | 5.5 h | 5 | 4 h 18 min |
| 17 | Fuerteventura | 19.0°C | 15.7°C | 18.9°C | 5.6 h | 2 | 4 h 12 min |
| 18 | Corralejo | 19.0°C | 15.7°C | 18.9°C | 5.6 h | 2 | 4 h 12 min |
| 19 | Playa Blanca | 18.7°C | 16.1°C | 18.9°C | 5.7 h | 2 | 4 h 12 min |
| 20 | Costa Adeje | 18.5°C | 13.9°C | 19.9°C | 6.2 h | 5 | 4 h 24 min |
| 21 | Playa Paraiso | 18.5°C | 13.9°C | 19.9°C | 6.2 h | 5 | 4 h 24 min |
| 22 | Lanzarote | 18.4°C | 15.7°C | 18.8°C | 5.6 h | 3 | 4 h 6 min |
| 23 | Matagorda | 18.4°C | 15.7°C | 18.8°C | 5.6 h | 3 | 4 h 6 min |
| 24 | Costa Teguise | 18.3°C | 15.8°C | 18.7°C | 5.6 h | 2 | 4 h 6 min |
| 25 | La Palma | 17.3°C | 14.9°C | 20.0°C | 6.2 h | 4 | 4 h 24 min |
| 26 | Puerto de la Cruz | 17.1°C | 15.0°C | 19.7°C | 5.9 h | 6 | 4 h 18 min |
| 27 | Torrevieja | 15.8°C | 7.6°C | 14.7°C | 5.7 h | 4 | 2 h 36 min |
| 28 | Estepona | 15.7°C | 9.8°C | 15.3°C | 5.2 h | 9 | 2 h 54 min |
| 29 | Nerja | 15.6°C | 9.8°C | 15.0°C | 5.5 h | 7 | 2 h 48 min |
| 30 | Costa de la Luz | 15.6°C | 8.2°C | 15.5°C | 5.5 h | 8 | 2 h 54 min |
| 31 | Cadiz | 15.6°C | 8.2°C | 15.5°C | 5.5 h | 8 | 2 h 54 min |
| 32 | Seville | 15.4°C | 6.3°C | - | 5.5 h | 6 | 2 h 42 min |
| 33 | Alicante | 15.2°C | 8.0°C | 14.6°C | 5.4 h | 5 | 2 h 30 min |
| 34 | Fuengirola | 15.2°C | 9.0°C | 15.2°C | 5.5 h | 7 | 2 h 48 min |
| 35 | La Cala de Mijas | 15.2°C | 9.0°C | 15.2°C | 5.5 h | 7 | 2 h 48 min |
| 36 | Benidorm | 15.1°C | 7.7°C | 14.6°C | 5.4 h | 6 | 2 h 30 min |
| 37 | Malaga | 15.1°C | 9.5°C | 15.0°C | 5.0 h | 8 | 2 h 48 min |
| 38 | Valencia | 15.0°C | 6.9°C | 14.0°C | 5.4 h | 5 | 2 h 24 min |
| 39 | Costa Blanca | 15.0°C | 8.1°C | 14.6°C | 5.5 h | 6 | 2 h 30 min |
| 40 | Altea | 15.0°C | 7.6°C | 14.6°C | 5.5 h | 6 | 2 h 30 min |
| 41 | Torremolinos | 14.9°C | 8.5°C | 15.1°C | 5.0 h | 8 | 2 h 48 min |
| 42 | Ibiza | 14.8°C | 10.0°C | 14.8°C | 5.4 h | 6 | 2 h 30 min |
| 43 | Andalucia | 14.8°C | 8.4°C | 15.2°C | 5.2 h | 8 | 2 h 42 min |
| 44 | Moraira | 14.8°C | 8.7°C | 14.5°C | 5.4 h | 6 | 2 h 30 min |
| 45 | Mojacar | 14.8°C | 7.6°C | 14.9°C | 5.7 h | 4 | 2 h 42 min |
| 46 | Marbella | 14.7°C | 9.1°C | 15.3°C | 5.3 h | 9 | 2 h 48 min |
| 47 | Costa del Sol | 14.7°C | 8.7°C | 15.1°C | 5.2 h | 8 | 2 h 48 min |
| 48 | Albir | 14.7°C | 7.3°C | 14.6°C | 5.5 h | 6 | 2 h 30 min |
| 49 | Denia | 14.6°C | 9.2°C | 14.4°C | 5.4 h | 6 | 2 h 30 min |
| 50 | Santa Eulalia | 14.6°C | 10.3°C | 14.8°C | 5.4 h | 6 | 2 h 24 min |
| 51 | Es Cana | 14.6°C | 10.3°C | 14.8°C | 5.4 h | 6 | 2 h 24 min |
| 52 | Calpe | 14.5°C | 8.4°C | 14.5°C | 5.4 h | 6 | 2 h 30 min |
| 53 | San Antonio | 14.5°C | 10.2°C | 14.7°C | 5.5 h | 6 | 2 h 24 min |
| 54 | Calas de Mallorca | 14.2°C | 9.4°C | 14.8°C | 4.8 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 55 | Cala d'Or | 14.2°C | 9.4°C | 14.8°C | 4.8 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 56 | Playa de Palma | 14.2°C | 9.3°C | 14.7°C | 4.9 h | 6 | 2 h 24 min |
| 57 | Can Pastilla | 14.2°C | 9.3°C | 14.7°C | 4.9 h | 6 | 2 h 24 min |
| 58 | Porto Cristo | 14.2°C | 9.4°C | 14.8°C | 4.8 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 59 | Majorca | 14.1°C | 9.4°C | 14.7°C | 4.9 h | 6 | 2 h 24 min |
| 60 | Palma | 14.1°C | 9.4°C | 14.7°C | 4.9 h | 6 | 2 h 24 min |
| 61 | Alcudia | 14.0°C | 9.5°C | 14.6°C | 4.6 h | 8 | 2 h 24 min |
| 62 | Palma Nova | 14.0°C | 10.8°C | 14.8°C | 4.9 h | 6 | 2 h 24 min |
| 63 | Magaluf | 14.0°C | 10.8°C | 14.8°C | 4.9 h | 6 | 2 h 24 min |
| 64 | Puerto Pollensa | 14.0°C | 9.7°C | 14.5°C | 4.6 h | 8 | 2 h 18 min |
| 65 | Playa de Muro | 14.0°C | 9.5°C | 14.6°C | 4.6 h | 8 | 2 h 24 min |
| 66 | Camp de Mar | 14.0°C | 10.8°C | 14.7°C | 5.1 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 67 | Sa Coma | 13.9°C | 9.7°C | 14.7°C | 4.8 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 68 | Cala Bona | 13.9°C | 9.7°C | 14.7°C | 4.8 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 69 | Cala Millor | 13.9°C | 9.7°C | 14.7°C | 4.8 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 70 | Paguera | 13.9°C | 10.7°C | 14.7°C | 5.1 h | 7 | 2 h 24 min |
| 71 | Santa Ponsa | 13.8°C | 10.5°C | 14.8°C | 4.9 h | 6 | 2 h 24 min |
| 72 | Benalmadena | 13.6°C | 7.4°C | 15.1°C | 5.0 h | 8 | 2 h 48 min |
| 73 | Cala'n Bosch | 13.5°C | 11.0°C | 14.6°C | 4.7 h | 8 | 2 h 18 min |
| 74 | Cala'n Forcat | 13.5°C | 11.0°C | 14.6°C | 4.7 h | 8 | 2 h 18 min |
| 75 | Cala Blanca | 13.5°C | 11.0°C | 14.6°C | 4.7 h | 8 | 2 h 18 min |
| 76 | Menorca | 13.4°C | 10.9°C | 14.5°C | 4.6 h | 9 | 2 h 24 min |
| 77 | Salou | 13.0°C | 5.4°C | 13.6°C | 5.0 h | 6 | 2 h 12 min |
| 78 | Costa Dorada | 12.9°C | 5.5°C | 13.6°C | 5.0 h | 6 | 2 h 12 min |
| 79 | La Pineda | 12.9°C | 5.5°C | 13.6°C | 5.0 h | 6 | 2 h 12 min |
| 80 | Tossa de Mar | 12.6°C | 5.2°C | 13.4°C | 4.7 h | 7 | 2 h 6 min |
| 81 | Santa Susanna | 12.6°C | 4.3°C | 13.4°C | 4.7 h | 7 | 2 h 6 min |
| 82 | Mijas | 12.6°C | 6.3°C | 15.1°C | 5.0 h | 7 | 2 h 48 min |
| 83 | Barcelona | 12.5°C | 5.1°C | 13.5°C | 4.8 h | 6 | 2 h 6 min |
| 84 | Costa Brava | 12.5°C | 4.5°C | 13.4°C | 4.7 h | 7 | 2 h 6 min |
| 85 | Lloret de Mar | 12.4°C | 4.1°C | 13.4°C | 4.7 h | 7 | 2 h 6 min |
| 86 | San Sebastian | 11.2°C | 6.4°C | 12.7°C | 2.8 h | 15 | 1 h 54 min |
| 87 | Madrid | 9.6°C | 1.1°C | - | 4.5 h | 7 | 2 h 18 min |
87 destinations shownClimate averages, not a forecast.
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.
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.
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.
Around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 10.4 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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