Weather in Marmaris in January

How January compares

January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Marmaris and ranks 80th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Within Turkey it is 2nd of 18 (Turkey in January). Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Marmaris is 6.5°C warmer by day and 6.1°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Marmaris peaks at 13.9°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 16.5°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 8.3°C; one night in ten drops to 4.7°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 19.6°C (1998-01-13) and the coldest night -1.9°C (2002-01-06).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 12 days with 1 mm or more, 172 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2019 with 419 mm, the driest 1992 with 1 mm. Humidity averages 74%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 17.8°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 17.1°C to 18.4°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (26.9°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.0 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.7 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 08:19 and sets about 18:13 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 49%.

Is January a good time to visit Marmaris?

January is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Marmaris on our scoring are September, June, May; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Milder than home, but still winter

January is Marmaris's coldest month, so think comfortable layers rather than summer clothes. The average daytime high of 13.9°C can suit spending time outdoors, particularly in sunshine, but sitting outside may feel less inviting than walking. Warmer days reach 16.5°C or more, though that is not the temperature to plan your whole trip around. Evenings need a proper warm layer: the average low is 8.3°C, and colder nights can fall to 4.7°C or below. Pack long trousers, jumpers and a jacket you can adjust as conditions change. This is a reasonable choice if avoiding heat matters more than finding it.

Keep your plans flexible around rain

Rain is the main catch for a January trip. About 12 rainy days and 172.0 mm across the month make waterproof clothing more useful than an optimistic forecast alone. Those figures do not mean every wet day is a complete washout, but they do argue against a holiday that depends on being outdoors all day. There are about 5.0 hours of sunshine within 9.7 hours of daylight, so brighter periods are part of the picture too. Keep your daily plans flexible, use dry spells for time outside and bring shoes that cope with wet conditions. A waterproof outer layer should be a packing priority.

The sea is cold, not a reason to book

The sea averages 17.8°C in January, which puts it in the cold category rather than comfortable holiday-swimming territory. Its year-to-year range of 17°C to 18°C gives little reason to expect a much warmer swim simply by getting lucky. If you enjoy cold water, a dip may appeal, but most travellers should not make sea swimming central to the trip. The cool air also means you will want dry clothes and a warm layer afterwards. Marmaris makes more sense now for time outdoors between showers than for a beach-focused holiday. If swimming is essential, January is a poor fit.