What are the best countries to visit in January?? This is a great question because January is the best time to travel I think! The Christmas and New Year crowds are over and the kids are back at school meaning a drop in prices and crowds compared to December!
Whilst it may seem gloomy where you live in January (especially if you’re in the UK like me!), it’s good to know that the whole world isn’t gloomy in January!
Whether you’re dreaming of 30°C beach days, fresh powder on the slopes or a quiet city break without the queues, this guide rounds up the best countries to visit in January. I’ve included countries in their summer time like Australia and South Africa, places in their dry season like India and Costa Rica, and some of the best countries to visit in January in Europe for both snow and winter sun.
I’ve ordered the countries by region so you can jump straight to the kind of trip you’re after!
1. ITALY
Few countries can match Italy for variety in January. Up north, the Dolomites and the Aosta Valley are deep into ski season, and resorts like Cortina d’Ampezzo and Cervinia have some of the most scenic slopes in Europe.
Travel south and it feels like a different country. Rome, Naples and Palermo usually sit between 13 and 16°C, which is ideal for wandering between ruins, piazzas and local shops in a jacket without the summer heat, but still warm enough in the daytime to enjoy some gelato!
If you want to experience both sun and ski in Italy in January fly into Milan or Turin for a few days on the slopes, then catch the train south for a city break. The train system in Italy is brilliant!
2. SWITZERLAND
Switzerland is one of the prettiest countries there is, and it makes one of the best countries to visit in January, especially under a thick blanket of snow that feels like stepping into a postcard! January is reliably one of the snowiest months in the Alps, making it prime time for skiing in Zermatt, Verbier, St Moritz and Grindelwald.
Not a skier? Book a seat on the Glacier Express, a slow, scenic train journey of around eight hours between Zermatt and St Moritz that crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels, known as one of the best train journeys in the world!
Switzerland is never a budget trip, but going in January after the New Year rush is often better value than the February half term weeks.
3. FRANCE
France is another country to visit in January that offers it all! January is one of the best months to hit the French Alps and once the Christmas crowds leave Chamonix, Val d’Isère and Les Trois Vallées, lift queues shrink and chalet prices tend to drop compared with February and you’ll get some of the best skiing in Europe!
France also offers sun in January! Nice in the south of France gets more winter sunshine than most of mainland Europe, with daytime highs of around 13°C, so a stroll along the Promenade and exploring the French Riviera without the summer crowds, as well as taking a day trip to glamorous Monaco is a great option in January.
The South of France is on my radar for some winter sun in Europe this year!
4. SPAIN
Want proper winter sun without leaving Europe? Spain is your answer! The Canary Islands are the warmest corner of the continent in January, with Tenerife and Gran Canaria averaging around 21°C, so you can genuinely spend the day on the beach and are ideal if you can get a hotel with a heated pool!
On the mainland, Seville and Málaga are mild enough for outdoor lunches, while Madrid and Barcelona are crisp, sunny and far quieter than in summer. And here’s something many people don’t realise: you can ski in the Sierra Nevada in winter too showing Spain offers it all in January and is a great destination to choose!
If you arrive on 5th January, don’t miss the Three Kings parades, when towns all over Spain throw sweets into the crowds the night before Epiphany.
Related post: Southern Spain Itinerary COMPLETE GUIDE – Short or Long Trip!
5. MALTA
Just over 3 hours from the UK, Malta is one of the easiest winter sun escapes in Europe. It’s also one of the sunniest, with clear blue skies most days and highs of around 16°C. You probably won’t be swimming but there’s plenty of Malta and Gozo to explore out of season!
Without the summer crowds, you can explore the golden streets of Valletta at your own pace, and if you visit in January you might catch the Valletta Baroque Festival, when concerts fill the city’s grand churches and palaces. Wander the historic lanes of Mdina, the ancient Silent City, or catch the ferry to Gozo for coastal walks and the Ġgantija Temples, which are older than Stonehenge.
Hotel prices drop sharply outside summer, making Malta one of the cheapest countries to visit in January in Europe. I recently looked at this hotel for 3 nights in October which was £500 but in January it’s £150 for 3 nights! So Malta is on my personal list to visit in January!
6. FINLAND
January in Finnish Lapland is winter in its purest form. The snow is deep, the nights are long and dark, and that combination gives you a fantastic chance of seeing the northern lights dancing overhead.
Spend your days husky sledding through silent forests, meeting reindeer or trying ice fishing, then sleep in a glass igloo in Saariselkä or Levi so you can watch the sky from bed. Rovaniemi is far calmer once Christmas is over, meaning you can visit Santa Claus Village without the huge queues, and prices usually drop compared with December too.
Talking of prices, Finland is an expensive country but it is possible to do Lapland on a budget!
7. NORWAY
Tromsø sits around 350km north of the Arctic Circle, and January is an exciting time to be there. The polar night ends in mid January when the sun peeks back over the horizon, and locals celebrate its return, however to us it will still seem like it’s dark all day which is a really unique experience!
These long dark hours are perfect for northern lights hunting, and the early part of the month is the tail end of the whale watching season, when orcas and humpbacks feed in the northern fjords. Add in dog sledding, snowshoeing and cosy evenings in a wooden cabin and you have a truly memorable Arctic adventure.
Related post: 3- 5 Day Norway Road Trip Itinerary! Bergen to Alesund & Atlantic Ocean Road
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The winter months and January especially is when the UAE comes alive because of the cool winter weather but to anyone living in Europe, it will seem like the perfect summer weather! Daytime highs hover around 24°C, the sea is still warm enough for a swim, and evenings are pleasant enough to eat outside and you’ll probably enjoy the slight chill that later in the evening brings.
It’s a great month for shoppers, as the Dubai Shopping Festival runs into mid January with big discounts, fireworks and live entertainment and for events like Global Village which is in its peak in January. You can also enjoy the beaches, a desert safari, then spend a day in Abu Dhabi visiting the breathtaking Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Related posts: PERFECT 5 Day Dubai Itinerary! See the BEST of Dubai 5 Days!
9. QATAR
I went to Qatar a few years ago in January and it was absolutely perfect! The flight is not that long from the UK so I went for a 3 day trip which was a great amount of time to explore the city in a comfortable way. Temperatures during the day were mid 20s and hot for me but it really cooled down in the evening.
There’s is so much to do in Doha, you can wander the lanes of Souq Waqif for spices and shisha cafés, admire the striking architecture of the Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar, then take a 4×4 trip across the dunes to Khor Al Adaid, the Inland Sea where the desert meets the water. It’s compact, easy to get around and works brilliantly as a stopover on the way to Asia or Australia or as its own short trip!
Related posts: Doha Itinerary & Guide | How To Spend 3 Days in Doha with TIPS!
10. OMAN
If the glitz of the UAE isn’t for you, Oman is the more laid back alternative in the Gulf and it’s easily one of the best countries to visit in January because January brings clear skies and temperatures of around 25°C in Muscat, ideal for exploring the souks, beaches and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
The real magic lies beyond the capital, though. Swim in the turquoise pools of Wadi Shab, spend a night under the stars at a desert camp in the Wahiba Sands, and visit the historic fort town of Nizwa. Road trips here are easy and the scenery changes constantly, from rugged mountains to empty coastline.
11. CAPE VERDE
Here’s a little secret: you don’t have to fly halfway around the world for guaranteed winter sunshine. Cape Verde sits off the coast of West Africa, around 6 hours from the UK and just one hour behind, so there’s no jet lag to worry about and I’ve added it to this list of where to go in January because I’ve been seeing good flights on Skyscanner to Cape Verde recently!
In January, temperatures hover around 25°C and rain is almost unheard of! Most visitors head to Sal or Boa Vista for long, empty beaches and laid back resorts, and the steady trade winds make Santa Maria a hotspot for kitesurfing and windsurfing. If you want to see a wilder side, take a trip to Santo Antão for dramatic mountain hikes, or Fogo, where you can climb an active volcano and taste wine grown in its black volcanic soil.
12. SOUTH AFRICA
While we’re wrapped up in coats at home, Cape Town is enjoying the peak of summer. Expect long sunny days of around 26°C, perfect for hiking Table Mountain, visiting the penguins at Boulders Beach and exploring the wine regions of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.
January is also a lovely time for a road trip along the Garden Route to see more of South Africa, with its lagoons, forests and quiet beach towns. Further north, Kruger National Park is green and lush after the summer rains, and you might spot baby animals born earlier in the season.
13. TANZANIA
When it comes to travel in Africa and Asia, we’re looking for dry season travel in January and January falls in Tanzania’s short dry season making it one of the most exciting times for a safari. Towards the end of the month, the Great Migration herds gather on the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti and Ndutu, where the wildebeest calving season begins and predators are never far away.
After the safari, you can unwind on Zanzibar, where temperatures reach around 31°C and the beaches of Nungwi and Kendwa are at their best. It’s also a popular window for climbing Kilimanjaro, thanks to the clearer, drier conditions.
14. KENYA
Kenya’s dry season runs through January and February, so wildlife gathers around water sources and is easier to spot. The Masai Mara is quieter than during the Great Migration months, which means fewer vehicles at sightings and often better value safari lodges.
In Amboseli, the clear January skies give you the best chance of that classic photo of elephants walking in front of Kilimanjaro. Finish your trip on the coast at Diani Beach, where powdery white sand and warm Indian Ocean water make for the ideal post safari reward. You can’t get much better than Kenya in January!
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India is one of the countries I’ve spent the most time in during January, in fact I ran one of my women’s group tours to India in January, and despite its large size, so much of the country is great to visit in this month. In Rajasthan, the days are mostly sunny and around 22 to 25°C, so exploring the forts and palaces of Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur is comfortable rather than exhausting and you’ll need a light coat for the evening time which actually feels nice. Same with the Taj Mahal and Delhi.
Down south, Goa and Kerala are in full beach mode with temperatures in the low 30s with not much cooling down at night! Rishikesh is beautifully chilly and still in January and the only area I’d avoid in January in India is up in the Himalayas like Dharamshala.
Related posts: 24 BEST Places to Visit in India on FIRST Trip! / 9 Of The BEST Beaches In Goa For Foreigners To Visit!
16. SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka is known as one of the best countries to visit in Asia in January. It has two monsoon seasons, and in January it’s the south and west coasts that get the sunshine. That makes it the perfect time to laze on the beaches of Mirissa, Unawatuna and Tangalle, and to wander the ramparts of Galle Fort at sunset.
Mirissa is also one of the best places in the world to see blue whales, and the season is in full swing. Head inland for the famously scenic train ride to Ella, climb Sigiriya Rock and spot elephants in Udawalawe National Park.
Related post: 20 Places to Visit in Sri Lanka on Your First Trip & Travel Tips!
17. THAILAND
Thailand is another country I have spent significant time in during January and I’d say it’s my go to country for January travel! January in Thailand is called the cool season for a reason because it brings Thailand’s most comfortable weather of the year, with low humidity and plenty of blue skies.
In the north, Chiang Mai has fresh mornings of around 15°C that warm up to pleasant afternoons, perfect for temple hopping and visiting ethical elephant sanctuaries. On the Andaman coast, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Phuket and the Phi Phi Islands enjoy calm, clear seas ideal for island hopping and snorkelling. Street food, massages and guesthouses are still wonderfully affordable too.
The islands on the Eastern side like Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan are known for their rainfall in this time of the year however the rain is usually quick to come and go and they are still worth a visit if you’ve been wanting to go!
Related post: EPIC 2 Week Thailand Itinerary – North & South Islands!
18. VIETNAM
Vietnam stretches over 1,600km from north to south, so the weather varies a lot in January. The south is where you’ll find the most consistent sunshine, with HCMC, the Mekong Delta and the island of Phu Quoc all dry and hot, often reaching 32°C.
Hanoi and Ha Long Bay in the north are cooler and often misty at this time of year, which gives them a moody, atmospheric feel, so pack a jacket if you’re travelling the full length of the country. One thing’s for sure, Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries to visit in January, with delicious meals for just a couple of pounds, good accommodation for a low price and great transportation.
19. PHILIPPINES
Another country in Asia with its dry season in January is the Philippines, and with more than 7,000 islands to choose from you’ll never run out of beaches. El Nido and Coron in Palawan have limestone cliffs and lagoons that look almost unreal, while Siargao and Bohol are brilliant for surfing, chocolate hills and spotting tiny tarsiers.
I went to Boracay in January a few years ago, we had a few cloudy days but the weather was still really warm. The one thing I do remember is how busy it was in January with many domestic tourists travelling and people from other Asian countries that are in their winter like South Korea and China, so be sure to look into accommodation and flights in January in advance!
20. MALDIVES
If the Maldives is on your bucket list, January falls in the Maldives’ dry season, bringing 30°C sunshine, calm seas and excellent visibility for snorkelling and diving, with the chance to swim with whale sharks in South Ari Atoll and spot reef sharks, turtles and manta rays.
Prices peak over Christmas and New Year, but a mid January trip can be noticeably better value. It’s ideal for a honeymoon, a milestone birthday or simply escaping the British winter in style.
21. JAPAN
Asia isn’t a part of the world we think of when we think of skiing and snow holidays and you might not have thought about Japan in winter but Japan in January is a winter wonderland in certain areas of the country. Hokkaido’s Niseko is famous worldwide for its light, dry powder snow, often called “Japow”! The iconic snow monkeys of Jigokudani bathe in steaming hot springs in Japan, a sight that’s at its best in January and February.
As for the rest of the country and the most common places to visit in Japan, Tokyo enjoys crisp, sunny days of around 10°C, while Kyoto’s temples and gardens are wonderfully peaceful, especially when dusted with snow, and Hakuba in the Japanese Alps is an easy trip from Tokyo by bullet train. Japan is cold in January but it’s worth a visit for the unique experience and there’s nothing better than soaking in a hot onsen after a day of exploring.
Related posts: 2 Week Japan Itinerary Perfect For Your First Trip to Japan! / How to Use Japan Rail Pass & Get The MOST Out Of It?
22. AUSTRALIA
Swapping a British or European winter for an Australian summer is about as dramatic a weather upgrade as you can get. Sydney averages around 26°C, so you can spend your mornings swimming at Bondi or Manly and your evenings enjoying the Sydney Festival, which fills the city with outdoor music, theatre and art throughout January.
Tennis fans can head to Melbourne for the Australian Open where the city is buzzing with life in January, while Perth on the west coast often tops 30°C and has some of the country’s most beautiful beaches. Tasmania is lovely at this time of year too, with mild weather for hiking. One thing to bear in mind is that the tropical north, including Cairns and Darwin, is in its wet season, so the southern half of the country is the better bet this month.
I lived in Australia for 2 years and January is by far the best month of the year with amazing weather and activities and everything you think of when you think of life down under!
23. NEW ZEALAND
Another country experiencing the height of summer in January is New Zealand which was made for summer road trips, and January delivers long sunny days with temperatures generally between 20 and 25°C. In some places it stays light until after 9pm, giving you even more time to explore making it one of the best countries to visit in January!
Kayak the golden bays of Abel Tasman National Park, tackle the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, or take a cruise through Milford Sound. Queenstown is buzzing with bungy jumping, jet boating and lakeside wineries, while the Bay of Islands is perfect for sailing and dolphin spotting. It’s school summer holidays in New Zealand (and Australia), so book campsites and campervans early.
24. MEXICO
Mexico ticks a lot of boxes in January and it’s easily one of the hottest countries to visit in January! On the Yucatán Peninsula, Cancún, Tulum and Playa del Carmen enjoy around 28°C with low rainfall, perfect for swimming in cenotes, exploring Mayan ruins like Chichén Itzá and lazing on white sand beaches. We visited in December a few years ago and the weather in this region was perfect and it’s very much the same in January too!
Mexico City is dry and sunny too, with comfortable days ideal for museums, markets and taco crawls. Over on the Pacific side, January marks the start of grey whale season in Baja California, when mothers and calves gather in the warm lagoons and sometimes swim right up to the boats. Away from the big resorts, Mexico can be one of the cheapest countries to visit in January, especially if you eat where the locals do.
25. COSTA RICA
If you love wildlife, Costa Rica in January is hard to beat. The dry season is well underway on the Pacific side, so trails are less muddy and beaches like those in Guanacaste and Manuel Antonio are bathed in sunshine.
You can spot sloths and monkeys in the rainforest, walk across hanging bridges in the cloud forest of Monteverde, and soak in hot springs with a view of the Arenal Volcano. It’s an adventure playground too, with zip lining, white water rafting and surfing all on the menu. It’s a fantastic choice for families who want nature and adventure in one trip in January in Central America.
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I did a TUI Caribbean cruise with my mum the other year departing Barbados in January and it was a great time of year to go! Few Caribbean islands are as easy to reach from the UK as Barbados, with direct flights from the UK taking around 8.5 hours. Once you land, January brings dry, breezy days of around 29°C and a sea so calm and clear on the west coast that you can swim with turtles in Carlisle Bay.
The island has a wonderful mix of luxury and local charm. Spend your days on the soft sands of the Platinum Coast, watch Atlantic waves crash at Bathsheba on the wilder east coast, and don’t miss the Friday night fish fry at Oistins, where fresh seafood and music go on late into the evening.
I’d also really recommend a 1 week Caribbean Cruise in January to escape the winter at home!
27. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The Dominican Republic is one of the best value Caribbean destinations if you are looking for an all inclusive Caribbean holiday in January. Punta Cana’s long stretches of palm fringed beach and temperatures of around 28°C make it easy to switch off completely.
From mid January, thousands of humpback whales arrive in Samaná Bay to mate and give birth, and seeing them breach is unforgettable. History lovers should also spend a day in Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone, the oldest European settlement in the Americas, with cobbled streets and colourful buildings, there really is something to do for everyone in the Dominican Republic and it’s just as easy to get away from the sun beds as it is to sit on them.
28. COLOMBIA
Moving onto South America, Colombia has a little bit of everything, and January is the dry season in many of its most popular regions. Cartagena’s colourful walled old town comes alive with music and street food, and temperatures of around 31°C mean an afternoon boat trip to the Rosario Islands is almost essential.
Medellín, known as the City of Eternal Spring, stays a comfortable 24°C or so all year, while the lush coffee region around Salento is ideal for farm tours and hiking among the towering wax palms of the Cocora Valley. Colombia is great value too, making it one of the cheapest countries to visit in January.
29. BRAZIL
I started my 3 month South America backpacking trip in Rio de Janeiro on 1st January and let me tell you, it is hot, vibrant and full of energy in January! With temperatures often above 30°C, locals flock to Copacabana and Ipanema, and the city starts buzzing in the build up to Carnival, with samba schools holding rehearsals that visitors can join.
As well as Rio, Florianópolis has more than 40 beaches to choose from, Salvador in Bahia is rich in Afro Brazilian culture, and Iguazu Falls which is one of the natural wonders of the world located on the border of Brazil and Argentina is at its most powerful in summer and a must visit!
30. CHILE
Another country I have spent a lot of time in during January is Chile. Chile is so long and thin that the weather completely varies in January. At the very bottom of the continent, Patagonia only really opens up in the summer months for hiking, and January is peak season for good reason. In Torres del Paine National Park, you can tackle the famous W Trek with up to 17 hours of daylight, surrounded by glaciers, granite towers and electric blue lakes.
Further north, the capital Santiago which I loved is warm and dry and full of life as this is in the middle of summer, and as you go up North to the Atacama Desert the heat eases slightly and there are so many desert adventures to be had on the border of Bolivia and Chile. This really is an adventure country to visit in January!
FAQs About the Best Countries to Visit in January
What is the best country to visit in January?
It depends on the kind of trip you want. For guaranteed sunshine and beaches, Thailand, the Maldives and Barbados are hard to beat. For snow, Switzerland and Japan are top choices, and for a bit of everything in one trip, Italy lets you combine skiing in the Dolomites with a mild city break in Rome or Sicily.
Which countries are warm in January?
The best countries to visit in January for warm weather include those in their summer, like Australia, South Africa, Brazil and Chile, and those in their dry season, like India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Mexico and Costa Rica. The Caribbean, the Maldives and the Gulf countries are also reliably warm, with temperatures from the mid 20s to low 30s.
Where is warm in January with a short flight from the UK?
The Canary Islands are the warmest option in Europe, averaging around 21°C and just over four hours from most UK airports. Malta is around three hours away with highs of about 16°C, while Cape Verde offers temperatures of around 25°C on a direct flight of roughly six hours. Read this article for more ideas: 14 BEST Winter Sun Destinations in EUROPE
What are the cheapest countries to visit in January?
Some of the cheapest countries to visit in January are India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Philippines and Colombia, where accommodation, food and transport are great value once you arrive. In Europe, Malta and mainland Spain are affordable as hotel prices drop well below their summer rates.
What are the best countries to visit in January in Europe?
The best countries to visit in January in Europe depend on whether you want snow or sun. Switzerland, France and Italy are ideal for skiing but also seeing pretty villages, towns and lakes. Finland and Norway are perfect for the northern lights, and Spain and Malta offer the mildest weather for winter sun and city breaks.
Where can I see the northern lights in January?
Iceland, Finnish Lapland and northern Norway are two of the best places in the world to see the aurora in January. The long, dark nights give you plenty of chances, and staying somewhere away from light pollution, like a glass igloo in Saariselkä or a cabin outside Tromsø, will improve your odds.
Is January a good time to travel?
Yes! Once the Christmas and New Year rush is over, flights and hotels are often cheaper, and popular sights are much quieter than in peak season. Travelling in January also avoids the February half term price rise, which makes it a great month for anyone without school age children to grab a bargain.
Where is good for a family holiday in January?
The Canary Islands and Dubai offer warm weather without a long flight, and are easy places to travel with children. For something more adventurous, Lapland is magical for snow and husky rides, while Kenya and Costa Rica are fantastic for kids who love wildlife.
- For more of my January and monthly travel guides see:
- 30 BEST Places to Visit in Asia in DECEMBER & JANUARY!
- 14 BEST Winter Sun Destinations in EUROPE (With Temperatures)
- 14 WARM Places to Visit in DECEMBER in EUROPE!
- 24 BEST Places To Travel in DECEMBER For WARM Weather!