Where to go on holiday in January

The best places to go in January, ranked from twenty years of historical climate data. Pick by what matters to you — warm sun, sightseeing, or a relaxing break — then open the live tool to fine-tune.

Top all-round picks

  1. Phuket (Thailand) — 26.7°C, 10.6h sun/day, 1.9 rainy days/week. Score: 100/100.
  2. Maldives (Maldives) — 27.4°C, 11.1h sun/day, 2.7 rainy days/week. Score: 100/100.
  3. Gambia (Gambia) — 26.5°C, 10.1h sun/day, 0 rainy days/week. Score: 100/100.
  4. Zanzibar (Tanzania) — 28°C, 11.2h sun/day, 2.9 rainy days/week. Score: 100/100.
  5. Tenerife (Spain) — 17.7°C, 9.7h sun/day, 0.4 rainy days/week. Score: 99/100.
  6. Cancún (Mexico) — 23.7°C, 9.5h sun/day, 3.5 rainy days/week. Score: 97/100.
  7. Cape Verde (Cape Verde) — 22.2°C, 9.6h sun/day, 0 rainy days/week. Score: 97/100.
  8. Curaçao (Curaçao) — 26.4°C, 11h sun/day, 3.5 rainy days/week. Score: 97/100.
  9. Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka) — 23.9°C, 9.5h sun/day, 3.8 rainy days/week. Score: 95/100.
  10. Dominican Republic (Dominican Republic) — 17.8°C, 10.1h sun/day, 3.7 rainy days/week. Score: 95/100.

Best for beach & sun

  1. Phuket (Thailand) — 26.7°C, 10.6h sun/day, 1.9 rainy days/week. Score: 100/100.
  2. Gambia (Gambia) — 26.5°C, 10.1h sun/day, 0 rainy days/week. Score: 100/100.
  3. Maldives (Maldives) — 27.4°C, 11.1h sun/day, 2.7 rainy days/week. Score: 96/100.
  4. Zanzibar (Tanzania) — 28°C, 11.2h sun/day, 2.9 rainy days/week. Score: 94/100.
  5. Cancún (Mexico) — 23.7°C, 9.5h sun/day, 3.5 rainy days/week. Score: 91/100.
  6. Cape Verde (Cape Verde) — 22.2°C, 9.6h sun/day, 0 rainy days/week. Score: 90/100.
  7. Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka) — 23.9°C, 9.5h sun/day, 3.8 rainy days/week. Score: 89/100.
  8. Curaçao (Curaçao) — 26.4°C, 11h sun/day, 3.5 rainy days/week. Score: 86/100.
  9. Tenerife (Spain) — 17.7°C, 9.7h sun/day, 0.4 rainy days/week. Score: 85/100.
  10. Bali (Indonesia) — 26.7°C, 9.2h sun/day, 6.3 rainy days/week. Score: 75/100.

Best city & sightseeing weather

  1. Tenerife (Spain) — 17.7°C, 9.7h sun/day, 0.4 rainy days/week. Score: 100/100.
  2. Phuket (Thailand) — 26.7°C, 10.6h sun/day, 1.9 rainy days/week. Score: 98/100.
  3. Gambia (Gambia) — 26.5°C, 10.1h sun/day, 0 rainy days/week. Score: 98/100.
  4. Cape Verde (Cape Verde) — 22.2°C, 9.6h sun/day, 0 rainy days/week. Score: 97/100.
  5. Madeira (Portugal) — 13.4°C, 8.1h sun/day, 1.9 rainy days/week. Score: 94/100.
  6. Cancún (Mexico) — 23.7°C, 9.5h sun/day, 3.5 rainy days/week. Score: 91/100.
  7. Maldives (Maldives) — 27.4°C, 11.1h sun/day, 2.7 rainy days/week. Score: 91/100.
  8. Algarve (Portugal) — 12.1°C, 8.3h sun/day, 1 rainy days/week. Score: 90/100.
  9. Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka) — 23.9°C, 9.5h sun/day, 3.8 rainy days/week. Score: 89/100.
  10. Dominican Republic (Dominican Republic) — 17.8°C, 10.1h sun/day, 3.7 rainy days/week. Score: 89/100.

Frequently asked questions

Where is it warmest in January?

In January the warmest, sunniest spots we track are Phuket (26.7°C, 10.6h sun/day); Maldives (27.4°C, 11.1h sun/day); Gambia (26.5°C, 10.1h sun/day).

Where can you go in January without the crowds?

January is a strong shoulder-season month for several Mediterranean and Atlantic-island destinations. See the all-round ranking, scored from twenty years of climate data.

Is January good for sightseeing?

Our sightseeing band ranks destinations by mild temperatures and low rainfall in January, so you can pick a trip with comfortable walking weather.