Cheapest Holiday Destinations in January
Five places worth comparing, plus practical ways to spend less after Christmas without booking the wrong holiday.
January can be a brilliant month to get away for less, especially if you can travel after the New Year rush. But the cheapest holiday is not always in the destination with the cheapest hotels, and a bargain flight can become expensive once you add luggage, transfers, meals and time off work. The smarter question is: where can you get the sort of January holiday you actually want for the best total price?
Quick answer: Tenerife and Lanzarote are useful starting points for winter sun with substantial year-round package-holiday choice. Malta is worth comparing for culture and short breaks. Marrakech offers a completely different city experience, with chilly nights as a trade-off. The Algarve can be attractive for low-key coastal stays, but do not book it expecting a summer beach holiday. None of these five is proven to be the cheapest every January. Real prices depend on departure airport, year, exact dates, accommodation, trip length and availability.
The main infographic presents five budget-friendly ideas, not a verified price ranking. We have not found comparable live January package quotations across identical UK airports, dates, nights and board bases that would justify naming an absolute cheapest destination. Instead, this guide explains where value may come from, which compromises matter and how to test prices fairly.
What makes a January holiday good value?
The first two weeks of January can be a different market from Christmas and New Year. Travel demand can change once families and workers return to their usual routines, but there is no universal rule that every resort becomes cheaper immediately. Hotel events, airline capacity and remaining packages still determine the price of a specific trip.
MoneySavingExpert recommends comparing package providers and departure dates, checking the real inclusions and considering both early and late booking depending on flexibility. ABTA also notes that January is a major booking sales period for future holidays. Do not confuse going away in January with booking a holiday in January for August; they are separate pricing questions. See MoneySavingExpert's package-holiday guide and ABTA's early-booking advice.
One detail many cheap-holiday lists miss: winter value is tied to what is open. A half-empty beach resort with a closed kids' club and an unheated outdoor pool may be poor value at almost any price. By contrast, a well-positioned city hotel near restaurants and year-round sights can deliver an excellent January break without relying on summer facilities.
Five January destinations worth comparing
1. Tenerife: the winter-sun package benchmark
Best for: travellers who want a genuine chance of pleasant outdoor weather, year-round resort facilities and a wide selection of package holidays. Tenerife is the first place I would compare against other winter-sun offers, not because it must be cheapest, but because having multiple resorts and hotels makes it easier to compare like with like.
Weather reality: Spain's official AEMET records give Tenerife South Airport a 21.7°C historical average January daytime maximum. That is a climate average, not a daily prediction or a promise of sun. Cooler evenings and windy spells are possible. See Tenerife South's official climate normals.
Where to look: compare Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas rather than treating southern Tenerife as one price. If a beachfront hotel pushes the total over budget, a sensibly located apartment or hotel a little inland may be better. Check the walking route to the beach, not just the distance in a listing.
Value tip: consider self-catering only after checking local food costs and what you genuinely intend to cook. For families who will spend much of the day at a resort, a competitively priced half-board or all-inclusive package may beat a seemingly cheaper room-only stay. In January, confirm whether the pool you want to use is heated, and whether that is included in your rate.
When to skip it: if you expect tropical heat or reliably warm sea swimming. For a stronger climate comparison see Warmest Places in Europe in January.
2. Lanzarote: sunshine, walks and potentially lower-cost resort stays
Best for: couples, walkers and beach-loving travellers who want volcanic scenery alongside a familiar resort holiday. Lanzarote is particularly worth checking when you can choose between several departure airports or are not tied to one hotel.
Weather reality: AEMET's January average daytime maximum at Lanzarote Airport is 20.7°C, with an average of roughly 203 hours of sunshine across the month in its historical records. Individual days vary and the island can feel windy, particularly on exposed beaches. Check AEMET's Lanzarote station data.
Where to look: Puerto del Carmen is convenient for restaurants and beaches; Playa Blanca is appealing for a relaxed holiday, while Costa Teguise is another package-resort option. Compare the total cost of the hotel and transfer rather than choosing purely by a nightly room rate.
Value tip: a hire car can transform the holiday if you want to explore the volcanic landscapes, but it also alters your budget once fuel, insurance and parking are counted. If you mainly want sun and a few easy walks, a well-located resort base with occasional excursions may work out cheaper.
Watch out: do not assume that a cheaper January accommodation quote means every attraction or excursion is included. Decide whether your ideal trip is primarily a pool break or an island-exploration holiday before comparing packages.
Explore holidays departing on your dates
TripsByDate shows advertised package holidays across its wider inventory. The changing options below are not necessarily Christmas-week departures or packages to these five destinations. Use them as starting points, then compare your own dates and check the final price, availability and festive arrangements with the provider.
BRS • 7 nights
SC · On the Beach
BHX • 7 nightsSkiworld
GLA • 7 nightsHB · Skiline
GLA • 7 nightsHB · Skiline3. Malta: a budget-friendly possibility for culture, not beach heat
Best for: a short January break focused on historic streets, harbour views, food, museums and walks. Malta's real appeal in winter is how much you can do without paying for beach clubs or water-based activities. A cheap central room can go a long way if you like exploring on foot.
Where to look: Valletta works well for sightseeing with minimal transfer between attractions. Sliema can offer additional accommodation choice and waterside access; check ferry and local transport timetables for the dates you travel. If you plan to use buses frequently, evaluate the location of your hotel against travel time, not just price.
Value tip: build a compact itinerary around Valletta, the Three Cities and Mdina rather than booking a series of long, expensive day trips. Official tourist resources at Visit Malta can help you identify cultural places and seasonal activities before booking.
Trade-off: January is usually too cool to regard Malta as a guaranteed swimming holiday. Rain and wind are possible, and some coastal experiences depend on conditions. Pack a waterproof layer and choose a hotel where you would still enjoy spending an occasional wet afternoon.
A two- or three-night city-style break may offer better value than paying for a week of facilities you will barely use. For seasonal comparisons see Where to Go on Holiday in January.
4. Marrakech: more culture for your money, if you plan properly
Best for: travellers seeking a vivid city break rather than a conventional pool-and-beach holiday. Markets, gardens, food and architecture give Marrakech a very different winter appeal from the Canary Islands.
Weather reality: the January days can be pleasant for walking but nights can be distinctly cold. Do not rely on the infographic's rounded 18°C daytime figure as a forecast. If a riad looks inexpensive, check heating, breakfast, private bathroom details and whether airport collection is arranged or costs extra.
Where to stay: a medina riad may be atmospheric but harder to access with luggage or by taxi; a more modern hotel outside the centre may be easier for some travellers. The cheapest room is not necessarily the best choice for a late arrival or a first visit. Look up the address, access and reviews rather than trusting a map pin alone.
Value tip: plan one or two paid experiences you genuinely care about, then leave time for neighbourhood exploration. Set a budget for taxis, guided visits and meals before you book. Compare accommodation that includes breakfast with an equivalent room-only option, and make sure you are comfortable with the actual journey from the airport.
UK traveller check: Morocco is outside the EU. British citizen passport holders should verify entry requirements and passport validity in the current FCDO Morocco advice before paying. Also read the wider travel advice for local conditions. If you want a laid-back resort where you never leave the hotel, Marrakech may not be your best January bargain.
5. The Algarve: often better for quiet coastal escapes than swimming
Best for: scenic walking, relaxed coastal towns, golf and low-key breaks without summer beach crowds. Portugal's Algarve deserves a place on the shortlist precisely because the holiday experience changes in January: you may get quieter accommodation, but you lose many of the experiences that make the coast popular in August.
Where to look: Lagos is useful for coast-and-town combinations, Tavira suits travellers who prefer a gentler pace, and central towns such as Albufeira have substantial accommodation choice. But individual streets can be quiet in winter. Check which restaurants and shops are open near your actual hotel.
Value tip: a low-cost apartment might require a rental car, especially if you want to explore quieter beaches or villages. Add the car, insurance, parking and any tolls before declaring it cheaper than a more central hotel. If you want cafés and restaurants on your doorstep, walkability can be worth paying for.
Weather reality: the Algarve is mild by UK winter standards, not a dependable hot beach holiday. The Atlantic can be cold and rough, and coastal paths can be affected by wind and rain. Check Visit Portugal for regional travel ideas and IPMA for current Portuguese weather information.
Consider this instead: if your main goal is lounging outdoors in a T-shirt every afternoon, compare the Canaries against the Algarve rather than assuming both give the same kind of January sunshine.
Which destination gives the best January holiday for your budget?
- Best starting point for a classic winter-sun package: Tenerife, then Lanzarote. Compare specific resorts and total costs; neither is guaranteed cheapest.
- Best for a short break packed with sights: Malta, particularly if you can stay centrally and travel light.
- Best for food, atmosphere and a change of scene: Marrakech, if cold evenings and city-centre logistics do not bother you.
- Best for peaceful winter coastlines: the Algarve, as long as swimming and summer-style resort entertainment are not essential.
Our practical recommendation: choose your non-negotiable first. If that is a heated hotel pool, shortlist hotels with verified winter facilities. If it is culture, compare city-centre room prices. If it is total relaxation, prioritise a sheltered location and simple transfers. A bargain that fails your one essential requirement is not a bargain.
How to compare January prices without fooling yourself
Before judging any holiday “cheap”, compare like for like. Here is a more useful method than sorting five destinations by vague reputation:
- Fix your real constraints: departure airport, earliest and latest travel dates, number of travellers, nights and room type.
- Check nearby departure dates: a midweek flight may sometimes cost less than a weekend departure, but this is not guaranteed. Compare actual available holidays.
- Test a second airport: only if extra travel, parking or an overnight stay will not wipe out the saving.
- Match the board basis: room only, breakfast, half-board and all-inclusive are different products. Price meals realistically.
- Include the extras: luggage, seats, airport transfers, tourist taxes, car hire and any resort fees.
- Review opening dates: confirm the pool, restaurant, kids' club or attraction you actually need operates in January.
- Protect your time: an inconvenient 1 a.m. arrival and a long transfer can waste much of a three-night trip.
An example of the maths, not live market prices: suppose Holiday A is £260 per person but needs £75 each for a bag, transfers and meals, while Holiday B is £310 per person with those essentials included. A is really £335 against B's £310. The apparent £50 saving vanishes. The right comparison is total cost for the whole party, not a headline price per person.
For a wider guide to how travel periods affect prices, read Cheapest Months to Go on Holiday. The destination and the month matter, but the exact date and product matter more than a general rule.
Know when you can travel?
Choose your airport and January dates, then compare upcoming package holidays instead of searching each destination separately.
Compare holiday datesSeven overlooked January money-saving checks
- January holiday versus January sale: a heavily promoted New Year sale may be for departures many months later. Always verify the departure date.
- Heated pools: a winter hotel pool can be closed, unheated or heated only in particular months. Check the hotel's current facilities directly.
- Room heating: this can matter more in Marrakech or a coastal apartment than a gorgeous summer photograph suggests.
- Winter flight frequency: fewer convenient services can make one particular resort unexpectedly expensive or force a longer stay.
- Solo-traveller supplements: many headline per-person prices assume two adults sharing. Search for your actual party size before comparing.
- Weather contingency: choose at least two activities you would enjoy on a cooler or rainy day.
- Financial protection: verify the organiser's protection details and what is included, not just an attractive logo on a sales page. Start with the UK Civil Aviation Authority's ATOL guidance.
One final tip: if a deal seems unusually cheap, read recent reviews for January travel rather than relying entirely on summer guests. A hotel can be excellent in August and feel very different when its main restaurants or entertainment programme are closed.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the cheapest place to go on holiday in January from the UK?
There is no consistently cheapest destination across all UK airports, dates and trip types. Tenerife, Lanzarote, Malta, Marrakech and the Algarve are useful places to compare, but a genuine ranking requires live quotes for the same dates, number of nights, passengers and inclusions.
Is January a cheap month to travel?
It can offer good value outside busy festive dates, but not across every destination or hotel. Prices depend on supply, demand and the precise package. January is also a major month for booking summer holidays, which is a separate question.
Is Tenerife cheaper than Lanzarote in January?
Neither is always cheaper. Compare specific flights and hotels from your airport. Tenerife may give more resort choices, while Lanzarote may occasionally offer a more attractive package on your available dates.
Is the Algarve warm enough for a January beach holiday?
It can be pleasant for walking and sightseeing, but it is not a reliable hot beach or warm-sea destination. If beach lounging is your priority, compare the Canary Islands first.
Should I book all-inclusive to save money in January?
Only after adding up realistic meal and drink costs. All-inclusive can be excellent value for a resort-based family trip; for a city break with local restaurants, it may provide little benefit. Check whether all advertised facilities operate in winter.
Is it cheaper to travel midweek in January?
Sometimes. Flights and packages fluctuate, so treat midweek as a date worth checking rather than a savings guarantee. Compare the same trip across several departure days.
Is January good for a last-minute holiday?
It can be if you are flexible about your destination and hotel. But availability can disappear and late bookings are not guaranteed to be the lowest price; compare prices and read the cancellation terms before committing.
What is the best way to find cheap January holidays?
Start with your departure airport and exact travel window, compare several departure dates, then inspect the total holiday cost. If you can consider multiple destinations, use TripsByDate's date-first holiday search to see available options rather than guessing which country should be cheapest.
More useful guides for planning January
Where to Go on Holiday in January · Warmest Places in Europe in January · Best Months for Winter Sun · Cheapest Months to Go on Holiday · Best Months for a Family Holiday
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