Where to Go on Holiday in January
Six genuinely different escapes, from Canary Islands sunshine to Marrakech culture, Madeira walks and a warmer winter in Dubai.
January is a brilliant month to escape, provided you choose the right sort of holiday. The Canary Islands can offer pleasant afternoons outdoors; Madeira is made for dramatic scenery and walking; Marrakech swaps grey skies for busy souks and rooftop lunches; Malta rewards sightseeing; and Dubai offers a much warmer winter city-and-beach break.
But these are not interchangeable destinations. Some are pleasantly mild rather than hot, and a place that is excellent for exploring may disappoint if your main aim is swimming every day. This guide compares what January is actually like, what to do, where to stay, who each destination suits, and the compromises to consider before booking.
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.
SEN • 7 nights
AI · Hays Travel
MAN • 7 nightsRO · Hays Travel
STN • 7 nightsRO · Hays Travel
LGW • 7 nightsB&B · Hays TravelJanuary holidays at a glance: which should you choose?
For the most dependable mild winter sun close to Europe: start with southern Tenerife or Lanzarote. Expect comfortable daytime conditions more often than summer-style heat. For scenic walking: Madeira. For a cultural city break: Marrakech or Malta. For warmer afternoons and a resort-focused trip: Dubai, accepting the longer journey and potentially higher overall spend.
Weather figures below are historical climate averages, not forecasts or promises. January varies by year, island, coast and altitude. On Tenerife, for example, the south coast and Mount Teide can feel like different seasons on the same day.
1. Tenerife, Canary Islands: the all-round winter escape
Best for: couples, families and travellers who want a beach-resort base with plenty to do away from the pool.
Tenerife is one of the strongest January options for travellers who want daylight, outdoor cafés and opportunities to sit in the sun without flying long-haul. Spain’s meteorological agency AEMET records an average January daily maximum of 21.7°C at Tenerife South Airport (1981–2010 climate normal). The mean daily minimum is 15.2°C. Those are useful planning benchmarks, not a guarantee that every afternoon will be beach weather.
For a sun-focused holiday, look at Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos or Playa de las Américas, rather than assuming the climate is uniform across the island. The north is attractive for green scenery and towns such as Puerto de la Cruz, but can be cloudier and wetter in winter. If exploring is part of the plan, allow time for Teide National Park, villages and the rugged landscapes beyond the resorts.
The trade-off: the sea and unheated hotel pools may feel cool, evenings need a layer, and exposed higher ground can be genuinely cold. Check whether the pool is heated before booking a family hotel. Do not base a week entirely on a guarantee of seven sunny beach days.
AEMET: Tenerife South January climate averages.
2. Lanzarote, Canary Islands: winter light and volcanic landscapes
Best for: couples, relaxed resort breaks and travellers who like beaches mixed with interesting day trips.
Lanzarote has its own distinct appeal: volcanic scenery, low-rise coastal towns, striking architecture and beaches that look impressive even outside swimming season. AEMET puts the January average daily maximum at 20.7°C at Lanzarote Airport, with a mean minimum of 14°C (1981–2010). That supports the image’s broad suggestion of mild winter sunshine, but not the idea that swimming or uninterrupted sun is certain.
Playa Blanca is a good starting point if you want a relaxed southern resort base; Puerto del Carmen suits those who value a broader selection of restaurants and holiday accommodation; and Costa Teguise is worth comparing for a different resort atmosphere. Wind exposure can make a noticeable difference on any coast, so look at the precise hotel location rather than just the island name.
Plan a day for the Timanfaya volcanic landscape, another for César Manrique-inspired sights, and leave room for the coast. Winter is particularly pleasant for sightseeing because you are less likely to be dealing with midsummer heat. The trade-off: wind and cool water can make a January beach day feel much less warm than the thermometer suggests.
AEMET: Lanzarote January climate averages.
3. Madeira, Portugal: nature and walking, not guaranteed beach heat
Best for: walkers, scenic drives, couples and travellers who would rather explore than spend seven days on a lounger.
Madeira is often sold as an island of eternal spring, and that is a useful description as long as you understand what it means. The official Madeira tourism board describes a mild subtropical climate, but also stresses its microclimates: coastal Funchal can be comfortable while mountains are windy, wet or foggy. It is a destination to pack a waterproof for, even when the forecast looks inviting.
Stay around Funchal if you want restaurants, gardens, transport options and an easy base for excursions. Travellers prioritising tranquillity can compare southern coastal locations, but should check how much they would depend on a hire car, organised tours or steep walks. Spend your days exploring viewpoints, villages and the famous levada waterways, choosing routes suited to your fitness and weather conditions.
Important for hikers: Madeira’s official classified trails have access rules, reservations and charges. Trail status changes with weather and maintenance. Check the official route status and booking guidance before setting out. The most photogenic mountain walk is not necessarily safe or open on your travel day.
The trade-off: Madeira is excellent for an active January escape, but it is not the safest choice for someone whose only objective is high heat and swimming.
4. Marrakech, Morocco: colour, food and a memorable city break
Best for: couples, friends, food lovers and travellers who want a short trip that feels very different from home.
Marrakech is about the experience more than the thermometer. January can bring pleasant daytime sunshine, but evenings and early mornings may be surprisingly chilly. That makes it a good season for exploring the medina, wandering through the souks, visiting gardens and spending a long lunch on a sunny rooftop, rather than booking on the assumption of swimming-pool weather.
Choose accommodation around the medina if you want an atmospheric riad and sights within reach on foot; consider Gueliz or Hivernage if more modern hotels and straightforward vehicle access matter. A riad can be beautiful, but check heating, room temperature and whether any advertised pool is heated. Also consider the walking involved through narrow streets if carrying luggage or travelling with small children.
The Moroccan National Tourist Office’s Marrakech guide covers Jemaa el-Fnaa, the medina, gardens and the city’s modern districts. Its medina guide is useful for understanding why the old city is such a big part of the visit.
The trade-off: this is a lively, sometimes intense city rather than a quiet fly-and-flop destination. Expect busy markets and active street life. For January, pack layers and plan for cooler nights.
5. Malta: a history-filled winter break
Best for: history lovers, architecture, food and relaxed sightseeing without peak summer crowds.
Malta is a different proposition from the Canary Islands. Think mild Mediterranean winter, not hot January sun. There may be bright afternoons, but wind and rain are real possibilities, and swimming is unlikely to be the main attraction for most travellers. The Malta Airport Met Office’s January climate reporting shows how variable temperatures, rainfall and wind can be from one year to the next.
Make Valletta your base if you value historical streets, museums, restaurants and transport connections. Build an itinerary around the Three Cities, atmospheric Mdina, and possibly Gozo if your trip is long enough. It is a rewarding place for travellers who enjoy moving between neighbourhoods and stopping for food, rather than needing a full schedule of organised attractions.
For planning ideas, see Visit Malta’s official itinerary suggestions and its guide to Gozo.
The trade-off: weather can interrupt ferry excursions or outdoor plans, and some seasonal tourist services may operate differently in winter. Keep an indoor option for rainy days. Malta wins on culture, not on the number of pool days.
6. Dubai, UAE: warmer winter days and bigger-budget choice
Best for: families wanting lots of activities, travellers combining beach time with city attractions, and those prioritising a warmer winter climate.
For more substantial warmth, Dubai is a different category from Malta or Madeira. The official Visit Dubai weather guide gives January an average temperature of 21°C (a daily average, not an average high). January’s comfortable conditions make outdoor exploring, beaches, waterfront walks and desert experiences particularly appealing compared with the intense summer heat.
Where you stay can shape the holiday. Dubai Marina and JBR suit a beach-and-restaurants trip; Downtown Dubai is convenient for city attractions; and a dedicated beach resort may appeal to families wanting most of their holiday on one property. Compare location and transport costs carefully: a cheaper hotel can cost more in time and taxis if it is far from everything you plan to do.
January is a popular part of the Dubai visitor season, so do not automatically label it a bargain. Check total package cost, room occupancy, meal arrangements, attractions and airport transfers. The climate also does not guarantee warm sea water or that every hotel pool feels comfortable.
The trade-off: the longer journey and on-the-ground costs can outweigh the appeal of the warmer weather. Before booking, read the UK government’s current UAE travel advice, including entry and local rules.
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Find holidays by dateHow to choose the right January holiday
If you want a few days of winter sunshine without a long-haul journey: compare Tenerife and Lanzarote, but prioritise the exact resort, aspect and hotel facilities. If you want to walk and see impressive scenery: Madeira offers more than a conventional pool holiday. If you have three or four nights: Marrakech or Malta can make a focused cultural break, depending on what flights are available from your airport. If warmth is non-negotiable: compare Dubai and other longer-haul options, while recognising that warmer destinations often involve extra time and cost.
Do not make the common mistake of comparing countries by their average temperatures alone. An island may have a mild airport reading but much cooler mountains; a coastal town can be windy; and a city that feels warm at midday may require a coat after sunset. Consider rainfall, daylight, the type of accommodation and what you want to do each day.
Is January a cheap month to go on holiday?
It can be, but not everywhere and not on every date. After the Christmas and New Year travel period, some flights and hotels may become more competitively priced. Yet January is also attractive for winter sun destinations, while school calendars, local events and premium resorts affect prices. It would be misleading to call Tenerife, Lanzarote or Dubai automatically cheap without comparing actual dated offers.
Compare the whole holiday: baggage, transfers, board basis, heated-pool access if that matters, and travel to your UK departure airport. A lower headline price may not be better value once those extras are included. Being flexible on destination can be more useful than locking onto a place before looking at available departure dates.
What to check before you book a January escape
- Weather expectations: check historical averages separately from the actual forecast closer to departure; the highest advertised temperature is not the all-day average.
- Hotel facilities: if swimming matters, confirm whether pools are heated and open in January, not merely shown in summer photographs.
- Seasonal opening: check the opening days for restaurants, attractions, outdoor activities and organised tours.
- Getting around: work out whether you need a car, reliable public transport or day tours; look at the cost and time involved.
- Travel documents: British passport rules differ between Schengen destinations, Morocco and the UAE. Check the current official advice for Spain, Portugal, Malta, Morocco or the UAE before paying.
- Insurance: ensure the policy covers your activities, especially hiking, mountain excursions and any sports.
January holiday FAQs
Where is warmest for a holiday in January?
Among the six suggestions here, Dubai generally offers a warmer winter experience than Malta or Madeira. Southern Tenerife and Lanzarote are useful compromises for travellers wanting milder weather closer to Europe. None guarantees sunshine on every day.
Can I have a beach holiday in Europe in January?
Yes, if you mean an opportunity for sunbathing and coastal walks rather than hot summer sea temperatures. The southern Canary Islands are among the more practical choices. Check the forecast and heated-pool facilities if daily swimming matters.
Is Madeira a good January destination?
Yes, particularly for scenery, Funchal, gardens and carefully planned walks. It is less suitable if your only priority is constant dry, hot beach weather. Check trail access and mountain forecasts before hiking.
Where should I go for a January city break?
Marrakech is appealing for lively markets, food and architecture; Malta is a strong pick for historic towns and museums. Both can be chilly or wet at times, so pack layers and plan indoor alternatives.
Do I need to book January holidays far in advance?
There is no universal rule. New Year dates, popular hotels, school-related travel and limited flights can make some trips expensive, while other January departures may be more flexible. Compare live packages for the dates and airports you can actually use rather than relying on a fixed booking timetable.
Explore more travel guides
Still weighing up a different kind of January escape? Browse our Holidays by Month hub, explore ski holiday guides if you would rather head for the snow, or see girls’ trip ideas for group getaways. You can also find more inspiration from our travel guide collection.
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