Where is hot in January?

As UK temperatures plunge, escape into Seville’s sunny Moorish courtyards — or fly long-haul to palm-fringed beaches in the Caribbean.

Jetting off in dreary January isn’t just a welcome break from the winter chill back home — it also offers low-season prices and crowd-free sightseeing.

For those who have vowed to be more active in 2026, Madeira has spectacular walking trails and lush gardens to explore. Tenerife’s otherworldly volcanic landscapes also beckon: the island still clocks up to six hours of sunshine a day in January. Or make the most of Marrakech’s mild temperatures for day trips that would be far too ambitious during the summer months.

Read on to find out the warmest places to go this January, from sunny European spots to long-haul bucket list trips.

Where is hot for a holiday in January?

• Marrakech 18°C 
• Seville 16°C 
• Madeira 15°C 
• Tenerife 18°C 
• Dominican Republic 28°C 
• Vietnam 20°C 
• Namibia 30°C

Where is hot — and cheap — in January?

Marrakech

January high 18°C

Apart from the fact that Marrakech is one of the warmest places for a winter getaway, and less than four hours flight away, there are plenty more reasons to visit in January. 

While temperatures peak at the mid-30s during June and July, things become far more comfortable during January, with the thermometer hovering at 18°C, no humidity and 10 hours of daylight — though do bring a jacket for chilly evenings, as temperatures can drop to around 6°C. 

The famous souks become a little more tranquil, giving you space to browse the spices, lanterns, slippers and other handcrafted goods in peace. Book a room at a riad and you’ll likely have the courtyard and pool to yourself. 

Cultural highlights include Amazigh New Year, celebrated on 12 January, and the Marrakech marathon at the end of the month. Plus, the conditions are comfortable for day trips to UNESCO heritage sites such as Ait-Ben-Haddou, excursions out to waterfalls and mountains, or for visiting Berber villages.

It’s also a remarkably cheap break — we found return flights from London to Marrakech for as little as £28 return, from Manchester for £32, and from Liverpool for £34.

Book a holiday to Marrakech with Which? Recommended providers Trailfinders, Destination2 and Jet2

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Seville

January high 16°C

Visit anywhere in the Andalusia region of Southern Spain and you’ll find plenty of sunshine, even in January. But during winter, skip the coastal spots like Marbella and Malaga, and head inland to Seville for less of a sea breeze. We found return tickets for as low as £38 in London for a trip in January.

During summertime, Seville can be crowded, but by January the tourists have departed, meaning you’ll have its Moorish castles, palaces and cathedrals to enjoy by yourself — and likely without even having to queue. If you’re visiting at the start of the month, don’t miss the Three Kings’ Day parades, complete with colourful floats, live music and lashings of sweets thrown into the street.

If you do fancy a seaside stroll, the beaches of Huelva and Cadiz are under an hour’s drive away. Head out in the morning to enjoy the five-six hours of sun (luxurious compared to the UK’s two hours during January). Temperatures will cool off in the evenings (the sun sets between 6-7pm), so why not hunker down in a taberna with hearty Andalusian stews followed by churros con chocolate — or head to the tablaos for a night of flamenco.

Find a Seville holiday with Which? Recommended providers Trailfinders, Jet2 and Olympic Holidays

Where is hot in December short haul?

Madeira

January high: 15°C

Thousands of years of volcanic eruptions carved Madeira’s rugged landscape, and you can enjoy it without the crowds in January. 

You’ll touch down in the capital, Funchal, which scored 86% in our recent survey of the best Europe city breaks – clinching the maximum five stars for its cultural sights and accommodation.

Spend a morning exploring Funchal’s mosaic-paved streets, which are shaded by bright blue flowering jacaranda and art-stuffed museums. The Mercado dos Lavradores farmers' market is a great place to shop for local wine and try authentic dishes, such as tender black scabbard fish – often served with banana and passion fruit sauce.

Take a cable car ride to the hillside village of Monte and its tropical botanical garden, or explore the island’s many hiking trails. The 10km climb to the island’s highest peak, Pico Ruvio, is one of the best. 

Find a Madeira holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Kuoni, Jet2Holidays, Destination2, and Trailfinders

Tenerife

January high: 18°C

Don’t let its reputation as a party island put you off; Tenerife has so much more to offer. Beyond the karaoke bars, you’ll find craggy cliff-backed black-sand beaches, volcanic landscapes and timeless villages. 

Costa Adeje came out top in Tenerife in our recent survey of the best Canary island resorts. 

This quietly upmarket town on the south coast has classy restaurants, designer boutiques, a golf course and average highs of 18°C in January – when its waters are home to pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins.

Tranquil Playa de Duque is the resort’s most celebrated beach, or there’s Puerto de la Cruz with its volcanic sands, 17th and 18th-century sites, and saltwater pool.

Readers rated Costa Adeje’s plush hotels – often painted in the pastel shades of Neapolitan ice cream – the full five stars. 

Find a Tenerife holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider:  Kuoni, Jet2 and Trailfinders

Best long-haul destinations for January

Dominican Republic

January high: 28°C

Not only is the Dominican Republic one of the Caribbean’s best-value destinations, it ticks all the boxes: blonde beaches, translucent sea, balmy winters. Venture beyond the compound of your all-inclusive hotel and you’ll find historic towns, pine and palm-carpeted peaks and secluded beaches. 

The Dominican Republic has the Caribbean’s oldest city, Santo Domingo, where you can explore the Spanish colonial quarter’s sleepy streets. Puerto Plata, the largest town on the north coast, has typical 19th-century gingerbread houses, a fortress and a seafront promenade where locals stroll in the late afternoon sunshine.

At this time of year, the sheltered waters of the Samana Peninsula are the breeding ground of humpback whales. If you’re lucky, you’ll see these graceful giants surge from the water. Boats can also take you to the dense forests of Los Haitises National Park.

Find a Dominican Republic holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Kuoni, Destination2 and Trailfinders

Vietnam

January high: 20°C

Vietnam’s largest metropolis, Ho Chi Minh City, is a whirl of constant commotion where history seeps from every temple and elegantly restored colonial villa. You’ll have to dodge a swarm of motorbikes every time you cross the road; red lights are routinely ignored.

January is typically the driest, least sticky month. If it’s still too hot in the city, the Mekong Delta and the beautiful beach-lined Phu Quoc and Con Dao islands are within easy reach.

The capital, Hanoi, is more laid back and much cooler, with January highs of 20°C. Shop for silk clothes and lacquerware in the old quarter, pausing for lunch at an authentic bun cha (grilled pork and noodles) shop.

The country’s showstopper is Halong Bay, where thousands of limestone islets tower from emerald waters. This tourist hotspot was designated a World Heritage Site in 1994.

Find a Vietnam holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Trailfinders, Kuoni and Destination2

Namibia

Average high: 30°C

January is mid-summer and falls in the rainy season in southern Africa’s desert state. The dusty savannah in Etosha National Park turns green, and you can spot springbok, zebra and wildebeest with their newborn – plus the odd predator.

Expect cooler temperatures on the Skeleton Coast, where cape fur seals and their plump pups loll at Cape Cross. This northern coastline is named for the animal bones and shipwrecks scattered across its wild shores. You can explore the southern shores in a catamaran or SUV or on a quadbike.

Another must is a trip to Sossusvlei – a white salt and clay pan surrounded by soaring rust-red dunes. 

Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, has German colonial architecture, great restaurants and the sobering Independence Memorial Museum. 

Find a Namibia holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Kuoni and Trailfinders

Where is hottest in Europe in January?

• Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, Canary Islands (20°C)
• Fuertaventura, Canary Islands (19°C) 
• Tenerife, Canary Islands (18°C) 
• Algarve, Portugal (18°C) 
• Napa, Larnaca and Paphos, Cyprus (16°C) 
• Seville, Spain (16°C) 
• Lisbon, Madeira and the Azores (15°C) 
• Valletta, Malta (15°C) 
• Crete, Greece (14°C) 
• Dalaman and Marmaris, Turkey (13°C)

Weather data from weather2travel.com