Make it your new years resolution to visit Spain in January! It’s the off-season, which means low crowds, low low prices, a relaxed pace of life and no shortage of awesome activities, super sights and exciting events to help you kick those winter blues.
There’s something for everyone, whether you want to soak up winter sunshine in the Canary Islands or speed down snowy peaks in one of the country’s many ski resorts. You can keep the Christmas cheer going with festive parades, wander peaceful historic cities in frosty, atmospheric weather, sample seasonal food and drinks and photograph stunning landscapes.
Spain in winter offers a completely different experience from the summer months, but it’s an experience well worth having! Here are our top picks of the best things to see and do in Spain in January.
- Have an Epiphany
- Stroll, ski, eat, repeat
- An apple a day
- New year, new fiestas!
- Warmth and wonders
- Winter sun
- Think pink
- To ski or not to ski
- Spring is here
- Bargain hunt
First things first: What’s the weather doing?
January is officially the coldest month of the year in Spain, but it’s still milder than most Northern European destinations. And, as always, the weather varies significantly by region. In central areas like Madrid, average temperatures sit around 6°C, this can rise to 13°C in the sunshine, but there’s also a distinct possibility of rain, frost and even snow in the capital.
Northern Spain is downright chilly and has the wettest conditions, with highs around 10°C, lows down to 4°C, plenty of cloud cover and around 14 wet days across the month.
The southern and eastern areas, including Seville, Valencia, and Barcelona, are milder, with average temperatures of 13°C, highs reaching 17°C, and drops to around 5°C at night. But for the warmest weather, it has to be the Canary Islands, where you’ll find average high temperatures between 20°C to 22°C and only three to four rainy days the whole month, making them the ideal winter sun destination.
Now that you know what weather you’re packing for, let’s dive into the top 10 must-do activities in Spain in January so you can start planning your itinerary!
Have an Epiphany
Sad that Christmas is over and done with for another year? Not in Spain, it isn’t! The biggest day of the festive period comes on Epiphany, January 6th. Known as Three Kings Day or Día de los Reyes Magos in Spain, it commemorates the three kings of the nativity story who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. It’s one of the biggest days of the Spanish festival calendar and amazing to witness.
As we mentioned in December, Santa is a recent import to Spain, and for most families, he is not the one who brings the presents. Instead, they are brought in January by the Three Kings, which means this day is anticipated almost as much as Christmas Day, especially for children.
The festivities kick off the night before, on January 5th, with huge parades celebrating the Three Kings’ arrival. The streets fill with light and music as the kings and their court throw sweets to the children and wave to the crowds.
You’ll find these magical parades happening all across Spain, but the bigger cities have the most impressive ones. In Barcelona, the three wise men arrive by boat, attended by a vast court of entertainers, while in Valencia, they ride through the streets on camelback. Of course, Madrid, as the country’s capital, has an awe-inspiring three kings parade. Prepare to be delighted by the circus performers, dancers, magicians and giant puppets who travel alongside the kings.
On the morning of January 6th, children jump out of bed, eager to see what gifts the Reyes Magos left for them the night before. Then it’s all about eating Roscón de Reyes, a round cake filled with candied fruit and cream. But be careful, there are surprises inside! Finding the small figurine of a king will bring you good luck, but if you find the bean, tradition dictates that you must pay for the cake!
Organising your January holiday in Spain to coincide with the Three Kings parade is the perfect way to extend the festive season! So why not book accommodation in Madrid or Barcelona now and catch one of the country’s most impressive parades?
Stroll, ski, eat, repeat
Granada is one of our favourite places in Spain (seriously, it has free tapas! What’s not to love?). And it’s one of those places in Spain that’s better visited in winter than in summer. Its location, tucked into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Andalucía, can get scorchingly hot, reaching over 35°C in peak summer. That kind of heat is not ideal when you’re away from the coast, and it’s not conducive to walking city streets or climbing the many steps to the city’s jewel, the Alhambra.
But, in January, it’s a different story. In the coldest month of the year, average highs don’t go much above 10°C, and frosts are common. This might sound like too drastic a change, but it’s actually wonderful. Wandering the ancient streets of the Albaicín neighbourhood in the fresh winter chill is incredibly atmospheric.
Seeing the Alhambra framed against clear blue winter skies and snow-capped mountains is sublime. You might even see the palace dusted with snow, a sight you won’t soon forget. And afterwards? Warm up in one of the many cosy bars dotted through the city where it’s customary to have complimentary plates of tapas with your drinks!
Granada, with its perfect blend of city charm and outdoor adventure, is also the ideal base for a trip into the snowy Sierra Nevada mountains. This is where you’ll find one of the best ski resorts in the country and the one with the most hours of sunshine in Europe! The resort boasts over 100km of trails, 17 ski lifts, and some of the best apres ski vibes in the country. And it’s conveniently located just 30 km from Granada, making it a perfect destination for a winter holiday.
Book accommodation in Granada now for a unique holiday combining a ski trip with a city break. And did we mention the long-standing tradition of free tapas? Heaven!
An apple a day
If you’ve braved the winter weather of the north of Spain, your hardiness will be rewarded by the arrival of Cider Season! One of the best times to visit the Basque region.
January 20th is officially the start of the cider season, which runs until April. It is when the cider houses of the Basque Country open their doors and present the cider they’ve made in the previous year. This tradition goes back centuries and has declined in many areas, but the province of Gipuzkoa is doing its best to keep it alive!
In towns such as Astigarraga, Usurbil and Hernani, you’ll find plenty of cider houses still going strong, and the start of the cider season is still celebrated with enthusiasm.
The cider is sampled straight from the wooden barrels, often accompanied by a rustic meal consisting of salt cod, omelette, grilled beef or pork, and a dessert of walnuts with quince jelly. Depending on how authentic the cider house is, this meal might be enjoyed standing up around the barrels in an unheated farm building or in a warmer, seated setting. But it’s almost always a communal experience with set menus, shared tables, and a magical community atmosphere made up of a mix of locals and tourists.
If you’re staying in the region, it’s customary to visit as many cider houses as you can, sampling the different varieties, touring the orchards, and witnessing the traditional cider-making methods still being used. It’s also well worth visiting one of the region’s cider museums to understand quite how many years this cider-making business has been going on.
Fancy becoming a Spanish cider expert? Or just soaking up the social atmosphere of the new cider season? Book accommodation in Gipuzkoa in the Basque Country, to be in the heart of the cider-making country.
New year, new fiestas!
Spain brightens up the coldest month of the year by filling it with vibrant events that guarantee to get the year off to a good start.Here are some festivals to catch in January:
- January 1st, New Year’s Day: The Spanish love to celebrate New Year’s Eve with alfresco parties in the main squares of their towns and several quirky traditions that we mentioned in December. The following day is a national holiday when many shops and restaurants are closed. Most people enjoy a quiet family day and maybe a stroll around the town or city parks or waterfront in the evening.
- January 6th, Epiphany or Three Kings Day: Another national holiday and one of the biggest days of the year in Spain. More on that above.
- January 10th – February, Canary Islands International Music Festival (FIMC): Orchestras from all over the world arrive in the Canary Islands for a program of classical music performed by the likes of the London Philharmonia, Warsaw Symphony, and Munich Philharmonic.
- January 16th to 18th – The Festival of Saint Anthony Abad: The small town of Canals in Valencia celebrities their patron saint with two days of parades, religious events, feasts and a bonfire so large it takes a month to build and has been featured in the Guinness Book of World Records!
- January 17th – Tres Tombs: Saint Anthony Abad was also the patron saint of animals. In Catalonia, they celebrate him with parades of horses, donkeys and horse-drawn carriages that take Tres Tombs or three laps around the cities and towns of the region accompanied by music, cultural performances and plenty of food and wine.
- January 20th – La Tamborrada: This noisy event in San Sebastián features a full day of drumming! The party starts at midnight on January 19th, when a group of drummers begin to play. The refrain is then taken up by around 100 separate drum groups around the city who march and dance through the streets dressed in traditional military garb until the music stops 24 hours later. This kicks off the San Sebastian fair, which also involves plenty of eating, drinking, dancing and revelry.
- 27th to 29th January – Madrid Fusión Alimentos de España: Calling all foodies to Madrid’s leading gastronomy event showcasing Spain’s top chefs in three days of presentations, workshops, tastings, and competitions. Expect haute cuisine from around the globe paired with exceptional wines.
Want to kick your year off with one of these Spanish festivals? Search for your ideal accommodation now so you’re in the right place when the fun starts!
Warmth and wonders
In the peak of summer, we advised making the most of the country’s many art galleries and museums to soak up the culture while enjoying the free air conditioning. Well, in January, the tip is the same, but this time, it’s the industrial heating you’re seeking out.
The weather in January can be downright chilly in some areas and hit-and-miss in others, so it pays to have indoor activities planned in case the day turns wet and windy. Luckily, Spain is packed with museums, art galleries and interactive exhibition centres that can entertain holidaymakers of all ages for days on end.
If you’re in the major cities, you’ll be spoilt for choice with galleries such as the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya in Barcelona, Picasso Museum in Málaga, Museo del Prado in Madrid, or The Museum of Fine Arts of Seville.
But this plan is not just for citygoers. Spain loves a museum, and you’ll find houses of curiosities and history tucked into every remote corner of the country, such as The Witch Museum in Zugarramurdi, Navarre, which is dedicated to those persecuted during the 17th-century witch hunts. The muBBla, Embroidery Museum in Lorca, Murcia and The Valencian Toy Museum in Alicante. Or even nestled in the mountains of Guadalest, Valencia, the Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers! A surprisingly interesting collection of over 20,000 salt and pepper shakers in every imaginable design, all for the bargain entry price of €3! What better way to spend a wet afternoon?
Ok, perhaps the salt and pepper one is not your vibe, but hopefully, you see our point: there is no reason to hide out in your accommodation if the weather turns nasty in January. A quick online search of the area you’re staying in or a visit to the nearest tourist information centre will almost certainly turn up a gallery or intriguing museum where you can while away a wet afternoon.
Fancy staying warm and dry as you explore the strange, fascinating and culturally significant art and artefacts of Spain? Book accommodation in your favourite spot now, then start searching the local area for the best (and weirdest) museums and galleries.
Winter sun
Let’s be honest: if you’re looking into a January holiday in Spain, it’s probably because you’re craving some sunshine to offset the dark days of winter, right? Well, if that’s the case, the Canary Islands are your perfect escape! Their location, closer to the North African coast than mainland Spain, blesses them with a mild year-round climate.
January sees high temperatures of 20 to 22°C and around 11 hours of daylight per day, which is the perfect antidote to the 4pm sunsets of Northern Europe. January is the wettest month of the year, but for the Canaries, that means just four wet days a month, so you stand a good chance of staying dry all holiday.
If it’s not quite hot enough for sunbathing, it is the perfect temperature for exploring the islands and seeing some places summer tourists don’t get to. It is ideal weather for walking, so why not wander the coastal paths, explore the islands’ old towns, or hike in the national and rural parks? Maybe hire a car and go for a scenic drive through the interiors, or since January is prime surfing time in the Canaries, why not grab a wetsuit and give it a go?
Start your year off with a vitamin D injection by booking accommodation in the Canary Islands, then dig out those swimsuits and sunglasses!
Think pink
Want a splash of colour to brighten up the dark days of winter? How about thousands of pink flamingos?
Flamingos can be seen in some areas of Spain year-round, but in January, the numbers increase as these colourful birds arrive from all over the Mediterranean and North Africa. One of the best places to witness these fantastic birds’ arrival is the Fuente de Piedra Lagoon. This is the largest wetlands in Andalucía, and it’s conveniently located less than an hour’s drive from Malaga.
Throughout January and February, flamingos arrive at this lagoon to nest and mate on an island in the lake. In some years, the numbers have reached more than 30,000, making this the second-largest colony in Europe. It’s an incredible sight as flamingos of every shade, from juvenile grey to full flamingo pink, cover the lake from end to end.
The lagoon has walkways and viewing areas where visitors can observe the nesting birds without disturbing them, and there’s also a visitor centre to explain where these birds come from and why they choose this spot each year. Of course, there are also many other birds to spot; almost 200 species, in fact, making it a bird watcher’s paradise!
Feeling flamingo fever? Book accommodation in Malaga now, then take a day trip to see the fantastic flocks of flamingos.
To ski or not to ski
Do the family or your friends fancy a ski or snowboard trip, but you don’t love the idea of flying down snowy slopes strapped to planks of wood? Well, you don’t need to miss out; there are many ways to enjoy a ski holiday without ever putting on a pair of skis! Spain is home to around 30 ski resorts, many of which offer plenty of activities that don’t involve wearing ski boots or racing down black runs at a breakneck speed.
Check out some of these alternative ski resort activities instead:
- Snowshoeing: Enjoy a hike through winter wonderlands. The wide, flat paddles of snowshoes prevent you from sinking into the snow, letting you walk easily across the surface to enjoy peaceful forests and spectacular snowy landscapes.
- Pedestrian pass: Many ski resorts have pedestrian passes, which means you can ride to the top of the ski lift, enjoy the spectacular views with a hot chocolate, maybe even some lunch, and then ride back down in the lift. No skiing required!
- Eat and drink: Speaking of lunch, one of the best non-ski activities in a ski resort is to relax and unwind in a cosy restaurant with a stunning view, enjoy a coffee or glass of wine and wait for the skiers to come and join you for lunch.
- Snowmobiling: Learn how to drive a snowmobile, then head out and explore the mountain astride your own skidoo!
- Sledging: Is there anything more fun than racing down a snowy hill with your friends and family, ending up in a sprawling heap at the bottom before turning around and racing up that hill to do it again? Don’t fancy all that uphill running? Find a resort with a sledge or toboggan park or sledge event where you take a chair lift to the top to save your legs before riding back down in style.
- Après ski: A time-honoured ski holiday tradition is drinks at the bar after the lifts close. But you don’t have to have skied to enjoy it! Meet your mates at the best bar in town, enjoy mulled wine and frosty beer and listen to live music as they tell you tales of the slopes. Masella, Baqueira Beret resort and Sierra Nevada’s resort town Pradollano are best known for their apres ski vibes.
Could you see yourself joining your crew on a ski holiday if it meant you could drink hot chocolate, enjoy the views and explore snowy wonderlands without ever getting on a snowboard? Book accommodation in or near Spain’s best ski resorts now and start getting your après ski vibes on!
Spring is here
In the mild climes of Andalucía and the Balearics, the winter chill is already receding by the end of the month, and the returning spring is heralded by almond blossom season!
From late January to March, almond trees across the country awake from their winter slumber and erupt into spectacular displays of delicate pale pink and white flowers. This short-lived natural phenomenon transforms the winter countryside. It’s a photographer’s dream and a time when locals and tourists alike will take scenic walks, drives, and bike rides through the floral wonderlands.
One of the best places to see this spectacle is Alpujarras in Andalucía. There, the beautiful pale flowers create a stunning contrast against the blue skies and mountainous landscape. Another beautiful spot is Alicante and the wider Costa Brava, where the many straight lines of almond plantations create a striking visual display.
But it’s not just the mainland that experiences this phenomenon. Mallorca, too, is home to thousands of almond trees that burst to life, covering the Balearic Island in the pretty petals referred to as ‘Mallorcan Snow’.
Blossom season is not just a visual treat but one with cultural significance, too. It marks the beginning of the agricultural activities connected to the almond harvest, a large part of these areas’ economies. You’ll see local fairs popping up to celebrate the almonds, presenting them in various delicious dishes – including the marzipan and turrón so popular at Christmas – as well as almond oils, medicines and cosmetic products. These fairs come with an air of celebration and excitement for the coming spring, making it a wonderful time to visit these regions.
Whether you’re a nature lover, a photographer seeking the perfect shot, or just love to be reminded that winter will end, the almond blossom spectacle is for you. Book accommodation in the hill towns of Andalucía or in Mallorca now to be there when it starts.
Bargain hunt
January in Spain is a retail lover’s dream! It’s the start of the rebajas, or winter sales, where everything from clothes and shoes to homewares and electricals is steeply discounted.
This hotly-anticipated event kicks off on the 7th of January and continues until the end of February. Discounts start at around 20 to 30 % off but increase as the weeks go on until you can find bargains at as much as 90% off in the final days or últimas rebajas! The best part is this sale happens in all kinds of establishments: independent stores, high street chains, department stores and even the luxury boutiques and exclusive brands of Barcelona’s Passeig de Gracia and Madrid’s Calle de Serrano.
If you fancy planning your holiday to coincide with Spain’s biggest retail sale, choose your time wisely. The first few days of the sale are the busiest, with shoppers racing to get the most popular styles and sizes as soon as they go on sale. The biggest deals are found towards the end of the sale, but choices are more limited then. Aim for the end of January to hit the rebajas sweet spot!
The sales in Spain in January are the perfect time to inject some Spanish style into your wardrobe without breaking the bank. So book accommodation in the country’s best shopping cities now and leave plenty of space in your luggage!
Top tips for travelling in Spain in January
If you’re worried about planning a trip to Spain in January, these top tips will help you get organised!
- While Spain may conjure images of endless sunshine and scorching temperatures, January is a different story. Make sure you pack appropriately for the region your visiting. Layers for cool evenings in the Canaries and Costa Brava, winter woollies for Madrid, waterproof jackets for the north and full thermals and snow gear for the ski resorts.
- January is the off-season, which means low crowds, but it also means some businesses close down or run reduced hours until things pick up, so check ahead to make sure the activities you want to do are open during your trip.
- Similarly, there are two National holidays in January, the 1st and 6th, when many shops, restaurants and tour companies will be closed. Plan ahead to make sure you don’t get caught out on those days.
- In comparison to the rest of the country, the ski resorts will be enjoying peak season in January, so you want to book ahead there, too, not to make sure they’re open but to make sure you can get your ideal accommodation or restaurant slot.
- January can bring dodgy weather both in Spain and probably in your home country. This can lead to flight delays and even cancellations. There’s nothing you can do about the weather, but you can make sure your travel insurance covers you for delays or cancellations. Check the small print in your policy to know what you’re entitled to.
So what do you think of our top 10 things to do in Spain in January?
Can you imagine starting your new year with a trip to one of the country’s many ski resorts? Wandering through orchards of almond blossoms? Soaking up the winter sun, doing some flamingo spotting or sampling some Spanish cider? If so, search for your perfect accommodation now and start packing for a perfect winter holiday in Spain.
What about next month? Here’s our guide to the top 10 things to do in Spain in February.
I am a huge fan of Spain and knew I would be before I’d ever set foot there. Any country where meals last for hours and afternoon naps are part of the culture is always going to be right up my street! And it did not disappoint. From beach holidays in the Canaries to working in the Balearics to road-tripping through the mainland and city breaks in the country’s urban hubs, I have returned again and again to Spain and will continue to do so for years to come.