Spain Weather in January: Travel Tips for First-Timers

Spain's weather is cool to mild in January, with generally dry weather. For visitors we suggest visiting Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and Malaga. Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for January.

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• 1. Weather Overview
• 2. Best Places to Visit
• 3. Crowds and Costs
• 4. What to Wear

Spain Weather in January: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 7–14°C (44–57°F)
• Rainfall: 4 cm (2 inches)
• Rainy days: 6
• Sunshine hours/day: 6
• Humidity: around 72% (damp throughout Spain)

Spain's weather in January is cool to mild throughout the country, with temperatures averaging around the 10°C (50°F) mark in Madrid, and closer to 15°C (59°F) in Barcelona, Seville and Mallorca.

There is not much rain in January in Spain. An average of 6 days of rain yield around 4 cm (2 inches) of rainfall, and the days are mostly sunny, with around 6 hours of sunshine per day on average.

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The Best Places to Visit in Spain in January

January is cool to mild throughout Spain, and is particularly mild in the south where temperatures reach up to 16°C (61°F) on average. This makes January a great time of the year to escape the colder temperatures of western and northern Europe, as well as North America, and to do some sightseeing in Spain. 

We would recommend visiting Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, as well as Malaga in January. These cities are all full of incredible sights to see, restaurants to try, and activities to enjoy. With a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, you can ensure you enjoy the warmer days outdoors, while sticking to the indoors if you do happen to be there on a colder January day.

For visitors who are looking for a little help planning their trip to Spain in January, our experts can help you plan your ideal trip for you, taking the stress out of planning your vacation. Just reach out to let us know what you'd like to see, how long you are planning on staying in Spain, and what your requirements and needs are, and our experts can take it from there. Contact us to start planning your Spain trip.

1. Arrive in Madrid and Take a Walking Tour

Madrid is an incredible city, and with so much to do, you're probably best off going on a walking tour to try and see as much as possible in one day. There are lots of differing routes that can be put together, depending on whether you want to focus on the architecture, the history, the tapas and wine, or a combination of all of the above.

One of our Global Highlights' tour guides can take you through Madrid, just let us know what you'd like to see during your tour.

If you prefer to spend most of your day indoors, we would recommend visiting Prado National Museum for its immense art collection or the Royal Palace of Madrid, home to over 2,000 gilded rooms.

2. Marvel at Barcelona's La Safrada Familia

Barcelona is known world-wide for its art and architecture, and you absolutely must see the Sagrada Familia, the largest unfinished Catholic Church in the world. The church was designed by famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, whose work you will see throughout Barcelona.

Construction of the Sagrada Familia started in 1882, and was interrupted numerous times for various reasons, including a lack of money, the Spanish Civil War, and also just the complicated intricacies of the building. There were predictions that the building would be finished in 2026, 100 years exactly after Gaudí's death, but this is now looking more likely to be closer to 2040 after delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The church's incredible gothic architecture attracts visitors from all over the world, and we recommend seeing the three grand façades depicting the Nativity, the Passion, and the Glory.

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3. Enjoy Seville's Stunning Architecture

Seville is the largest city and capital of the autonomous region of Andalusia, and its location close to the both the Alboran Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, towards the south of Spain, means that it has had a different history when compared to Barcelona and Madrid. The architecture there demonstrates that beautifully.

For example, we would recommend visiting the beautiful Torre del Pro, or Tower of Gold, built in the 12th century as an observation tower to manage shipping over the Guadalquivir River, since this is where the Spanish colonies' gold entered Spain.

There is also El Real Alcázar, a fortress blending Christian influence and Muslim features to create a unique palace filled with bright tile work, gardens, plants, and flowers.

And of course, we recommend stopping off at the Plaza de España, one of the most detailed plazas in the world, blending Renaissance and Moorish Revival styles.

4. Visit the Roman Theater of Malaga and Eat Gambas al Pil-Pil

Malaga is home to some beautiful sights. One of these is the Roman Theater of Malaga, which still serves as one of the most important entertainment venues in the world even though some parts of it are in ruin today. The original structure is still standing, and throughout your exploration of this site you will be able to learn more about Spain's Roman past.

Malaga is also home to beautiful botanical gardens, home to around 25,000 species of plants. This is best visited before the hot summer months, when temperatures really soar, although the flowers on display do of course vary with the time of year.

Finish your day off with some traditional Malaga dishes such as Gambas al Pil-Pil (prawns flash-fried with fresh chillies, garlic, and paprika), or Carne en Salsa (a pork stew with a tomato base).

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Crowds and Costs for Traveling in January

January is generally low season in Spain, with the exception of the very beginning of the year. After New Year's Eve, however, you will find that there are fewer crowds around Spain, and that accommodation is a little more affordable.

January 6 is Dia de los Reyes Magos, also known as Epiphany, when some smaller restaurants and shops are closed, as this is a commonly-celebrated holiday in Spain. The bigger cities usually also host parades the night before, which are interesting to watch. Our travel advisor or your hotel will be able to give you more specific details on your city's celebrations.

What to Wear in January

January is mild to cool, and we would recommend wearing a jacket or a coat. Layering up makes it easier to take off or put on an additional layer should you feel cold, but in general, you won't need too many winter layers. Jeans, a t-shirt, a jumper, and a coat should keep you warm enough.

For those planning on doing a lot of walking outside we do recommend a hat, scarf, and gloves to keep yourself warm, and just in case the temperatures drop slightly. Good footwear is also important to ensure you can continue walking to see everything you want to see in Spain.