15 Best Places To Visit In Europe in January (Winter Weather Tips!)

It’s time to start preparing your fantastic itinerary of the best places to visit in Europe in January. And I’m here to help! January is the low season and as such, gives you the gift of lower prices and fewer crowds. Good job choosing such a dreamy time to visit Europe!

You can choose from idyllic snowy mountain getaways and historical treasure troves to crystal clear ocean views and warm city escapes for your Europe trip in January. Let’s get started and learn about the top destinations.

snow covered roofs in istanbul turkey, water in the background

15 Best Places To Visit In Europe in January ( Winter Weather Tips!)

Warm Places To Visit In Europe In January

Canary Islands

For travelers looking for a warm winter getaway, the Canary Islands are calling your name! By far one of the best January beach vacations in Europe, visiting the Canary Islands is a must for travelers who are looking for a warm destination to scare away the winter blues.

Nature sites are a must-experience while in the Canary Islands as they were formed by volcanic eruptions and have many beautiful natural features that you will want to see with your own eyes. Some of the top attractions include Teide Nemzeti Park, Playa de Papagayo, and Dunas de Maspalomas.

Cyprus

Cyprus is one of the hottest countries in Europe in January. While you are there, you should visit the Adonis Baths on the west tip of the island, see the Loggerhead sea turtles in Laura Bay, and walk around the Harbor of Agios Georgios.

If visiting one of the hottest places in Europe in January is a necessity for you in your winter travel planning, keep Cyprus on your radar! While it is not hot in the traditional sense, it is quite a bit warmer than the majority of places in Europe in January.

curved coastline, buildings on land on the left and the transparent blue water is on the right

Sicily, Italy

Sicily is among the best warm places in Europe to visit in January as it is absolutely stunning, has incredible history, and beautiful views. Sicily is known for being the home of Mount Etna, the Valley of the Temples, and of course incredible Sicilian cuisine.

While you are in Sicily, be sure to visit the Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel, the Palermo Cathedral, Villa Romana del Casale, and Cefalu. Not only is Sicily one of the warmest places in Europe in the winter it is also a great place to travel to for budget travelers as January is the low season.

mountains in the background on a cloudy day, city streets and buildings in the foreground , one of the best places to visit in europe in january — Editorial credit: Czajnikolandia / Shutterstock.com

The Algarve, Portugal

The Algarve Region of Portugal offers some of the best January weather in Europe. With the average temperature in January being 15°C and the sea temperature being around 17°C, the Algarve is a dreamy destination to enjoy the month of January.

The Algarve is best known for its amazing coastline, stunning beaches, hidden bays, great surfing, and towering cliffs. If you love being by the sea, and you want to spend your January travel days under the sun, then The Algarve is for you!

large rock cliff in background on the left, and the ocean is on the right. there are people standing on a sandy beach by the water

Andalusia, Spain

The Andalusia Region of Spain is a must-consider destination that we would love to see you add to your winter travel itinerary. While you are enjoying the warm winter weather in Andalusia, you should also enjoy the wine and Brandy that is produced in the region.

The average daily temperatures in Andalusia are between 10 and 16°C. While you will need to pack a light jacket and dress in layers, Andalusia is still one of the warmest places in Europe in January.

ocean on the right, land on the left with many white buildings, mountains in the background

Warm Cities In Europe To Explore In January

Seville, Spain

The sunny city of Seville, Spain is among the best places to visit in January in Europe. While in Seville you can take a mouthwateringly amazing food tour that includes tapas, wine, history, and traditions, see a flamingo, and explore historical sites.

One thing that you don’t want to miss out on when in Seville in January, is the central historical neighborhood, or the historic center of the city, which has colorful houses and narrow streets. In this neighborhood, you can also enjoy a lush, botanical garden and take a ride on a horse and buggy.

curved walkway that leads to a church and has curved columns on both side of it

Lisbon

Lisbon is one of the warmest cities in Europe and it is also one of the oldest capitals on the continent as well. Older than Rome, Paris, and London! Lisbon has interesting bookstores, beautiful chapels, and the iconic trams that visitors love.

Easily one of the best European cities to visit in January, Lisbon sits on the Atlantic coast where you can enjoy the sunshine on the beach! Other than having a relaxing beach day, you can also visit the National Tile Museum, Belem Tower, and the National Pantheon.

one of the best places to visit in europe in January, ocean in the background and man houses in the foreground on a clear day

Gozo, Malta

Gozo, Malta is a fantastic warm city that is a worth a visit in January. Some of the most popular attractions in Gozo are the Watchtower, Fungus Rock, Sanap Cliffs, Marsalforn Bay, and the Inland Sea. Natural beauty and historical sites are both plentiful in Malta!

Maltese cuisine is influenced by Italian cuisine as well as North African cuisine. You can taste delicious pastas, potato bakes, and soups while you are in Gozo. Two fabulous restaurants to try are Country Terrace and Casa Vostra.

Venice, Italy

One of the biggest benefits of visiting Venice in January is that there are less crowds. Even if you have plans to visit somewhere else in Italy, I really recommend spending one day in Venice as well. The city is so popular so visiting during the low season will give you some much needed relief from the crowds.

A few must-see sites in the city include the Grand Canal, Doge’s Palace, and Piazza San Marco. There are a few small Christmas Markets set up in Venice in December and you may be able to catch one or two in the very beginning of January. The markets are a great place to buy handicrafts.

Interlaken, Switzerland

Interlaken is among the best places to travel in January in Europe. For travelers looking for a true winter experience, Interlaken is a dream covered in snow! You can hike to the top of Harder Kulm, take the train to Lake Brienz, drink local beer, go paddleboarding, and much more!

Interlaken is beautiful by itself but taking a day trip while you are there is a must as well. Lauterbrunnen, Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald, and Thun are all great options for your day trip from Interlaken.

river in the middle with snow covered trees and bushes on both sides, a couple of houses are around the river

Cheap Places in Europe To Visit In January

Prague

If you are hoping to visit some Christmas markets while you are traveling this year, Prague markets usually stay open in the first week of January. Plus, the Czech Republic is a great choice for budget travelers looking for cheap European countries in January.

There are a few places in snowy Prague in winter that you won’t want to miss while you’re there. The Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock, the monumental Charles Bridge with its intricate craftsmanship, the great fortress of Prague Castle, and the illuminating St Vitus Cathedral should all be on your Prague itinerary.

photo. of snow covered buildings in january, there are two tall spires in the background, and a domed building in the middle of the image

Madeira, Portugal

Portugal is among the best countries in Europe to visit in January and the city of Madeira is both warm with an average daily temperatuure of 17°C (63°F) and budget-friendly, making it a dream destination for many travelers.

For hikers, you will want to head to St. Lawrence Peninsula as it is an idyllic hiking area overlooking the blue water off the coast. Madeira is also home to a great farmers market, the Sao Vicente Caves, and the picturesque Madeira Botanical Garden.

a rounded bay on with many buildings up a hill in the background, photo taken on a partly cloudy day in january — Editorial credit: Kirk Fisher / Shutterstock.com

Istanbul

Do you have Istanbul on your short list for the best places to visit in Europe in January? If not, I think you should add it! Istanbul is a unique city in that it is located on two different continents. This city is where the east meets the west!

The low season in Istanbul is November-February, during this time, it is quite rainy. However, if you come prepared with a rain jacket and umbrella, you can enjoy Galata Tower, Sultan Ahmed Mosque, and the famous Hagia Sophia without the crowds that are present the rest of the year.

Santorini

January is a fantastic time of year to visit Santorini as you can enjoy this remarkable island without the high temperatures and large crowds of the summer months. You can also cheaper accomodation with hotels being as much as 25% less their summer prices.

In January, you should stroll along Red Beach, visit the white-washed Village of Oia, picnic beside the turqiouse waters of Ammoudi Bay, hike to Skaros Roc, annd enjoy Greek wine at Santo Wines.

Budapest

The beautiful city of Budapest on the Danube River is among the best places to visit in Europe in January. The Fisherman’s Bastion will give you impeccable views of the city and Danube. You will likely have a view of snow covered buildings as January is the month of the most snow in the city.

There are so many incredible things to do in Budapest in winter! Budapest is the capital of Hungary and as such is a major cultural hub. I recommend you listen to folk music and try delicious Hungarian cuisine like goulosh on a dinner river cruise during your visit. You’ll make memories you will never forget!

It's a castle on the left with a pointy top you can see the city buildings to the right of it, and in the middle of the image is the Danube river in the background is more city

Best Warm Places To Visit In Europe In January

The Canary Islands
Cyprus
Sicily, Italy
The Algarve, Portugal
Andalusia, Spain

Best Europe Cities To Visit In January

Seville, Spain
Lisbon
Gozo, Malta
Venice, Italy
Interlaken, Switzerland

Best Cheap Places To Visit During January in Europe

Prague
Madeira, Portugal
Istanbul
Santorini
Budapest

The two spires in the middle of the image in the foreground there is a domed building. All of the buildings are covered in snow, and in the background, there are snow covered trees.

Tips For Visiting Europe in January

Christmas Markets

Sometimes Christmas markets in Europe will stay open into early January. If the markets are something you want to experience while in Europe, check the area you are visiting for open markets in January!

Pack Smart

If you are visiting a cold destination, waterproof shoes are a must for the mushy snowmelt in the streets and hiking. Packing smart is even more important if you plan on traveling to both warm and cold places. Pack one pair of quality shoes per climate to avoid overpacking!

Available Attractions

If there is a specific attraction or activity you want to do while in Europe, you need to research a bit before planning your trip. Many attractions, tours, etc. are closed in the off-season or are open fewer hours than the summer months.

One of the places to visit in Europe in January Budapest, hungry in the foreground there are archways with columns in the middle of the image. You can see a thermal bath with people in it in the background there is a building with a dome top.

Visiting Europe in the low season is such an incredible way to explore the continent with fewer crowds. With so many bucket-list-worthy destinations to choose from, I’m sure you will find a dream location for you to explore on your travels.

Which of these fabulous destinations will you be visiting first?