This is part of our series on how to find the top holiday spots around the world by the calendar. These are the best holiday destinations for January. As with all our guides, we recommend you check all government travel warnings before you decide on a holiday destination.
Barcelona in January
During the day in Barcelona you usually have sun and pleasant temperatures of 16 – 20 degrees in January. You can combine the city trip with New Year’s Eve and take the celebrations and customs of culture with you! It’s really worth it, and one of the best holiday destinations for January.
The Sagrada Familia is also much easier to visit, as the eternally long queues are virtually non-existent. It’s worth it!
Best holiday destinations for August
Glasgow or Edinburgh in January
I also visited the two nearby cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh in January. I admit it: it was cold! But: It was beautiful!
I liked Edinburgh right away. On New Year’s Eve there is the famous Hogmanay, which attracts millions of tourists. The prices for flights and hotels are very cheap in January, the two cities are great to visit in combination, because by train you can get from Edinburgh to Glashow in less than an hour!
Shopping Week in Dubai in January
The former fishing village is now a modern and one of the fastest growing metropolises in the Middle East. Here, modernity meets tradition. In January, the weather in Dubai is ideal for exploring the city or soaking up the sun in one of the many hotels.
In January, the biggest shopping and entertainment event in the Middle East takes place: the Dubai Shopping Festival. 2018 for the 23rd time. Here you make unbeatable bargains, meet stars and experience numerous events around shopping. Tourists especially love the daily raffles and special offers. The highlight is always a gigantic fireworks display, which also makes Dubai one of the best holiday destinations for January.
Best holiday destinations for January: Asia
Asia is considered a realm of smiles. Not only dreamlike beaches and a varied nature, but also cultural sights and fantastic cuisine attract numerous tourists to Asia again and again, and the start of the year can be a great time to visit, making the region one of the best holiday destinations for January.
Sri Lanka
Even though I don’t know if I liked Sri Lanka or not, January is a good month to explore the island. In the south it is dry and very warm, in the Cultural Triangle the rainy season is almost through. From time to time it rains, but only briefly and violently. In the Cultural Triangle there were still some floods from the many rains in December, from the 2nd of January the rainy season was through, it has not rained anymore and the weather is great.
Only the north and eastern part of Sri Lanka should be avoided in January. There is still monsoon and the days are very rainy.
Thailand
In Thailand, beautiful beaches and islands await you. The people are always friendly and helpful. The country offers the right rest after Christmas for package holidaymakers as well as for individual travellers and backpackers.
As the rainy season is already over in January, the west coast around Khao Lak and Phuket, as well as the east coast around Koh Chang, Koh Samui, Koh Yao Noi or Koh Tao offer optimal conditions.
Myanmar
Myanmar is (still) slowly changing since the opening of tourists. Therefore, the beautiful country north of Thailand is a little insider tip. In January, the best time to visit Is myanmers and the whole country has pleasant temperatures with very little rainfall.
Best holiday destinations for January skiing
In January there are ideal conditions for winter sports fans. Ski resorts in Germany, Austria and Switzerland also attract me to the mountains again and again, even if January is the coldest month for skiing.
Cheap skiing in Slovenia in January
Since Slovenia is quite small you can reach any winter sports place quite quickly from the airport in Ljubijana, so if you don’t want to spend too much time on transport to the snow, this is one of the best holiday destinations for January.
Canadian Rocky Mountains – Banff and Jasper
Ideal for a winter road trip combined with a skiing holiday is a visit to the Rocky Mountains. Direct flights from Frankfurt to Calgary, the gateway to the Rockies. I was there in the spring and enjoyed making my turns on the snowboard in the famous Champagne Powder (finest fluffy powder snow).
The province of Alberta is not only ideal for skiing, but also to watch numerous other winter activities such as ice walks, snowshoe hikes, a dog sled ride or the stars in Jasper.
Skiing in Austria
In the Alps I can recommend the ski resorts in Serfaus (especially for families), Silvretta Montafon, Kitzbühel, Lermoos or the beloved Allgäu all as some of the best holiday destinations for January.
January road trips
Europe could be very cold everywhere in January. This month is therefore not ideal for a road trip. But how about a road trip on another continent? Here are my tips:
Road trip on the Icefields Parkway (with skiing)
A road trip on canada’s legendary Icefield Parkway is just the thing. Here you can watch not only skiing or snowboarding, but an NHL game in ice hockey (Calgary Flames or Edmonton Oilers).
Alternatively, we did dog sledding, ice climbing at the waterfall near Jasper, marveled at the Ice Castles in Edmonton, snowshoeed in the Rocky Mountains or fatbiing in the River Valley of Edmonton.
The winter in Canada is fantastic, that I have even been there twice!
Florida – Beach or Road Trip in January
Florida is a popular destination all year round. In the German winter, the high season prevails here, especially around Christmas. Pleasantly warm temperatures make a Florida stay very pleasant. Therefore, January is ideal for a Florida trip. Whether Everglades National Park, Key West, Miami Beach or St. Augustine. There’s a lot to discover here – especially in the form of a Florida round trip with the rental car — to make this one of the best holiday destinations for January.
Tasmania (Australia) is ideal in January
They say Tasmania is different to the rest of Australia. Here you will be attracted by great hiking trails, lots of sunshine and lots of opportunities for wildlife watching!
A road trip with many hikes in the great nature is ideal in January! Tasmania is also at the top of my list for my next destinations!
South Africa in January
Why go to South Africa? In January are good conditions for a road trip. The weather is mostly dry and not too hot. Cape Town and the Garden Route in particular are very popular. Don’t underestimate the sun despite the cool wind!
Uganda in January
Why go to Uganda? January is low season and quite dry. Also ideal for watching gorillas or chimpanzees trekking. Although the permits are more expensive, you save yourself adventurous driving through deep mud and further slides during gorilla trekking like me.
Caribbean and Central America
In January, the weather attracts a lot of tourists to the fine sandy beaches of the Caribbean. Cuba, Dominican Republic and Mexico’s Caribbean coast lure us to Central America and the Caribbean, making the region one of the best holiday destinations for January.
Costa Rica
Pura vida – you will find real life in Costa Rica. Simply switch off, come down and above all travel slowly in Costa Rica is the best way to discover the diverse country. Whether it’s a beach, active holidays (hiking on volcanoes, surfing, mountain biking, rafting or numerous other activities are possible in Costa Rica) or attending a language school to improve your Spanish.
The only shortcoming of a trip to Costa Rica in January: It is the most popular month to travel the country with December.
Mexico
In January you will find in Mexico ideal conditions for a beach holiday or for an individual round trip. Especially the mix of beach, delicious food and of course the Mayan culture and the ruins that invite you to sightseeing (I am thinking of the Mayan ruins in Palenque, Chichen Itza and Tulum), make Mexico have such a variety that it is one of the best holiday destinations for January.
The peak season for Mexico is from the end of November to May. Then it is dry and the water is also very clear for diving and snorkeling. At Christmas many hotels and accommodations are still fully booked, but from New Year it will be a little empty again, the prices a bit cheaper.
Cuba
Cuba is changing rapidly, as U.S. citizens have recently been allowed to enter Cuba cheaply and officially. January is ideal because Cuba is dry. Temperatures are a little cooler with average temperatures around 25° degrees. It is ideal to explore Cuba as part of a round trip or a beach holiday.
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