Where is hot in January?
If you’re planning a holiday and wondering where’s hot in January, we’ve got you covered. Our bespoke holiday finder at the top of this page lets you enter your exact preferences, and we’ll match you with the perfect destinations from over 550 locations—plus, we’ll show you where to book your trip. Simply fill in the search form with as many details as you like, and we’ll suggest the best places to visit.
Or, if you’re looking for ideas, we’ve highlighted a few fantastic destinations that offer winter sunshine in January. Enjoy Dubai’s pleasantly warm temperatures and luxury experiences, relax on Phuket’s stunning beaches during its peak season, or head to Hurghada for Egypt’s Red Sea coast, where you’ll find perfect conditions for snorkelling and diving.
Mauritius
- Temperature: 30º
- Sunshine: 9 hours
- Rainy days: 9
- Flight Time: 12 hours
One of the many jewels of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius sits east of Madagascar and is famed for its diverse landscapes. From beautiful beaches and lush lagoons to rainforests and majestic waterfalls, this island nation is a dream come true for luxury travellers and adventurers alike.
It’s worth knowing that although Mauritius makes for a great hot January destination, it still gets a fair amount of rain (hence the rainforests!). You should expect light to moderate showers at this time of year, with the potential for thunderstorms. Although it might rain hard, showers tend to finish quickly, so don’t let this dampen your spirits.
Cuba
- Temperature: 27º
- Sunshine: 7 hours
- Rainy days: 5
- Flight Time: 9 hours 45 mins
Cuba resides on the bucket lists of many travellers, famous for its idolisation of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, this archipelago nation has a lot to offer its visitors. From plush hotels and resorts to its vibrant culture.
If you’re going to Cuba, be sure to visit the capital city of Havana. It’s here where you’ll see much of the beautiful quirks that the country is famous for, such as the classic cars and colourful buildings — it’s also one of the best places to order a mojito or a cuba libre.
Dubai
- Temperature: 23º
- Sunshine: 8 hours
- Rainy days: 6
- Flight Time: 6 hours 45 mins
Of all the seven emirates that make up the UAE, Dubai is the most famous. With 5* hotels, man-made archipelagos, luxury shopping and a stunning skyline, there’s no shortage of things to do in this sprawling metropolis.
Whether you want to visit the world’s tallest building, relax at the poolside or head to the theme parks, Dubai has it all. What’s more, there aren’t many destinations that offer so much sunshine in January, so don’t forget your suncream!
Antigua
- Temperature: 28º
- Sunshine: 9 hours
- Rainy days: 18
- Flight Time: 8 hours 40 mins
As one of the most stunning islands in the Caribbean, Antigua is famed for having some of the best beaches in the world — 365 of them to be precise. As well its soft and sandy white beaches, Antigua and the neighbouring island of Barbuda are home to stunning and diverse coral reefs and marine life, perfect for anyone who’s up for a bit of snorkelling.
Antigua also has a rich history, inhabited first by ancient indigenous tribes and later colonised by Christopher Columbus who named the island after the ‘Virgen de la Antigua,’ a depiction of the Virgin Mary found in Seville Cathedral.
Maldives
- Temperature: 29º
- Sunshine: 12 hours
- Rainy days: 5
- Flight Time: 10 hours 35 mins
There are more than 1,000 islands in the Maldives, all of them boasting the natural beauty that you would expect of a tropical paradise. About 600 miles south of Sri Lanka, this island nation is a gem in the Indian Ocean. Whether you’re looking to stay in a luxury resort for a romantic getaway or a friendly hotel for all the family, the Maldives has something for everyone.
Florida Beaches
- Temperature: 24º
- Sunshine: 7 hours
- Rainy days: 4
- Flight Time: 10 hours (based on a flight to Miami)
Believe it or not, there’s much more to the sunshine state than theme parks. Florida’s west coast stretches for 300 miles, where you’ll find a wide array of hotels and resorts for family holidays and romantic getaways.
Although Florida gets more than its fair share of rain, especially in the rainy season (May-October), January is one of the driest months and gets an average of around 4 rainy days in total, which certainly beats the average 19 days of rain in the UK.
Phuket
- Temperature: 33º
- Sunshine: 8 hours
- Rainy days: 4
- Flight Time: 12 hours
As the largest island in Thailand, Phuket has plenty to offer. From its diverse history and culture to idyllic tropical beaches and luscious landscapes, both on ground and underwater. Whether you want to go diving, explore the national parks, learn about the local heritage or relax on the beach, you can’t go wrong with Phuket.
Whilst a holiday to Phuket won’t disappoint, it’s worth knowing that January is one of the peak travel months, which means it’s likely to be busier and hotel accommodation may be more expensive (relatively speaking!). Still, we’re pretty sure you’ll have a great time!
Orlando
- Temperature: 22º
- Sunshine: 7 hours
- Rainy days: 10
- Flight Time: 9 hours 25 mins
Found at the top of most children’s (and many adults’) bucket lists is Orlando — the undisputed theme-park capital of the world. Located in the heart of Florida, this is a destination that has plenty of adventure for the whole family, in and out of the parks. You could go air-boating on the everglades in search of alligators or embark on a mission like no other at the Kennedy Space Center.
Some visitors see Florida as the perfect twin-centre destination and split their trip between seeing Mickey & Minnie and relaxing on the beach. After all that excitement, it’s no surprise that people find themselves wanting another holiday!
Hurghada
- Temperature: 22º
- Sunshine: 9 hours
- Rainy days: 0
- Flight Time: 5 hours 30 mins
This popular Egyptian resort boasts a 40km coastline that looks out onto the Red Sea. Hurghada has evolved from a small fishing village that was founded in 1908, to the city that it is today. As well as sandy beaches, warm weather and unforgettable cultural experiences, Hurghada has a decent nightlife with several bars and nightclubs.
Moreover, Hurghada has become one of Egypt’s best diving and snorkelling locations in recent years, giving tourists the chance to see a diverse range of marine wildlife.
Abu Dhabi
- Temperature: 24º
- Sunshine: 9 hours
- Rainy days: 6
- Flight Time: 7 hours
Abu Dhabi may not be as well known as Dubai, but as the capital city and largest emirate of the seven that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it certainly has plenty to offer. For those seeking winter sun, Abu Dhabi is the perfect escape, with its warm temperatures and sunny skies making it ideal for lounging at luxury resorts or exploring the city’s modern metropolis. You can also immerse yourself in its rich culture, from visiting grand mosques to strolling along the waterfront.
For a more thrilling experience, don’t miss Ferrari World on Yas Island, home to the world’s fastest rollercoaster, which takes you from 0 to 240 km/h in just 4.9 seconds!
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Still Can’t Find Somewhere Hot in January?
Still haven’t found your perfect January destination? No worries, we’ve got you covered! Shifting your travel dates can really open up a whole new world of warm-weather options. Check out the links below to explore the hottest destinations for every other month of the year. Or, if you’d prefer a more tailored approach, just give our awesome destination finder at the top of the page a go!