Best places to go on holiday in January

We’ve looked through our holidays and sought out the best places to go on holiday in January. It’s time for the yearly rush to the Antarctic and Patagonia, while snowy mountains and the chance to the see the Northern Lights take hold of Europe. Most of Southeast Asia finds itself right in the middle of the dry season, leaving plenty of subtropical countries open for business.

Home\Where to go when

Best places to go on holiday in January

January is the best month to visit Southeast Asia – the region is dry and warm, but not too hot – plus The Caribbean is well out of the hurricane season. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s also the most popular time for an Antarctic cruise or Patagonian adventure. In the mountains of Europe, you can skip the crush of Christmas and New Year and go snowshoeing and cross country skiing minus the carousing crowds. It’s prime Northern Lights time in Northern Europe; down south, you can recover from the festivities with a January yoga retreat.

Keep reading to find out the places to go on holiday in January.

See all our Where to go when Holidays

Give us a call

Our Where to go when Holidays

Africa

Keep the festivities going at the Timkat festival in Ethiopia – one of the most spectacular religious celebrations in the world.

The Americas & Caribbean

Costa Rica is dry and mostly sunny, so this is a great time for wildlife and activity holidays. You’re still in the rainforest, of course, so do pack your waterproofs. Cuba – and the rest of the Caribbean – is hurricane-free in January. The Galapagos Islands enjoy calmer seas and warmer weather in January, making this the best time to visit, despite the greater chance of rain. You’ll also miss the busy holiday season; these islands are popular with families. January is peak time in Patagonia, with summer warmth, long days and good access to the whole region. This does also mean that it’s busier and prices will rise, so be sure to book well in advance.

Antarctica

January is the key month in Antarctica – it’s all warmer, longer days, and penguin chicks and seal pups are out on the ice. It’s best to book early, as January expedition cruises fill up fast.

Asia

Kerala in southern India is a great destination in January. Choose your holiday wisely, however, as the tried-and-tested tourist routes can be packed. It’s also one of the best times for tiger safaris in Central India – just be prepared for chilly mornings. January is the best time to visit southwestern Sri Lanka. Avoid travelling to the northeast, however, where the monsoons have started.

Australasia

Hugely underrated Tasmania is at its summer high of 21°C right now – a treat on this notoriously weather-beaten island, and a relief from the scorching heat of mainland Australia.

Europe

Parts of Andalucia can top 20°C in January and rainfall is rare. This is actually a much more pleasant time to take a walking or cycling holiday than midsummer, when 40°C heat makes any activity unfeasible. And if you head up into the mountains, you’ll find plenty of the white stuff to keep you busy. Plus, you can forget about images of the crowded Costas – you’ll have much of the sandy coastline all to yourself. The rest of Europe’s mountains (including the Alps, Dolomites, Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada) have plenty of snow for winter activities, and they come with the option of heading back down to the milder coastal areas. Head to Sweden, Finland or Norway for snow and skating, husky sledding, meeting the Sami, and chasing the Northern Lights. Romania’s mountains are also an unusual but great destination for a snowy winter activity holiday. Tracking lynx is easiest with white stuff on the ground, too.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Where to go when or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Where not to go on holiday in January

Brazil. The Pantanal is flooded and largely inaccessible, the north is unbearably hot and it’s the Brazilian holiday season, so the beaches and hotels will be packed with local tourists. Temperatures in Northern China can plunge to -40°C, so if you’re keen to visit you’re best off visiting the south, including Hong Kong. Greece is surprisingly cold and wet, and sea conditions put a stop to dolphin watching trips. In India, Delhi and the Golden Triangle are best avoided; unpredictable freezing spells can whip in from the Himalayas. Don’t hike the Inca Trail unless you want to be wet, muddy and miserable. Some facilities in rural Scotland, such as hotels and restaurants, may close through winter – the exception being ski facilities. Northern Spain and Portugal have a distinctly cold, grey and drizzly climate in January.

Need some help? Give us a call

More about Where to go when

Where to go on holiday & when guide

If you’re tied to school holidays, keen to miss the monsoon season or hoping to snag an off-season bargain, read our month-by-month guide on where to go on holiday when.

Best places to go on holiday in February

We’ve trawled temp charts, booking trends and asked experts to find the best places to go on holiday in February. Will it be monsoon-free Southeast Asia or yoga in Spain?

Best places to go on holiday in March

Wondering where’s the best place to go on holiday in March? Read our guide to find out where the rains are starting, where it's sunny, and which mountains still have snow.

Best places to go on holiday in April

We’ve answered the conundrum of where to go on holiday in April. Japan is the golden child, thanks to cherry blossom season, but sunny Southern Europe is also warming up.

Best places to go on holiday in May

We’ve gathered together the best places to go on holiday in May. Arctic cruises will be one of your top chances for icy vistas at this time of year and safari season is in.

Best places to go on holiday in June

It really is a case of sun, sand and sea when thinking about the best places to go on holiday in June: hikers and sailors explore the coastlines and islands of Europe.

Best places to go on holiday in July

Where are the best places to go on holiday in July? Wildlife migrations make Africa tempting, or you can spend long days hiking, sailing and kayaking at top of the world.

Best places to go on holiday in August

The best places to go on holiday in August depend on how you feel about the crowds. Safaris are popular around now and it can be a great time for a small ship cruise.

Best places to go on holiday in September

We lay out the best places to go on holiday in September. There’s a lot of choice, from small ship cruises around the Mediterranean to safari season in southern Africa.

Best places to go on holiday in October

Read our guide for ideas about the best places to go on holiday in October. It's one of the best months for small ship cruises and it’s cool enough for activity holidays.

Best places to go on holiday in November

We’ve cherry-picked the best places to go on holiday in November. Antarctic voyages are back on the cards and it’s a good time to brave the rains in some African countries.

Best places to go on holiday in December

December is the month to choose to step into Christmas or escape the sound of Jingle Bells. Read our guide for advice on the best places to go on holiday in December.