Where to Travel in January Europe:
Top 10 Destinations
January can feel a bit flat after the holidays, so I like to use it as an excuse to escape. Europe in January has a little bit of everything. Warm places where you can sit outside with a coffee, cities that feel calmer after December, and snowy spots that make winter feel fun again. If you’re wondering where to travel in January, you’re in the right place.
I like January trips to be gentle. Slow mornings, fewer crowds, and somewhere that makes you feel excited about the new year. Sometimes that’s a city with pretty streets and good food. Sometimes it’s a sunny island that reminds you what daylight looks like. And sometimes it’s a ski village where the whole point is to eat, rest and repeat.
This list brings you my favourite European destinations for the first month of the year. Ten easy picks with a mix of warm escapes, cosy cities and proper winter landscapes. All places you can enjoy without stress and without spending your whole year’s travel budget on week one.
Where to travel in January: Hot places
If January makes you want to hug your heater, a warm escape is the answer. Europe has a few sunny spots that feel like you’ve cheated winter without flying halfway around the world. Think long lunches outside, coastal walks and that wonderful moment when you realise you don’t need a coat. It’s the easiest way to start the year feeling human again.
1. Tenerife
Why visit:
Tenerife is that rare winter sun destination that works for almost everyone. You get warm weather, golden beaches, dramatic volcanic landscapes and cute little towns that feel a world away from the grey UK. January is calm here, so you can wander, swim and eat outside without the summer crowds. And because the island has a mix of beachy south and lush, authentic north, you can switch between “lazy holiday mode” and “let’s explore a bit” whenever you feel like it. It’s the perfect winter reset.
Temperature in January:
Around 20–22°C during the day, with plenty of sunshine.
Travel time from the UK:
Around 4.5 hours.
Little tip:
Head to the south of the island if you want guaranteed sun, but spend at least one afternoon exploring the north for prettier scenery and better food.
2. Cyprus
Why visit:
Cyprus is one of the warmest places in Europe in January, which already makes it a good idea. The island mixes sunny coastlines, ancient ruins and cute harbour towns that feel peaceful at this time of year. January is perfect for slow exploring, seaside lunches and walks without the heat or crowds. It’s the kind of winter trip where you feel relaxed the moment you arrive.
Average temperature in January:
Around 17–19°C during the day, often feeling warmer in the sun.
Travel time from the UK:
About 4.5 to 5 hours.
Little tip:
Base yourself near Paphos if you want mild weather and pretty coastal walks, or head to Limassol for a mix of beaches, cafés and easy day trips.
3. Madeira
Why visit:
Madeira is one of those places that feels like it belongs in a travel daydream. January is warm enough for long coastal walks, mountain viewpoints and slow afternoons by the sea, but cool enough that you can explore without melting. The island is covered in lush greenery even in winter, which makes it feel more exotic than almost anywhere else in Europe at this time of year. It’s perfect if you love dramatic landscapes, good food and a calmer pace. And because Madeira stays mild year-round, you get that lovely “spring in January” feeling the moment you step outside.
Average temperature in January:
Around 18–20°C during the day.
Travel time from the UK:
Roughly 3.5 to 4 hours.
Little tip:
Rent a car, even just for a day. Some of Madeira’s best views are in the mountains, and the freedom is worth it.
Where to travel in January: Ski resorts
January is peak ski season, which means proper snow, cosy chalets and every reason to eat your body weight in melted cheese. You don’t need to be a pro either. Most European ski towns are just as fun for slow travellers, spa lovers and people who prefer après-ski over actual skiing. It’s winter done right, with mountains that make everything feel a bit magical.
4. Zermatt, Switzerland
Why visit:
Zermatt is the kind of ski resort that feels almost unreal, with the Matterhorn towering over everything like a giant Christmas decoration. It’s beautiful in a quiet, cinematic way, and January brings excellent snow without the holiday crowds. The village is car-free, cosy and full of warm lights, little shops and restaurants that make you want to linger. Whether you actually ski or just enjoy the alpine vibe, Zermatt delivers that soft winter magic people dream about when they say they want a “proper snowy escape.”
Average temperature in January:
Around −5°C to −1°C, colder on the slopes.
How to get there:
Fly into Geneva or Zurich, then take the scenic train to Zermatt (about 3–4 hours). It’s easy, peaceful and the views are incredible.
Little tip:
Book a clear morning for the Gornergrat Railway. The views of the Matterhorn are unforgettable.
5. Chamonix, France
Why visit:
Chamonix is one of those ski towns that feels alive in winter. The mountains are dramatic, the air is crisp and the whole place has that cosy-but-adventurous vibe that makes you want to try new things. I think Chamonix is perfect if you want a mix of proper skiing and pretty winter moments, not just slopes from morning to night. You can wander the town, warm up in cute cafés, take in the views and still feel like you’re having a real alpine experience.
Average temperature in January:
Usually −5°C to 3°C, colder on the peaks.
How to get there:
Fly into Geneva, then take a transfer or bus to Chamonix. It’s about 1.5 hours, which is ideal if you don’t love long travel days.
Little tip:
Take the Aiguille du Midi cable car on a clear day. The views are unbelievable and totally worth the cold.
6. St. Anton am Arlberg
Why visit:
St. Anton is the kind of ski resort that keeps everyone happy, from confident skiers to people who just want alpine cosiness and good food. The slopes are great in January, the village feels lively without being wild, and the mountains look incredible in winter. I think St. Anton is perfect if you want proper skiing during the day and that warm, friendly Austrian vibe in the evening. It has the right balance of action and relaxation.
Average temperature in January:
Around −10°C to 0°C, depending on altitude.
How to get there:
Fly into Innsbruck or Zurich, then take a train or transfer to the resort. Travel time is usually 1.5 to 2.5 hours, and the journey is beautiful.
Little tip:
Try the local Kaiserschmarrn at least once. It tastes even better after a cold day on the slopes.
7. Val d'Isère
Why visit:
Val d’Isère is one of those ski resorts that feels a little bit glamorous without trying too hard. The slopes are huge, the snow is excellent in January and the village looks straight out of a cosy winter film. I think Val d’Isère is perfect if you want skiing with a side of great food, cute chalets and that soft festive feeling that somehow lingers into the new year. Even if you’re not a pro on the slopes, the atmosphere alone makes it worth the trip.
Average temperature in January:
Typically −10°C to −2°C, colder higher up.
How to get there:
Fly into Geneva, Lyon or Grenoble, then take a transfer to the resort. Expect around 3–4 hours, but the scenery keeps it interesting.
Little tip:
Book at least one long lunch on the mountain. The views and the food taste even better when you’ve earned them.
Where to travel in January: City breaks
January is secretly one of the best months for city breaks. The crowds are gone, prices calm down and you can actually enjoy museums without being elbowed. It’s the perfect time for slow wanders, good food and those little city moments that feel even cosier in cold weather. If you love exploring without the chaos, January is your month.
8. Seville
Why visit:
Seville in January feels like you’ve cheated winter. The sun is soft but warm, the orange trees are glowing, and the whole city moves at a slower pace that’s perfect after the chaos of December. I think Seville is one of the best places to wander without a plan: tiny lanes, colourful buildings, plazas full of life and cafés where you’ll want to sit a little longer than you meant to. It’s calm, beautiful and ideal if you love good food, warm weather and pretty corners.
Average temperature in January:
Around 15–18°C during the day.
Travel time from the UK:
About 2.5 to 3 hours by direct flight.
Little tip:
Visit the Plaza de España early in the morning. It’s peaceful, golden and perfect for photos before the crowds appear.
9. Berlin
Why visit:
Berlin in January is cold, but in a way that makes the city feel even cooler and more dramatic. You get big museums, quirky cafés, great food and that creative energy that Berlin does better than anywhere else. I think Berlin is perfect if you like cities with personality, not just pretty streets. It’s a place where you can spend the morning exploring history, the afternoon hopping between cosy spots and the evening discovering a bar you’ll wish you had at home.
Average temperature in January:
Usually around 0–4°C.
Travel time from the UK:
About 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours by direct flight.
Little tip:
Warm up at Markthalle Neun. It’s full of amazing food stalls and ideal for a slow, tasty break from the cold.
10. Reykjavik
Why visit:
Reykjavik in January feels like stepping into a calm, icy dream. The days are short, the light is soft and the whole city has this gentle, wintery magic that makes everything feel special. I think Reykjavik is perfect if you want a mix of nature and cosy city moments in one trip. You can explore colourful streets in the morning, warm up in a geothermal pool in the afternoon and chase the northern lights at night. It’s cold, yes, but in a way that makes you feel alive.
Average temperature in January:
Around 0°C to 3°C, colder outside the city.
Travel time from the UK:
Roughly 2.5 to 3 hours by direct flight.
Little tip:
Leave one evening free for a local hot spring. Floating in warm water while everything around you is icy is a January mood you won’t forget.
