Where is it warm in January? Top holiday destinations for the New Year’s winter sun

If you’re looking for the sun in January, you’re certainly not alone.

The benefits of escaping the average temperature of 1°C to 7°C in the UK are clear – and once the excitement for Christmas has died down, it’s nice to look forward to a hot, sunny holiday.

Whether you’re in the mood for an energetic vacation, a bustling capital city, a New Year’s break or a remote destination known for its beautiful beaches, you’ll have plenty of options for traveling to warmer climes this month.

So where the hell are you supposed to fly to in hot weather in January?

Where is it warm in January?

Antigua and Barbuda

nine o’clock
flight time: Eight hours, 35 minutes

Although January is arguably the coldest month of the year in Antigua and Barbuda, the average temperature is still around 26°C, much warmer than on the British coasts.

If you decide to head there, you’ll find plenty of luxury all-inclusive hotels (like this Antigua Sandals resort) and pristine beaches, including Barbuda’s famous Pink Sand Beach, where the sand really has a pink hue due to the many coral reefs. has reefs nearby.

You will also find that the sea has an average temperature of 27°C at this time of the year, ideal for swimming.

Cape Town, South Africa

10 hours
flight time: 11 hours 30 minutes

January is summer in South Africa, making it an ideal time to visit the vibrant city of Cape Town.

The city has more than enough attractions. Relax on Boulders Beach and meet the penguin colony, or take a trip to the world-famous Table Mountain – take the cable car and enjoy sweeping views of the city from its 3,500-foot summit.

If you venture further afield by car, you can also drive to the Cape Winelands for (you guessed it) excellent wine – or visit a local nature reserve for an unforgettable safari experience.

New Zealand

Seven o’clock
flight time: 23 hours, 30 minutes

If you’ve always wanted to experience a long-distance adventure in New Zealand, then January is the time to do so, as it is generally the country’s warmest month in the Pacific Ocean – with average maximum temperatures of 25° C on the North Island and 22 °C above the South Island.

After several years of severe travel restrictions due to Covid-19, New Zealand’s borders are now fully open. This means you can visit the capital city of Wellington, enjoy the view from Auckland’s Sky Tower or explore Queenstown.

Natural beauty is New Zealand’s main attraction, so take advantage of the pleasant temperatures to explore Lake Wakatipu or cruise Milford Sound.

Saint Lucia

Eight o’clock
flight time: Eight hours, 50 minutes

The beautiful Caribbean island of St. Lucia enjoys great weather everywhere – even January, which is technically one of the coldest months with a dreamy average 26°C.

In addition to great beaches – including Anse Chastenet Beach, known for its snorkeling – you can explore the Pitons, the two volcanic mountains that overlook the island, on foot or by boat and swim in the surrounding waterfalls.

Don’t forget to stop in Soufriere, the island’s original capital, with its botanical gardens and souvenir shops in the old town.

Goa, India

Nine to ten o’clock
flight time: Nine hours, 30 minutes

January is quite hot all over India, but the western state of Goa offers a great mix of laid-back beaches and tourist hotspots.

From sunbathing and water skiing to scuba diving, you can also visit historic temples and sites, including the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which houses the mummy of the 16th-century missionary St. Francis Xavier.

Also for your wish list? A local dolphin safari that takes you to the Arabian Sea on an early morning tour to see some of our aquatic friends up close.

Bahamas

Seven o’clock
flight time: Nine hours, 50 minutes

Head to the Bahamas in January and dive straight into the sea, as water temperatures this month are a whopping 25°C.

If you visit the country’s many islands, you can expect average peaks around 6 p.m. — maybe even a few degrees higher — and lots of sun and sunsets around 6 p.m., says Thomas Cook.

But where to go in the Bahamas? There’s the capital, Nassau, and the famous Paradise Island (home to a massive Atlantis hotel). Fancy something different? Head to the Exuma neighborhood where you’ll discover a beach full of swimming pigs (seriously).

Cape Verde

Six o’clock
flight time: Eight o’clock

Like some of the destinations on this list, January is the coldest month in Cape Verde.

You’ll never guess, as the country off the coast of West Africa experiences temperatures of around 20 degrees at this time of year, making it one of the top travel destinations of the month globally.

Cape Verde is an ideal destination for a beach holiday, as Sal Island – and Santa Maria Beach – offer plenty of opportunities to learn how to snorkel or dive. Kitesurfing is another activity you can try on Sal or Boa Vista where the perfect conditions prevail.

The town of Santa Maria in Sal is also a picturesque spot on the other side of the beach, with pretty, pastel-coloured buildings and some of the best bars and restaurants in the archipelago.

Miami, Fla

Eight o’clock
flight time: Nine hours, 50 minutes

It is often warm in Miami, Florida, so this American city could be a perfect winter getaway.

A great choice, especially for those who want to combine sun worshipers with a taste of city life by relaxing in Miami Beach and then exploring a variety of museums and attractions.

A must is a visit to South Beach’s Art Deco District, with its quirky, trendy bars and restaurants.

However, if you’re traveling to the US and Mexico, you have a few more warm-weather options in January, including elsewhere in Florida, Arizona, and the Mexican city of Cancun (which we’ve included in our February list).

Phuket, Thailand

Eight o’clock
flight time: 14 hours, 30 minutes

If you like to enjoy the heat on a sunny beach then head to Phuket in Thailand as you have over 30 to choose from.

Top up your tan, go snorkeling or explore Phuket’s countless attractions, such as the capital Phuket Town with its colorful buildings, or take a trip to Koh Tapu, also known as “James Bond Island”, where the man with the golden gun was filmed.

When the sun goes down, don’t forget to visit one of the night markets or head to Bangla Road, a nightlife district known for music, neon lights, bars and restaurants.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

nine o’clock
flight time: 17 hours

Don’t let a long-haul flight put you off? Can you handle a little jet lag?

If the answer is yes, Argentina might be worth considering for your hot January getaway, as the South American province averages 25°C and maximum temperatures approach 30°C.

Buenos Aires is the cosmopolitan capital known for its 19th-century Plaza de Mayo, the fascinating and ornate Mausoleum of Recoleta, the Teatro Colón Theater and the colorful neighborhood of La Boca.

There is an endless list of things to do, including museums dedicated to history, Latin American art and Argentina’s famous former First Lady Eva Perón, markets and gardens galore.

Singapore

Six o’clock
flight time: 13 hours

Singapore has no shortage of mild temperatures in January, possibly rising to 30 degrees.

Mainland attractions in the Southeast Asian country include Marina Bay Beach, the Botanical Gardens and the world-famous Raffles Hotel, credited as the birthplace of the gin-infused Singapore Sling cocktail.

Away from the mainland, take a trip to Sentosa, an island resort with 2 km of sheltered beach that is also home to the Universal Studios Singapore theme park.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

nine o’clock
flight time: Six hours, 50 minutes

Dubai is a well-known sunny place in winter, but Abu Dhabi – the capital of the UAE – also has plenty to offer.

January may be the coldest month, but with temperatures hovering around 20 degrees, it’s still a popular time to travel.

Enjoy beautiful beaches, luxury hotels (that is, if you have some money to spare), famous landmarks such as the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the Emirates Palace, and hunt for a bargain in one of the city’s many shopping malls.

For warm weather in January in Europe…

Okay, Europe might not be the most popular place to fly to in January, but there are still parts of the continent that are warmer than the UK if you fancy a city break.

They contain:

– 16°C on average
Cyprus – 17°C on average
Canary Islands – 20°C on average.