Warm places to visit in January: where winter feels like summer

January is the ideal time to escape to the sun and set the year off on the right track. There are a great deal of places with good weather during January, on various continents of the world. If you want relaxed holidays, are an adventurer, or have a passion for discovering cultures, here’s the go-to guide for the wonderful sunshine destinations to travel in January!

Warm escapes in Europe

We don’t automatically think of the European continent when we envision winter vacations in the sun. Some cities in the south, though, have a very pleasant climate as a respite from January. January’s temperatures are 60° and 75° Fahrenheit here, and they are excellent for cultural tourism, scenic drives, and outdoor activities with no crowds that the high season would cause.

The Canary Islands: Europe’s winter sun paradise

Found situated on the north-west coast of Africa, the Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago with a year-round spring-like climate. At this time, January daytime temperatures are 70°F, making the Canary Islands the perfect getaway for tourists looking for sun but not wanting to travel too far outside Europe.

Each Island provides a character unto itself. Volcanic landscapes blend with vibrant cities such as Santa Cruz on Tenerife. Gran Canaria provides beaches and emerald mountain landscapes, and Lanzarote provides the design and nature lovers alike with its haven through local artist César Manrique.

A trip to the Canary Islands is especially rewarding if you get the time to go at your own pace — from isolated beaches to secret villages, there’s much more than the mainstream spots. When you fly into Spain, it’s easy to pick up a car through Europcar’s local rental options and start uncovering these lesser-known corners at your own pace.

Madeira: the jewel of the atlantic ocean

Madeira, a Portuguese island in the Atlantic, boasts rolling green hills, flower-filled gardens, and beach-lined cliffs. It’s around 66°F in January, so cooler than the tropics but with a springlike climate perfect for hiking, wine tasting, and exploring villages.

Madeira’s beauty lies in the dramatic landscapes — roads twist around emerald hillsides, through terraced slopes, waterfalls, and lengths of laurel forest evocative of the subtropical setting. Volcanically created, the island abounds with contrasts: rugged heights yield to black beaches, and the steep cliffs to wide sea panoramas. If you intend to circumnavigate the island, you can be comforted by the knowledge that car rental is as readily accessible as it would be in Spain— Europcar operates throughout the country, including on Madeira.

Morocco: a cultural bridge between Europe and Africa

Though geographically located on the African continent, it’s a top European winter vacation spot by virtue of proximity and favorable climate. Marrakech and Agadir are a balmy 70 degrees in January — great weather for walking around the medina, sipping a mint tea on the roof in the sun, or exploring the Atlas Mountains.

North America: sun-soaked destinations close to home

For American tourists or those Canadian ones, southward is a quick and convenient way to get some sunshine. Warm weather, outdoor adventures, and cultural exploits abound at places like Florida and the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, all accessible by flying.

Florida: winter warmth stateside

For those who prefer not to venture abroad, the options are in Florida. With Miami, the Keys, and Naples registering highs at 75° in January, the Sunshine State lives up to their nickname.

Miami provides beach culture, art deco architecture, and Latin-influenced foods. Head south to Key West for one of the world’s most famous road journeys — the Overseas Highway. Head west to the Everglades National Park to enjoy subtropical fauna and airboat excursions.

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula: culture and coastlines

If you’re dreaming of beaches with bright blue water, intact ancient ruins and vibrant colonial cities, the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico provides all of them – and average temperatures of nearly 82°F in January.

It’s the location of the beaches of Cancún, the streets of Playa del Carmen, and the more tranquil beauty of Tulum. Inland, Mérida provides cultural respite in the guise of colonial town and Mayan culture. And then there’s Chichén Itzá, a Seven New Wonder of the World.

It’s easy to drive around Yucatán and make one consider visiting cenotes (natural pools), lesser-known road ruins, and local markets.

Africa: winter sunshine and unique landscapes

Africa provides beautiful winter-sun spots with temperatures frequently into the mid-70s and higher. Africa in January boasts wonderful diversity — with vibrant cities and immense deserts and serene stretches of beach, it’s full of character and contrasts.

Cape Verde: Africa’s Atlantic treasure

It’s an archipelago of volcanic islands located just off the west coast of the African continent. In January, the average temperature is around 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and it tends to be dry and sunny — ideal for unwinding and seeing the sights.

Every island is different — the lively streets of São Vicente’s Mindelo and the wide beaches of Sal and Boa Vista. It’s a paradise for beach lovers, nature enthusiasts, and culture tourists.

Public transport is limited, so access to a rented car is essential in order to get the most out of your vacation.

Asia: tropical beaches and urban adventures

January marks the time when the year’s best weather comes courtesy of Asia. Dry and balmy but not so humid as it will be in the summertime, it’s ideal to go traveling in places like Thailand or the United Arab Emirates, where tradition and modernity are merged together in the sun.

Thailand: sunshine with a side of street food

January is the perfect time to be in Thailand — sun and warmth and an average of 86 degrees. Island-hopping between the Andaman Sea, or city-hopping between lively cities such as Bangkok or Chiang Mai, the diversity, vibrancy, and welcoming warmth await in the country.

Phuket and Krabi boast beaches amid dramatic cliffs, and Koh Samui provides relaxed luxury. In the hills inland, another kind of warmth exists — the one found in north local culture, rainforest, and the countryside.

Thai roads are a pleasure to drive on, especially in the islands or rural areas. You can reach places the buses don’t go with car rentals — and with Europcar’s expanding network of rental stations throughout Thailand, you are always in reach of excellent service.

Dubai: futuristic cityscapes and beachside luxury

Dubai’s January average is a pleasant 75°F. This future city, situated in the United Arab Emirates, mixes world-leading architecture and ancient souks with desert adventures and vibrant culture.

Following a look at the Burj Khalifa, relax on the beaches at Jumeirah or take an inland safari in the desert. Its extensive road system makes it ideal to drive around — whether one drives into the Dubai Marina, drives down to Abu Dhabi, or heads into mountain retreats such as Hatta.

Oceania: summer in full swing

While most of the world is wrapped in coats, Australia is in the middle of summer in January. Expect clear skies, beach-ready weather, and plenty of opportunities to hit the road.

Australia: sun, sea and space to roam

January is the peak summer in Australia — but the experience will depend largely on your location. Melbourne and the southern states and southern parts of New South Wales will be warm and pleasant, with great conditions for road tripping down the coast or visiting the national parks. Melbourne and Adelaide will reach highs of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the long days of sunlight are perfect for wine tasting or beach-hopping.

Northwards, close to Darwin or north Queensland, the climate becomes tropical — wet and hot and frequently rainy, and vulnerable to the tropical storms. It’s a dramatic setting, but not the time you want to go. More appropriate for outdoor events such as hiking or coastal roads are the south coast and Tasmania, with their more moderate climates and beautiful scenery.

Wherever you travel, the distances are immense, and with your own transport, you can create your own timetable. From the Great Ocean Road to the untamed wilds of Tasmania, January’s as good a time as any to travel in the south of Australia — just take care to plan against the heat and the crowds that sometimes descend.

Top regions to visit in January:

• The Great Ocean Road (Victoria): One of the world’s greatest road journeys, this iconic Great Ocean Road drive is a must-have road-tour experience. At more than 240 kilometers long, it stretches south beneath towering cliffs, over crashing surf beaches, and past the iconic Twelve Apostles. Seaside hamlets such as Lorne and Apollo Bay line the road, with the opportunity to relax and stay overnight. Summer sunshine in January makes it ideal for taking up the pathways, a dip in the ocean, or a seafood feast, with the scenery.
• Tasmania: For people who prefer cooler summers and untouched landscapes, Tasmania is heaven on earth for nature lovers. Freycinet and Cradle Mountain national parks are two of the greatest destinations for witnessing dramatic scenery, serene walking trails, and the possibility of viewing native wildlife. January, when the lesser crowds one discovers elsewhere are present, is the time one can enjoy the untamed beauty of the island, venture into remote beaches, and get accustomed to the rural villages and their artisan food creators.
• South Australia (Barossa Valley & Adelaide Hills): A short drive away from Adelaide, they are wine and food lovers’ paradise. January brings blue skies and warm days – ideal for a glass of world-class Shiraz among the vineyards or leisurely lunches among rolling hills. There are scenic drives as well, historic villages like Hahndorf, and green oases when the metropolis sizzles. From wine tasting your way through cellar doors to soaking in country charm, South Australia shows relaxed sophistication at its finest.