Travel with You, Me, Away

Where to go in January: warm places for couples

Ten places to consider for January as a couple, from short flights to the Canary Islands to long-haul trips. Each section names one official climate source and states exactly what it measures.

Reviewed

How to choose a January destination as a couple

Start with the distance you are willing to travel. Short-haul places such as the Canary Islands or Madeira keep the journey short, while long-haul places such as Singapore, Honolulu or Puerto Rico give higher temperatures but need more travel days and often a jet-lag buffer.

Next, separate air temperature from sea temperature. The normals quoted below are air temperatures measured at one station. They do not tell you whether the sea is comfortable for swimming, so check a sea-temperature source for your exact coast before you book.

Then check the rainy season. Some destinations have a wetter phase in winter, and a high temperature does not mean dry days. Rain-day figures below are shown wherever the source provides them.

Averages are not forecasts. Every figure on this page is a long-term mean for one named station and period, so single days can be warmer, cooler or wetter. Look at the forecast a few days before you travel.

Southern Tenerife

AEMET's Tenerife Sur Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list January with a mean daily maximum of 21.7 °C, a mean temperature of 18.4 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 17 mm and 1.8 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

A good fit for a week of easy coastal walks and long lunches. The southern resorts are built around the sea, so expect resort-style evenings rather than a historic old town. This is editorial judgement, not a sourced rating.

Sources: Tenerife Sur Aeropuerto climate normals, 1981-2010

Gran Canaria

AEMET's Gran Canaria Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list January with a mean daily maximum of 20.8 °C, a mean temperature of 17.9 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 25 mm and 3.1 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

Choose it if you want a mix of beach days and a city stay in one trip. Weigh the mean maximum against the rainfall figure, which is higher than in Tenerife South in the same normals. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Gran Canaria Aeropuerto climate normals, 1981-2010

Lanzarote

AEMET's Lanzarote Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list January with a mean daily maximum of 20.7 °C, a mean temperature of 17.4 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 16 mm and 3.2 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

Best for couples who like volcanic landscapes and quiet drives more than a packed activity list. Wind can matter more than the air temperature on the coast, so check the forecast. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Lanzarote Aeropuerto climate normals, 1981-2010

Madeira (Funchal)

IPMA's 1991-2020 normals for Funchal list January with a mean daily maximum (TX) of 20.0 °C, a mean temperature (TT) of 17.1 °C, 67.1 mm of precipitation and 6.2 days with at least 1 mm.

Madeira suits couples who want hillside walks, sea views and a mild climate more than guaranteed beach swimming. The air figures below are for Funchal on the coast and do not describe the mountains. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Funchal climate normals, 1991-2020

Singapore

Meteorological Service Singapore gives, for the Changi climate station (1991-2020), a mean daily maximum of 30.6 °C and a 24-hour mean of 26.8 °C in January, with 221.6 mm of rain on 13 rain days.

A long-haul option for couples who want a city with food, gardens and short hops between neighbourhoods. Pack for rain, because the source describes December to January as the wetter phase and February as the drier one. Editorial judgement on the couple angle.

Sources: Climate of Singapore, Changi climate station 1991-2020

Honolulu

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Honolulu Intl AP list January with an average daily maximum of 80.5 °F (about 26.9 °C), an average temperature of 73.6 °F (about 23.1 °C) and 3.3 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

Pick it if you want one base with beach time, an easy city and the option of day trips on Oahu. The source gives air temperature only, so check sea temperature and surf conditions separately before you plan swimming. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Monthly climate normals 1991-2020, Honolulu Intl AP

San Juan, Puerto Rico

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for San Juan L M Marin AP list January with an average daily maximum of 83.2 °F (about 28.4 °C), an average temperature of 77.6 °F (about 25.3 °C) and 9.9 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

San Juan pairs an old town with beaches within a short ride, which suits couples who want both. The source shows more days with measurable rain than the other US stations here, so plan for showers. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Monthly climate normals 1991-2020, San Juan L M Marin AP

Key West

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Key West Intl AP list January with an average daily maximum of 75.8 °F (about 24.3 °C), an average temperature of 70.6 °F (about 21.4 °C) and 3.3 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

Key West is a small, walkable island town that suits couples who want evenings out and sea views without much driving. Compare the maximum with Miami: the source shows slightly lower daytime values in January. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Monthly climate normals 1991-2020, Key West Intl AP

Miami

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Miami Intl AP list January with an average daily maximum of 76.2 °F (about 24.6 °C), an average temperature of 68.6 °F (about 20.3 °C) and 3.8 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

Miami works for a few days of beach, food and design neighbourhoods, usually combined with a second stop. It is a sun-and-city trip, not a beach week for every couple. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Monthly climate normals 1991-2020, Miami Intl AP

Lisbon

IPMA's 1991-2020 normals for Lisboa / Gago Coutinho list January with a mean daily maximum (TX) of 14.4 °C, a mean temperature (TT) of 11.1 °C, 95.9 mm of precipitation and 9.9 days with at least 1 mm.

Lisbon is mild rather than warm in winter, so treat it as a city break with a jacket, not a sun trip. It suits couples who like walkable neighbourhoods, viewpoints and long café stops. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Lisboa / Gago Coutinho climate normals, 1991-2020

Sources