Jet off for some winter sun this January and leave the rain, snow and cold behind!
Search Flights to EverywhereGran Canaria
The Canary Islands are about four hours flying distance from Ireland. This makes them easily accessible for a spot of January sun worshipping. Gran Canaria is the third largest Canary Island and has a whopping 236km of coast with sandy beaches. These are predominantly concentrated in the southeast. This is where you’ll find the famous beaches of Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas with its amazing sand dunes. Perfect for a spot of sunbathing and forgetting the grey skies back home.
For more inspiration, here are some of the top 10 things to do in Gran Canaria.
Tenerife
Tenerife is one of the warmest islands for winter sun in January. It has an average daily temperature of 19°C, six hours of sun a day and only six days of rain. This good weather means you can enjoy the Island’s nature and sea as well as some al fresco dining. So leave the hat, gloves and scarfs at home and make sure you pack your bathing suit. Looking for more ideas?
Travel Inspiration: top 9 things to do in Tenerife.
Cyprus
January is usually the second coldest month of the year in Cyprus, but compared to Ireland, it is positively balmy. It has an average daytime maximum temperature of 17°C and an average minimum of 8°C overnight. This means you’ll just need a light jumper for those evening strolls on the beach. With more than six hours of sunshine a day, you’ll have plenty of time to sunbathe. There’s plenty to see and do in Cyprus and being one of the oldest civilisations in the Mediterranean it’s steeped in myths and history. Be prepared to explore plenty of ancient ruins, whilst topping up your tan.
Want some more Cyprus travel inspiration? Here are the top 10 things to see in Cyprus.
Marrakesh, Morocco
If you’d like to go a little further afield, Marrakesh is an accessible destination for some winter sun in January. With average highs of 19°C and seven hours of sunshine a day, January is the perfect time to visit. Not only do you get good weather, but you also get off-season flight and hotel prices too. After wandering the labyrinthine souks and sipping mint tea head to one of the traditional Moroccan hammam bathing houses. Here you can relax in a hot steam bath and enjoy a reviving massage. What January blues?
Agadir, Morocco
If you’d rather a beach holiday in Morocco then Agadir should be top of your January winter sun destination list. During January the average daytime temperature in Agadir hovers around 15ºC, with highs of 22ºC and lows of 8ºC. There are around eight hours of sunshine a day. However, in Agadir, you look forward to the sun going down each evening due to the splendid sunsets. Head to one of the beachside cafes or to the Kasbah on the hill overlooking the harbour. Here, you can chill out and watch the sun put on a dramatic show before bowing out for the evening.
Orlando, Florida
If you are looking for a long-haul winter sun holiday this January than Orlando is a great choice. There are direct flights from Ireland and it’s also one of the cheapest months to visit for airfare and hotels. The theme parks will also be a little less crowded this time of year too. With average highs around 21°C, locals will usually be wrapped up but it’s t-shirt weather for the rest of us. Hurrah!
Of course, there are plenty of things to do in Orlando that don’t involve queuing, here’s our 7 things to do in Orlando (that aren’t theme parks).
Miami, Florida
January in Miami is marvellous. The weather is hot but not uncomfortable making it perfect for strolling around the streets taking in all the sights. The average high in Miami is 24ºC in January and around 16ºC at night and the sea is a warm 24ºC, which is lovely for swimming and water sports. A January winter sun holiday in Miami is also good for the wallet as it’s one of the cheapest months for flights.
More Miami travel inspiration: 10 best things to see and do in Miami.
Dubai, UAE
Dubai really only experiences two seasons: hot and hotter. January is hot but not unpleasantly so, with average temperatures of 20°C and eight hours of sunshine a day. Therefore, January is one of the best months to visit Dubai as it’s warm enough to go sightseeing without becoming a slave to air conditioning. It’s also perfect weather for sunbathing and even swimming in the sea. The sea temperature in January is a pleasant 21°C. That’s around ten degrees warmer than the sea temperature in Ireland at this time of year.
If you want to save a bit of cash whilst in Dubai, check out our 10 tips for doing Dubai on the cheap.
Doha, Qatar
In January, you can expect the weather in Doha to stay in the low twenties. This makes January a great time to explore the city before the stifling heat takes hold. So, you’ll be able to enjoy a pleasant stroll along the Corniche. This is a seven-kilometre-long waterfront promenade which stretches for the entire length of Doha Bay, with plenty of places to eat and beautiful vistas. Apart from plenty of winter sun, one of the perks of Doha in January are the prices. The luxurious hotels are a bit more affordable this time of year. Also, there are direct flights too.
Madeira
If you don’t mind catching a connecting flight to find some warm places in January, then head to the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira, which is actually closer to Africa than mainland Portugal. January’s the wettest month of the year here, but you’ll still get lots of winter sun. The usual high temperature is around 18ºC. This means it’s warm enough to lie on the lovely beaches and trek through the lush flora and laurel forests. In January, Funchal, the capital, enjoys three times as many sunshine hours than Dublin. This is more than enough to make your friends back home jealous of your winter sun getaway.
Cancun, Mexico
Even though it is peak season, Cancun is a great sun holiday destination in January. If you don’t mind crowds, you’ll experience near-perfect weather. You’ll also find some of the cheapest flight and hotel prices for a winter sun holiday in Mexico. The temperatures top out at around 28°C and even the evenings are nice and warm. So sleeveless sunset strolls are a must. The sea temperature is 26ºC, which is delightful for swimming. As soon as you see the bright blue waters, those grey January days back home will long be forgotten.
