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Start the year as you mean to go on by going on your dream holiday. January might drag on way too long, but all those extra days mean more time to get away.
Summer is very much on in the Southern Hemisphere, so leave the grey skies behind and seek out some winter sun for a much-needed dose of vitamin D. Or, embrace the cold and enter your snow bunny era with a trip to Scandinavia – AKA winter wonderland.
Best destinations for January Holidays
These are the spots you should pick to make the most of this month.
Busking mariachi bands, jungle-clad ruins, chilli-fuelled enchiladas – Mexico's got a standout personality no matter which way you look at it.
This group of Spanish isles is way closer to Africa than Spain. This works to their advantage – guaranteeing plenty of sun for their batch of beaches.
Whether it's the wall-to-wall sunny skies, the palm-fringed beaches, or the ‘home of reggae' crown that tempts you, a holiday to Jamaica won't disappoint.
Barbados is a Caribbean Island nation in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies. Look at a map, and you’ll see Barbados sitting a little way off from the main string of Caribbean islands.
Sri Lanka’s nicknamed the teardrop island because of its shape. And this moniker makes even more sense when you catch a glimpse of the country’s eye-watering natural beauty.
Cheap Holidays next January
Why book January Holidays
NEW YEAR, NEW CITY
NOT TODAY, WINTER
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Top City Breaks in January
This season’s hottest city breaks, right here…
Budapest is a city of two halves – both in name and geography. It’s split by the Danube River, with Buda to the west and Pest to the east. The former’s crowned by a hilltop castle and a fortress, which offer up some of the best panoramas around.
This iconic German city’s split down the middle by the Rhine River. It’s probably best known for its awe-inspiring cathedral - which dwarfs the city beneath it – or for its first-class beer scene.
Despite its nickname, today Prague has more than 500 spires dotting its skyline, including the iconic Prague Castle and the impressive St Nicholas Cathedral.
Reykjavik may be small, but don't let that fool you – Iceland's coastal city knows how to have a good time. The world's most northerly capital's brimming with cosmopolitan hangouts, lively bars, laidback cafés and modern eateries.
Berlin’s up to its elbows in historic sites – most are reminders of its rocky 20th century. People flock from far and wide to peek at the remaining sections of the capital’s iconic Berlin Wall.
France’s capital has a near-permanent place in the top 10 most-visited cities list every year, and with more attractions than you can shake a French stick at.
FAQs
While everyone north of the equator’s got their heating on, the other side of the world is thriving. Live your best island life in Barbados or Jamaica, where the temperature’s sitting at a toasty average of 26˚C. Mexico’s Caribbean Coast is firmly in its hot and dry season, and so are the Maldives and Sri Lanka over in South Asia. For that humid heat, Thailand’s looking well and truly tropical in the mid-30s. And closer to home, the Canary Islands are a winter-sun staple – Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are usually a comfortable 21˚C at this time of year.
Festive feels sticking around? Loads of Christmas markets in Europe go on ‘til the end of the month. Cologne, Prague and Budapest will still be looking extra pretty covered in lights and decorations, but there’ll be far fewer crowds than in December – and it’ll be cheaper, too. And if you want to see the Northern Lights, now is your chance. January’s one of the best times of year to catch nature’s finest quirk, so head to Norway, Finland or Iceland to try and see this seriously cool phenomenon in all its glory.
Your bank account might have taken a blow over December, but you can still get away in January if you’ve got budget to spare. It’s out of season in Europe and cities like Lisbon, Barcelona and Madrid are all super cheap right about now, so pack your puffer and your earmuffs for some off-peak sightseeing – who needs a private tour?
For the best budget-friendly picks, check out our winter deals.
