January is the longest month. The festive lights have come down, the weather is grey, and spring feels impossibly far off. A few hours on a plane can buy you mild air, blue sky and a change of scene without the cost or jet lag of long-haul, and there are several spots within easy reach of the UK that stay genuinely pleasant in midwinter.
Where the sun is
The Canary Islands are the obvious answer and a good one; sitting off the coast of Africa, they hold warm, dry weather all winter, and each island has a different character, from the volcanic drama of Lanzarote to the green north of Tenerife. Madeira is milder and greener, better for walkers than beach-lovers. On the mainland, the southern coasts of Spain and Portugal are cooler but still bright and far cheaper than in summer.
Picking your spot
- For reliable warmth, go as far south as you can; the Canaries beat the mainland for winter temperatures.
- For walking and scenery over sunbathing, Madeira and the Spanish interior reward you with empty trails.
- For value, travel in the deep off-season weeks and avoid the school half-term, when prices jump.
Managing expectations
This is not summer warmth; even the Canaries can be breezy, and the sea is cooler than the brochures suggest. But the daylight is longer than at home, the air is soft, and sitting outside with a coffee in January does wonders for the spirits. Pack layers as well as shorts, because mornings and evenings cool quickly.
Flights are often cheap in January once the holidays are over, and resorts are quieter than in peak season. You do not need a fortnight; even a long weekend of mild light and a change of food and scene is enough to break the back of the worst month. Sometimes the cure for January is simply to leave it for a few days.