Benidorm in January - What to expect from your holiday.
Benidorm is an all year round holiday destination, but find out what to expect from a holiday here in January. This page will cover the weather, special events held in January and people's first hand experiences.
Between New Year and 6th January, Benidorm will be busy, as this is still classed as Christmas here in Spain. The Old Town will be very busy as Benidorm is also the number one holiday resort for the Spanish themselves and any parades are mostly held in the old town.
The New Town, will generally be quieter, some bars, including a few of the main cabaret bars and even some hotels, will take this opportunity to take their own holidays and make improvements to their venues.
"The Strip" and "The Square will be much quieter during January, but there will still be more entertainment around Benidorm than any one person can see during a holiday here. See who is on when and where, by using the Whats on Guide.
The Rincon de Loix area, remains quite busy and its the perfect area for families.
January can be the perfect month to explore the beautiful surrounding area as the temperature will be perfect for walking about - just make sure you have something warm with you, for when the sun goes down.
January is generally a month preferred by a slightly older clientele, some of whom will stay here for the full 90 days, making the most of special long stay hotel deals and the warmer weather.
There are fewer large groups of stags and hens around compared to some other months of the year, but of course there will always be a few here celebrating a special occasion be it a up and coming wedding or birthday. Most of the large groups will only be here for the weekends.
Find your perfect accommodation here.
The Weather
Obviously as with every month, this can vary from year to year. January is normally the coldest month of the year but it is generally bright and sunny during the day, although chilly/cold at night, however this does make for some spectacular winter sunsets.
Daily Weather Report and all other average monthly temperatures.
Average weather conditions for January
Thanks to its sheltered position, Benidorm has very mild winters with a good deal of sunshine, making it perfect for a winter get away.
On average January is the 4th driest month of the year in Benidorm with around 32mm of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit.
Daytime temperature - 15.4ºc
Nightly temperature - 5.9ºc
Average temperature 10.6ºc
Daily sunshine - 6.1 hours
Average rainfall - 32mm
Rainy Days - 13
Sea Temperature - 14.6ºc
Humidity - 68%
Windspeed - 9.7kph
It’s usually too cold to swim at this time of year and visitors may be better off booking accommodation with a heated or indoor pool.
Events
January 5th - The 3 Kings Parade, Grand Procession, unmissable if you are in town - The parade starts at around 18.00
This year, the Parade will depart from Parque de Elche at advancing though Av. de los Almendros, C/ Marte, C/ Venus, C/ Ruzafa, C/ Herrerías, Plaza de SS.MM. Reyes de España, passing through Parque de l’Aigüeraan ending at Auditorio “Julio Iglesias”. It is there where the Eastern Kings will be on a stage where some children will be able to talk to them.
The day will end with a fireworks display that can be seen from the auditorium.
January 6th – 3 Kings Day itself and a National Holiday (red day/Bank Holiday). This is a family day.
Benidorm Seriously Facebook Group - Members' Personal Experiences of their January Holidays.
Lesley Ann Selvaggi - I went from 28th Jan to the 10th Feb. Plenty going on. The weather during the day was sunny but after 3pm temperatures dropped and you need a jacket. But it was brilliant no crazies, perhaps one or two lol.
The entertainment in hotels and bars etc was great. Met loads of lovely people. Its a great time of the year to go, warm weather was a bonus no rain!
Jen Reeves - We went at end of January literally just before Covid hit and it was perfect.
The new town is not too busy at that time so we stay there instead of our usual trip in September to old town.
The strip was lively enough without being too busy with most bars open and not totally rammed, just comfortable, you could get a seat and we got to see a lot of the tributes we sometimes miss at busier times.
We didn’t expect to be sunbathing but it was really warm so we were on the beach in shorts and t-shirt - we had to go buy towels to lay on as there were no sun beds out at that time of year!!
We had good weather over the few days, no rain but some days a bit cooler and night time it really dropped (jackets required!)
Benidorm in January is perfect for those that like to see the lively side of the new town without it being too crazy, get a seat in the bars on the front that are normally rammed in Summer, go for a long walk on the front and get into restaurants etc with no bother….. hopefully catching warm sunny weather!
There are no sun beds on the beach at that time of year and we noticed not as many taxis around but that was all and as always we had a ball and now have a winter trip each year!
Neil David Collins - Make the time to be here for 3 Kings it is a special time for the Spanish. Don't expect as much to be open after 3 Kings, but there is still entertainment and places to eat and drink. The weather is not predictable so be prepared for 10c or 20c
It's a great time to use the tram to go to Alicante or visit the chocolate museum in Villajoyosa. Maybe visit a Bodega or the Castle at Guadalest and maybe see the snow?
Edwina Roberts - We always go in January and it's normally warm in the day and it has even been hot some years. You need a cardigan for the night but it's a lot warmer than the UK.
Gail Burns - Whenever I have been to Benidorm in January the weather has been warm during the day, but when the sun goes down it can be quite cold at night.
Not so manic as the summer months but still lots to do and the majority of bars are open. I like going in January.
Susie Pullan - January is great and we have always been lucky with the weather. Nice in the day but cooler at night. Still plenty of people about too.
Sharon Bell - Spain is a cold country with a hot sun, so if you're in a suntrap in January, it can be really nice. Not beach/pool weather unless you're proper bonkers, but T Shirt and jeans. It can rain or snow on the mountain. The nights are freezing. 5th January is the 3 Kings parade in the old town. There are still plenty of places open on the Strip, but the clubs are quieter or with other nationalities. (Lived here 20 years...hope that helps.)
Richard Frost - We go in January, hot in the day, cooler when sun goes down. Still enough bars and shows available to keep you interested.
An ideal time to take a few day trips out, Alicante, Calpe, Albir, Altea, Valencia, Guadalest. All much quieter than during the summer.
Rebecca Morgan - We’ve been for NY and watched the three kings parade, and at the end of Jan - Through the day it feels like a warm spring day (take a cardi for the shade) and then drops on a night, so definitely need a jacket/jeans and fluffy pjs for bed.
Julie Handley - We’ve been in January for several years. Although quieter than spring/summer/autumn there’s still a great vibe.
A lot of the disco bars on the square/strip are closed but there’s plenty of cabaret bars open.
Pleasantly warm in the day, we had 26C for a few days one year. Nights are quiet cold so a coat is needed.
We usually hire a car for 3 days and drive into the Altea Mountains and a few other coastal towns. There’s so much to see! it suits us perfectly. I can definitely recommend it.
Janice Woodcock - January. = not as busy so don’t be looking for madness, lovely weather through the day time but!!!! Cold at night so bring a jacket. Not everywhere is open but your big bars and main restaurants are, still good bands on in certain bars (western) in the day and plenty night time entertainment.
Nigel Holmes - Went end of January this year (2023) weather during the day was fine got a few days when was quite warm and could wear shorts and t-shirt. But late afternoon starts to cool down and nights you would need a jumper or jacket on.
Some of the bars are closed but you will still find plenty places open.
Janice Millar - There all of January 2023 very busy at weekends, no seats in all of front line bars both Levante and Poniente.
Weather warm 19-23 warmer if you could get in a sun trap, shorts and t shirts during the day, trousers and jackets at night, shorter days. Lots of bars and restaurants open, we love to go where the locals go! All year round resort.
Geraldine McDermott - Went end of January this year, was fantastic cold in the morning warmed up by 12pm, got colder after 4pm but plenty to see and plenty going on.
Liz Mitchell - I love January in Benidorm we used to go every January. So much to do, take the tram or bus, go for walks, sit and watch the world go and enjoy the markets we absolutely loved it each year . It’s cardigan weather usually but I have been there when it’s been beautifully hot but also one year it was soooo cold snow on the mountains we still had the best time.
Margaret Edwards - Been twice in January for the 3 Kings it's a lovely month for fiesta after New year seeing how the Spanish celebrate is amazing, both times we've been we've sunbathed between 1pm and 5pm but pick hotels that are not blocked from high rise buildings or you won't get any sun we made that mistake and it can be cold in the shade until sun is on you temp was around 19 we did wear cardigans in morning on our walks when in shade but once we got to beach front they were off. Still plenty open at night.
Linda Morris - We came around the middle of January, our experience was a bit disappointing compared to visits during March. A lot of the bars/restaurants we regularly visit were shut and not due to open until just before Valentine’s Day. We understand that for a year round resort owners/staff need a break at some point so presumably this was the best time after a busy season and Xmas/New Year. There’s always alternative places to eat and drink to be fair. The weather was dry but windy.
Vanessa Jayne Thomas - Been to Benidorm for the past 7 years in January.. a month at a time, wouldn't go any other time due to it being too busy, a lot of the Spanish residents come to Benidorm in Jan for their winter holiday which is lovely ..I always recommend January in Benidorm.
Have you had a holiday in Benidorm in January? share your thoughts and photos in the comments section below.