January falling so soon after the Christmas and New Year Day’s holidays means many of us can’t take an extended holiday. But a long weekend allows for European city breaks where the cold is tolerable — or even part of the appeal. Ski slopes in the Alps should have a proper coating of snow, while January warmth lies just beyond the southern reaches of the Mediterranean. If you can fit in a long-haul trip, any number of winter sun destinations beckon — or you could double down on the season by going to places that get far more snow than back home. Here’s our pick of the best places to visit in January.

Main photo: Mindelo Beach in Sao Vincente, Cape Verde (Getty Images)

1. Galle, Sri Lanka

Why go in January? For the best of beach weatherDepending on where you are in Sri Lanka, the island gets one or two monsoons yearly, with peaks roughly in April and May (mostly in the southwest) and October and November (on both west and east coasts). Come in January and you should avoid the worst of the rains nationwide (with the exception of Yala National Park in the southeast), though it’s the beaches of the southwest coast that most keenly enjoy the increased hours of sunshine. If you can tear yourself from the shade of coconut palms on golden sand, the city of Galle has heritage dating back to the times of the Dutch and Portuguese empires, and is often the setting for a literary festival this month — in 2024 it’s from January 25 to 28. Stay at the Riff Hikkaduwa, a beachfront hotel at the quieter, southern end of Hikkaduwa, with Galle ten miles down the coast.

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2. Troms og Finnmark, Norway

Why go in January? For midwinter activities under the northern lightsThe county of Troms og Finnmark is as far north as you can go on the European continent, and lies well inside the Arctic Circle. January is the perfect time to venture here in search of the aurora borealis. The unpredictable but magical displays light up the long nights: the city of Tromso doesn’t see the sun at all in the first half of the month, though even then you’ll have four hours of bluish twilight in which to try your hand at ice-fishing, or appreciate the rugged Norway coast on a cruise. Inland areas around the Sami cultural centres of Karasjok and Kautokeino are colder but see fewer days of snowfall, and might offer better chances to spot the northern lights. Stay at Engholm Husky Design Lodge outside Karasjok, where guests sleep in warmly outfitted log cabins, with 50 sled dogs on the farm ready for trips out into the snowy wilds.

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3. Western Cape, South Africa

Why go in January? For winter sun and fabulous landscapes where two oceans meetSummer has truly arrived at Africa’s southern tip, with balmy temperatures and little rain. It’s a popular time to visit, but if you come in the second half of January, you’ll avoid the long school holidays. And if you are in Cape Town for New Year’s Eve, there’s the magic of fireworks over the waterfront. Either way, book ahead for a classic itinerary taking in ocean panoramas along the Garden Route, rolling vineyard views inland, and beach time around the Cape Peninsula. Coast views don’t get much better than at the Twelve Apostles, a classically beautiful five-star hotel on a secluded stretch of the Cape Peninsula south of Cape Town. If you’re planning a wider South Africa trip, note that this is the hottest but also rainiest time in the northeast.

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4. Arlberg, Austria

Why go in January? For shorter lift queues at top Alpine ski resortsThe New Year break is over by the end of the first week of January and, following that, the rest of the month is usually a less busy time to visit ski resorts in the Alps, before various European school holidays resume in February. The Arlberg region in the west of Austria was one of the early centres of downhill skiing; today, ski lifts and runs linking different resorts (St Anton, Lech, Zurs and others) deliver a continuous ski area more than 14 miles from end to end, all served by one pass, where you might only need to undo your bindings for a few steps between lift stations — or at après-ski time. Hotel Kristberg in Lech was founded by an Olympic gold medallist skier, and looks out over the village rooftops from its hillside perch, with wood carvings and other traditional Alpine touches inside.

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5. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Why go in January? For southbound travels in the Vietnamese dry seasonThe Vietnamese lunar new year celebration of Tet falls in late January or February, accompanied by feasting, floral decorations, firecrackers — and lots of local travel. January is otherwise a serene time to explore Vietnam, with the rainy season happily over. Things can get cold in the north and highlands; although Ho Chi Minh City and the rest of the south don’t see big seasonal temperature variation, January at least shaves a few degrees off the tropical heat, and lowers humidity. Now is a good time to strike out from the city to spot gibbons in Cat Tien National Park, or seek white sands on Phu Quoc or the Con Dao Islands. Base yourself at the Hotel des Arts Saigon. Though housed in a modern 23-storey tower, it has a 1930s ambience within.

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6. Niagara Falls, Canada/US

Why go in January? For icy beauty around the roar of waterAlthough the three cascades that make up Niagara Falls are known to have frozen over completely only once (briefly, in 1848), January still means a spectacular twist on the familiar postcard images, with ice floes on the river, and mist turning into hoar frost. Sub-zero temperatures also lessen crowds at the viewpoints. The American side has more choice of water’s edge panoramas, but to see the falls face-on, you’ll have to be in Canada (tour boats don’t run at this time). With Toronto around 90 minutes’ drive away, it’s a doable trip from Canada’s largest city — past Niagara Peninsula vineyards, hoping for the right weather to make their prized ice wine. The Drake Hotel in Toronto is a Victorian-era original that fell on hard times, but was revived in the 21st century with a fun, warehouse-conversion vibe.

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7. Marrakesh, Morocco

Why go in January? For souq shopping and gentle sunny daysMorocco is one of the closest destinations to the UK for winter sun. Average temperatures may more often be in the high teens than the 20s, but in terms of hours of sunshine, Marrakesh in January beats London or Paris in July. Exploring the cultural hub of central Morocco is more comfortable at this clement time, compared to the months when visitors scramble for shade in the streets of the medina. And with the Atlas Mountains just 30 miles away, it’s a chance for excursions to see snow-capped peaks rising above groves of date palms. Located in the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter of Marrakesh, Riad Azoulay blends classical Moroccan and European touches in a 16th-century courtyard house.

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8. Japanese Alps, Japan

Why go in January? For sure snowfall and timeless traditionsWhen snow-bearing clouds blow in from the Sea of Japan, villagers in the Japanese Alps get their front-path shovels ready. Lack of fresh powder is never a problem for ski resorts such as Hakuba and Shiga Kogen. Winter sports aside, and despite occasional closures after very heavy snowfalls, it’s a good time to discover this central region. The Nozawa Fire Festival drives out the cold on January 15, as does soaking in an onsen (hot spring bath) at any time. The “snow monkeys” at Jigokudani do the same. An extra roof of white adds new beauty to the likes of Matsumoto Castle, or the sturdy farmhouses of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama. Kanbayashi Hotel Senjukaku is close to both Jigokudani and Shiga Kogen, and has its own indoor and outdoor onsen, plus a choice of Japanese-style rooms with futons or raised beds.

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9. Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Why go in January? For safaris in spring-like surroundingsMany of Kenya’s wildlife reserves go through two rainy seasons, from March to May and from November to December; visit in January after the “short rains” to find renewed vigour in the greenery and the chain of life that follows from it. You’ll find fewer wildebeest in the Masai Mara at this time of year (the big herds are at the southernmost point of their annual loop, in Tanzania), but there’s still plenty to see. Further southeast, Tsavo National Park is best known for its lions, while Amboseli is the prime place to see elephants in the wild, with the peak of Kilimanjaro rising dream-like as a backdrop. Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge is in an acacia grove on the southern edge of the national park, with decorative inspiration from Masai culture and the region’s wildlife.

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10. Budapest, Hungary

Why go in January? For hot spring baths after coming in from the coldWinters in the Hungarian capital are chilly but not severely so, with average temperatures hovering around freezing point. With luck you’ll arrive to find snow dusting the gothic rooftops of the parliament building or the ramparts of Buda Castle. But whatever the weather conditions, the city offers excellent means to warm up. Historic thermal baths around town include the Szechenyi’s outdoor pools that stay open in winter, while traditional Hungarian cuisine — with its many stews spiked with paprika — will keep you warm. Search for hotel rooms overlooking the Danube, which is sometimes filled with ice floes in January. Hotel Clark is boldly modern for its location between the castle and Chain Bridge, with a partly post-industrial look inside, but the river-facing views are as classic as they come.

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11. Sao Vicente and Santo Antao, Cape Verde

Why go in January? For winter warmth away from the main tourist trailsA group of African islands at Caribbean latitudes, but just one time zone away from the UK, Cape Verde is a go-to for winter sun, and also has great surfing conditions at this time of year. Most visitors make a beeline for the beach resorts of Sal, but this largely desert island doesn’t show all the archipelago has to offer. Take further island-hopping flights to Sao Vicente, whose bayside town of Mindelo is the Afro-Portuguese cultural capital of Cape Verde, birthplace of singer Cesaria Evora. On Sundays you might see people practising for the upcoming Mardi Gras celebrations. The northwesternmost island, Santo Antao, is greener, more mountainous, and excellent for hiking. The Blue Marlin Hotel is a spiffy choice on Sao Vicente, where resorts are rare, and has great balcony and rooftop pool views over the curve of Mindelo’s seafront.

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12. Akureyri, Iceland

Why go in January? For adventures in the land of fire and iceIceland lives up to its name in January, when the volcanic landscape wears a thick winter coat. Visitors may not be quite as keen as locals to indulge in the festival of Porrablot, featuring traditional foods such as fermented shark, but this is peak time for spotting the northern lights. Only a tiny fraction of the country is north of the Arctic Circle, so there will always be some daylight; heading to northern Iceland via its main city Akureyri is good strategy. Daytime excursions might include dog-sledding or a steamy soak surrounded by snow in Myvatn Nature Baths. For accommodation, Fosshotel Myvatn is built in a contemporary wooden design, and stands beside the great lake of Myvatn, on the “Diamond Circle” (the northern alternative to Iceland’s famous Golden Circle tourist route).

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13. Southern California, US

Why go in January? For mild days on the coast and fresh snow in the mountainsJanuary isn’t the classic month for a southern California vacation, but it opens up intriguing possibilities in this high-contrast region. If the weather co-operates, you’ll have pleasantly warm temperatures on the coast and snow on the inland peaks: skiing in the San Bernardino Mountains before a beachside sundowner in Santa Monica. The air is clearer in Los Angeles now, and temperatures in the high teens make for glorious hikes in the Hollywood Hills. Further afield, follow a visit to a sunny but not scorching Death Valley National Park by meeting snowclad giants in the groves of Sequoia National Park. Dating from 1926, the Hotel Figueroa has gone through various remodellings, and is now a sophisticated piece of downtown LA history with some quirky original touches, such as the coffin-shaped outdoor pool.

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14. Antarctica

Why go in January? To find the frozen continent at its most accessibleThe last landmass to see human footfall remains the ultimate bucket-list trip. January is the height of the Antarctic “summer”, with temperatures perhaps climbing to a balmy minus 20C at the South Pole — or a sizzling 2C on the Antarctic Peninsula, which is as far south as most cruises will take you. Documentary-worthy wildlife and icebergs sculpted by elemental forces are what everyone comes to see, but tours also highlight the history of polar exploration. Most cruises depart from Ushuaia in Argentina, and though packages often involve a quick flight-to-ship transfer there, the city is also a gateway to the separate marvels of Tierra del Fuego. For your land base, Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa is a hilltop sanctuary outside the town, with heated pools overlooking the Beagle Channel.

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15. Barbados

Why go in January? For a blissed-out beach breakJanuary is one of the best times of the year to visit the Caribbean. Rains from the hurricane season have long subsided, so all you have to do is apply sunscreen, relax and bask in temperatures of up to 30C. There are plenty of options when it comes to sandy beaches, but Barbados’ Platinum Coast has one of the longest stretches of powder-soft sand, coupled with gentle, lapping waves. Plus, they’ve got all-inclusive resorts down to a fine art for those who want to do nothing more than fly and flop. For (slightly) more active breaks, there’s snorkelling off the shore where there are sunken ships, rum tasting at St Nicholas Abbey, and tram tours of Harrison’s Cave. Stay at Sandals Royal Barbados, where you can also enjoy the restaurants and facilities at its sister resort Sandals Barbados. Both offer direct beach access, plus complimentary snorkel and dive trips.

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16. New Orleans, USA

Why go in January? For a taste of the carnival spiritMardi Gras might be an annual highlight for New Orleans but this is a city that loves to party so carnival celebrations actually start a few weeks before, from January 6. There are smaller weekly events that give you a taste of the big day, but you’ll find the hotel rooms a whole lot cheaper. Temperatures in January are also pretty moderate, which makes strolling along the charming streets of the French Quarter and the Garden District a much more pleasant experience than during the height of summer. And if it rains, the galleries and museums of the Arts and Warehouse District will offer plenty of distractions.

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17. Mendoza, Argentina

Why go in January? For great wines and barbecuesJanuary is peak summer for Mendoza in Argentina, with temperature highs in the 30s. The city’s many parks are glorious places to soak up the sun, but you’ll want to get away from the high-rises and visit the many attractions in the surrounding regions. Top of the to-do list should be tours to wineries with horseback rides, wine tastings and barbecue dinners. Also on the agenda are hikes and biking adventures around the foothills of the Andes. And for the even more adventurous, whitewater rafting in the Mendoza River is a great way to cool down.

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Additional reporting by Qin Xie