What's the weather like in Estepona in January
Temperature
Known as the coldest month of the year, January doesn't give way to freezing temperatures or blizzards as elsewhere can during Spanish winter time. The average temperature is 13⁰C (56⁰F), with most of the nights cool at a low end of 11⁰C, especially over the second and third week.
Sunshine Hours
Warmer days are expected to reach a higher average of 15⁰C when the sun is out and bright. The days are quite short and cloudy, experiencing up to 6 hours of sunshine, and chances of sunny days are not precisely encouraging at 28% on average however these figures are far more optimistic compared to other coastal regions of Spain and other Mediterranean countries.
Rainfall
There's plenty of rainfall to deal with in January, as it is one of the wet months of the year, with up to 84mm of precipitation expected to spread over the course of 12 days. Chances of rain are quite bold at 35% on average, but they are usually balanced out by clear skies over the third and fourth week.
Humidity
Humidity is high at 75% on average, but the dew point is far from oppressive and the northern mountain winds blow over Estepona with average speeds of 2.5m/s, making it a good place to stay if you're looking for a mild and sunny winter.
Clouds
Chances of cloudy days are considerably low at 19% on average, mostly due to strong sea winds which keep the airflow constant and pleasant. This is, after all, Costa del Sol, the land of the sun and sea.
Water Temperature
The water temperature is a timid 16⁰C (62⁰F), not recommended for any kind of swimming unless you're brave and can take the chilly undercurrents which flow during this time of the year.
Wind
Chances of windy days are quite high at 56%, so expect high tides and bold waves to agitate the otherwise superb blue waters of the Mediterranean.
Estepona Hotels for January
Apartment Tryp Estepona Valle Romano
Apartment Tryp Estepona Valle Romano Golf usually rents out pretty quickly, even in January. But it's definitely worth trying to book one of its 3-star suites for just £44 per night for couples to kick-start the New Year. This is a very well reputed apartment complex, complete with Wi-Fi and an on-site golf course for your enjoyment.
All of its units have one double bedroom, one twin bedroom and two bathrooms complete with a standalone bath tub or a shower cabin. Fitted with air conditioning, washing machine, flat screen TV, sofa and safe, the Tryp's suites offer a large terrace, outdoor furniture and splendid views. This property also features a children's playground, a garden and a shared terrace, and the nearest beach is 1.9 miles away. On the top side, Marbella is only a 20-min drive away, and the renowned golf course is just 650 yards away from the complex itself.
Coast Golf Apartments
Coast Golf Apartments is another excellent choice if you're looking for independent and spacious holiday apartments. This complex also offers a lovely garden and a seasonal outdoor pool, and it's only 9.3 miles away from El Saladillo Beach, one of Estepona's most popular sand strips. Car hire is also available and you'll also find plenty of golf courses to play on, provided the weather and winds are not unpleasant.
Hospederia V Centenario
A good option for January is Hospederia V Centenario 2-Stars, a charming Andalusian-style guesthouse with balconies fitted on every room, at just £32 per night for couples. It overlooks a beautiful classical town square in the heart of Cancelada, less than 900 yards from Sol-Villacana Beach, and its suites feature a private bathroom with a hydro-massage shower, air conditioning and a very fine, traditional décor. All the rooms at Hospederia have a flat screen TV and a delightful little coffee machine.
The hotel's restaurant is a typical a la carte dining option, complete with authentic Spanish dishes, including roasted meats and delicious fresh seafood. Estepona and Porto Banus are a 10-min drive away, and the beautiful Atalaya Beach is 1.9 miles away, if you're looking to explore the nearby region.
Bars and Restaurants
Robbie's
Robbie's is a great choice for winter time cuisine, as it's incredibly cosy and popular both on and off season. Its stylish décor, reminiscent of the Hollywood Greats, and its comprehensive menu are two of its most talked about features, best known for its frequent use of local meats and produce. The host is known to be wonderful and hospitable, and it's usually recommended to book a table rather than just walk in.
Los Rosales
If you find yourself in Plaza de las Flores and suddenly come down with an urge for some delicious local fish, Los Rosales on Calle Damas should be your next stop. This is a typical and charming small fish restaurant just off the central square, hidden on a narrow cobblestone alleyway just north of the Plaza. The terrace is open and wonderful when the weather is dry and sunny, and they make a habit of serving delicious fish and seafood dishes for both lunch and dinner.
Tolone
For the ultimate cocktail experience away from the cool marina breeze, you can easily try the fabulous Tolone, one of Estepona's most impressive cocktail lounges. You can find it at the very end of Calle Real, and you must definitely try one of the signature cocktails or milkshakes. It also specializes in coffee and teas of fair trade origin, and its wonderful atmosphere makes it easy for people of all ages and places to mingle and engage in social and cultural exchanges. More often than not you will find it packed, particularly during the summer season, but January is pretty much close to perfect if you're out to truly enjoy some of Estepona's best nightlife spots.
Things to do in Estepona in January
Given the somewhat chilly and possibly damp weather of January, most people would assume there isn't much to do in Estepona during this time of the year. Well, they would be very wrong in their assumption, as this charming Spanish town has plenty of incredible and beautiful historical sites to visit, aside from its abundance of tapas bars and restaurants ready to tickle your culinary senses.
Church of Los Remedios
The first place you definitely need to see is the Church of Los Remedios, an 18th century gem in Plaza de San Francisco. It was once a Franciscan monastery, the hermitage of Vera Cruz and later on it was even the hospice of La Purisma. A fascinating melange of American colonial and rococo architecture, heralded by a statue of the Virgin Mary holding the sun, moon and stars, Los Remedios is certainly one of Estepona's top sites to visit, as well as one of its oldest buildings to still stand unscathed by time or social unrest.
The Town Tower Clock
The Town Clock Tower is another historical landmark, and its office organises interesting tours every Thursday. Alternatively, in the heart of the old town, you'll find the San Luis Castle. There's little left to see of the original structure that once towered over this settlement, but you can easily trace the ruins around the ground and you will feel the awe of standing before a monument that has witnessed so much throughout the history of Costa del Sol. Its construction followed the seizure of the town in 1457 by Enrique IV, who also built defensive towers along the coast.
Museum of Palaeontology
Another good place to visit and explore to the fullest is the highly esteemed Museum of Palaeontology. It's actually the bullring at the west end of town, and it's home to well over 2000 fossils representing circa 600 species of flora and fauna dating all the way back to the Pilocene era. The collection is, in fact, so complete that it allows you to take a full visual voyage down the evolutionary path of most specimens indigenous to Costa del Sol. In some example, even the original colour has been brilliantly retained.
