What's the Weather like in Tel Aviv in January
Temperature
January in Tel Aviv, Israel, is officially midwinter, but by most standards temperatures are still relatively warm, although the chances of rain are high throughout the month. The average temperature in Tel Aviv in January is 12.9°C, with an average high of 17.5°C and an average low of 9.6°C. This is similar to January averages in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Temperatures are capable of going much higher and lower though, with the capacity to reach 23.6°C on occasions. The record high for Tel Aviv was recorded as 30°C and the record low was -1.9°C. In reality, it is rare for temperatures to go below 6.6°C at night. The coldest day of the year on average occurs around January 26.
Sea Temperature
The average sea temperature for Tel Aviv in January is 19°C, making a dip in the sea a possibility for hardier souls.
Humidity
The average relative humidity is very high in January in Tel Aviv, at 72 per cent on average, the second highest of the year behind December. Check the local weather report before you go.
Rainfall
January is the rainiest month of the year in Tel Aviv and also has the highest number of rainy days. The average January rainfall is 147mm/5.8 inches and rain falls for an average of 15 days of the month. The chances of a wet day increase as the month goes on, starting at 21 per cent and ending at 27 per cent.
Sunshine Hours
Tel Aviv in January receives the second lowest average sunshine of the year, with 193 hours, or 6.3 hours a day, slightly more than Lima, Peru does with a January average of six hours per day, even though it is the middle of summer there. The days are getting gradually longer in Tel Aviv in January, increasing by 32 minutes between January 1 and 31 from 10 hours and six minutes of daylight to 10 hours and 38 minutes. The sun rises between 6.35am and 6.42 am and sets between 4.47pm and 5.13pm in Tel Aviv in January. This compares to the longest day of the year in Tel Aviv on June 21, when there is 14 hours and 15 minutes of daylight. Tel Aviv can be very cloudy in January, with the skies overcast or cloudy for 29 per cent of the month.
Wind
Wind speeds in Tel Aviv remain constant throughout January, at an average of 8.9mph with a variation of only 0.2mph on average. The wind blows predominantly from the west in January, for almost half of the time. February 7 is the windiest day of the year, with an average speed of 9.2mph.
Dress Code
It would be wise to prepare for warm weather, chillier weather and rain. So, take lots of layers, including shorts and t-shirts for the warmer days and jumpers and waterproofs for when it's cold particularly at night and raining. Make sure that you check our 14-day forecast for Tel Aviv before you head for the airport.
Tel Aviv Hotels in January
Hilton Tel Aviv
The Tel Aviv Hilton sits proudly on a cliff looking out over the Mediterranean and there is direct sea access to Hilton Beach. Set amid lush parks, the hotel is considered one of Tel Aviv's finest. There is a spa and gym and you can enjoy your morning swim in a pool that looks out over the beach and the Mediterranean. The views are even more spectacular from the hotel's 17th floor Vista Lounge, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Dan Tel Aviv
The Dan Tel Aviv is the place to go for those hoping to rub shoulders with the stars, as celebrities including Hillary Clinton, Paul McCartney and Madonna have all stayed here. It is right on the beach and the main dining room looks straight out over the Mediterranean. Its 280 rooms have been refurbished and Tel Aviv's shops, restaurants and bars are all around. The port is a short stroll along the Promenade in one direction and Jaffa is in the other.
Arbel Suites Hotel
Arbel Suites Hotel is a competitive self-catering alternative to the city's many high-end hotels, located at the centre of Tel Aviv's Dizengoff Street shopping district, ten minutes from the beach. Cosy and homely, the 26 apartments are air conditioned, have free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and fully equipped kitchens. There are free bikes available for guests to explore Tel Aviv's sights, including the city's huge Rabin Square a few minutes' ride away.
West Hotel
Away from the busy centre of Tel Aviv in the north of the city, the West Hotel is a modern new boutique hotel with 65 suites that has attracted great reviews. It sits at the southern part of the popular Cliff Beach, considered one of the city's best and has a huge pool, gym and sauna. The location means better rates than central Tel Aviv with no drop in facilities and quality. There is a café-bar serving breakfast and light meals and snacks.
Bars and Restaurants
Romano
Romano is a well-kept Tel Aviv secret tucked behind gates, up a courtyard and a staircase. That has not stopped it becoming one of the most popular spots in the south of the city, thanks to the supervision of renowned chef Eyal Shani, who serves classic Mediterranean as well as more experimental dishes to its mainly young crowd of diners. These include crab pasta, fish shawarma and okra.
Ali Caravan
If you like hummus then you will love the tiny, no-nonsense Ali Caravan which has been doing a roaring trade near Jaffa Port since owner Abu Hasan started selling his food from a small cart 50 years ago. The menu is not exactly extensive you get a choice of three hummus dishes. But they must be good as the place is always full. Take your pick from plain, fuul - with mashed spiced fava beans - or masabacha - chickpeas and tahina.
Tamara
They love their frozen yoghurt in Tel Aviv and Tamara near Gordon Beach is one of the best of them all. You can choose plain, but that would be missing out on a feast of flavours and toppings. If yoghurt is your thing, then go for the zingy fruit tapioca and fruit ices. There are swings for the children to play on while the adults place their orders. It gets busy so you may have to queue.
Beit Maariv
Once home to one of Israel's biggest daily newspapers, journalists have now been replaced by clubbers at the huge Beit Maariv, which plays mainly house and techno music and draws Israeli and foreign DJs. Most of the action is in the largest space, which has a bar and seating area. There is a smaller room behind the DJ booth playing different music and with its own unique atmosphere.
Things to do in Tel Aviv in January
Sarona Market
There is food, glorious food everywhere at the huge Sarona Market, located in a 140-year-old former Templar colony. The 8,700-square metre market is the first of its kind in Israel and houses scores of specialty food shops, stalls and restaurants from around the world. You can find every sort of food here seven days a week and outside lots of clothing, book and shoe stores fill the narrow lanes line its lanes.
Safari Ramat Gan
A combination of a safari experience and a zoo, Safari Ramat Gan has a drive-through with rhinos, hippos, zebras and flamingos and a big zoo with the usual cast of elephants, giraffes, monkeys and lions. There is also a petting farm for the children and workshops, cafes and picnic areas for families and other groups. There are feeding sessions and a night tour at certain times of the year.
Jaffa Port
Jaffa Port is one of the world's oldest harbours and is mentioned in The Bible. Originally a jumping off point for the Holy Land and the port from where Jaffa's famous oranges were sent across the world, these days it is a thriving and busy leisure area, with old warehouses full of bars, restaurants and shops, a lovely seafront boardwalk and free entertainment. There is a large free car park south of the port.
Beit Hatfutsot
Beit Hatfutsot, on Tel Aviv University campus, opened 40 years ago and was formerly known as the Diaspora Museum. It has been relaunched as the Museum of the Jewish People and tells the saga of the Jewish exile and global diaspora through pictures, presentations and a range of objects. Permanent exhibitions include Heroes, about great Jewish pioneers such as Einstein. Allow a few hours to get around and experience it fully.
