Located on the south eastern coast of Spain known as the Costa del Azahar, sits the city of Valencia, home to beautiful beaches, brilliant architecture and the City of Arts and Sciences. Like most areas of Spain, Valencia experiences a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters.
Whats the weather like in Valencia in January
Temperatures
In January it is winter in Valencia. The weather is at its coldest for the year, there is less sunshine seen each day and there is a greater expectation of rain. However, the weather is by no means cold and you can still sit outside during the day, even in January. The days tend to remain warm and pleasant with an average daily temperature of 9°C and an average high of 14°C. The average minimum temperature can drop to 4°C on an evening though, so visitors to Valencia in January should pack some warmer layers and a jacket to wear at night. By the end of January, the weather tends to warm up and take a positive turn towards spring.
Sunshine Hours
While January sees less sunshine than the summer months, visitors to Valencia can still soak up some Spanish sunshine. Valencia has an average of 8 hours of sun per day and there's a 53% chance of a sunny day.
Rain
Holiday makers should be prepared for a small chance of rain in January. The month has less rainfall than the previous autumn months of October and November, but there's still a 19% chance of precipitation and 32mm of rainfall throughout January in Valencia.
Sea temperature
Valencia's beaches are still in use throughout the winter, although they are quieter than at other times of the year. The average temperature of the sea in Valencia in January is 15°C which may be a little too cool for swimming.
Outside of peak season, January is a great time to visit Valencia if you want to avoid the summer crowds. The cooler weather is perfect for exploring the city and seeing the sights in comfort.
Valencia Hotels for January
As Spain's third largest city, Valencia has hundreds of hotels to choose from. Visitors to Valencia in January can get some great deals on accommodation as hotels often drop their prices.
The Westin Valencia is ideally located for seeing Valencia's sights, close to the University of Valencia and the Jardí del Túria park. The hotel is set inside one of Valencia's most impressive Modernist buildings and features art deco-style décor inside. Guests can enjoy the hotel's spa and health club, relax in the garden terrace and dine at the El Jardí restaurant which offers delicious Mediterranean cuisine.
If you're looking for accommodation by the sea, the Hotel Neptuno is a luxurious choice. The four star beach front hotel overlooks Valencia harbour and has access to the beach. Directly outside of the hotel, the Marina Real Juan Carlos I tram stop offers a link to the centre of Valencia. Rooms are ultra-modern and stylish with air conditioning and flat-screen TVs.
Valencia Beaches in January
Valencia offers visitors the best of both worlds; a thriving city and stunning beaches just fifteen minutes away from the centre. Holiday makers will find beaches such as Las Arenas and La Malvarrosa which have all been awarded Blue Flag status. While January is one of the coldest months in Valencia, the beaches are still popular with visitors.
Las Arenas, also known as El Cabanyal is Valencia's main city beach located just outside of the centre an can be easily reached by bus. The fine, golden, sandy beach is 1.2 kilometres long and 135 metres wide and is lined with many restaurants and cafés for visitors to enjoy. Las Arenas beach is well-equipped with lifeguards, toilets and sun lounger hire.
Bars and Restaurants
Visitors can find just about every type of food in Valencia. However, you shouldn't miss the opportunity to try some traditional Valencian cuisine, which includes rice dishes, tapas and fresh fish.
Navarro is one of the best-rated restaurants in Valencia and is located in the centre of the city close to the Ayuntamiento de Valencia. The food here is typically Mediterranean, with a range of paella dishes proving to be very popular. Visitors can also try the traditional Spanish drink of sangria with their meal. With indoor and outdoor seating, Navarro is an ideal lunch spot in the city.
For some tasty tapas dishes, try Restaurante El Encuentro. Centrally located on Calle San Vicente Martir, this restaurant is popular with both visitors and locals thanks to its authenticity and great service. It serves a range of fish, meat and vegetarian tapas dishes as well as an extensive wine list.
After dinner, head to Marshall & Co, a cool and contemporary bar situated just outside of the city centre in Benicalap. The American-themed bar has a retro feel where evening guests can enjoy premium cocktails, gin and whisky while listening to jazz and soul music in the lounge. During the day, Marshall & Co serves coffee, lunch and snacks.
Things to do in Valencia in January
Although Valencia is quieter at this time of the year, there are still lots of things to see and do.
If you're in Valencia in January, the cooler weather means it is a good time to explore the area outside of the heat of the summer. Valencia has many notable tourist attractions and landmarks that are a must-see. These include Valencia's City Hall, known as Ayuntamiento, the stunning Palacio de Justicia (Palace of Justice) and Valencia University, the oldest university in Spain which dates back to 1499.
Visitors to Valencia can also witness some of the city's most popular religious festivals in January. Cabalgata de los Reyes (The Three Kings Parade) is an event that occurs on the 6th of January in Valencia. During the celebration, three men dress up and distribute sweets and gifts for the children who turn out for the occasion. As well as this, on the 22nd of January there is the Festividad de San Vicente Mártir (San Vicente Mártir's Feast Day), a religious festival with celebrations centred around Valencia Cathedral.
