New Year's illuminations, a merry skating rink in the main town square, palm and tangerine trees with bright orange fruit. And three Kings instead of Santa Claus, a sunny azure sky and not a single snowflake. No, no! You're not asleep! You're in January Valencia. Kidpassage shares an idea for a winter trip to one of Spain's most beautiful and unusual cities.
Holidays in Valencia in January: pros and cons
The winter rainy and windy season comes to Valencia in January, just in time for the New Year holidays, sales and a relative lull in tourism. However, winter in Valencia is quite mild and temperatures rarely drop below +5°C. And reviews about holidays in Valencia in January say that an exotic New Year's Eve is assured for any tourist here.
Let's learn why you should visit this Spanish city in the middle of winter.
- Despite the winds, rain and chilly weather, the sun still shines for most of the month; you can enjoy walks under the palm trees in January and breathe the salty sea air.
- The few tourists will ensure no queues at the attractions and a relaxing holiday.
- The sale season is open. Discounts reach the maximum, which will delight shopping lovers.
- Winter holidays under the palm trees are a good idea for a holiday with children. And even if the weather is terrible, you will find somewhere to spend time with your child.
There are some disadvantages to travelling in January, and we'll also talk about them.
- January is one of the rainiest and windiest months of the year, so it's worth taking advantage of the short-term weather forecast to know what weather surprises are in store for you and plan or not to plan a trip with a small child accordingly.
- At the beginning of the month, expect an influx of tourists — after all, holidays and Christmas sales do their job. Therefore, a decent crowd is expected in shopping centres and squares. In the second half of January, this influx subsides a little.
The weather in Valencia in January
The coldest weather of the year is from January to February, but even in these months, temperatures do not fall below 0°C at night. The lowest recorded temperature was -5°C, which is rare. On average, the daytime temperature ranges between +10°C and +20°C, which is not bad.
The weather in early January can be windy and cool or change rapidly.
Thermometers can show +5°C and +20°C during the day. So if you're going on a mid-winter trip, you may want to pack a couple of T-shirts in your suitcase. Temperatures in Valencia in mid-January can also vary dramatically, making a difference of 5 to 10 degrees. At night, it sometimes reaches zero degrees; during the day, it rises to +10°C - +15°C. In general, you can choose the moment for a walk.
The weather in Valencia at the end of January is still unstable and can be both cool, windy, rainy and warm and sunny. For example, one day the temperature can drop to +2°C during the day, and then, three days later, it can reach +16°C.
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Air temperature
Valencia's subtropical Mediterranean climate provides its residents with warm and humid weather, and despite occasional dips in temperature, the average temperature in Valencia in January is around +16°C. Fantastic weather for the New Year holidays!
Air temperature in Valencia in January
Daytime temperatures in January can range between +2°C and +20°C; nighttime temperatures occasionally fall below freezing and generally stay between 0°C and +12°C. An autumn jacket and a summer T-shirt can be equally handy in Valencia in January.
Sea temperature in Valencia in January
The beach season starts much later, as the temperature of the Mediterranean Sea in winter is around +14.2°C, and even the most desperate tourists do not risk dipping in such water. Therefore, it is better to admire the sea from afar or stroll along a deserted beach.
Precipitation
January is not the rainiest month of the year. However, there is occasional drizzle. The total amount is about 25.5 mm, and there are 4-5 rainy days during the month.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
Valencia has cloudless and sunny skies for most of the month (22 days), with only two cloudy days and seven days with variable cloudiness. It is quite a comfortable situation for mid-winter.
Tour Holidays
It's hard to guess how long it takes to see everything in Valencia. It's equally hard to settle on just a few sites — there are so many unique places to see that you must include as many as possible in your trip. We'll tell you about some of them, and you'll surely add them to your trip plan. So, off to wonder.
Gulliver's Park
You can choose a sunny, warm day in early January when a family walk will be a great pleasure. But let it be anything but ordinary. In this park, you can take Gulliver prisoner.
A huge 70-metre high figure of the hero of Jonathan Swift's works lies sprawled on the ground. You can judge its size by the slides in his hair, on his leg and somewhere else in the folds of his clothes (it will be interesting to find them all).
Several people can sit on the palm of a giant hand, and in the shade of a discarded hat, parents walking with their children take shelter from the sun. The park is very popular and liked by kids, so be prepared to return here again. By the way, there is no entrance fee.
Mestalla Stadium
It's the home stadium of Spanish football club Valencia. If you have a little football fan travelling with you, visiting this place will be an absolute delight, especially as you can choose a suitable day in mid-January.
Here, they organise special 45-minute tours, during which you can visit the locker room, walk through the tunnel that leads the team to the field, visit the VIP box and conference hall, and feel the power of a 50 000-capacity stadium.
Oceanographic Park of Valencia
On the City of Arts and Sciences territory is the Valencia Aquarium with an area of 110 thousand square metres and a total volume of water in all its aquariums of about 42 million litres. You can go here with the whole family if you catch a rainy day at the end of January.
The Valencia Oceanarium has 45,000 inhabitants. The park is divided into ten zones, each of which you will get to know its characteristic animals. The glass tunnels with sea creatures allow you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of underwater life.
Holidays, events and festivals
Spaniards are a hot people, and Valencia is just as hot, colourful and joyful during the holidays. New Year illuminations, music, laughter, and endless noisy, luxurious and sweet processions are all attributes of holidays in Valencia in January.
A tourist caught up in this whirlwind of Spanish fun will be lucky enough to experience the atmosphere of hot Spain, regardless of the winter weather forecast.
- New Year's Day (1 January). The official public holiday. On this day, there is almost absolute silence in the city. It isn't easy to find even a restaurant that is open. Spaniards dine with family or friends and usually do not go out anywhere. All festive events — costume processions, plays, concerts, exhibitions — occur the day before, on 31 December. In the evening of the same day, restaurants and cafes prepare special programmes and a festive dinner.
- Feast of the Three Kings (5 - 6 January). Perhaps the most anticipated holiday of the year, especially for children. On the evening of 5 January, almost the whole city goes to the harbour to meet the Magi. History says that the three Magi Kings initially arrived in the city on camels. The festive ceremony moves to the main square, throwing sweets (10 tonnes!), much to the children's delight. At the town hall, there is usually a tent where the Magi Kings receive letters from children asking for one gift. Then the Magi greet all those gathered, and a theatrical performance with television broadcast and later a light show begins.
- San Antonio Abbot (17 - 19 January). The holiday is named after the patron saint of animals. On this day, hundreds of Spanish pet owners took their animals to church, where Catholic priests blessed them. In the evening, bonfires are lit as a symbol of purification of body and soul, collecting old furniture, wooden containers and dry branches to keep the fire burning. A marvellous spectacle and celebration decoration is the original horse parade, the only one in the world.
- Day of the Holy Martyr Vicentius (22 January). Once upon a time, in 304, a young deacon, Vicente, who was studying religion and preaching Christianity, was unjustly executed in Valencia. It provoked loud outrage from the local population. Since then, he has been considered the city's patron saint, and 22 January is a day off. On this day, you can see how a solemn procession takes out a giant wooden statue of the Saint, covered with gold leaf, from the Cathedral and carries it along the road to the place of execution.
Shopping
The start of a new year is not just about fun and festivities. January marks the beginning of the winter sale season, and avid shopaholics who come here can immerse themselves in a sea of dizzying discounts.
What kind of promotions do promoters come up with to attract customers! Discount nights in the restaurant, discount cards, gifts, souvenirs and the most unthinkable offers, such as when the first who come almost without clothes can leave fully clothed, while, of course, without paying anything.
Valencia has plenty of shopping centres, including quite large ones, with food courts and recreation areas, so you will have plenty of opportunities to make good bargains and spend time with your family.
You can find the best bargains in the outlet centres, and Valencia has them even within the city limits. However, experienced shopaholics say the best are in the suburbs. Outlets offer excellent deals, and some offer an additional 15% discount on purchases over 150 euros.
Cost of vacation
In January, the number of visitors to the city increases dramatically — they are attracted by holidays, sales and the opportunity to spend time with their families during the winter holidays. Therefore, the prices in Valencia in January rise accordingly.
Airfares
The airfares became 20-35% higher in December. Ticket prices in January remain at the same level, decreasing only slightly — by 3 - 5%. Book your flight in advance if you plan to celebrate the beginning of the New Year under palm trees.
Package Tours
The demand for tours is also relatively high, and prices remain almost at the same level as in December. It is better to book your favourite room early because, in addition to inflated prices, hotels are expected to be full due to the popularity of this month among tourists.
Accommodations
In January, the price of a hotel room will be 29% higher than the average price for the year, which is €83. In February, however, accommodation prices usually fall to record highs for the year. But even in January, you can save much money by booking your hotel well in advance.
Food
What can you try in the homeland of paella? Well, of course, paella! Prices for this dish, depending on the cafe or restaurant level, are about 10-15 euros. Another traditional Valencian dish or instead drink, is orchata — something similar to coconut milk. It is served in particular establishments and orchaterias, and you can also buy it in supermarkets. Well, and turron — a sweet made of nougat and nuts — which is sold all year round but is a traditional Christmas speciality.
Tips for travellers with children
A family trip to Valencia will delight you. Sunny, though slightly chilly weather, fun holiday activities, original museums — all this will help to make your trip rich and memorable. Most importantly, take care of a couple of extra warm clothes in case it gets cold.
If the short-term weather forecast does not disappoint you with rain or cold weather, you can safely come here with babies — the sun and the temperature of +10°C - +15°C are conducive to comfortable walks with a pram.
We hope that a good mood will be with you during the trip and that sunny Valencia will stay in your heart for a long time. May the New Year holidays bring wish fulfilment and unforgettable memories of your January trip!
