6 December 2019 | Updated 19 December 20246 min read
Lanzarote A January holiday to Lanzarote promises sun, sea and sand aplenty.
After all the madness of December and Christmas, a holiday in January is too appealing to ignore.
You might want to escape to somewhere hot to let your body and mind recharge or enjoy a wintry break in a fascinating European city.
Whatever you decide, we’ve rounded up six of the best places to go on holiday this January.
These ten volcanic islands fanning out from the coast of West Africa offer more than just the chance to flop on the beach.
Cape Verde’s cultural heart is the island of São Vicente and its buzzing capital, Mindelo, where live music can be heard practically everywhere. Adventurers who like a good hike should make a beeline for steep gorges and jagged mountains of Santo Antão, or the volcanic peaks of Fogo.
Admittedly, the beaches really are beautiful, from the family-friendly powdery beaches on the liveliest of the islands, Sal, to the endless sand dunes on sleepy Boa Vista. If you’re looking for a quintessential Cape Verde experience, then you’ll probably want to stay in Sal, where smarter hotels have been opening up in recent years.
Whichever island you choose, you can savour the richness of the archipelago’s Portuguese heritage mixed with Creole culture.
Don’t miss: If you’re in Mindelo on 22 January, join the party as the city celebrates the day the island was founded back in 1462 in exuberant style. There’s music all day and evening on a giant stage in the centre of the city, along with plenty of food and festivities.
Lanzarote’s lunar landscapes look like something from another planet, its volcanic peaks and solidified lava fields bringing a stark beauty to this Canary Island. Even its vineyards are unusual – vines laid out in half-moons on gentle hillsides of black lava soil.
If it’s sand time you want, don’t miss two of Lanzarote's best beaches: Playa de Papagayo, tucked into a cove before the island’s southernmost point, and Playa de Famara set dramatically beneath jagged volcanic cliffs.
Elsewhere, stay dry on a tour of the wondrous Timanfaya National Park or discover the legacy of the architect and artist César Manrique, whose former house – located in the north of the island – is now a captivating museum.
Don’t miss: If you happen to be there on 5 and 6 January, you can take part in the feast of the Epiphany, which celebrates the end of the Christmas festivities with colourful processions through the streets. Watch the parades of the Three Kings which take place in towns all around the island.
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This Mexican hotspot on the Yucatan peninsula has moved on from its days as spring break resort of choice for North Americans. The beaches are just as attractive, but the culinary scene has gone far beyond what you think is typical Mexican food.
On this part of the Riviera Maya, you’re also within easy reach of some of the country’s most compelling archaeological sites, including the ancient Mayan ruins on the cliffs overlooking Tulum.
They’re the curtain-raiser for the even more dramatic Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s dominated by the enormous pyramid of El Castillo. Hop on a bus from Cancun for the day and combine the ruins with a swim at Tulum Beach.
Don’t miss: Join the party when the Out of the Blue Festival takes over the Moon Palace resort from 4-7 January 2025. This year’s line-up includes American indie folkies The Lumineers and Noah Kahan. Country singer Luke Bryan hosts his annual country-tinged Crash My Playa festival at the same resort from 15-18 January.
Bahia Principe Grand Coba
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January isn’t exactly beach weather in the Algarve – you’ll find temperatures somewhere in the mid-teens – but it’s a time for leisurely hikes along coastal paths in the sun. Head to Parque Natural da Ria Formosa in the region’s east and you can explore the nature trails that wind around these vast wetlands and coastal dunes.
While things will be quieter in the resorts, you’ll still have sunny café terraces and walks along the wild, dramatic beaches of the Algarve. Lagos is one of the liveliest towns, popular with surfers who come here to tackle the giant Atlantic waves.
Further west – about as far as you can go – is Sagres, one of the most appealing spots in the region. Fill up on fresh seafood including one of the staple dishes of the Algarve, cataplana. Named after the round copper pot it’s cooked in, it comes in various combinations – one of the loveliest is clams and pork.
Don’t miss: Many of the Christmas markets around the region carry on until 6 January, so there’s still time to enjoy the festive atmosphere. Lagos is one of the towns with a substantial Christmas village, so sample Portuguese street food and drink before taking a turn on the ice rink.
Bring full-on winter weather gear to get the most out of Berlin in January, as it will certainly be cold. But with fantastic museums, an efficient public transport system and some seriously cool bars and clubs, you won’t really notice the weather.
Don’t miss the East Side Gallery, one of the few remaining segments of the Berlin Wall. Covered with witty and bold graffiti and street art, it vividly recalls the days when the Wall was the physical embodiment of the Iron Curtain. From here you can get the U-Bahn to Kreuzberg, still one of the coolest of Berlin’s districts.
To get an idea of life in the old East Germany, visit the DDR Museum in the Mitte district. It’s hugely entertaining and grimly fascinating at the same time, as it delves into life in the decades from 1945 to 1989. And there’s even a Trabant car you can drive.
Don’t miss: Christmas lingers in Berlin until 12 January, with the Botanical Garden still glittering with dazzling light shows and magic forests. Get a taste of British humour and culture at the British Shorts film festival, running from 23-29 January. Among the film screenings is a packed programme of comedy, concerts and parties.
Italy’s fashion capital mixes sophistication with an arty feel that goes far beyond the usual tourist sights.
Granted, the Duomo really is a magnificent place, as are the luxury boutiques under the glittering glass roof of the neighbouring Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. But away from the gloss, there’s the artistic Navigli district, where waterways used to carry boat traffic until the 18th century. Nowadays, the canals are lined with bars, restaurants and galleries.
Milan is thoroughly wedded to its tradition of the aperitivo hour, when every day from about 5pm to about 8pm, the city’s bars offer a plentiful free buffet of tasty snacks when you buy a drink. Such a civilised way to start the evening.
Don’t miss: As January is low season, it’s the time to book your ticket to see Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper at the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie and avoid the queues. Fans of interior design can get the latest trends at Milano Home, a huge trade fair from 23-26 January.
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