Alicante in January: Weather, Three Kings, Sales & What's Open

January is Alicante's coldest month, but cold here means about 17°C at lunchtime and around 6°C at night. It's sunny most days, rarely wet, and once the Three Kings have been and gone on 6 January the city goes quiet and cheap. If you want winter sun without the crowds, it's a good shout.

Quick facts

• Average high / low: 17.0°C / 6.3°C (AEMET normals for the Alicante city station, 1981-2010)
• Sea temperature: about 14.6°C on average, roughly 13.5°C to 15.5°C
• Rainy days: about 3.6 days with 1mm or more, around 23mm in total
• Sunshine: about 181 hours, so nearly 6 hours a day, with around 8 completely clear days
• Daylight: about 9.5 hours on 1 January, over 10 hours by the 31st. Sunset moves from about 17:50 to 18:20
• Crowds: busy up to 6 January, then one of the quietest months of the year
• Prices: after the first week, some of the lowest hotel prices of the year in my experience
• Three Kings parade: evening of 5 January. Start time TBD, last year it set off at about 19:00
• Porrate de San Antón: dates TBD. Last year it ran from 16 to 25 January, so expect mid to late January

Is Alicante warm in January?

Warm in the sun, cold out of it. On a still, clear day you'll have lunch outside in a jumper and think you've cracked winter. Then the sun drops behind the buildings around 17:00 and you'll want a proper coat. January has the lowest average temperature of the year in AEMET's figures for the city (a monthly mean of 11.7°C).

Cold snaps do happen. AEMET forecast the coldest Night of the Kings in 40 years across the Valencia region for 5 January 2026, and the parade still went ahead after a cold, wet afternoon. Most of the month is far kinder than that, but pack for it.

Figures are AEMET's long-term normals for Alicante city (AEMET climate data). Real months vary.

Can you swim in the sea in January?

Not really, unless you're properly hardy or in a wetsuit. The sea averages about 14.6°C in January according to seatemperature.org, which is chilly even for people used to the Irish Sea. A beach walk at Postiguet or along Playa de San Juan is lovely, though.

What to wear and pack

• A warm coat for evenings. A padded jacket or a wool coat, not just a fleece.
• Layers for the day: T-shirt, long-sleeved top, jumper.
• Jeans or trousers, and shoes with grip for the castle hill and the old town.
• Sunglasses. The light is bright even when it's cold.
• Something warm to sleep in. Plenty of apartments have tiled floors and weak heating.

Our winter packing list has the full rundown.

Is Alicante open in January? What's closed

Yes. Alicante is a real city with people living and working in it, so shops, restaurants, bars and museums open as normal. The things to know:

• Public holidays: 1 January and 6 January (Kings' Day) are quiet, and most shops close. Plan your sales shopping for the 7th onwards.
• Christmas extras wind down: last season the Christmas market closed on 6 January and the "caballitos" funfair in Rabasa stayed until 18 January. The 2027 closing dates are TBD.
• Santa Bárbara Castle: free entry, with a €2.70 lift (official castle site). January is when maintenance happens. In 2026 the lift shut from 12 to 16 January for an upgrade, so check before you go.
• Beach kiosks: don't count on beach bars being open. Eat at the restaurants back from the sand instead.

What's on in January 2027

Dates and times for 2027 are TBD. The council hadn't confirmed them at the time of writing (October 2026). What follows is based on last season, which tends to follow the same pattern.

• 4 January: the Carteras Reales, the Kings' messengers, parade from Plaza de España to the Rambla and Explanada to collect children's letters. Time TBD, it was 18:00 in 2026.
• 5 January, Cabalgata de Reyes: the big Three Kings parade. Start time and route for 2027 are TBD. In 2026 the Kings arrived at the port at about 17:00 and the parade left Avenida de la Estación at around 19:00, finishing at Plaza del Ayuntamiento around 21:30. Full route and tips in our Three Kings parade guide, and the council's announcement for last year.
• 6 January: Kings' Day. Families open presents and eat roscón de Reyes, a ring-shaped sweet bread. Bakeries sell out, so buy early.
• 7 January, the rebajas: the winter sales. In 2026 most Spanish shops started on 7 January, with some brands going online on the evening of the 6th. El Corte Inglés ran its sale until 28 February.
• Mid to late January, Porrate de San Antón: the San Antón neighbourhood's fiesta, going for over 150 years. Dates TBD. Based on last year, expect about ten days in mid to late January. In 2026 it ran from the opening speech on Friday 16 January to Sunday 25 January, with a procession and fireworks on the 17th, homemade go-karts racing down the Cuesta de la Fábrica de Tabacos on the 18th, and a blessing of the animals at the bullring on the final Sunday. Details are on the council website.

Best things to do in January

• Hit the sales. El Corte Inglés in the centre and the Gran Via Shopping Centre are the big ones.
• Climb or walk while it's cool. January is perfect for the Peñón de Ifach in Calpe. In summer it's a sweatbox.
• Take a day trip to Elche. The palm groves are good in any weather. See our Elche day trip guide.
• Book a spa afternoon. Hotel Hospes Amérigo in the old town is the obvious one for a grey day.
• Do the castle on a clear day. Winter light gives the best views over the bay. Go early, then lunch in the old town.

Is it busy? Prices

The first week is Christmas, still: busy streets, full restaurants, and Spanish families everywhere for the Kings. From about 7 January it empties out. Hotels drop their prices, you can walk into most restaurants without booking, and the beaches are almost yours. The trade-off is that the city is a bit sleepier in the evenings midweek.

From Ireland, Ryanair's winter 2026-27 schedule includes a twice-weekly Cork to Alicante service, and Dublin had Aer Lingus and Ryanair flights to Alicante through last winter. Check the airlines for current days and times.

FAQ

Is Alicante warm in January?

It's mild by day and cold at night. AEMET's averages are a high of 17.0°C and a low of 6.3°C, making January the coldest month of the year.

Does it rain a lot in Alicante in January?

No. There are only about 3.6 days with 1mm or more of rain on average, and roughly 23mm for the whole month.

When are the January sales in Spain?

The rebajas usually start on 7 January, the day after Kings' Day. In 2026 some big brands opened their online sales on the evening of the 6th.

Can you swim in Alicante in January?

Only in a wetsuit or if you're very hardy. The sea averages about 14.6°C.

Is January a good time to visit Alicante?

Yes, for a cheap, quiet, sunny break. Go for the first week if you want the Three Kings, or after 7 January for low prices and empty beaches.

Pack a proper coat and you'll be grand.

Planning the rest of the winter? See December · February