Welcome to another part of my monthly local updates from Fuengirola!
If you’re wondering whether a trip to Fuengirola in January is a good idea, and what the weather is like, read on!
January Weather in Fuengirola
January weather in Fuengirola tends to be full of surprises – you can get glorious sunny days with pleasant temperatures around 17C, but on other days it’s grey and very windy.
The weather changes pretty quickly and it’s almost never accurate if you’re checking it a week ahead. Having said that, it’s normally much more pleasant compared to other parts of Spain and certainly compared to the rest of Europe.
This year, in particular, the weather has been unusually cold – between 15C – 16C day temperatures on the coldest days, with night temperatures going down as low as 8C.
Even with those temperatures, it can feel very pleasant, if there is no wind around.
The rainy days are normally only a few between, and they don’t tend to last more than a day or two – with more rain normally coming in the next few months.
If you’re planning to spend the winter in Fuengirola, January is usually one of the safe bets in terms of weather.
What’s Happening in Fuengirola in January
January tends to be one of the quietest months in Fuengirola, with very little tourism activity and outdoor life.
All of the beachside restaurants are still closed (until March) including the sunbed rental places, but otherwise, life goes on as normal.
January also marks the Christmas celebrations in Spain, as the locals celebrate on the 6th of January.
The celebrations start with the arrival of the three kings, which is accompanied by a procession through the city, while the kings throw some candy into the crowds greeting them. They arrive in front of the town hall where they held a formal welcome. The Christmas market in the main square is also held until mid-January.
Holiday in Fuengirola in January
If you’re booking a trip for January, you’re likely to get very good deals on accommodation and generally, all services tend to be cheaper.
It’s also much easier getting good last-minute deals and car rental options are much cheaper this time of year.
As it’s considered a low season, there aren’t as many flight options available, but those that do exist tend to be very affordable compared to summer flights.
The presence of tourists in Fuengirola is still noticeable, but it’s mostly older Scandinavian pensioners who come to spend the winter months here and then return back at the start of spring or summer.
What to Pack for a Trip to Fuengirola in January
You won’t need very warm clothing (heavy winter jackets, hats, scarves etc), only a weatherproof warmer jacket for those cold windy days with a chance of rain.
As the weather changes quite a bit, it’s good to have a variety of clothing with you, both for the warmer days and colder days. Evenings and mornings tend to be quite chilly, so it’s good to have a light jacket or cardigan on you most of the time.
If you’re staying in Airbnb or other private accommodation, they rarely have carpets and the floors are very cold, so buying or bringing some slippers with you is a good idea.
If you’re checking accommodation options for your trip, make sure the place has an aircon unit or other heating option for the bedroom and living space – Spanish houses and flats are extremely cold in the winter months as most have no central heating.
Monthly Weather Updates for Fuengirola
Here is a full list of the detailed monthly updates done so far, more to be added!
- February: Fuengirola Weather in February: A Local Update
- March: Weather in Fuengirola in March: Local Update
- April: Weather in Fuengirola in April: Local Update
- May: May in Fuengirola: Local Expat’s Guide
- June: June in Fuengirola: Local Guide
- July: Fuengirola Weather in July: A Local Update
- August: August in Fuengirola: Local Expat’s Guide
- September: Weather in Fuengirola in September: Local Update
- October: Fuengirola in October: A Report from a Local Expat
- November: Fuengirola in November: A Guide by a Local Expat
- December: December in Fuengirola: a Guide by a Local Expat
Fuengirola: Recommended Day Trips & Experiences
- Caminito del Rey Day Trip with Guide – explore the world-famous pathway of the king, and admire the stunning views from the gorge El Chorro. Includes pick up in Fuengirola, entrance to Caminito del Rey and helmets.
- Day Trip to Gibraltar – with pick up from Fuengirola with a minibus, with free time in Gibraltar for shopping and an optional tour of the nature reserve.
- Gibraltar Sightseeing Day Tour – a more structured day trip with a full tour of the nature reserve, showing you all the highlights, with free time for shopping. Pick up from Fuengirola.
- Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas Day Trip – see the famous Puente Nuevo bridge in Ronda, with one of the oldest bullrings in the country, and admire the homes and restaurants built into caves in Setenil. Pick-up in Fuengirola – includes a walking tour of Ronda and a complimentary glass of wine in Ronda.
- Day Trip to Granada with Alhambra Tour – see one of the architectural wonders of Spain, the Moorish Palace complex of Alhambra, with free time to explore Granada. Includes pick-up from Fuengirola, tickets to Alhambra and a guide.
Explore More in Fuengirola
Visiting the Bioparc in Fuengirola
10 Cool Things to do in Fuengirola
A Trip to Sohail Castle in Fuengirola
Local Guide to Fuengirola Supermarkets
How to Spend a Day in Fuengirola
Spending Christmas in Fuengirola
The Foodie Guide: Best Restaurants in Fuengirola
Holiday with Kids: Best Things to do in Fuengirola with Kids
Beyond Fuengirola: 7+ Cool Day Trips from Fuengirola
Southern Spain Travel Planning Guide
Is it safe to drive in Spain?
YES! The roads in Southern Spain are generally in very good condition, with modern highways connecting the biggest cities. To rent a car, I highly recommend Discover Cars, which will get you the best deals on your car rental for your trip.
WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO DRIVE?
PUBLIC TRANSPORT — Southern Spain has a well-established and modern network of trains and buses. To get the cheapest bus or train tickets, take a look at Omio to find the timetables and prices.
DAY TRIPS — If you don’t like the hassle of using public transport, local travel companies offer many day trip options from almost all the destinations in Southern Spain. You can check them out here.
WHERE SHOULD I BOOK MY ACCOMMODATION?
BOOKING.COM — I have been using booking.com for all my trips in Spain and abroad, and have never had any negative experiences. Their reviews are very accurate and you get the best deals even on apartments, not just hotels.
ARE THERE LUGGAGE STORE OPTIONS IN THE CITIES?
YES — If you would like to leave your luggage behind to explore the city on your last day, before heading to the airport, you can use Radical Storage service, which lets you book luggage storage options in almost all the destinations in Southern Spain.
DO I NEED TO BUY A LOCAL SIM CARD FOR THIS TRIP?
YES – You can, of course, use your own card if you have roaming data available. If you want to avoid surprising extra charges from your operator, you can use a service like Airalo, where you can buy digital packs for e-sim cards, avoiding the hassle of sourcing local physical sim cards and extra roaming charges anywhere you go.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – if you decide to book using one of the links, I will earn a small commission that helps me run this site. This is at no extra cost to you.
Hej,
I will be visiting Fuengirola next Jan. 28 until Feb. 2. I Would like to know, what exact hours the is SUN out, when it’s out ( Ex between 11am to 15pm??) And when the Sun is out, can one get sunburnt while sitting out in a restaurant?? I wait for your reply-
Kind regards,
S
Hello, the sun is out pretty much whole day =) if it’s a sunny day. Yes, you can get sunburnt if you choose to sit in the sun.