Nice in January

In January, Nice averages 13°C (55°F) during the day and 5°C (41°F) at night, with around 6 days of rain (75 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

January in Nice is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

13°C
Avg high
5°C
Avg low
6
Rain days
75 mm
Rainfall

How January compares to the rest of the year in Nice

11th
warmest month of the 12
5th
wettest month of the 12
9%
of yearly rainfall falls in January
9 h 17 min
daylight on the 15th

January is one of the coolest months in Nice (11th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (5th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 7°C below the annual average (20°C). January runs 1°C cooler than December (14°C) and stays flat into February.

January sunrise & sunset in Nice

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
8:01 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:18 PM
Day length
9 h 17 min

Times shown for Nice local time (Europe/Paris), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Nice — January

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in Nice's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
7:01 AM – 7:41 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
7:41 AM – 8:41 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
4:38 PM – 5:38 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
5:38 PM – 6:18 PM

📅 When to book — Nice in January

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on January's tier (Shoulder) and Nice's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

Crowds & pricing — January in Nice

Shoulder

Nice is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — January in Nice

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
4.2
Moderate
Use SPF 15-30 for prolonged outdoor exposure; sunglasses recommended at peak hours.
🦟 Mosquito risk
○○○○○
None
Mosquitoes are essentially absent — cold weather keeps populations dormant.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Nice in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 13°C / 55°F 5°C / 41°F 75 mm 6 0
February 13°C / 55°F 5°C / 41°F 65 mm 5 0
March 15°C / 59°F 7°C / 45°F 55 mm 6 0
April 17°C / 63°F 9°C / 48°F 65 mm 7 0
May 21°C / 70°F 13°C / 55°F 40 mm 5 0
June 24°C / 75°F 17°C / 63°F 30 mm 4 0
July 27°C / 81°F 20°C / 68°F 15 mm 2 0
August 27°C / 81°F 20°C / 68°F 30 mm 3 0
September 25°C / 77°F 17°C / 63°F 75 mm 5 0
October 21°C / 70°F 13°C / 55°F 135 mm 8 0
November 17°C / 63°F 9°C / 48°F 115 mm 8 0
December 14°C / 57°F 6°C / 43°F 90 mm 7 0

Other cities with similar January weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Nice in January →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Nice in January?

In January, Nice averages a high of 13°C (55°F) and a low of 5°C (41°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Nice in January?

January sees occasional rain in Nice, with about 6 rainy days on average.

Is January a good time to visit Nice?

January is cool. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Nice in January?

Pack a warm jacket and layers. See the full January packing list for Nice for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Nice on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.