San Sebastián in January

In January, San Sebastián averages 12°C (53°F) during the day and 6°C (43°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 17 days of the month see precipitation (220 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

January is one of the wetter and less comfortable months in San Sebastián. If your dates are flexible, consider a different time of year.

12°C
Avg high
6°C
Avg low
17
Rain days
220 mm
Rainfall

How January compares to the rest of the year in San Sebastián

12th
warmest month of the 12
2nd
wettest month of the 12
13%
of yearly rainfall falls in January
9 h 19 min
daylight on the 15th

January is one of the coolest months in San Sebastián (12th of 12) and one of the wettest months (2nd of 12). Daytime temperature runs 7°C below the annual average (18°C). January runs 2°C cooler than December (14°C) and warms a further 2°C into February (13°C).

January sunrise & sunset in San Sebastián

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
8:37 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:56 PM
Day length
9 h 19 min

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

Photography light in San Sebastián — January

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
7:37 AM – 8:17 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
8:17 AM – 9:17 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:16 PM – 6:16 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:16 PM – 6:56 PM

📅 When to book — San Sebastián 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 San Sebastián'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 San Sebastián

Shoulder

San Sebastián 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.

Sun & mosquito risk — January in San Sebastián

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
4.3
Moderate
Use SPF 15-30 for prolonged outdoor exposure; sunglasses recommended at peak hours.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

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.

San Sebastián in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 12°C / 53°F 6°C / 43°F 220 mm 17
February 13°C / 56°F 7°C / 44°F 166 mm 15
March 15°C / 58°F 8°C / 46°F 155 mm 17
April 17°C / 62°F 10°C / 49°F 118 mm 14
May 19°C / 66°F 12°C / 53°F 122 mm 16
June 22°C / 71°F 15°C / 59°F 106 mm 14
July 23°C / 74°F 17°C / 63°F 76 mm 13
August 24°C / 75°F 17°C / 63°F 102 mm 12
September 23°C / 73°F 16°C / 60°F 112 mm 12
October 20°C / 69°F 14°C / 56°F 121 mm 13
November 15°C / 60°F 10°C / 50°F 229 mm 18
December 14°C / 57°F 8°C / 47°F 177 mm 15

Other cities with similar January weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is San Sebastián in January?

In January, San Sebastián averages a high of 12°C (53°F) and a low of 6°C (43°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in San Sebastián in January?

January is quite rainy in San Sebastián, with about 17 rainy days on average.

Is January a good time to visit San Sebastián?

January is cool but on the rainy side. 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 San Sebastián in January?

Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full January packing list for San Sebastián for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open San Sebastián on the interactive map

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