Santiago de Compostela in January

In January, Santiago de Compostela averages 12°C (53°F) during the day and 5°C (41°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 15 days of the month see precipitation (177 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

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

12°C
Avg high
5°C
Avg low
15
Rain days
177 mm
Rainfall

How January compares to the rest of the year in Santiago de Compostela

12th
warmest month of the 12
2nd
wettest month of the 12
13%
of yearly rainfall falls in January
9 h 22 min
daylight on the 15th

January is one of the coolest months in Santiago de Compostela (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 1°C cooler than December (13°C) and warms a further 1°C into February (13°C).

January sunrise & sunset in Santiago de Compostela

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
9:02 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:24 PM
Day length
9 h 22 min

Times shown for Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela — January

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
8:02 AM – 8:42 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
8:42 AM – 9:42 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:44 PM – 6:44 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:44 PM – 7:24 PM

📅 When to book — Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela'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 Santiago de Compostela

Shoulder

Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
4.4
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.

Santiago de Compostela in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 12°C / 53°F 5°C / 41°F 177 mm 15
February 13°C / 55°F 5°C / 41°F 141 mm 14
March 14°C / 58°F 6°C / 43°F 133 mm 14
April 17°C / 62°F 8°C / 46°F 111 mm 15
May 20°C / 67°F 10°C / 50°F 79 mm 11
June 22°C / 71°F 13°C / 55°F 78 mm 11
July 25°C / 77°F 15°C / 59°F 26 mm 6
August 25°C / 77°F 15°C / 59°F 40 mm 7
September 23°C / 73°F 14°C / 56°F 65 mm 9
October 20°C / 67°F 11°C / 52°F 176 mm 14
November 15°C / 58°F 8°C / 46°F 176 mm 17
December 13°C / 55°F 6°C / 43°F 187 mm 15

Other cities with similar January weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Santiago de Compostela in January →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Santiago de Compostela in January?

In January, Santiago de Compostela averages a high of 12°C (53°F) and a low of 5°C (41°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Santiago de Compostela in January?

January is quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela, with about 15 rainy days on average.

Is January a good time to visit Santiago de Compostela?

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 Santiago de Compostela in January?

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

Open Santiago de Compostela on the interactive map

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