Month guide · Nice · France
Nice in January
What January is really like in Nice: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Lascaris, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 13°C (55°F), lows of 5°C (41°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 9.3 hours of daylight. Mild and often sunny for winter, with clear views of snow on the Alps; too cold to swim but pleasant for walking and museums.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 13°C (55°F) / 5°C (41°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 9.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 14°C (57°F)
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the 11th-warmest month in Nice: days average 13°C (55°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 5°C (41°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with December (14°C (57°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 13°C (55°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 08:01
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:19
- Daylight
- About 9.3 hours
- Sea
- 14°C (57°F)
Winter (December–February). Mild days with clear Alpine views, Christmas lights in December and the Carnival in February; some beach clubs close.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 1 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- Prom' Classic — 10 km road race on the Promenade (usually early January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Waterfront · Seafront
Promenade des Anglais
Walk it at sunset from the Negresco towards the old town, then continue up to Castle Hill for the view back along the bay.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
Viewpoint · Vieux Nice (Old Town)
Castle Hill (Colline du Château)
The fortress that once crowned this rock was demolished in 1706, and the hill is now a shaded park with an artificial waterfall, a playground, ruins of the old cathedral and the city's best viewpoints over the Baie des Anges on one side and Port Lympia on the other.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Free
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
- Couples
Park · Jean-Médecin and Place Masséna
Promenade du Paillon
Bring a change of clothes for small children if you plan to stop at the water mirror in summer.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
Garden · Cimiez
Monastère de Cimiez and gardens
The Franciscan monastery's terraced gardens of roses and lemon trees look out over the Paillon valley to the sea.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Off the beaten path
- History
- Couples
What to pack
For highs near 13°C, lows near 5°C and 6 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Nice?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Nice in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Nice?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Mild and often sunny for winter, with clear views of snow on the Alps; too cold to swim but pleasant for walking and museums.
+How warm is Nice in January?
Average highs are around 13°C (55°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Nice in January?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.