Month guide · San Sebastián · Spain
San Sebastián in January
What January is really like in San Sebastián: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Tabakalera, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 12°C (54°F), lows of 5°C (41°F), about 14 rainy days and roughly 9.3 hours of daylight. Cool and damp, with storms bringing big waves to the Paseo Nuevo; cider houses open their season and the Tamborrada fills the streets.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 12°C (54°F) / 5°C (41°F)
- Rainy days
- About 14
- Daylight
- About 9.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 13°C (55°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the 11th-warmest month in San Sebastián: days average 12°C (54°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about 5°C (41°F). Rain falls on roughly 14 of its 31 days. Compared with December (13°C (55°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 12°C (54°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 08:37
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:57
- Daylight
- About 9.3 hours
- Sea
- 13°C (55°F)
Winter (December–February). Mild but rainy, with storm waves, the Tamborrada and cider houses; the lowest prices and the most local atmosphere in the bars.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 2 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
- Tamborrada — 24 hours of drumming parades for the city's saint's day (20 January)
- Cider season opening in the cider houses (usually mid-January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Parte Vieja
San Telmo Museoa
Leave time for the Renaissance cloister and the Sert murals in the church, which many visitors miss.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Religious site · Parte Vieja
Basilica of Santa María del Coro
This 18th-century baroque basilica closes the end of Calle Mayor, its ornate portal framed by the street and aligned with the Buen Pastor Cathedral at the other end of the city.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Aquarium · Parte Vieja
San Sebastián Aquarium
Pair it with a walk round the Paseo Nuevo, which starts at the aquarium's door and circles Urgull to the river mouth.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Architecture · Egia
Tabakalera
The huge former tobacco factory beside the train station is now an international centre for contemporary culture, with exhibitions, a film programme, a library of creative arts and cafés.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Views
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 12°C, lows near 5°C and 14 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit San Sebastián?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
San Sebastián in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit San Sebastián?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cool and damp, with storms bringing big waves to the Paseo Nuevo; cider houses open their season and the Tamborrada fills the streets.
+How warm is San Sebastián in January?
Average highs are around 12°C (54°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F).
+Does it rain a lot in San Sebastián in January?
Expect rain on about 14 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.