Month guide · Thessaloniki · Greece
Thessaloniki in January
What January is really like in Thessaloniki: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Stolbovsky, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 9°C (48°F), lows of 2°C (36°F), about 7 rainy days and roughly 9.6 hours of daylight. Cold and often grey, with occasional frost and the chilly Vardaris wind; a quiet month for museums and long taverna lunches.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 9°C (48°F) / 2°C (36°F)
- Rainy days
- About 7
- Daylight
- About 9.6 hours
- Sea temperature
- 13°C (55°F)
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Thessaloniki: days average 9°C (48°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 2°C (36°F). Rain falls on roughly 7 of its 31 days. Compared with December (11°C (52°F)), January is cooler; by February highs climb to around 11°C (52°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:50
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:25
- Daylight
- About 9.6 hours
- Sea
- 13°C (55°F)
Winter (December–February). Cold, damp days and the occasional biting Vardaris wind, but low prices, Christmas lights and warming tavernas.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 1 for crowds (the peak is September at 4) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in September). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- Epiphany blessing of the waters at the waterfront (6 January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Historic site · Kamara and Navarinou
Rotunda of Galerius
Combine it with the Arch of Galerius 100 metres down the hill and the palace remains around Navarinou Square.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Religious site · City Centre (Aristotelous Square)
Church of Hagios Demetrios
The city's largest church is dedicated to its patron saint, Demetrius, martyred here in the early 4th century.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
.jpg){kind=link}
Museum · White Tower and the eastern seafront
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
Head first for the gold of Macedon rooms and the Derveni Krater, then visit the Museum of Byzantine Culture across the road.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Museum · White Tower and the eastern seafront
Museum of Byzantine Culture
Award-winning galleries trace Byzantine life from early Christian tombs and mosaics to icons, textiles and everyday objects, using material found largely in and around Thessaloniki.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 9°C, lows near 2°C and 7 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Thessaloniki?
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.
Thessaloniki in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Thessaloniki?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold and often grey, with occasional frost and the chilly Vardaris wind; a quiet month for museums and long taverna lunches.
+How warm is Thessaloniki in January?
Average highs are around 9°C (48°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Thessaloniki in January?
Expect rain on about 7 days of the month.