Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Bilbao in January
Little changes in Bilbao from December: highs stay near 54°F (12°C), lows near 48°F (9°C), and about 5.0 in (126 mm) of rain falls.
With a comfort score of 56/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cloud cover.
- Avg high
- 54°F (12°C)
- Avg low
- 48°F (9°C)
- Rain
- 5.0 in (126 mm)
- Humidity
- 80%
- Cloud cover
- 81%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 08 min
- Comfort score
- 56/100 · Fair
What January feels like
It's cool, with highs near 54°F (12°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Lows average 48°F (9°C).
Expect regular rain: about 5.0 in (126 mm) falls in the month.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 81%.
It's breezy, with average winds near 12 mph (5.2 m/s) at ground level.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 08 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May and July – September.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Comfort slips from 60/100 in December to 56/100.
- Our Basque Coast Food Trail route recommends May – Oct, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 54°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Windproof shellaverage wind 12 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Bilbao in January
With 5.0 in of rain, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
La Viña del Ensanche
Old-school deli and wine bar specializing in ibérico ham and refined pintxos.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 5.0 in of rain.
Mercado de la Ribera
Riverside Art Deco market with produce stalls and a pintxos food court.
Why now Easy to slot in when January's rain moves in.
Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao
Fine arts museum with Spanish masters and Basque painters, next to Doña Casilda park.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 5.0 in of rain.
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Gehry's titanium museum, with Koons's flower-covered Puppy outside and Serra's steel mazes inside.
Why now A good rainy-day backup in January.
Café Iruña
1903 café with Moorish-style tiles, good for coffee or a vermouth.
Why now Keeps part of the day dry on wetter January days.
Nearby in January
- San Sebastián in January~48 mi · highs 53°F, 5.0 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Laguardia in January~52 mi · highs 48°F, 2.6 in rain · 4°C (6°F) cooler by day, drier
- Barcelona in January~291 mi · highs 56°F, 1.3 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, drier
- Girona in January~306 mi · highs 55°F, 2.0 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Bilbao in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Bilbao?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 56/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are May and July – September. Expect highs of 54°F (12°C) and 5.0 in (126 mm) of rain. Our Basque Coast Food Trail route recommends May – Oct, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Bilbao in January?
Average highs are 54°F (12°C) and average lows 48°F (9°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Bilbao in January?
Yes: about 5.0 in (126 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 39.5 in (1003 mm).
What should I pack for Bilbao in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 54°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain), windproof shell (average wind 12 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Bilbao in January?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.