Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Copenhagen in January
This is the coldest month in Copenhagen: highs average 37°F (3°C) and lows 31°F (0°C), with about 2.4 in (61 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 40/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 37°F (3°C)
- Avg low
- 31°F (0°C)
- Rain
- 2.4 in (61 mm)
- Humidity
- 92%
- Cloud cover
- 84%
- Daylight
- ~7 h 22 min
- Comfort score
- 40/100 · Tough
What January feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 37°F (3°C).
Average lows of 31°F (0°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 2.4 in (61 mm).
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 84%.
It's breezy, with average winds near 11 mph (5.1 m/s) at ground level.
Only about 7 h 22 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May – September.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 31°F.
- Comfort holds steady from December (39 → 40/100).
- Our Scandinavian Capitals route recommends Jun – Aug, so January falls outside its suggested window.
- Our Copenhagen, Odense & Aarhus route is planned for Mid-Nov – Dec, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — January falls outside it.
What to pack for January
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 31°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Windproof shellaverage wind 11 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Copenhagen in January
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Hviids Vinstue
Wine bar on Kongens Nytorv dating from 1723, crowded in December for its gløgg with almonds and raisins.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 37°F.
Schønnemann
Smørrebrød lunch restaurant open since 1877, with a long list of aquavit.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Torvehallerne
Two glass market halls with smørrebrød, fish, coffee and pastries.
Why now A cozy break on a 37°F day.
Royal Copenhagen Flagship Store
The porcelain maker's Renaissance house on Amagertorv, where set Christmas tables fill the upper floors each December.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 37°F.
Mikkeller Bar
Original Vesterbro bar of the Danish craft brewer, with 20 taps.
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Modern art museum and sculpture garden on the Øresund coast, 35 km north.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Nearby in January
- Odense in January~87 mi · highs 37°F, 2.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Aarhus in January~97 mi · highs 37°F, 2.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Berlin in January~221 mi · highs 35°F, 2.1 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Potsdam in January~228 mi · highs 36°F, 2.1 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
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.
Copenhagen in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Copenhagen?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 40/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May – September. Expect highs of 37°F (3°C) and 2.4 in (61 mm) of rain. Our Scandinavian Capitals route recommends Jun – Aug, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Copenhagen in January?
Average highs are 37°F (3°C) and average lows 31°F (0°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Copenhagen in January?
Some: about 2.4 in (61 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 27.4 in (697 mm).
What should I pack for Copenhagen in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 31°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely), windproof shell (average wind 11 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Copenhagen
Planning Copenhagen in January?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.