Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
San Sebastián in January
Little changes in San Sebastián from December: highs stay near 53°F (12°C), lows near 47°F (8°C), and about 5.0 in (126 mm) of rain falls.
With a comfort score of 54/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cloud cover.
- Avg high
- 53°F (12°C)
- Avg low
- 47°F (8°C)
- Rain
- 5.0 in (126 mm)
- Humidity
- 83%
- Cloud cover
- 79%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 08 min
- Comfort score
- 54/100 · Fair
What January feels like
Cool days top out near 53°F (12°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
Nights cool to an average low of 47°F (8°C).
Rain is a real factor, with about 5.0 in (126 mm) across the month.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 79%.
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 – October.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Comfort slips from 58/100 in December to 54/100.
- Our Basque Coast Food Trail route recommends May – Oct, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 53°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in San Sebastián 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.
Petritegi Sagardotegia
Traditional cider house with cider straight from the barrel and a set steak menu.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best Jan–Apr dinner.
Txomin Etxaniz
Long-standing txakoli winery in Getaria with vineyards above the sea.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 5.0 in of rain.
Borda Berri
Small bar making hot pintxos like pork cheek and risotto to order.
Why now Easy to slot in when January's rain moves in.
La Cuchara de San Telmo
Hot pintxos cooked to order, including foie gras and slow-cooked meats.
Why now Keeps part of the day dry on wetter January days.
Peine del Viento
Chillida's steel sculptures anchored into rocks at the end of Ondarreta.
Nearby in January
- Bilbao in January~48 mi · highs 54°F, 5.0 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Laguardia in January~61 mi · highs 48°F, 2.6 in rain · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, drier
- Barcelona in January~250 mi · highs 56°F, 1.3 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, drier
- Girona in January~261 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.
San Sebastián in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit San Sebastián?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 54/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are May – October. Expect highs of 53°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 San Sebastián in January?
Average highs are 53°F (12°C) and average lows 47°F (8°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in San Sebastián 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 42.1 in (1070 mm).
What should I pack for San Sebastián in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 53°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on San Sebastián
Planning San Sebastián 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.