Cyprus in January, a quiet coast and snowy mountains

January is Cyprus’s most low-key month, and that has its charm. It isn’t beach weather, but it is the time for queue-free towns, mountain villages and, with luck, snow in the Troodos. Here’s the weather, how busy it is and the dates to note, based on WMO, CYSTAT and Central Bank figures. For winter as a whole, see Cyprus in winter.

January weather

In Larnaca the average high is 17.4 °C and the low 8 °C, and in Paphos 17.7 and 9.4 °C. Nicosia, inland, has a 5.8 °C low. It’s the wettest month at all four WMO stations, with 102 mm in Larnaca over 12.4 rainy days, and 165 mm at Prodromos in the Troodos, where the high doesn’t pass 6.9 °C and nights hover near freezing.

Skiing

According to the Cyprus Ski Club, the season on Mount Olympus usually starts in early January and runs to the end of March. In 2026 a day on the slopes cost €15 from Monday to Friday and €25 on Saturdays and Sundays. If the snow doesn’t come, the mountains still make a lovely walk among the pines. Lifts, runs and prices are in skiing in Cyprus.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Nicosia for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.

Holidays and festivities

The Central Bank of Cyprus lists 1 and 6 January as public holidays, which in 2027 fall on a Friday and a Wednesday. The nine Christmas villages chosen by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, including Agros, Kakopetria, Fikardou and Lefkara, stay open until 6 January 2027. All the dates are listed in public holidays in Cyprus.

Visitor numbers

According to CYSTAT, 112,100 visitors arrived in January 2025, the lowest figure of the year, and 121,625 in January 2026. From the UK, January 2025 brought 18,701, against more than 190,000 in July and August. It’s the moment to see Paphos, Nicosia or the ancient sites almost to yourself.

So you do not lose the morning at the ticket office, browse tickets and tours in Nicosia on GetYourGuide.

Getting there

I’ve only read Hermes’s summer 2026 schedule, which runs from April to October, so for January check the winter timetable for flights from your nearest UK airport, as I explain in flights to Cyprus.

Compared with the year before

January is small but growing. According to CYSTAT, January 2025 brought 27.4 % more visitors than January 2024, and in 2026 the figure rose again, to 121,625. UK arrivals were 18,701 in January 2025 and 19,180 in January 2026.

If you would rather go at your own pace, see the car hire deals in Nicosia: the earlier you book, the more cars are left to choose from.

What to pack

For the coast, mid-season layers and a waterproof, as lows drop to about 8 °C and it rains on more than a third of the days. For the Troodos, proper winter clothing, since the low at Prodromos is around 1 °C.

My January plan

A base in Nicosia or Paphos, a mountain day depending on the forecast and museums for the wet days. Light layers for the coast and a proper coat for the Troodos.

If you’re still undecided, compare with Cyprus in February, a little drier, or read the best time to visit Cyprus.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Nicosia for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.