Stockholm in January: a seasonal travel plan
Stockholm, Sweden. In january, the average daytime high is -0.4 °C and the night-time low is -4.6 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Choose a month
Selected month: January
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Stockholm
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- -0.4 °C
- Nighttime low
- -4.6 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 51.8 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 11.4
- Daylight
- 7.0 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | -0.8 | -4.6 | 3.7 |
| Days 11–20 | -0.8 | -5.4 | 3.7 |
| From day 21 | 0.3 | -3.9 | 4.0 |
What this month is like
Stockholm, Sweden. In january, the average daytime high is -0.4 °C and the night-time low is -4.6 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
There are 11.4 wet days on average, with about 51.8 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Average daylight is 7.0 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What to pack
Pack a warm coat, thermal layers, a hat, gloves and insulated shoes with non-slip soles. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 1.0 °C, January — -0.4 °C, next month — 0.7 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 12.5, 11.4 and 9.8.
Things to do
Stockholm spreads over fourteen islands, and that shapes every route: Gamla Stan in the middle, Djurgården with its museums to the east, Södermalm with the viewpoints to the south. The metro and trams link the districts, though the old town and the quays are best covered on foot.
Gamla Stan and the Royal Palace
The lanes of the old town lead to the Royal Palace and Stortorget square. Walk through Mårten Trotzigs Gränd to the German Church, then come down to the quay for a view of the Riksdag from the water.
Djurgården: Vasa and Skansen
On Djurgården the Vasa Museum with its raised warship stands next to Skansen with its historic houses and animals. Start with Vasa, then give Skansen the rest of the day; in summer add a walk along the island's shoreline.
Södermalm and the views
The Monteliusvägen path above Södermalm looks across to Gamla Stan and the City Hall. Follow it down to the waterfront, walk to Fotografiska and end the day in the cafés around Mariatorget.
Where to stay
Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan suits anyone who wants to sleep inside the postcard, with the palace, the cathedral and the lanes a step away. Rooms cost more and the quarter empties in the evening, so dinners are better in Norrmalm.
Södermalm
Södermalm draws people for the water views, the bars and long walks along the quays. The old town is twenty minutes on foot, and the district stays lively all year rather than only in the tourist season.
Östermalm
Östermalm is the calm choice, with wide streets, Djurgården next door and the Östermalm food hall. It works well for families and quiet nights, though bars and late evenings are livelier across the water on Södermalm.
Getting to and around Stockholm
From Arlanda airport the Arlanda Express reaches Stockholm Central quickly, and commuter trains and buses cover the same route. In the city the metro, trams and ferries between islands do most of the work; tickets are bought in the app or from machines. The centre is compact enough that long stretches are worth walking.
Three days in Stockholm
Gamla Stan and the Riksdag
Begin in the lanes of the old town with the Royal Palace and the cathedral. In the afternoon cross the bridge to the Riksdag and climb the City Hall tower for the view.
Djurgården
Go to the Vasa Museum in the morning and spend the rest of the day at Skansen. Return by ferry or walk back along the Östermalm waterfront.
Södermalm and the water
Take the Monteliusvägen path for the panorama, drop down to Fotografiska and continue along the quay to Söder. In the evening take the ferry to Gamla Stan and have dinner in Norrmalm.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -0.4 | -4.6 | 51.8 | 11.4 | 7.0 |
| February | 0.7 | -3.9 | 42.9 | 9.8 | 9.2 |
| March | 4.2 | -1.9 | 42.3 | 10.3 | 11.8 |
| April | 8.8 | 0.9 | 33.4 | 8.2 | 14.5 |
| May | 15.0 | 6.0 | 54.2 | 8.4 | 17.0 |
| June | 20.8 | 11.7 | 56.6 | 9.4 | 18.5 |
| July | 22.5 | 13.7 | 69.2 | 12.0 | 17.8 |
| August | 21.8 | 13.5 | 68.2 | 12.4 | 15.5 |
| September | 17.2 | 9.9 | 56.6 | 10.0 | 12.9 |
| October | 10.4 | 5.2 | 62.2 | 9.9 | 10.3 |
| November | 4.5 | 1.1 | 61.0 | 12.0 | 7.7 |
| December | 1.0 | -2.6 | 53.3 | 12.5 | 6.2 |
Frequently asked questions
Stockholm: what is the temperature in January?
The average daytime high is -0.4 °C and the night-time low is -4.6 °C. Outdoor conditions are frosty. Keep walks short and alternate them with indoor stops.
How many days with precipitation are there in January?
On average, there are 11.4 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 51.8 mm. There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What should I pack for walks in January?
Pack a warm coat, thermal layers, a hat, gloves and insulated shoes with non-slip soles. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — -0.8 °C; 11–20 — -0.8 °C; 21 to month-end — 0.3 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in January?
The average is 7.0 hours. Daylight is limited. Set aside time for views and photographs before dusk.
Is Stockholm worth visiting in January?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around -0.4 °C and nights around -4.6 °C work for you. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
What can I do in Stockholm on a wet day in January?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Stockholm in January?
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Average daylight is 7.0 hours.