Italy Bologna Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in Bologna is moderate
Bologna Weather in January — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 6° / 0°
- Rainfall
- 45mm · 7 days
- Crowds
- Quiet
As of 2026, Bologna in January averages a high of 6°C and low of 0°C with 45mm of rain over about 7 days. Cold, damp Po Valley winter — averages 6°C/0°C, often grey and foggy. A warm coat, scarf, gloves, and a hat. The porticoes shelter you from rain, so weatherproof shoes matter more than an umbrella.
January is moderate for Bologna.
January in Bologna is cold, damp, and quiet — the deepest of the Po Valley winter. It averages 6°C/0°C with frequent fog (nebbia) and low rainfall that often falls as drizzle.
The upside is that it's the cheapest, least crowded month — hotels are at yearly lows and the sights are calm. With 38km of porticoes, you can cross most of the historic center sheltered from the weather, which makes Bologna more winter-friendly than most Italian cities.
Travel score
Bologna January Weather Stats
Avg High
6°C
Avg Low
0°C
Rainy Days
7
45mm total
Sunshine
3h
Daily avg
Humidity
85%
damp
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
9 km/h
Gusts 20
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
35 μg/m³
PM10
55 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
4°C
Nighttime
-2°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
9 km/h
Max gust 20 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cheapest hotels of the year
- Fewest crowds at the sights
- Porticoes keep you sheltered from the weather
- Peak season for tortellini in brodo and ragù
Cons
- Cold and damp with persistent fog
- Short, often grey days
- Some trattorias on reduced winter hours
- Little outdoor café life
January Events & Festivals
- Winter sales (saldi invernali) begin (early January)
- Epiphany / La Befana (Jan 6) — public holiday
- Low season — cheapest hotels of the year
- Tortellini in brodo at its most fitting (winter comfort food)
Bologna in January — Full Picture
January in Bologna is cold, damp, and quiet — the deepest of the Po Valley winter. It averages 6°C/0°C with frequent fog (nebbia) and low rainfall that often falls as drizzle.
The upside is that it's the cheapest, least crowded month — hotels are at yearly lows and the sights are calm. With 38km of porticoes, you can cross most of the historic center sheltered from the weather, which makes Bologna more winter-friendly than most Italian cities.
This is peak comfort-food season: tortellini in brodo (in hot capon broth), rich tagliatelle al ragù, and lasagne taste best in the cold. Pair with Lambrusco at a cozy trattoria.
Winter sales (saldi) start in early January, good for shopping under the porticoes. Epiphany (Jan 6) is a public holiday with some closures.
Note: fog can be thick and persistent, days are short and often grey, and some family trattorias keep reduced winter hours. Bring a genuinely warm coat — the damp cold feels sharper than the numbers suggest.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Cold, damp Po Valley winter — averages 6°C/0°C, often grey and foggy. A warm coat, scarf, gloves, and a hat. The porticoes shelter you from rain, so weatherproof shoes matter more than an umbrella.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
18.3°C
8°C
8.7/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
29.7°C
17.7°C
6.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
20°C
10.7°C
9/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current7.3°C
0.7°C
7.3/mo
Bologna Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6° | 0° | 7d·45mm | 3h | 85% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 9° | 1° | 7d·45mm | 4h | 80% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 14° | 4° | 8d·55mm | 5h | 75% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 18° | 8° | 9d·65mm | 6h | 70% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 23° | 12° | 9d·60mm | 7h | 68% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| 27° | 16° | 8d·55mm | 8h | 65% | 8 | Busy | Peak | |
| 31° | 19° | 5d·40mm | 9h | 60% | 9 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 18° | 6d·50mm | 8.5h | 62% | 8 | Quiet | Low season | |
| September (Best) | 27° | 15° | 8d·70mm | 7h | 68% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| October (Best) | 20° | 11° | 9d·80mm | 5h | 75% | 4 | Busy | Peak |
| 13° | 6° | 10d·80mm | 3h | 82% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 7° | 1° | 8d·55mm | 2.5h | 85% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Bologna January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Bologna?
Bologna in January is moderate. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Bologna in January?
Bologna January averages a high of 6°C and a low of 0°C.
Does it rain much in Bologna in January?
Bologna January averages 45mm of rainfall over about 7 rainy days.
What should I wear in Bologna in January?
Cold, damp Po Valley winter — averages 6°C/0°C, often grey and foggy. A warm coat, scarf, gloves, and a hat. The porticoes shelter you from rain, so weatherproof shoes matter more than an umbrella.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Bologna in January?
Bologna January sunrise is 07:40 and sunset is 17:05, with 9h 25min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Bologna in January?
Bologna January air quality (AQI) averages 75, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 35μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Bologna in January?
In January, Bologna is great for Porticoes and indoor sights (San Petronio, Archiginnasio), Tortellini in brodo and ragù at cozy trattorias, Winter sales shopping under the porticoes.
Is January peak season in Bologna?
Bologna January crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Bologna
View Other Months
Planning a January trip to Bologna?
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Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.