Sweden Gothenburg Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in Gothenburg is low
Gothenburg Weather in January — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 1° / -3°
- Rainfall
- 60mm · 13 days
- Crowds
- Quiet
As of 2026, Gothenburg in January averages a high of 1°C and low of -3°C with 60mm of rain over about 13 days. Cold-wet winter. Heavy down coat, thermal Merino base layer, waterproof boots with grippy soles, wool scarf, gloves, hat. The Atlantic-coast climate means wet cold rather than dry cold — waterproof matters more than insulation depth. Hand warmers helpful for outdoor walks. Indoor cafés and museums run hot — under-layers should be removable.
January is low for Gothenburg.
January is Gothenburg's lowest-season month — cheapest hotels of the year, empty museums, and the city's serious indoor culture (Universeum, the Michelin restaurants, Gothenburg Symphony at the Concert Hall) is wide open with no booking pressure. The trade-off is brutal coastal weather: 1°C highs, 13 wet days per month, only 7 hours of daylight, and dark by 16:00. Lean fully indoors — the Universeum's 7-floor rainforest is the year's best escape from the cold.
Travel score
Gothenburg's cheapest month — empty museums + 1-Michelin tasting open + 7 hours of daylight
January Weather at a Glance
January in Gothenburg averages 34°F / 1°C highs and 27°F / -3°C lows with 60mm rainfall (often mixed with sleet) over 13 wet days. Humidity 88% makes the air feel raw. Only 7 hours of daylight — sunrise 08:45, sunset 15:50. Wind off the Kattegat sea brings felt temperature to -7°C on the breeziest days. Less snow than Stockholm but more rain — the Atlantic coast keeps Gothenburg's winter milder but wetter. Sea temperature stays at 4°C (no swimming).
January Travel Advice
Plan around the 12:00-15:00 daylight window for outdoor walks; everything before/after happens in darkness. Universeum (7-floor indoor rainforest) is Gothenburg's best January escape — heated to 24°C inside the rainforest dome. Liseberg is closed except for limited Halloween/Christmas seasonal events. Pre-book Bhoga / Koka 1-2 weeks ahead (easier than summer). Pack a proper waterproof — wet cold beats dry cold here.
January Pricing Trends
Year's lowest hotel pricing: Upper House $220-380/night (vs $400-650 summer), Clarion Hotel Post $130-230, mid-range 4-star $110-180. Flights from major hubs $400-800 (down from $800-1,500 summer peaks). January is the year's cheapest Gothenburg month for both lodging and air.
Gothenburg January Weather Stats
Avg High
1°C
Avg Low
-3°C
Rainy Days
13
60mm total
Sunshine
1h
Daily avg
Humidity
88%
humid
UV Index
0
Low
Wind
16 km/h
Gusts 45
Sea Temp
4°C
no swimming
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
15 μg/m³
PM10
28 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
-2°C
Nighttime
-7°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
16 km/h
Max gust 45 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hotels 30-40% off summer rates — central 4-stars from $130
- Empty Universeum + Volvo Museum + Konstmuseet
- Easier Michelin bookings (Bhoga + Koka + SK Mat & Människor + Sjömagasinet 1-2 weeks ahead)
- Winter sales at H&M, Acne, Filippa K
- Gothenburg Symphony season at peak
Cons
- Liseberg amusement park closed
- Only 7 hours of daylight (sunrise 08:45, sunset 15:50)
- 13 wet days per month — Atlantic-coast 'Göteborgsväder'
- Archipelago ferries reduced to weekday-only schedules
- Outdoor walks short and cold
January Events & Festivals
- New Year sales — H&M, Acne Studios, Filippa K reduce 30-50%
- Liseberg closed (reopens for spring season in April)
- Universeum + Volvo Museum + Konstmuseet full indoor season
Gothenburg in January — Full Picture
January is Gothenburg's lowest-season month — cheapest hotels of the year, empty museums, and the city's serious indoor culture (Universeum, the Michelin restaurants, Gothenburg Symphony at the Concert Hall) is wide open with no booking pressure. The trade-off is brutal coastal weather: 1°C highs, 13 wet days per month, only 7 hours of daylight, and dark by 16:00. Lean fully indoors — the Universeum's 7-floor rainforest is the year's best escape from the cold.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Cold-wet winter. Heavy down coat, thermal Merino base layer, waterproof boots with grippy soles, wool scarf, gloves, hat. The Atlantic-coast climate means wet cold rather than dry cold — waterproof matters more than insulation depth. Hand warmers helpful for outdoor walks. Indoor cafés and museums run hot — under-layers should be removable.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
10°C
2.7°C
10.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
19.7°C
13°C
12/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
11°C
7°C
13.7/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current1.7°C
-2.3°C
12.7/mo
Gothenburg Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1° | -3° | 13d·60mm | 1h | 88% | 0 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 1° | -3° | 11d·40mm | 2h | 86% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 5° | -1° | 11d·50mm | 4h | 80% | 2 | Quiet | Shoulder | |
| 10° | 2° | 10d·45mm | 6h | 75% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 15° | 7° | 10d·45mm | 8h | 70% | 4 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 18° | 11° | 11d·60mm | 9h | 71% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 21° | 14° | 12d·70mm | 9h | 73% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 20° | 14° | 13d·80mm | 7h | 76% | 4 | Very busy | Peak |
| 16° | 11° | 13d·75mm | 5h | 80% | 3 | Busy | Peak | |
| 11° | 7° | 14d·80mm | 3h | 84% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 6° | 3° | 14d·80mm | 1h | 88% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 3° | -1° | 14d·70mm | 1h | 89% | 0 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Gothenburg January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Gothenburg?
Gothenburg in January is low. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Gothenburg in January?
Gothenburg January averages a high of 1°C and a low of -3°C.
Does it rain much in Gothenburg in January?
Gothenburg January averages 60mm of rainfall over about 13 rainy days.
What should I wear in Gothenburg in January?
Cold-wet winter. Heavy down coat, thermal Merino base layer, waterproof boots with grippy soles, wool scarf, gloves, hat. The Atlantic-coast climate means wet cold rather than dry cold — waterproof matters more than insulation depth. Hand warmers helpful for outdoor walks. Indoor cafés and museums run hot — under-layers should be removable.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Gothenburg in January?
Gothenburg January sunrise is 08:45 and sunset is 15:50, with 7h 5min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Gothenburg in January?
Gothenburg January air quality (AQI) averages 45, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 15μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Gothenburg in January?
In January, Gothenburg is great for Universeum 7-floor indoor rainforest + planetarium, Volvo Museum free admission (heated), Konstmuseet + Maritime Museum indoor circuit.
Is January peak season in Gothenburg?
Gothenburg January crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Gothenburg
View Other Months
Planning a January trip to Gothenburg?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
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.