February is a special month to travel, characterized by a mix of opportunities between winter destinations and warm destinations, perfect for those who want to take a break from the coldest days of the year. The options are many, whether it's a ski vacation, cultural trips or tropical destinations where you can relax on the beach.
In this article, you will discover where to go in February to find the perfect destination based on your interests and the type of trip you want.
For winter lovers, February is one of the best months to enjoy snowy landscapes and evocative atmospheres. If you are wondering where to travel in February to take advantage of the ski season, some of the best European destinations await you. The French and Swiss Alps offer breathtaking scenery and world-famous ski slopes.
Chamonix in France and Zermatt in Switzerland are unmissable destinations for those seeking adrenaline and relaxation. In addition to skiing, you can immerse yourself in the culture of these places and discover picturesque villages, tasting typical Alpine cuisine.
If you want a trip more oriented towards culture and discovery, Prague and Budapest are cities that offer a perfect mix of history and romance. In February, these cities are less crowded than in the summer months, which allows you to explore museums, cathedrals and castles at your leisure. The evening lights reflecting on the snow create a fairytale atmosphere, making these places among the most fascinating places to visit.
If you want to escape the winter cold, there are many perfect tropical destinations. Maldives, for example, are the ideal choice for those seeking absolute relaxation and paradisiacal landscapes. With white beaches, crystal clear waters and luxury resorts, the Maldives are a perfect destination for February, especially if you want a holiday dedicated to wellness and comfort.
Another hot destination to consider is Southeast Asia. Countries like Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia offer pleasant temperatures during this time of year, as well as an extraordinary cultural richness. In Thailand, you can explore ancient temples in Bangkok, relax on the beaches of Phuket, or trek in the mountains of the north.
In Vietnam, February is the ideal time to discover fascinating cities like Hanoi or take a cruise on Halong Bay.
Those looking for an adventure can opt for a holiday in Kenya or Tanzania, where you can live the unique experience of a safari and observe wildlife in its natural habitat. These countries also offer beautiful beaches, such as those of Zanzibar, perfect for relaxing after an excursion in the savannah.
If you're looking to venture further afield, February is a great month to visit some of the Pacific's most fascinating islands, such as Hawaii or the Philippines. Hawaii, in particular, is ideal for those who love nature and outdoor activities, thanks to the presence of active volcanoes, breathtaking waterfalls and black sand beaches.
If you prefer more exotic and less touristy destinations, the Philippines offers pristine islands, such as Palawan and Boracay, where you can swim among coral reefs and discover postcard-perfect seascapes.
Latin America is also an excellent destination for February. Costa Rica and Colombia combine nature, culture and beaches. In Costa Rica, you can explore the rainforests, go rafting in the rivers or relax on the beaches of the Pacific or the Caribbean. Colombia, with cities like Cartagena and the Caribbean paradise of the San Andrés Islands, is perfect for those who want a warm vacation but do not want to give up on discovering the local culture.
February is also the perfect month to participate in unique events such as theRio de Janeiro Carnivalin Brazil or the Venice Carnival in Italy. These two events, although very different from each other, offer an extraordinary cultural experience. The Brazilian carnival is synonymous with color, music and partying in the streets, while the Venice carnival is more elegant and refined, with its famous masks and costumed balls in historic buildings.
If you are a sports fan, February is also the month in which the Super Bowl takes place in the United States, an unmissable event for those who love American football and the entertainment that accompanies the game.
1. Dubai
Among the cities to visit in February, we could not fail to include Dubai, the unstoppable capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is known for the rapid metamorphosis that in just over fifty years has seen it transform from a small outpost, surrounded by sand, to one of the most futuristic cities in the world: it is undoubtedly a place to see at least once in a lifetime.
Start your discovery of Dubai by stopping at the city's historic café, the Arabian Tea House , once home to a pearl merchant and now serving one of the best qahwa – typical Arabian coffee – among billowing linen curtains and ever-blooming gardens.
Explore the Deira district with its many traditional souks and characteristic shops selling gold and jewellery, spices and perfumes, and then continue your shopping by moving to the Dubai Marina promenade.
In this opulent district, and in its vicinity, are some of Dubai's main attractions, such as the Jumeirah Beach Residence, a complex of breathtaking buildings and skyscrapers built by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and home to luxury hotels and apartments. The stay is not for everyone's budget, let it be known - and the iconic artificial island Palm Jumeirah, a crazy architectural project that led to the construction of a palm-shaped island is home to some of the most opulent residences in the world.
You can reach the public part of Palm Jumeirah by hopping on the panoramic monorail of the city, and visit the hall of the imposing Atlantis Hotel, with its elegant design and all inspired by the Arab world. Not far away is also the Burj al-Arab, the sail-shaped hotel often portrayed as a symbol of Dubai in the world.
Continue your visit to the city by climbing the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, which with its 828 meters of height offers a truly breathtaking view of the entire city, then continue the daydream by taking a trip to the Dubai Mall, the largest shopping center in the world, home to more than 1000 stores, theme parks, cinemas, a luxury hotel and the Dubai Aquarium, the city aquarium that also boasts numerous records and is home to hundreds of marine animals.
Not just artificial canals, luxury malls and shopping, end your holiday in Dubai with an excursion to the nearby deserts of Lahbab and Margham. The range of possible experiences is very wide and goes from classic jeep excursions to an unforgettable flight in a hot air balloon.
2. Canary Islands
Sea in February, where to go? The Canary Islands are perfect if you are looking for a warm place to go in February. The largest of the Canary Islands and also the most visited. Tenerife is perfect for a warm getaway of a few days but also for a longer stay, and if you have the possibility of working remotely our advice is to consider this destination to enjoy the mild temperatures until late spring, when the beaches and places of interest begin to host an ever-increasing number of seasonal tourists.
There are so many things to see in Tenerife, starting from the climb to the highest mountain in Spain, the Teide, which is nothing other than an ancient volcano, once very active, whose ash and continuous eruptions led to the formation of the entire island.
On board a scooter, set off to discover the small coastal villages of white houses and stop to admire natural spectacles such as the imposing cliffs of Los Gigantes. Among the most beautiful beaches on the island you will find Playa Jardin, Playa del Bollullo, remote and wild, Playa de las Americas, perhaps the best known and a starting point for boat trips among the dolphins, and La Caleta, a jewel unknown to mass tourism and perfect for a slow read if you choose the island in February.
If you want to stay in Europe for a warm holiday in February, we recommend landing on the island of Gran Canaria. One of the names used by citizens and tourists for this volcanic earth dome is continent in miniature, and not by chance.
You will find yourself wandering among ancient calderas, very high gorges, sand dunes - like those of Maspalomas - and steep cliffs, always accompanied by a mild climate, which here resembles an eternal spring.
Gran Canaria is perfect for a stay of a few days - we recommend booking at least a week - but you will soon realize that it is possible to think of staying nestled on the island for longer periods of time, perhaps to work remotely and enjoy the Canarian hospitality and the nature that here never ceases to amaze.
Among the activities we recommend are a swim and a walk on the most beautiful beaches on the island, such as Las Canteras, Playa de GüiGüí and Arguineguin, and then an excursion or a couple of days' getaway to the rural villages of the interior.
Visit Santa Lucia de Tirajanas, Arucas and Tejeda, whose streets smell of typical almond and honey sweets, called bienmesabes, and where you can stay at the Parador de Cruz hotel, which offers one of the most beautiful views of the surrounding area. Before leaving the island, remember to stop by the Centro Atlántico d'Arte Moderna and take a photo of the sunset from the Mirador del Balcón.
3. Maldives
Among the places to go in February to stay warm we cannot fail to include the wonderful Maldives having more than 1000 coral islands forming the iconic atolls that embellish the shining waters of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives are the ideal place for those who want to spend entire days between breathtaking dives, slow reading and meditation.
Malé, the capital, offers many opportunities to discover the history and local traditions. We recommend a visit to the characteristic fish market and to the Hukuru Miskiiy, the oldest mosque in the country, present on the island since 1656. This place of worship is part of the Coral Stone Mosques, the group of mosques built thanks to the use of madrepores, typical calcareous corals, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After leaving the capital, head for the smaller islands, book a surfing lesson in the very local Thulusdhoo and treat yourself to a few hours of rest on a joali, the Maldivian inhabitants' favorite chair, halfway between a deckchair and a hammock, and perfect for naps lulled by the sound of the waves.
Add to the trip a snorkeling experience among sea turtles, manta rays and dolphins and if swimming is not your forte, consider a Arabian Nights dinner in the world's first underwater restaurant, Ithaa undersea restaurant, five meters below sea level, with an unforgettable view.
4. Jamaica
A place of honor among the gems of the Caribbean goes to Jamaica. February on the island awaits you with warm sunny days, especially on the coast, and with a list of activities that you will struggle to abandon at the end of the trip. A must-see is Kingston, surrounded by the Blue Mountains to the north - where we recommend you head if you love trekking and forests - and by some of the most beautiful beaches in the country to the south.
This lively capital, declared a Creative City of Music by UNESCO, is the economic and cultural center of the entire island. Stop by the National Gallery of Jamaica to learn more about the history of the country and don't miss a visit to the house museum of Bob Marley, the greatest exponent of reggae music who lived here for a long period of his life.
Finally, jump on one of the many boats that take you from Morgan's Harbour to Lime Cay, a favorite spot for locals, especially on Sundays, the day of rest, and one of the most beautiful islands to visit in the area.
Remember to bring lunch with you, though, because only nature awaits you! For a romantic evening, we recommend booking a boat trip to the Luminous Lagoon, the lagoon that shines at night thanks to the bioluminescence of microscopic algae, which truly know how to enchant all visitors.
Finally, if you are looking for great adventures, you will find what you are looking for along the turquoise course of the Martha Brae River, where you can try rafting, or in Ocho Rios, in the north of the island. Once in the area, follow the signs for Dunn's River Falls, where you will have the opportunity to climb waterfalls up to 55 meters high.
5. Rio de Janeiro
Let's stay in South America for another memorable vacation if you are looking for a warm place to go in February. Folkloric, eccentric and globally known for the impressive carnival that is celebrated every year in its streets, Rio de Janeiro is the second most important city in Brazil, after Sao Paulo, and perhaps more famous than the capital itself: Brasilia.
There are so many things to do: first of all we recommend exploring Rio from above, reaching the Pão de Açúcar, the "sugar loaf", that is the granite and quartz monolith from which you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the city and the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema.
Another panoramic point not to be missed is the top of Corcovado, where you can observe Cristo Redentor up close, one of the symbols of the city and included among the seven wonders of the modern world. If you are too lazy to climb the 222 steps on foot you can opt for the train, which connects the hill to the city in a few minutes.
Also worthy of note are the nature trails that give an idea albeit in pills of the immense Brazilian biodiversity. We recommend a visit to the Botanical Garden, located in the rich Jardim Botânico neighborhood of the same name, among rare orchids and imperial palms, and an excursion to the Tijuca National Park, to discover the largest urban rainforest in the world.
For an evening like a true Carioca, we recommend stopping at one of the city's many clubs, such as Rio Scenarium or Bip Bip, and ordering a "chopp" - a thirst-quenching ice-cold beer, in Portuguese - or a caipirinha, the city's typical cocktail. You'll soon find yourself twirling to the sound of samba with the locals.
6. Morocco
Where to go in February in the heat, if not in Morocco. Morocco smells of mint tea and scorched earth, it is red dust and alleys encrusted with sand and salt. There are places that remain tangled in the mind and heart, and the westernmost country in North Africa is definitely one of them. Starting from Marrakech, a riot of voices and colors.
Take a few hours to lose yourself in the narrow alleys of the medina, to visit the Majorelle Garden and the Ben Joussef Madrasa, the largest Koranic school in the country and one of the most beautiful in the world, and at sunset go to Jamaa el-Fna square, to meet coachmen and snake charmers, street vendors of all kinds while, from the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque, the muezzin intones the call to prayer.
Rent a car and leave the ochre city to head north, stopping in Fes, less popular but ready to welcome you with its noisy souks, intricate medina and tanneries, perhaps the most unusual and characteristic places in all of Morocco.
Precisely for this reason, our advice is to take the right amount of time to discover the Chouara tannery, one of the most famous in the city, perhaps choosing to be accompanied by a local guide who can reveal anecdotes and curiosities.
Before returning south, take a trip to Chefchaouen, the blue city which, in addition to being very photogenic, has many places of interest including the great Al Aadam Mosque and the splendid Kasbah, the fortified citadel once home to the local authorities.
If you are very adventurous, consider an excursion to the Atlas Mountains, among Berber villages, canyons and red sand roads, or a night in Merzouga, among the high dunes of the Erg Chebbi desert.
Before leaving the country, don't forget to visit the South. Be ready to leave your heart in Essaouira, a pearl of salt overlooking the Atlantic Ocean where time seems to have stopped among the stalls of the fish market, among the tangled nets that fishermen, every day, fix by hand in the neighborhood squares.
Choose to stay in the typical Moroccan riads, welcoming and with always fascinating architecture, and before returning, stop to buy some precious Argan oil, often produced by hand by Moroccan women and a reason for female emancipation in the Maghreb.
7. Mexico
An extraordinary story that intersects ancient Indian cultures with more recent European ones; colors, contrasts, music and tropical scenery to transform a vacation in Mexico into the sweet memory of a dream just lived.
Set off for the most beautiful cities in the country: San Francisco de Campeche, with its pastel-colored houses and ancient bastions built to face pirate attacks, Guanajuato, built near the most important silver mines in the country and today known for being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and for hosting the Festival Internacional Cervantino, among the unmissable cultural events if you are in the area.
Visit San Cristóbal de las Casas, in Chiapas, if you are interested in discovering the culture of the indigenous populations, especially evident in the surrounding villages where you will have the opportunity to get to know the most sincere Mexico.
Take souvenir photo at the Museum of Mayan Medicine and then head to the beautiful Oaxaca de Juarez where you will find the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Oaxacan Painters, for an artistic journey through the most important works of Mexican painters.
By the way, an unmissable stop on the trip can only be the capital of the country, Mexico City, where after a walk to the Mercado de la Merced, the local market, and a stop at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, we recommend exploring the Coyoacán neighborhood where the Casa Azul is located, residence of the famous Mexican artist Frida Khalo and today one of the most important museums in the country.
A special mention goes to the Mayan and Aztec archaeological parks, which will leave you speechless regardless of your passion or not for history. The most famous are found in the states of Yucatán and Chiapas, where you will have the opportunity to completely immerse yourself in the culture of pre-Columbian civilizations. Stay in Yucatan for a dip in the cenotes, natural freshwater pools, and a few days of relaxation in Tulum, a popular destination on the Mayan Riviera.
8. Cuba
One of the most desired islands in the world, a destination for unusual and adventurous trips but also relaxing and sophisticated, Cuba is the ideal destination to escape the cold winter and spend an unforgettable February.
Choose it for a vacation long enough to give you the opportunity to get to know both the most touristic places and those less frequented by the crowds, opting for a rental car that will allow you to wander far and wide.
Enter the island from Havana, lively and always active, and dedicate a couple of days to its main points of interest: the Museo de la Revolución, the Plaza de la Catedral, the Bodeguita del Medio for a mojito to the rhythm of Cuban music and a ride along the Malecón, the city's waterfront, aboard one of the American vintage cars.
The largest island in the Caribbean is embellished by the white beaches of Varadero, the cobbled streets of Trinidad, the tiny hummingbirds that dot the skies of the forests of Humboldt National Park. Get out of the car and onto your bike: a wonderful ride awaits you from Baracoa in a southeasterly direction for a seafood lunch and breathtaking views far from mass tourism.
9. Miami
Situated along the South East coast of the United States, in Florida, Miami is a continental and international city with a tropical climate, which over the years has become one of the most popular destinations in the United States.
Among the main activities - but definitely touristy and crowded - there are days of relaxation and walks in South Beach , known for its numerous clubs and Art Deco buildings and for the beaches that turn pink at sunset.
Not far away, still south of the city, is the Villa Vizcaya, an Italian Renaissance-style residence, transformed into a museum and visited by thousands of people every year. Speaking of residences, head to the southern end of the city, Key West, where overlooking the island of Cuba you can explore the house that belonged to the writer Ernest Hemingway.
Take the opportunity for a lunch of freshly caught fish and immerse yourself in the local culture by purchasing tickets for a baseball game at Marlins Park, the main stadium in the city that houses, among the various memorabilia on display, paintings by artists such as Joan Miró and Roy Lichtenstein.
10. Koh Samui, Thailand
Known for its fine sandy beaches and turquoise waters, Koh Samui is not just synonymous with the sea to dive into and snorkel in, it is also full of places not to be missed!
Inland there are the two Na Muang waterfalls. Also worth a visit is the secret garden of Buddha, hidden in the mountains. For a taste of local life, we recommend a trip to the Fisherman Village which is held every Friday evening or to the Hua Tanon market, perfect for tasting local specialties.
The most famous beach on the island of Samui is Chaweng, on the east coast. The best beaches to enjoy the landscape are found in the northern part of the island: Bangrak, Bophut and Maenam.
February is the best month to stay in Koh Samui, both because it is hot (but not too much) and dry, and because this month is the month when Magha Puja takes place , one of the three main Buddhist festivals, which attract believers from all over the country who actively involve tourists in the celebrations.
