Quick Picks for February
February is a month of contrasts. In the northern hemisphere it is still deep winter, but it is also the time of major festivals and the height of the dry season in many warm destinations.
- For festivals: Carnival in Rio de Janeiro or Venice, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and Lunar New Year celebrations in parts of Asia (dates vary by year).
- For sun: the Caribbean, Mexico, Thailand, Costa Rica, and parts of Southern Africa and Australia.
- For snow: the Alps, Rockies, Japan and Scandinavia.
- For cities: Lisbon, Seville, Rome and other mild southern European cities.
Carnival and Festivals
Many February events follow a moving calendar, so check the exact dates for your year.
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Carnival is famous for samba parades and street parties. Accommodation fills early and prices rise sharply. Our Brazil travel itinerary covers Rio and what else fits in a trip.
- Venice, Italy. Carnival is known for elaborate masks and costumes. The city is already busy, so book well ahead. Our Italy winter travel guide covers Carnival and the rest of the season in Italy.
- New Orleans, USA. Mardi Gras season includes parades and events over several weeks before Fat Tuesday.
- Lunar New Year. Celebrated in China, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore and elsewhere. Many people travel domestically, which affects transport and prices, and some businesses close for several days. Our China travel checklist and 10 day Seoul itinerary help with planning in those countries.
Warm Escapes in February
- Caribbean and Mexico. Dry-season weather and lots of sunshine, with high demand around school breaks.
- Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Generally dry and warm in much of the region, though northern Vietnam can be cooler and misty. See our Vietnam itinerary for 10 days for how the regions differ.
- Costa Rica. Dry season suits beaches and wildlife viewing.
- Southern hemisphere. Cape Town and the Western Cape are warm and dry, and Australia is in summer, which means high temperatures in some regions.
- Canary Islands and Madeira. Mild rather than hot, popular with Europeans seeking a break from winter.
Snow and Winter Trips
February is often a good month for snow in mountain regions, but it also includes school-holiday periods in many countries, so slopes and resorts can be crowded. Hokkaido and other parts of Japan are known for snowy conditions. In Europe, Scandinavia and Iceland combine winter scenery with northern lights chances, which are never guaranteed. Iceland is also covered in our guide to the best places to travel in winter.
Romantic and City Breaks
Valentine’s Day makes couples’ trips popular. Paris, Rome, Prague and Vienna are standard choices, but restaurants fill up around the date. Booking ahead and choosing the days around the 14th can improve both availability and prices.
Warm and Cheap
Warm weather and low prices rarely arrive together in February because it is high season for warm places. A few ways to get the best of both:
- Choose destinations where costs on the ground are low, such as parts of Southeast Asia.
- Travel outside school-break weeks, when flights and hotels are typically cheaper.
- Look at Canary Islands packages, which can be good value for the weather.
- Use flexible-date searches to find cheaper departures.
Planning Notes
- Check dates for moving festivals, including Carnival, Lunar New Year and Ramadan in later years.
- Book accommodation early for festival cities and ski regions.
- Pack layers; February weather can change quickly.
For a month earlier, see places to travel in January.
FAQ
Where is the best holiday in February? It depends on your priorities. Sun seekers often choose the Caribbean or Thailand, skiers choose the Alps or Japan, and festival fans choose Rio, Venice or New Orleans.
Where is the cheapest place to fly to in February? Fares change daily and depend on where you start. Flexible search tools are the best way to see what is cheap on your dates.
Which country is best to travel to in February? There is no single best. Thailand, Costa Rica and South Africa are common warm-weather picks.
Where is warm in February and cheap? Parts of Southeast Asia and the Canary Islands are frequently mentioned, particularly outside school-holiday weeks.