There's no better way to keep your spirits up in the depths of winter than with a trip! Where to go in February? Here are a few ideas for getaways that should give you a boost.
Where to go in February in the sun?
If you're in the mood for sunshine and warmth, you'll need to head for other latitudes in February. Just a few hours' flight from Paris, Lanzarote is a must-see Canary Island destination, offering warmer temperatures than France in February! This volcanic island of rare beauty boasts beautiful sandy beaches contrasting with sites where vegetation grows as if by magic. Beyond its seaside attractions, it's hard not to fall under the spell of this island of volcanic caverns, lava lakes and pink soils, lit up by a permanent sun that gives the whole a beautiful luminosity. Your sunglasses and sunscreen will be indispensable allies.
For even more of a change of scenery, head to Asia for a vacation in the paradise of Bali. Temperatures are ideal in February for a relaxing holiday in the sun at a reasonable price. Its volcanic beaches offer an idyllic setting for sunbathing, and its rollers one of the best surfing spots in the world. Bali's must-see sites include rice terraces and numerous temples . The Gili Islands offer uninterrupted fiestas, as well as heavenly scuba-diving beaches to escape to during your stay. There's no doubt that the island of Bali has everything you need for an ideal destination!
If you're dreaming more of the Caribbean, Guadeloupe is just the place for you at this time of year! And the good news is that you'll be staying in France. No formalities, just your identity card. The hilly island of Grande-Terre boasts long, dreamy beaches with turquoise waters, such as those at Sainte-Anne. On the island of Basse-Terre, nature lovers will enjoy visiting the Guadeloupe National Park, with its Carbet Falls and the Grande Soufrière volcano. Then there are the small islands of Marie-Galante, Désirade and Les Saintes. Guadeloupe invites you not only to seaside pleasures, but also to discover its natural riches on land and at sea, such as the Cousteau reserve. All with summer temperatures, of course!
Where to go for a romantic getaway in February?
February is the month that also celebrates Valentine's Day, the festival of lovers. If you'd like to enjoy a more romantic getaway for your couple, check out our article on the best Valentine's Day destinations.
And what better way to combine a romantic vacation with sunshine and heavenly beaches than Zanzibar? Among the must-sees : endless beaches of white sand sparkling under a sun often shaded by beautiful clouds, lines of wild coconut palms swaying in the wind, a lagoon of crystal-clear water in 50 shades of blue thanks to the coral reef and changing with the tides. farniente, water sports, mixed culture, year-round sunshine and unspoilt nature: the picture is truly idyllic! And today, the dream of a romantic paradise is within everyone's reach. On the coasts, numerous resorts line up their bungalows along unspoilt beaches, amid lush vegetation, without spoiling the scenery.
Where to go in February in France?
Val d'Isère, a veritable gem in the heart of the Haute-Tarentaise, is perched at an altitude of 1,850 meters. This picturesque village is an enchantment, with its traditional wooden and stone chalets, striking Baroque church and lauze roofs. During the winter season, the resort is renowned for its exceptional snow cover, often earning it the nickname "temple of skiing". Right in the heart of a benchmark ski area (Val d'Isère is linked to Tignes-Le Lac and Tignes Val-Claret), it's a perfect destination to take your spatulas for a walk, and a village that's sure to win you over 100% of the time!
Every year in February, the streets of Nice are transformed under a never-ending shower of confetti, with countless costumes, giant parades and thousands of participants from all over the world. This enchanting, colorful atmosphere has been a tradition in the Alpes-Maritimes city for over 120 years. Much more than just a confetti battle, it's the very history of Nice itself. The event offers a varied program including daytime and nighttime carnival parades, the famous Battle of the Flowers, and the ritual of the King, who is symbolically burned on the last day of carnival on the beach, ending with a spectacular fireworks display. A unique event! Want to visit Nice for a weekend? Discover our dedicated program: How tovisit Nice in 2 days?
Where to go in February in Europe?
Slovenia may be a summer destination, thanks to its small Adriatic coastline and beautiful hiking trails, but winter is also a great time to discover a country often dubbed "the green jewel of Europe". In the Julian Alps, past the vast expanses of forest where wolves and bears live side by side, winter sports enthusiasts will be in for a treat. Skiing, in all its forms, remains Slovenia's number one activity. The country's main ski resorts include Kranjska Gora, Bohinj-Vogel and Kobla, Bovec (Kanin), Krvavec, Maribor Pohorje, Rogla and Bled-Zatrnik. Warm up!
Bavaria is a dream destination, a destination that has stood the test of time and always retained its charm and timeless beauty. Fascinating, it attracts millions of visitors every year thanks to the splendid panoramas with which nature has endowed it. Nature is naturally keen to preserve it, and the region is a stickler for environmental issues. The region is a pioneer in this field. The landscapes in the south of the region are breathtaking, with emerald lakes and snow-capped peaks. At the foot of the Alps, Bavaria is of course Germany's premier winter sports region. Bavaria's winter sports Mecca is Garmisch-Partenkirchen, home to the Zugspitze (2,962 m), the town's pride and joy! As well as downhill skiing, you can of course enjoy tobogganing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding...
Where to go in February for less?
Prague, which can be very inexpensive, is a superb destination to discover in winter. On the banks of the Vltava, palaces and mansions recall the colors of Venice. But the city of a hundred spires is not just a museum town. Right from the start, you'll discover a city that's just as beautiful, but much more hectic than most people think. Prague can then reveal other treasures, provided you take the trouble to stray from the most popular itineraries: nameless alleyways sheltering "kavárna" in which Czechs take refuge, quiet literary cafés whose existence you'd never guess from the outside, and always, whatever detour you take, unparalleled architectural beauty. And daring to visit Prague in the dead of winter is a great idea when a blanket of snow gives it the most romantic appearance and the crowds of tourists are still thin on the ground.
Portugal's leading tourist destination thanks to its privileged climate, golden beaches and lively seaside resorts, the Algarve also offers other possibilities that are often overlooked by travellers, such as itineraries in natural areas linking small fishing villages or mountain villages (serras) that have managed to preserve their authenticity. These are ideas that can be explored in the winter sunshine while planning a trip at a very reasonable price.
Where to spend three days in February?
Bruges... Its canals, cobbled streets, belfry, immense cathedrals and unspoilt medieval town. The perfect destination for three romantic days, or simply to discover one of Belgium's most beautiful cities. Old stone enthusiasts will be delighted by all this pretty city has to offer. Those touched by the grace of Gothic architecture or Flemish painting will be fascinated to discover places steeped in history, as well as the great masters and their major canvases scattered across the region's museums and churches. And a weekend in Bruges in the off-season means you can avoid the tourist crowds and stroll leisurely through the cobbled streets of this charming city.
A long weekend in Budapest is always a good idea. The city combines a variety of architectural styles, with a strong penchant for Baroque and Art Nouveau - topped off with sumptuous folk ceramics. From Buda Castle to St. Stephen's Basilica, via the banks of the Danube (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Mount Gellért and Europe's largest synagogue, to name but a few, there's no shortage of things to see and do in the Hungarian capital. And, in winter, what a pleasure to immerse yourself in the five-hundred-year-old Turkish baths to discover one of the great local specialities. We love it!
Where to go in February to discover the great outdoors?
For a winter of snowy beauty, head for Lapland in Finland, to Rovaniemi, home of the famous "Santa Claus". His fairytale village is right on the Arctic Circle, and you can meet him directly at his home if you're already feeling nostalgic for the festive season! But Lapland is also the kingdom of wide-open spaces and winter sports, with plenty to do on site : snowshoeing, night-time snowmobiling in search of the northern lights, dog-sledding... It's true that the average temperature at this time of year is -30°C, but the change of scenery is such that you won't regret braving the cold...
Where to go in February for a winter sports vacation?
For a breath of fresh air on the ski slopes, the many French ski resorts in the Alps and Pyrenees remain the best bet. But you could also go to Croatia in February! This small country, just 3 hours' flight from Paris, is not only a summer destination for bathing, it's also a great place for winter sports. North of Zagreb, and just 45 minutes from the city center, Mont Sliem is home to a superb ski resort on the Medvednica massif, at an altitude of 1,033 meters. And as the resort is easily accessible by streetcar and cable car from Zagreb, you can also take advantage of the opportunity to visit the city and enjoy its restaurants and nightlife.
Where to go in February for a nature getaway?
If you're in the mood for nature, but with milder temperatures, take a trip to the island of Dominica! Just a few hours by ferry from Guadeloupe and Martinique, this small country boasts lush green mountains perfect for hiking, as well as splendid, refreshing waterfalls. Don't miss a boat trip on the Indian River! A famous scene from the film "Pirates of the Caribbean" was filmed here, and the little cabin featured in the movie is still there!
Where to go in February for a cultural city trip?
Why not spend a few days in the South of France, discovering the Pink City? A former stronghold of the Visigoths, Toulouse is now a university, research and industrial city, specializing in aeronautical and space construction. On the route to Santiago de Compostela, the brick-and-stone Saint-Sernin Basilica, one of the world's largest Romanesque buildings, rivals in splendor the Jacobins Convent, a jewel of medieval Gothic art, or the Renaissance Hôtel d'Assézat. Toulouse also invites travelers to enjoy the seductive atmosphere of the banks of the Garonne and the beautiful Canal du Midi, built in the 17th century to link the Garonne to the Mediterranean Sea. And if you add to this Toulouse's generally sunny weather, even in the middle of February, Toulouse really is a destination to discover.
Where to go in February for a festive vacation?
February is the shortest month of the year, but it's still one of the most festive, as it's the month of carnival celebrations. And because it's carnival season, Düsseldorf is the perfect place for a carnival getaway. Less well known than the Cologne Carnival, the Düsseldorf Carnival is nevertheless one of the most beautiful and colorful in Germany , with its costume parades on the Königsallee and its many balls.
A return trip to Italy is also an opportunity to experience the Venice Carnival. It's a not-to-be-missed event, and you'll need to make arrangements well in advance for a colorful vacation. Once you've arrived in Venice, all you have to do is strut through the streets of the city center to watch the daily costume parades that bring the city to life with their shimmering colors.
Finally, if you want to stay in France in February, we recommend a visit to Mandelieu, in the PACA region, for the mimosa festival held there every year at this time. After an inaugural evening at the "Notre-Dame des Mimosas" chapel and the election of the Queen of the Mimosa, shows and, above all, mimosa-flowered corsos take place all over town. What a pleasure it is to take home a sprig of mimosa at the end of the parade!
Where to go in February for a family vacation?
We recommend Costa Rica as a great place to make memories with your family. You'll have the chance to discover all the biodiversity of a country that is a pioneer in ecotourism. Between beach, sun and river, an average temperature of 25°C, set off with your family to discover Costa Rica's volcanoes. The land of volcanoes is the country with the highest number of active craters in the world. Don't miss the chance to climb the Irazú volcano, ranked among the 10 most impressive in the world. Located 30 kilometers from the capital San Jose, this natural phenomenon will amaze every member of the family with its ascent and its dazzling colors. There's no doubt about it, Costa Rica promises some great escapades: click here to discover all the must-see places to visit.
You can also check out all our tips on where to go in March: enough to whet your travel appetite!
