Where to Travel in February

Carnival time sees Europe beginning to wake up from its long cold winter with places such as Venice, Prague and Nice at their very best. Further afield, February offers the opportunity to go wildlife spotting in Uganda and to enjoy the beaches in Ghana. But if you’re not yet ready to wave goodbye to the atmospheric chill and low light of winter, then it has to be Reykjavik, where you might just catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

Relax on the beaches of Ghana

Ghana

Located along the bottom of West Africa, Ghana delights travellers with an explosion of colour, drum beats and natural attractions. October to March is the best time to visit, when the weather is cooler and you’ll avoid the rainy season (from April to June). With average temperatures ranging 25–35 °C, it’s the perfect season for enjoying the country’s 350-mile stretch of golden coastline, accessible from Ghana’s capital of Accra.

Because it’s the dry season, February is also a good time to spot wildlife, particularly the elephants of Mole National Park.

Get into the carnival spirit in Venice

Venice

Venice in the winter is a revelation – you can’t beat a romantic gondola ride huddled under a fluffy blanket, watching the mist rise from the water.

February also coincides with one of the most magical times in Venice – the Venice Carnival, which sees participants don beautiful masks and set sail along the city’s canals. Stay at the canalside Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel and you may even be able to see the celebrations from your private balcony. Naturally, there will be crowds in town for the Carnival itself, but stay on for a few days on either side to see the sights and explore its fascinating islands.

Discover Madeira’s natural side

Madeira

Because of its latitude, level with Morocco, Portugal’s island of Madeira enjoys an excellent climate, even in winter. While it may not quite be beach weather in February, with temperatures around 16°C to 18°C, it’s one of the warmest places you’ll find in Europe at this time of year. This makes it ideal for exploring the island’s natural attractions of verdant volcanic mountains and rugged beaches. The island is littered with hundreds of hiking trails of varying difficulty levels, making walking one of the best ways of discovering it all.

Go gorilla trekking in Uganda

Uganda maintains comfortably warm temperatures that hover around 25–30 °C year-round. Because of February’s dry weather and fewer travellers, it’s one of the best months for gorilla trekking in Bwindi’s Impenetrable Forest, bird watching, and wildlife spotting in its national parks such as Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls.

Experience the fun of the Nice Carnival

Located along the French Riviera, Nice never really gets below 7°C in winter and most of the time during the day, it will hover around 12°C. With plenty of winter sunshine, it makes for a delightful visit in February, strolling along the timelessly stylish city’s iconic Promenade Anglais and exploring the Old Town. You can even stay along the famous promenade by booking a room at the AC Hotel Nice.

February is, of course, the time of one of the city’s most anticipated events – the Nice Carnival, complete with parades, giant satirical puppets, funfairs and fireworks.

Join the party at the Cologne Carnival

Like several other European cities, Cologne celebrates its annual carnival in February. During this time, the whole city comes alive with parades, floats and street theatre and everyone comes out in fancy dress, filling the air with calls of ‘Kölle Alaaf!’, the traditional carnival cheer. The celebrations culminate in the burning of the Nubble (a straw figurine) on the night of Shrove Tuesday. Base yourself in the heart of the action at the Cologne Marriott Hotel just steps from the Rhine and a five-minute walk from the famous Cologne Cathedral.

Find your adventurous side in Oman

Oman

The winter is a great time of year to visit Oman, when the temperatures remain warm, but it’s still cool enough to enjoy the myriad of outdoor adventures the country has to offer. Camping in Sharqiya Sands desert, hiking in the mountains, and swimming in the wadis are just some of the things you can experience on a day trip from Muscat.

Temperatures range from around 18°C to 28°C depending on where you are in the country and, although February is the wettest time of year, showers are usually short, and the rain is minimal. February is also when you can catch the month-long Muscat Festival, a celebration of Omani culture.

Live the good life in Madrid

Madrid

Spain’s thrilling capital has a reputation for ‘la buena vida’ – living the good life. The city is compact and you can easily explore on foot between the seventeenth-century Plaza Mayor, the gorgeous Parque del Buen Retiro and the unmissable Museo Nacional del Prado. In the evening, Madrid gets going well after other European cities and you can enjoy superb restaurants, wonderfully historic bars and dance-until-dawn music venues, before laying your head down at one of the city’s elegant hotels.

Enjoy hot springs and Northern Lights in Reykjavik

Winter isn’t over yet in Europe – so make the most of it before spring arrives by heading to Iceland. The capital, Reykjavik, provides the perfect base from which to explore this wild and dramatic land. Witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles, the Northern Lights, marvel at the island’s mighty geysers and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience of climbing a glacier, before relaxing in the renowned Blue Lagoon, a natural thermal bath.

Discover the festival of Masopust in Prague

Prague's Charles Bridge

In February, Prague’s romantic, historic streets are covered in a powdery white carpet of snow, making everything look even more charming than usual. February is also when the Czechs celebrate Masopust, their version of the Carnival festivities before Lent. Literally meaning ‘meat fast’, Masopust brings parades of masked merrymakers and costumes symbolising the beginning of spring. Make sure to try Zabijacka, the pre-Lent pork feast, served with sauerkraut. Base yourself near the Old Town for the celebrations by booking a room at the Prague Marriott Hotel.

Published: July 26, 2022

Last Updated: December 01, 2022

Article Tags:  Cologne , Ghana , Madeira , Madrid , Nice , Oman , Prague , Reykjavik , Uganda , Venice