Last updated July 26, 2026 · Editorial policy
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February is peak season for sunshine escapes, Carnival and the Northern Lights. Below are 10 of the best places to travel in February — where to go for the best weather, events and value, each with why it shines this month.
Timing is everything in travel, and February suits some destinations far better than others. This guide picks 10 of the best places to go in February, balancing weather, seasonal events, crowds and value — from Rio de Janeiro to The Maldives and Phuket.
10 of the Best Places to Travel in February
1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
February is high summer in Rio and the month of Carnival, the world’s biggest street party, with warm days on Copacabana and Ipanema.
2. The Maldives
The Maldives is firmly in its dry season, with reliable sunshine, calm turquoise seas and warm water for diving and snorkelling.
3. Phuket, Thailand
February falls in Thailand’s cool, dry season, making it prime time for the beaches of Phuket and the Andaman coast.
4. Cape Town, South Africa
It is peak summer in Cape Town, with long sunny days for Table Mountain, the Cape beaches and the nearby Winelands.
5. Sydney, Australia
Australian summer is in full swing, with warm harbour swims and outdoor dining across Sydney.
6. Tokyo, Japan
February is crisp and clear in Tokyo, with winter illuminations, early plum blossoms and some of the year’s lowest crowds.
7. Finnish Lapland
Long, dark nights and deep snow make Lapland ideal for the Northern Lights, husky sledding and reindeer safaris.
8. Vienna, Austria
February is ball season in Vienna, when the imperial city swirls with waltzes, opera and cosy coffee houses.
9. Bali, Indonesia
Short tropical showers between sunny spells bring lush green rice terraces and low-season prices to Bali.
10. New Orleans, USA
February usually brings Mardi Gras to New Orleans, with parades, jazz and revelry through the French Quarter.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.