The shortest month of the year is also one of the best for vacations. Frozen adventures, cozy romance and huge celebrations are all on the cards. Choose carefully and you’ll find the best places to travel in February may even offer all three.
Budget on your mind? Skip to KAYAK’s top data-backed picks based on popularity, flight, and hotel prices.
Best places to travel for Valentine’s Day
While it’s undeniably commercialized, February 14th is still an opportunity for romance. Across the world, cities, adults-only resorts, and hotels offer special deals and packages to lure in itchy-footed lovers. Here are some of the best vacation spots in February for romance, with a little relaxation thrown in for good measure.
1. Maldives
- Learn more: Malé travel guide
- Why visit in February? Long hot days, blue skies, and no worries.
If you’re going to do something extravagant for Valentine’s Day, do something really extravagant. There are plenty of glorious islands around the world, but none manage to maintain their magic quite like the Maldives. February is a dream—impossibly blue skies and luminous seas, long and dry days, light rains, and low humidity.
To be honest, you could pick any of the hundred-plus 5-star resorts and have the trip of a lifetime. The secret is to pick the thing you love most and choose the resort that does it best.
For a luxurious, laid back Valentine’s party, I can’t fault the W Maldives, which has just undergone a sumptuous revamp and is all new for 2025. If you don’t mind a third wheel, go snorkeling with resident reef turtle and island (turtle) celebrity, Bob. For loftier Valentine’s plans, try Gili Lankanfushi’s new ‘Honey-Lope’ micro wedding package and tie the knot in paradise.
2. Terni, Italy
- Why visit in February? It’s the home of Saint Valentine (and a lovely city).
What more appropriate way to celebrate February 14th than visiting the birthplace of Saint Valentine? Patron saint of lovers, name giver to the world’s most romantic day, friend to florists. Terni in Italy’s gorgeous Umbria region is your destination and a wonderful getaway at any time of year.
Your first stop should be the Basilica to tip your hat to the ashes of Bishop Valentino. Then it’s time for a walk, Pilgrims (and hikers) can now walk the Cammino di San Valentino. A 118 mile walking path, it connects some of the Conca di Terni’s most beautiful and evocative places. Take it in stages and enjoy wild forests, medieval villages, monasteries, local cultures, and amazing cuisine en route.
Back in the city, don’t miss some of the month-long celebrations. Highlights include the Saint Valentine’s Feast, but only if you’re engaged and getting married in 2025. For something more inclusive, the historic Valentine Fair along the Viale Trieste is always a treat. You’ll need to fly into Rome, a two-hour drive away.
3. Paris, France
- Learn more: The 24 best things to do in Paris
- Why visit in February? Pour l’amour.
Where other than the City of Love for a slice of Valentine-themed romance? France is one of the best countries to visit in February, and nothing says romance like Paris. The weather will be cool, but you’ll also find fewer tourists and lower prices.
In fact, you can use the February weather to your advantage. Whisper it, but this is actually the best time of year to enjoy Paris’s attractions. That’s because the great ones are mostly indoors, including candle-lit eateries, unique bars, museums, and the haunting catacombs.
Wander the bistros and bars of lovely Le Marais or follow the buzz in South Pigalle, Paris’s current hot spot. Stroll north into the 18th arrondissement where you’ll find the Moulin Rouge, Sacré Coeur, and restaurant Bouillon Pigalle. The restaurant du jour, it runs non-stop from midday to midnight serving indulgent French classics.
Best cheap places to travel in February in the US
With Black History Month and Mardi Gras, Valentine’s and President’s Days, the US is alive with great vacation spots in February. Culture infuses every aspect of these historic places and many attractions are free to enjoy.
4. Washington, D.C.
- Learn more: Washington D.C. travel guide
- Why visit in February? Make the most of Black History Month.
The nation’s capital is one of the best places to celebrate Black History Month. African American culture is intrinsic to Washington D.C.’s identity and it is home to some of the most important locations to explore black history, many of which don’t cost a cent.
Nowhere is that truer than at the Smithsonian National Museum of African History & Culture. An architectural icon, its four floors walk visitors through African American life in engaging and eye-opening detail.
Sure to be a focus point for much of Black History Month is Black Lives Matter Plaza on 16th Street just north of Lafayette Square. A beacon for protest, expect speeches and celebration atop the extraordinary yellow mural emblazoned beneath your feet. Finish your visit with a wander through the historic Shaw neighborhood for culture, entertainment, and some lovely local restaurants.
5. Steamboat Springs, Colorado
- Learn more: Steamboat Springs travel guide
- Why visit in February? Wild West winter sports and celebrations.
With winter on the way out, take a last chance to revel in the snowy outdoor activities at Steamboat Springs. Near the Wyoming border on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains, ‘Ski Town USA’ is famed for its champagne powder.
Skiing isn’t exactly cheap, but across six towing peaks, Ski Town serves hundreds of tourable trails and acres of skiable terrain that don’t require expensive lift passes. The hiking and ski touring are fantastic.
Skiing is only one of many jewels in this charming town. February 5th to 9th sees the 111th Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival kick off. Celebrating its unique mix of snow sports and Western heritage, there are parades and parties, crazy races, and giant stunts. It’s enormous fun.
6. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Learn more: Baton Rouge travel guide
- Why visit in February? Colorful history and Mardi Gras.
In a state with a reputation for colorful politics, Baton Rouge is a fitting place to spend President’s Day long weekend. Louisiana’s capital mixes nature, culture, and history effortlessly and is much more than a launch point into New Orleans.
The city’s historical star is undoubtedly the Old State Capitol, an outrageous Gothic Revival-style white castle. Rich in scandal and disaster, it’s apparently haunted by a senator who died there during a fiery debate. Don’t miss the lovely French Creole Magnolia Mound Plantation either, one of Baton Rouge’s oldest buildings.
On Sunday morning, go hungry to Mason’s Grill for its legendary weekend brunch and America’s best Bloody Mary(s). Work off the cajun food with a spot of afternoon crocodile spotting on a tour into the Bayou. And don’t forget, February is also Mardi Gras, so Frenchman Street and the Spanish Quarter will always be buzzing.
7. Tucson, Arizona
- Learn more: Tucson travel guide
- Why visit in February? For an escape into the wilderness.
With temperatures nudging the 70s and little to no rain, Tucson is something of a dream in February. Especially if you love to leave the world behind and hike.
Arizona’s second city is engulfed in the enormity of nature. Pass its borders in any direction and you’ll soon find yourself in alien landscapes. Sabino Canyons are the quick and easy option for a scenic stroll. My pick, however, is an hour south amid the desolate grandeur of Elephant Head.
A huge granite peak traversed by the well-worn East Ridge trail, its summit delivers eye-watering views over the Santa Rita Mountains to the east. Start from Chino Canyon for a challenging trek that takes in the ruins of Old Elephant Head Mill and the abandoned Quantrell Mine. At its peak, the bizarre but brilliant Elephant Shrine is framed by Baboquivari Peak in the distance. Magic.
Best places to travel in February for festivals
Cast your eyes to the horizon and you’ll find some wonderful festivals transforming cities and countries in February. Across the Caribbean and Europe, it’s carnival season. In Asia, the New Year signals new opportunities and an excuse for a party.
8. Trinidad and Tobago
- Why visit in February? Arrive early for the best carnival in the Caribbean.
They say that if Trinidad isn’t celebrating carnival, it’s preparing for it. You’ll find out as much if you’re there at the end of February in 2025. While the official carnival falls this year on March 3rd and 4th, the parties kick off from February 26th. They’re a great way to get into the spirit of the event without the crowds and prices of the main event.
Colorful costumes and outlandish parades are the norm. Dig deeper and you’ll find stick-fighting and limbo, calypso and Soca competitions, steel-brand parades, and historic reenactments. Events like the rerunning of the Canboulay Riots are a great way to get a deeper understanding of the Indigenous islander experience.
Tradition has it that carnival is followed by recovery. Stay for the main event and then hop over to Tobago and lovely Scarborough where you can rent a car to explore the island’s natural wonders. The Main Ridge Forest Reserve and Pirate’s Bay are highlights in the north, but my pick is the magical Store Bay and almost obscenely picturesque Pigeon Point Beach.
9. Patagonia, Argentina
- Why visit in February? A once in a lifetime road trip and perfect weather conditions.
Early February is peak season in Patagonia, so expect festivals, carnivals and crowds. But once you see the sheer scale of the place, you’ll realize crowds aren’t going to be a problem. Big mountains, big valleys, big lakes, and big skies – nature has done nothing by halves here.
I’ve opted for Argentinian rather than Chilean Patagonia, if only as an excuse to fly into Buenos Aires. From here track west across the country to the famed RN-40 highway, point yourself south and just go. The route guides you through huge arid grasslands and steppes and past precipitous Andean peaks. Keep an eye out for the granite monolith of Monte Fitz Roy, not that it’s easy to miss.
February conditions are perfect to get out amongst it all. Kayak the lakes of Los Glaciares National Park. Boat to the Perito Moreno Glacier for an unnervingly up-close encounter and if you can face the trip, commit to heading south for Ushuaia. The world’s southernmost city is the perfect launch point for expeditions into the Tierra del Fuego. Or even more spectacular, for ocean journeys south deep into the Antarctic.
10. Jaipur, India
- Learn more: Jaipur travel guide
- Why visit in February? Widen your horizons at the Jaipur Literature Festival.
India’s northern jewel is a vibrant and exciting city. February is the peak of Jaipur’s winter with dry, mild weather. It’s also when the Jaipur Literature Festival takes place in 2025
From January 30th to February 3rd, this book lover’s nirvana unfurls its pages across the city. The world’s largest free literary event, it attracts voracious readers and famed authors, deep thinkers and inspiring speakers. Events and exhibitions take place in palaces and forts. Bands and singers take to the music stage. Collective narratives and shared languages bring cultures and people together.
Make sure to look up from the pages every now and again, because Jaipur is beautiful. Colorful and exquisite, its architecture inspires, from the Isarlat Minaret to the city fort. None is more impressive than its most famous building, the pink-painted, incredibly intricate Hawa Mahal, “Palace of Breeze.”
11. Venice, Italy
- Learn more: Venice travel guide
- Why visit in February? Embrace the magic of the Carnival of Venice.
Venice, the Floating City, is a place of crushing beauty and a long history, of magic and mystery. Never is that truer than during the ten days of masked debauchery and decadence that mark the Carnival of Venice.
Wrapping the city in a veil of theater and music, the carnival dates back to the 12th century. On February 22nd, streets will erupt from the stillness of a Canaletto painting into a seething mass of masked partygoers. Don your finest garb and make for the Water Parade. Watch elaborately costumed Venetians float down the Grand Canal in extravagant gondolas. Hussle for a spot, grab some awesome street food and take in a spectacle like no other.
If you miss the grand opening, there’s a vast program of music, theater, circus and art to immerse yourself in. Venice at its most mysterious, busiest, and best.
Data-backed picks from KAYAK
If seasonal events aren’t on your wish list, why not consider one of the below destinations? These destinations are based on KAYAK flight and hotel data, taking into account budget, weather, and popularity (so you can avoid the crowds). For personalized recommendations based on your location and chosen destination check out the Best Time to Travel tool.
February vacation FAQs
The best vacation spots in February with the family are outdoors. Take a road trip to Death Valley while temperatures are bearable. Or make for the mountains with a ski vacation – Sun Valley in Idaho and Big Bear in California are both super family-friendly. KAYAK data points to the west coast hotspots of LA and San Diego for the best combination of prices and temperatures, and, of course, Kailua-Kona and Honolulu in the Hawaiian islands.
When it comes to flight prices, according to KAYAK data the best budget destinations are in the Americas – San Francisco in the US, Cartagena in Colombia and Puerto and San Juan in Puerto Rico the top choices. But for me, the best value is found in Southern Europe. Here temperatures are a little higher and hotel prices a little lower than northern Europe. For the best balance, Portugal’s stunning capital Lisbon and Barcelona in Spain stand out.
Discover more great places to travel
The following information refers to the destinations listed in the table.
Recommendation ranking within table:
Our recommendation ranking of where to go is calculated based on average flight prices, average hotel prices, popularity, average temperature, and average precipitation. Flight prices, hotel prices, popularity, and precipitation constitute inverse factors, the less the better. Average temperature optimal values are taken as the median for the destination, and a difference is calculated for the month from this reference point. The smaller the difference the more desirable the city is to visit in this month. This temperature factor is weighed double as much as popularity and precipitation.
From the ranked destination lists, destination exclusions may have been applied in cases of insufficient data or according to the official travel advisory at the time when the data analysis was conducted.
Flight and hotel prices:
Average prices are estimated from KAYAK internal data from the search period ‘2024-07-01’ to ‘2024-11-15’ for the travel period ‘2025-01-01 – 2025-02-28’. Flight prices include economy class return trips for one traveler, and hotel prices represent 3-stars or below hotels’ nightly rates for a standard double room. Price insights are subject to vary depending on the exact departure airport and over time as travel dates are approaching.
Popularity:
Monthly crowd estimates for each destination are determined by internal flight and hotel search data. This incorporates the latest historical insights from the past year collected on ‘2024-01-15’. For each destination, this popularity estimate is pulled for the particular month to gauge where it might not be too crowded.
Weather (average monthly temperature and precipitation):
Weather data is pulled from a third-party site, Weatherbase, and has not been verified by KAYAK. Monthly average temperature and precipitation data is based on historical insights from the past 102 years. Weatherbase data is updated in real-time from the US Census Bureau and other databases worldwide.
