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Snow-capped Mount Taranaki at sunrise with golden tussock grass, reflective wetlands, and soft pink clouds – serene New Zealand landscape.
Wanderlust · 6 min read · January 30, 2026

Winter sun and snow breaks worth booking this February

Swap grey skies for winter sun, snowy adventures, or a laid-back city break. From Morocco’s medinas to Norway’s northern lights, here’s where to go now.

Short on time? Let us summarise this guide for you.

This guide rounds up the best February travel destinations, whether you're chasing winter sun, snow adventures, or romantic getaways. For sun-seekers, head to Senegal, Marrakech, Palawan, or New Zealand, each offering warmth, cultural experiences, and scenic escapes. Snow lovers can opt for Innsbruck for a flight-free ski trip or Svalbard for Arctic adventures under the northern lights. If romance is on your mind, Trieste offers a quieter alternative to Venice. Plus, this month’s recommended beach read is Smaller and Smaller Circles, a gripping Filipino crime novel set in Manila.

What you'll find in this guide:

This month’s beach read: Smaller and Smaller Circles, F.H. Batacan

Often called the first Filipino crime novel, Smaller and Smaller Circles is set in Manila and rooted in Philippine society. It follows two Jesuit priests who take matter into their own hands to investigate a string of murders in one of the poorest neighbourhoods in the city. When it won the Carlos Palanca Grand Prize for the English Novel in 1999, it proved that fiction can be both popular and literary.

Dakar | Senegal

Senegal ranks 116th – Good Trip Index Colourful wooden fishing boats on a sandy beach in Dakar, Senegal, with fishermen, rocky shore, and turquoise waves under a clear blue sky.

Straight off the back of an AFCON win, Senegal is an excellent budget alternative to the Canary Islands. February is dry season, and temperatures reach an average high of 25°C. That’ll do nicely for a bit of sunbathing.

It's five hours to the capital, Dakar, versus the four-and-a-half you'd take to Tenerife. For that extra time in the air you get the same reliable sunshine in a more exotic location, the chance to tick a new country off the bucket list and the same standard of service you'd expect from any resort.

Senegal does score poorly on our Good Trip Index, coming 129th in the world. This is in large part because of weak scores for women's and LGBTQI+ rights – for destinations that score higher on our Good Trip Index, take a look at our top picks for LGBTQ+ and female travellers.

Marrakech | Morocco

Morocco ranks 146th – Good Trip Index Bustling Marrakech market square at sunset with crowds shopping, rooftop cafés, pink buildings, and satellite-dotted rooftops – vibrant Moroccan cityscape.

Swap grey skies for terracotta walls and winter sun. February’s a sweet spot for Marrakech – warm days, cooler evenings, and way fewer crowds. It’s ideal if you want the city buzz without the chaos.

Wander the souks without melting in the summer heat. The medina’s a maze of colour and chaos – in the best way. Bargain for spices, ceramics, and lanterns you’ll probably have to stuff in your hand luggage.

After all that medina fun you’ll be ready for some calm. The bold blues, cacti, and a slower pace of Jardin Majorelle is just the ticket. Head to a hammam for a proper scrub and soak. There are plenty of local spots, or splash out at a spa if you’re feeling fancy.

Morocco also scores poorly on our Good Trip Index – 146th out of the 183 countries we have data for. For somewhere that scores higher, take a look at the rest of our list below.

Innsbruck | Austria

Austria rank 12th – Good Trip Index Snow-covered cityscape of Innsbruck, Austria with baroque church domes, colourful historic buildings, river, and alpine mountains in winter.

Innsbruck is your go-to destination for a more sustainable ski trip this February. A winter sleeper train opened last year, running twice a week between Brussels and Venice from February to the end of March. And it stops off in this snowy Austrian city that’s perfect for winter sports. So catch the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, hop on the sleeper train and you can hit the slopes without having to catch a flight.

There’s more to Innsbruck than ski resorts. It makes for a wonderful winter city break, boasting a charming medieval old town, a 16th-century imperial palace and a picturesque Renaissance castle. Its most famous landmark is the Goldenes Dachl, a golden roof adorned with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles.

Svalbard | Norway

Norway ranks 2nd – Good Trip Index Colourful wooden houses along the waterfront in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, with snow-streaked mountains in the golden Arctic sunset.

Snow, silence, and the northern lights. February in Svalbard feels like another planet.

Sitting halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, it’s one for the adventure seekers. Days are still short, but the sun starts creeping back in – and with it, your best chance of catching the aurora.

Dog sledding and snowmobiling are a must. Glide over frozen fjords and through mountain valleys with barely another soul in sight. And while you’re out in nature, why not visit an ice cave? Carved out beneath a glacier, it’s cold, eerie, and completely unforgettable.

Make sure to explore Longyearbyen too, the world’s northernmost town. Think cosy bars, polar history, and surprisingly good coffee. Don’t expect luxury, but do expect drama, isolation, and landscapes that’ll stick with you.

Trieste | Italy

Italy ranks 32nd – Good Trip Index Neoclassical church with green dome facing a canal lined with historic pastel buildings in Trieste, Italy – sunny European cityscape with waterfront charm.

Loved-up couples might be dreaming of Venice this Valentine’s Day, but it's no secret that the city is overcrowded and locals don’t want quite so many tourists to visit. Instead, head further east to Trieste, whose sparkling canals lined with picturesque bars and restaurants are quieter but just as romantic.

Trieste has spent most of its time as an Austrian city, so you won’t be surprised to find grand architecture and a thriving coffeehouse culture. Locals supposedly drink twice as much coffee as their fellow Italians, and Caffè Degli Specchi is the best-known place to drink it.

You can fly directly from the UK, or take the scenic route and hop on the Eurostar to Paris. After a spot of lunch, take the high-speed train to Milan or Venice then change for Trieste.

New Zealand

New Zealand ranks 10th – Good Trip Index Turquoise bay surrounded by lush green hills with anchored boats scattered across calm water under a partly cloudy sky – serene coastal landscape.

If you're looking to escape the dreary British weather then head to New Zealand, which in February is enjoying the height of summer. The warm days and nights make it the perfect time to book a camper van and hit the open road. Give yourself two weeks minimum to explore – the flight is long and you'll want to make the trip feel worth it.

There are two islands, North and South. The South is more mountainous and where you'll find popular sights like Mount Cook, Milford Sound, Lake Tekapo and Christchurch. The North is home to the capital city, Auckland, hot springs at Rotorua and the Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings films.

Palawan | Philippines

Philippines ranks 118th – Good Trip Index Tropical beach with palm trees and wooden beachfront villas beside clear turquoise water and lush green jungle – Cauayan Island Resort in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines.

Think lagoons, limestone cliffs and water so clear it barely looks real. February hits the sweet spot in Palawan – dry season, plenty of sun, and just before the crowds really ramp up. It’s island-hopping weather at its best.

Start in El Nido and boat your way through hidden beaches and turquoise lagoons. Snorkel or dive around coral reefs, or just admire the view from the boat. Turtles are regulars, and if you’re lucky, a dugong might glide by.

Stay in a beach hut or splash out on an overwater villa. Either way, it’s sandals-off, slow-living stuff.


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