The 7 Best Places to Go in February 2026

Are you planning a holiday for February 2026? Whether it's the snow-capped peaks of the Alps or the sun-soaked beaches of the Caribbean, we’ve got you covered. If it’s the winter blues you want to escape or indulge in some snowsports, there’s so much more to February than sitting at home with the heating on full blast. Here are the best places to go in February 2026.

Where Are The Best Places to Visit in February 2026?

1. Rio de Janeiro – Brazil

Brazil – the home of samba, football and beach living – and that’s throughout the whole year. So what makes visiting Rio de Janeiro so special in February?

For a start, it’s Carnival season – this incredible event celebrates Brazil’s diversity, culture, history and more through huge street parties called blocos which carry on right through the night 'til the sun comes up. 

The Samba parade is the main attraction at Carnival, where the country's top Samba schools compete for the championship title. The competition is fierce with intricate floats, thumping bands, and world-class Samba dancers. It's held in the Sambodrone from 13th - 21st February 2026 – only Brazil would have a purpose-built stadium for samba parades!

While tickets are almost sold out, there are still some left here. However, if you want to be more spontaneous and flexible with your plans when visiting Rio in February, then tickets can sometimes be found through getting friendly with locals (make sure to learn a few handy Portuguese phrases before you visit).

While you're in Rio, you could also take a break from the lively Carnival settings and take a hike or a tram up to the iconic 38-metre-tall Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Mountain – one of the New Seven Wonders of the World – and enjoy the spectacular views over Guanabara Bay below.

2. Obergurgl – Austria

On the contrary, if you’re in search of snow rather than blazing hot sunshine, then a visit to the Austrian Alps, where you can expect some of the best skiing conditions anywhere in the world at this time of year is a must.

While there are many places in the Austrian Alps which experience heavy snowfall in February, Obergurgl is arguably the best place to visit. It’s the peak of the skiing season, so the conditions are guaranteed for fun on the slopes.

Moreover, the slopes at Obergurgl are aimed at everyone from beginners to experienced professionals, making it accessible for all levels of skiers. You’re guaranteed heavy snowfall, cosy lodges to retreat into at the end of the day, and some of the best skiing conditions anywhere in the world. 

3. The Maldives

If ever a country could define ‘tropical paradise’, it would be the Maldives. Made up of 26 atolls and found around 750km from the Asian continent’s mainland, this remote tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean is a dream come true for many sun-seekers.

February is one of the best months for the weather in the Maldives, with dry days and nights, and temperatures hovering around 30℃. As such, the crystal-clear waters are even more inviting than at other times of the year, and the conditions are perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving.

The Maldives are home to a rich array of marine life, and in February, you can expect to see all sorts around the South Asian country, including hundreds of species of colourful reef fish, as well as reef sharks, dolphins, sea turtles and manta rays.

Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast or all about lazy days on the beach, you can do a lot worse than visiting the Maldives in February 2026.

4. Punta Cana – Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic consistently ranks as the most-visited Caribbean country year after year, and the majority of these visitors come in the Northern Hemisphere’s winter months for the warm, dry weather.

And where better to stay than in Punta Cana, a resort town that was built especially for tourism? February is the heart of the dry season in the Dominican Republic, and as such, is arguably the best time of year to visit.

White-sand beaches and swaying palm trees line the shores of Punta Cana, while numerous all-inclusive resorts along the way offer you the chance to sit back and relax Caribbean style – with a rum concoction, of course.

The sea is also pleasantly warm, and February is not just great for swimming, but for seeing one of the ocean’s largest mammals – the humpback whale. This gentle giant calls the waters around Punta Cana home, and one of the largest populations of humpback whales anywhere in the world is found in these waters in February.

5. Reykjavik – Iceland

While some people seek the sun in February, others flock further north to extend their winter break – and who can blame them when countries like Iceland are thrown in the mix?

Reykjavik – the capital of Iceland – is just the place if you feel like you fall into the latter category. While the days are still short – around 7 to 8 hours of sunlight a day – you can guarantee cosy vibes, beautiful scenery and perhaps most famously, the Northern Lights.

Given that it is the most northerly capital in the world, Reykjavik is one of the few capital cities where you can see the Aurora Borealis from the city itself. It also helps that the population of Reykjavik is around 300,000, so there is very little light pollution.

Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon is just a short drive from Reykjavik, while glaciers and volcanoes (including the infamous live Eyjafjallajökull) are also only a short drive from the city. Iceland’s black beaches are also excellent to visit in the biting cold of February for a quiet beach walk.

6. New Orleans, Louisiana – USA

From a country as isolated as Iceland to a city as bustling as New Orleans, February is also one of the best months to visit Louisiana’s largest city, as the world-famous Mardi Gras takes place here every February (Tuesday, 17th February 2026).

Known for its vibrant parties year-round, New Orleans transforms into the party capital of the US every February with the Mardi Gras parade, which draws its route from Catholic tradition, being the final celebration before Lent – and as such, people are known to dress extravagantly, eat delicious food and party all throughout the day and night.

New Orleans’ streets transform into a burst of colour, and the Mardi Gras helps to celebrate the city’s diverse background, including elements of American, African and French festivities. 

If you want to experience some of the best celebrations anywhere in the world in February, then make your way to New Orleans.

7. Central Kalahari – Botswana

Further north in Africa, in places like the Serengeti (Tanzania/Kenya), the dry season is approaching, but in Botswana, February marks the beginning of the rainy season.

This might seem counterproductive, but the rains are generally short, intense downpours in the afternoons. What the real treat is, is that you will see the often-dry Kalahari transformed into a lush green paradise.

And it’s not just the rains that cause the grasses to grow, which is a spectacle in itself – the arrival of fresh grasses attracts huge numbers of animals – namely zebra, wildebeest, and antelope, who give birth in the safety of the tall grasses. 

Not only do you have the chance to see potentially hundreds of baby animals, but you also have the excellent chance to see plenty of predator-prey encounters, as the arrival of thousands of prey animals also means the arrival of hundreds of predators.

You can expect to see hyenas, lions, leopards, cheetahs and more as they all enter the densely populated Kalahari in February – one of the best chances to see so many different species of exotic wildlife in one place at any time of the year.