Where Is Hot in February? The Best Places for Winter Sun

Where is hot in February? Quick comparison

The table shows typical daytime highs, which is what matters for lying by a pool or on a beach. Evenings are cooler everywhere on this list except the tropics, so pack a jumper for the Canaries and Madeira.

If you can manage a flight of around five hours, the resorts on Egypt's Red Sea coast are a step up in warmth from the Canaries and usually good value outside the school holidays.

Where is hot in February in Europe?

Honestly, not many places. Europe's warmest February weather is found on its Atlantic islands, which sit far enough south to escape the worst of winter. Anywhere on the mainland is better thought of as mild.

Canary Islands

The Canaries are the closest thing Europe has to guaranteed winter sun. Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura all see afternoons in the low twenties, with plenty of sunshine and very little rain on the southern coasts.

The sea is cool, at around 19°C, so a heated pool is worth looking for. The southern resorts of Tenerife and Gran Canaria tend to be the warmest and sunniest, while the north of each island is greener and more changeable. If you prefer something quieter, our Lanzarote destination guide covers the volcanic scenery, calm beaches and where to stay.

Madeira

Madeira is a couple of degrees cooler than the Canaries, with highs of around 19°C in Funchal. It's less of a beach destination and more of a walking and garden island, with dramatic cliffs, levada trails and a lively capital.

Go for the scenery and the mild climate rather than a tan. Rain is more likely than in the Canaries, especially in the mountains, so build in some flexible days.

Algarve and Malta

The Algarve and Malta are both popular in February, but it helps to be honest about the weather. Daytime highs sit around 16 to 17°C, which is pleasant for walking, golf and sightseeing but not warm enough for most people to sunbathe.

They work well for a cheaper winter break with a short flight of around three hours, and you'll often get bright, clear days. Just don't book either one expecting beach weather.

Short-haul sun within about 6 hours

Stretch your flight a little further and the temperatures climb. These three destinations sit within roughly six hours of the UK and are noticeably warmer than anywhere in Europe.

Morocco

Agadir, on Morocco's Atlantic coast, has highs of around 21°C in February and a long sandy beach. It's similar to the Canaries in warmth but adds a very different culture, with souks, mint tea and day trips into the Anti-Atlas mountains.

Marrakech is cooler, at around 20°C by day, and nights can be cold. Flight time: about 3.5 hours to Marrakech and close to 4 hours to Agadir from London. Morocco is usually an hour ahead of the UK, but its clocks change during Ramadan, so check the time difference for your dates.

Egypt

Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh on the Red Sea reach around 23°C in February, with almost no rain. The big draw is the sea itself: the reefs are among the best you can reach on a short flight, and snorkelling straight from the hotel beach is common.

Flight time: about five hours from London. Egypt is two hours ahead in winter. Evenings can feel cool and breezy, so take a light jacket. Most British visitors need a visa, so check the current rules on GOV.UK before you travel.

Cape Verde

Cape Verde, off the coast of West Africa, is the warmest option within about six hours, with highs of around 25°C. Sal and Boa Vista are the main holiday islands, known for long white beaches, steady trade winds and a large choice of all-inclusive hotels.

Flight time: about six hours. The wind keeps it comfortable but can make the beach feel cooler than the thermometer suggests, and it's a big draw for kitesurfers. There's an hour's time difference, with Cape Verde one hour behind the UK.

Long-haul destinations for guaranteed heat

If you want heat you can count on, long-haul is the answer. February falls in the dry season for most of these destinations, which makes it one of the best months of the year to visit.

Dubai

Dubai sits at around 25°C in February, which many people find more comfortable than the fierce heat of summer. It's about seven hours from London, with a four-hour time difference, and mixes beach days with shopping, desert trips and world-class restaurants.

Thailand

February is prime time on Thailand's Andaman coast, with highs of around 33°C, calm seas and low rainfall around Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta. Direct flights to Bangkok take around 12 hours, and you'll usually connect from there to the islands.

Thailand is seven hours ahead of the UK, so it suits a trip of ten days or more rather than a quick week.

The Caribbean

The Caribbean is in its dry season, with highs of around 29°C across islands such as Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia and Jamaica. Flights take roughly 8.5 to 10 hours depending on the island, and the islands are four to five hours behind the UK, which is easy on the body clock heading out.

The Maldives

The Maldives is warm all year, at around 31°C, but February is one of its driest and calmest months. It's ideal for snorkelling and lazy beach days, and less so for anyone who wants nightlife or sightseeing. Flights take about 10 to 11 hours.

Mexico

Cancún and the Riviera Maya reach around 29°C in February, in the heart of the dry season. Beyond the beaches you can visit Mayan sites such as Tulum and Chichén Itzá or swim in cenotes. The flight is about 10.5 hours, and Mexico's Caribbean coast is five hours behind the UK.

If one of these appeals, it's worth browsing our long-haul holiday deals to see which destinations have the best offers right now.

Best places to go for February half term

February half term usually falls in the middle of the month, though dates vary by council and school. With only a week to play with, flight length and time difference matter just as much as the weather.

For most families the Canaries are the simplest choice: no jet lag, short transfers and a huge range of hotels with kids' clubs and heated pools. Egypt and Cape Verde are worth a look if your children are happy with a slightly longer flight, and you can compare family holiday deals to see what's available for your dates.

How to find a good February holiday deal

• Avoid half term if you can. Prices for the same hotel often jump during the school holiday week, so the weeks either side are usually better value.
• Be flexible about your departure airport. Regional airports such as Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol have direct flights to the Canaries and Egypt, and the best fares are not always from London.
• Look at all-inclusive. In Egypt, Cape Verde and the Canaries, all-inclusive often works out cheaper than paying for meals and drinks separately, especially with children.
• Book parking early. February flights tend to leave early in the morning, and airport car parks fill up quickly in half term.

If you like to know your costs up front, browse all-inclusive holiday deals and compare them with room-only prices for the same resort. And once your flights are sorted, it's worth sorting your airport parking in advance rather than paying the drive-up rate on the day.