Best warm European destinations in February.
Are you looking for destinations to enjoy the winter sun at its finest? Then you’ve come to the right place! Keep reading and I will tell you all about the best European destinations in February, with temperatures and more!
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Head for the islands; they are generally the warmest European destinations in February
In February, many European places will be covered in a big blanket of snow. But some places enjoy the sun all year long, without snow.
If you’re looking for warmth, head for the islands.
Not all islands of course, but the southernmost islands are pretty much a safe bet and I will tell you about them shortly.
The mainland in Europe is another story, there are some good places, but most countries are plainly cold. Keep reading to find all the good places, islands, and the mainland!
The best warm European destinations in February
To find the warm countries, you should head south. Here you’ll find destinations with temperatures up to 22°C, and minimal rainy days.
Let’s start exploring; these are the warmest destinations in Europe in February!
Canary Islands, Spain
Weather on the Canary Islands in February
High temperature: 22°C / 72°F
Low temperature: 15°C / 59°F
Rainy days: 3 days
The perfect destination for hiking, water activities, beach days and unusual landscapes.
The number one warmest destination in February is the Canary Islands! These volcanic islands are generally considered to be warmest in winter, which makes them a wonderful winter destination!
Let me tell you more about the Canary Islands.
Laying in the North Atlantic Ocean, only 100 kilometers west of Morocco, you can find the Canary Islands.
There are 8 islands in total:
- Tenerife: The best island for mountains, hiking and food
- Gran Canaria: Best island for mountains, history and food
- Lanzarote: Best island for landscapes, art and architecture
- Fuerteventura: Best island for beaches and water sports
- La Palma: Best island for nature and hiking
- La Gomera: Best island for hiking
- El Hierro: Best island for diving, hiking and escaping it all
- La Graciosa: Best island for beaches and going back to basics
All of the Canary Islands are similar in which activities they offer, like surfing, diving, hiking, or lying on the beach. It can be done on every island, but the (volcanic) landscapes are very different on all of them.
I’d say there is no perfect island to visit, you have to see them all. But if you have to choose, Tenerife or Gran Canaria are perfect for first-timers!
Sicily, Italy
Weather in Sicily in February
High temperature: 17°C / 63°F
Low temperature: 10°C / 50°F
Rainy days: 10 days
The perfect destination for exploring cities and hiking.
For this next destination, we’re traveling to sunny Italy! The lower island to be exact; Sicily.
With many cities, towns and natural sights to explore, Sicily makes for an extraordinary sun destination in February!
Make sure to check out:
- Cefalù
- Taormina
- Catania for one of world’s largest festivals: Festa di Sant’Agata
- Palermo
- Castellammare del Golfo
- Acireale for big pre-Lent celebrations
If you especially want to go hiking on Vulcano Etna, February is not the best time. In good circumstances, you can go skiing there, though, so that’s quite worth checking out!
Sicily also has many beaches, however too cold to lay on them, you may get lucky with some very warm days. But don’t visit Sicily in February if you’re looking for a beach destination.
Madeira, Portugal
Weather in Madeira in February
High temperature: 20° / 68°F
Low temperature: 14°C / 57°F
Rainy days: 10 days
The perfect destination for nature, hiking and road-tripping.
One of my absolute favorite European islands has to be Madeira. A few years ago I spent some time there in Spring and it was fantastic!
Madeira in Portugal, too, is an all-year-round travel destination. In summer, temperatures don’t exceed 30°C on a good day, and in winter average temperatures are 18°C, which makes it one of the best destinations to visit in February!
The best activities in Madeira in February are:
- Canyoning
- Relaxing in natural thermal pools
- Dolphin and whale watching (wear warm clothes though!)
- Surfing
- Hiking
- Enjoy some snow on the mountain tops
The best thing about visiting Madeira in winter is that the tours don’t shut down. They keep going all year round. And in February this is great because there’ll be next to no tourists there!
If you love nature, this island is perfect for you!
Fethiye, Turkey
Weather in Fethiye in February
High temperature: 16°C / 61°F
Low temperature: 7°C / 45°F
Rainy days: 11 days
The perfect destination for exploring historical sights and hiking.
In summer Fethiye may be overrun with tourists, and with good reason. It’s one of the most beautiful cities along southwest Turkey’s Turquoise Coast!
However not warm enough to lay on the beach, Fethiye is filled with amazing activities!
These are some great activities in Fethiye in winter:
- Go winter trekking: Check out how to walk from Fethiye To Kayaköy here!
- Explore the city center
- Stroll over the empty beaches
- Go paragliding over Mount Babadağ
- Discover the secrets of Amyntas Rock Tombs
You have to visit Fethiye in February and be blown away by its natural and historical sights!
Barcelona, Spain
Weather in Barcelona in February
High temperature: 16°C / 61°F
Low temperature: 8°C / 47°F
Rainy days: 5 days
The perfect destination for a city trip.
Barcelona is one of the most popular city trip destinations in Europe! However, this means there are nearly always tourist crowds…
Well, I’ve got some good news for you…
You won’t find many tourists in Barcelona in February. And this certainly adds a charm to the city that’s indescribable.
Make sure to:
- Admire the unique ‘’unfinished church’’: La Sagrada Familia
- Explore Montjuïc Castle
- Take a look at Arco de Triunfo de Barcelona
- Admire Gaudi’s work at: Park Güell, Casa Batlló, Güell Palace, and Casa Vicens
- Visit the Cathedral of Barcelona
- Explore Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya
- Walk by the Gothic Quarter
- Admire the wonderful Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Roaming the calm streets of Barcelona in February is something I can definitely recommend!
Lagos, Portugal
Weather in Lagos in February
High temperature: 16°C / 61°F
Low temperature: 9°C / 48°F
Rainy days: 14 days
The perfect destination for hiking, exploring historical gems and water activities.
If you’re looking for a diverse destination in February, Lagos is for you. With a cozy old town, scenic landscapes, and the amazing Atlantic Ocean, Lagos offers activities for everyone! Especially if you’re into surfing because you will be able to catch some pretty great waves here in February 😉
Make sure not to miss out on these activities:
- Go hiking on the Serra de Monchique
- Explore the old town of Lagos
- Catch some waves at Praia da Luz
- Visit the Castle of Silves
- Go whale and dolphin watching in Sagres
As you can see: Besides the good weather, there are tons of reasons to visit Lagos in February…
Lagos will surely blow your mind!
Seville, Spain
Weather in Seville in February
High temperature: 18°C / 65°F
Low temperature: 7°C / 45°F
Rainy days: 5 days
The perfect destination for a city trip.
From visiting the Royal Alcazar to exploring the sea aquarium, Seville is full of surprises! And with the lovely warm sun on your face, Seville will surely steal your heart!
One of the warmest places on the mainland of Spain in winter is Seville. And it’s not just a warm place, it’s a magical city with so many activities! In February it’ll be a tad too cold for sunbathing, so you should definitely explore the city!
These are some of the best activities in Seville:
- Be amazed by the Royal Alcazar de Seville
- Visit the Seville Cathedral
- Meet some fish at the Seville Sea Aquarium
- Admire the Plaza de España
- Go modern at the Metropol Parasol
To sum it up, Seville is one of the most perfect destinations for a city trip in winter!
The Azores, Portugal
Weather in The Azores in February
High temperature: 16°C / 61°F
Low temperature: 12°C / 54°F
Rainy days: 10 days
The perfect destination for hiking and nature.
One of my favorite places in all of Europe is the Azores! I haven’t actually been here yet, but I’ve planned countless trips there that all got canceled, so I do know a bit about what the Azores look like and what to expect.
The Azores is a Portuguese island group in the North Atlantic Ocean. Made up of 9 unique volcanic islands, the Azores are often referred to as the ‘’Hawaii of Europe’’. The Azores are so incredibly green with sceneries you couldn’t even have dreamed of!
Let me describe the islands to you:
The Western Islands:
- Corvo: The smallest, remote island that’s perfect for hiking through calm nature.
- Flores: Arguably the most beautiful island, nature seekers will love!
The central islands:
- Graciosa: Beautiful island that’s perfect for a truly relaxing break
- Terceira: Third-largest island that’s perfect for experiencing the culture and getting lost in nature
- Sao Jorge: Unique long island with 55 km length and less than 7 km width. If you love natural pools, this is your island.
- Pico: Famous for its big volcano and most unusual lava formations.
- Faial: Known for its most arresting volcanic landscapes
The Eastern islands:
- Sao Miguel: The largest and most diverse island. Perfect for first-time visitors.
- Santa Maria: The southernmost and sunniest island of the Azores. Perfect if you want to squeeze some beach days into your trip.
This small list is not meant for you to choose the island you’re visiting, you’ll need to do some more research to figure out which island(s) are perfect for you!
Malta and Gozo
Weather in Malta and Gozo in February
High temperature: 16°C / 61°F
Low temperature: 9° / 48°F
Rainy days: 7 days
The perfect destination for exploring nature, historical sights and old towns.
One of the top warmest winter destinations in Europe is for sure Malta! With sea cliffs that’ll leave you breathless and cities like nothing you’ve ever seen before, Malta is a wonderful island! Plus, one of the main languages here is English, so it’s super accessible for people who don’t speak another language.
The best activities in Malta are:
- Explore Mdina and Rabat
- Get lost in the capital city: Valletta
- Discover the Blue Grotto
- Admire Popeye’s Village
But the Malta island group is a bit bigger than just Malta. With 2 more islands called Comino and Gozo, there are a lot more activities possible!
Comino is great for visiting the Blue Lagoon, urbex exploration, and discovering historical sights. But other than that, it’s just the smallest island.
You should also visit Gozo, the 2nd biggest island, with lots of activities. You can get there by boat from Malta.
The best things to do in Gozo:
- Be amazed by Xlendi Bay
- Explore Dwejra Bay
- Visit even more sea cliffs: Ta’ Cenc Cliffs
As you can see, Gozo is pretty amazing for its natural sights and sea cliffs.
All in all, Malta and Gozo should definitely be on your winter travel bucket list!
Albufeira, Portugal
Weather in Albufeira in February
High temperature: 17°C / 63°F
Low temperature: 8°C / 47°F
Rainy days: 5 days
The perfect destination for water activities, hiking and exploring towns.
Like Lagos, Albufeira is one of the best Portuguese winter destinations and deserves its mention. Albufeira’s the perfect place for a city trip, but also for exploring more of the Algarve, which is why I highly recommend renting a car in Albufeira and Lagos!
Make sure to:
- Relax on the beach on a hot sunny day
- Get lost in Albufeira’s city centre
- Go hiking (the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is great!)
- Explore inland Algarve by quad
- Go dolphin watching
- Surf the Atlantic winter waves
Albufeira and Lagos are great to combine in one trip, make sure to do so!
Cyprus
Weather in Cyprus in February
High temperature: 18°C / 65°F
Low temperature: 8°C / 47°F
Rainy days: 8 days
The perfect destination for hiking, relaxing and exploring historical sights.
One of the best places to admire the sea in winter is Cyprus! With deep blue and green colors that are more saturated than in summer, it’s spectacular!
Fortunately, this is not the only thing you can do in Cyprus in winter, it’s an island packed with activities, like:
- Go hiking in the Cyprus Mountains
- Rent a car and go on a road trip
- Indulge yourself in amazing cuisine
- Explore Paphos and its ancient history
- Relax at Cape Greco
Cyprus is such an amazing and surprising island to visit in February, it’s more than worth it!
Greek Islands
Weather in the Greek Islands in February
High temperature: 15°C / 59°F
Low temperature: 6°C / 43°F
Rainy days: 7 days
The perfect destination for enjoying island life and hiking.
Some people think the Greek islands are only worth visiting between June and September, but did you know that winter gives these islands a unique charm?
In February, the weather is still very mild which makes it the perfect weather for exploring the Greek Islands!
I would recommend visiting one or more of these islands:
- Crete
- Rhodes
- Corfu
- Zakynthos
- Kalymnos
- Santorini
It’s always nice to rent a car or scooter and just road trip the island and take in the sights. Here’s a full guide with everything you need to know about visiting the Greek Islands in winter!
Malaga, Spain
Weather in Malaga in February
High temperature: 18°C / 65°F
Low temperature: 8°C / 47°F
Rainy days: 4 days
The perfect destination for a city trip.
As a true gem in Andalusia, Malaga is an amazingly warm winter destination. With over 300 days of sunshine yearly, you’ll be sure to get some vitamin D in Malaga, even in winter.
These are the best things to do in Malaga in February:
- Explore the historic sights like the Alcazaba and the Roman Theatre
- Go on a food and wine tour (Spanish wines are heavenly!)
- Stroll down the Calle Marques de Larios
- Marvel at the Malaga Cathedral
- Take an evening walk on Playa Malagueta
Malaga is so centrally located, that you can easily do some day trips to Granada, Seville or Gibraltar. Malaga is the perfect city trip winter destination!
Aeolian Islands, Italy
Weather in the Aeolian Islands in February
High temperature: 14°C / 57°F
Low temperature: 7°C / 45°F
Rainy days: 6 days
The perfect destination for island hopping and volcanic landscapes.
However close the Aeolian Islands may be to Sicily, it’s not quite the same. These islands are a true summer paradise, that’s why they lose appeal to most tourists when the sun comes around less often.
But that’s actually a good thing.
Because you get to explore these islands without stumbling upon tourists and with great weather! Yes, the sun may hide a bit more, but it’s still there most of the time.
The Aeolian Islands are even a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
There are 8 islands, easily accessible by boat from Milazzo (Sicily). These are the islands:
Biggest and centrally located islands:
- Vulcano: The cheapest island with an active volcano and the best views
- Lipari: Largest island packed with activities and tours
- Salina: The greenest island
Western islands:
- Alicudi: The most remote and relaxing island filled with donkeys
- Filicudi: Island with the clearest water
Eastern islands:
- Panarea: Small and the most expensive island
- Basiluzzo: Too small to even notice but nice to spend a few hours here
- Stromboli: Volcanic landscapes and there’s even an active volcano where you can watch contained lava explosions!
You should take at least a week to go island hopping here in winter. You don’t need to visit them all, but I’d recommend visiting at least 3 islands to get a good look!
Gibraltar, British Overseas Territory
Weather in Gibraltar in February
High temperature: 17°C / 63°F
Low temperature: 11°C / 52°F
Rainy days: 7 days
The perfect destination for a city trip, hiking and water activities.
If you’ve never been to Gibraltar before, now is the time. I never knew Gibraltar was this beautiful until I saw a picture a few weeks back.
Did you know that Gibraltar is located on the south coast of Spain but is not actually a part of Spain? It’s a British Overseas Territory, which makes the official language in Gibraltar English.
And as if that isn’t interesting enough…
You will be amazed by a dominating rock in the middle of the city, that’s 426 meters high! Oh and there’s the monkeys…
MONKEYS?!
Yep, you heard that right. Gibraltar is the only place in Europe where a group of wild monkeys live. That’s crazy, right?!
Now that you’ve heard enough reasons to visit Gibraltar, here are some things to do there:
- Go dolphin and whale watching
- Admire the view from Gibraltar Skywalk
- Visit Europe point
- Meet some monkeys
- ExploreSt. Michael’s Cave
- Be amazed by the Windsor Suspension Bridge
- Go kite-surfing on a day trip to Tarifa
Gibraltar is a place I would highly recommend visiting in February!
Lisbon, Portugal
Weather in Lisbon in February
High temperature: 16°C / 61°F
Low temperature: 9°C / 48°F
Rainy days: 8 days
The perfect destination for a city trip.
Lisbon in Portugal is simply a city everyone falls in love with. With beautiful architecture, amazing activities, warm, sunny days and so much more, Lisbon is the perfect destination for a city trip in February!
Here are some of the best activities in Lisbon in February:
- Snap a photo of Tram 28 (no crowds!)
- Walk the walls of the Castelo de São Jorge
- Wander to one of the many viewpoints (miradours)
- Admire the views from the Hills of Alfama
- Go on a food and wine tour
- Visit the Jerónimos Monastery
If you were to get tired of the big city, you should take a day trip to Cascais or Sintra!
Mallorca, Spain
Weather in Mallorca in February
High temperature: 15°C / 59°F
Low temperature: 7°C / 45°F
Rainy days: 5 days
The perfect destination for hiking and luxury vacationing.
Beach and party island in summer and winter paradise in February, Mallorca is one of the best destinations on this list!
From wine tasting to hiking, Mallorca is an incredible diverse island to explore in winter!
Make sure to:
- Go on a wine tour
- Hike in the Tramuntana mountains
- Pamper yourself in a spa
- Explore the capital city: Palma
- Rent a jeep to explore the rugged terrain
- Stroll down an empty beach
Mallorca is an incredible island to visit in February, make sure you don’t miss out!
Antalya, Turkey
Weather in Antalya in February
High temperature: 16°C / 61°F
Low temperature: 10°C / 50°F
Rainy days: 7 days
The perfect destination for exploring historical sites and hiking.
As one of the most popular tourist destinations, Antalya has so much to offer, even in winter. When all the tourists have gone and a beautiful calm city remains, it’s your time to visit.
From pristine beaches to the Taurus mountains to historical sites, Antalya has it all!
You should go:
- Relax on a beach on a hot sunny day
- Explore the famous ruins, like Hadrian’s Gate
- Admire the Duden Waterfalls
- Meet some unique water creatures at the Antalya Aquarium
- Go shopping in the amazing city centre
Unlike many other destinations, Antalya is still very much alive in winter. Definitely a great place to visit in February!
Alicante, Spain
Weather in Alicante in February
High temperature: 18°C / 65°F
Low temperature: 7°C / 45°F
Rainy days: 2 days
The perfect destination for a city trip.
Located on the Costa Blanca in Spain, Alicante is an amazing place to go to escape the winter cold. With next to no crowds (as opposed to summer), delicious food, and of course a welcoming winter sun, Alicante should be your next winter destination!
These are the best activities in Alicante in February:
- Explore the calm old town of Alicante
- Visit the Mercado Central
- Admire the great Alicante Castle
- Stroll down the sandy beach
- Enjoy some paella or other local cuisine
Alicante is an awesome winter destination in Europe, you should explore it this February!
Final thoughts on warm European destinations in February
With this many amazing warm destinations in Europe, I know it’s hard to choose just one. Just know that every single destination in this list will make for a great vacation, there are no bad places 😉
Happy travels!
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