Still haven’t decided where to go this February? Explore the best European city breaks in February and choose your favourite destination now!
February is a perfect month for a European city break. It is considered the low season in most destinations, meaning fewer crowds and lower accommodation rates.
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Some European cities enjoy warm, pleasant weather in February, suitable for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Others celebrate special festivals in February, offering their visitors an experience of a lifetime. Even the cold cities provide excellent opportunities for snow sports or indoor activities.
Where to go in Europe in February?
We have compiled a list of some popular European city break destinations to consider in February. Below are 12 of the best.
Paris, France
Paris is less crowded in February, so it offers the lowest airfares and off-season accommodation rates during the month. Being the world’s most romantic city, it is one of the best destinations to visit on Valentine’s Day.
You can cruise along the Seine River that runs through the city’s heart in a heated boat. During the tour, you will see famous Paris landmarks, such as the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame de Paris, and Institut de France.
For a funny and exciting experience, head to Disneyland and experience a lively adventure. Meet your favourite Disney characters and discover how the movies were made.
- Discover what you can do in 24 hours in Paris!
Venice, Italy
Venice, known as the “Floating City” or the “City of Canals,” is one of the top Italian tourist destinations. Grand canals, outstanding architecture, and rich culture are just a few of the city’s many impressive features.
With temperatures hovering around 8°C, February is one of the coldest months in Venice. Despite the cold, the city gets more popular in February because it is the time of Venice’s greatest celebration of the year: Venice Carnival.
The carnival is a vibrant event that sweeps Venice for a fortnight in the middle of February, bringing with it concerts and parades. People dress in distinctive Venetian costumes and masks while roaming the city streets. Even though it gets crowded due to the carnival, visiting Venice at that time is undoubtedly worth it due to the pleasant, upbeat atmosphere that hovers over the city.
Crete, Greece
Being the largest Greek island, Crete has almost everything to offer. It is renowned for its culture, historical significance, breathtaking vistas, and mountainscapes.
The island of Crete experiences Europe’s mildest winters, making it one of the ideal European city breaks in February. It is not about carnivals or huge events, but Crete is one of the warmest European regions during the coldest months. The daily average temperature in February is 9°C and can rise to a maximum of 16°C with chances of pleasant sunshine and clear skies.
Its pleasant climate draws tourists, even in winter, to explore the island and learn about its fascinating history and culture. The island’s breathtaking natural beauty inspires travellers to explore its mountains, beaches, gorges, and waterfalls.
- Read more about what you can do in Crete!
Madrid, Spain
Madrid is a rewarding city break in February as the weather is pleasant, the crowds are fewer, and the rates are at their lowest. The average temperature in February is 7°C; it can rise to a maximum of 12°C and drop to an average of 2°C. Such pleasant weather allows long walks and sightseeing tours exploring this bustling city.
Another reason to visit Madrid in February is that this is when it celebrates its biggest festival, the Madrid Carnival. Over a week, the celebration takes over the city with joyous activities, parades, music, dancing, food, and costumes. The carnival ends with the sardine burial, a famous tradition in which a fun funeral is made to symbolise burying the past and society’s rebirth.
- Discover more things to do in Madrid!
Barcelona, Spain
February in Barcelona is off-peak time, which means fewer crowds and lower accommodation rates. The weather is also quite pleasant, with an average temperature of 10°C. Therefore, a short February trip to Barcelona is a reasonable decision.
Another point of attraction to Barcelona in February is that it celebrates some quite exciting festivals at that time.
In the middle of February, Barcelona holds its best winter celebration, the Santa Eulalia festival. Numerous cultural activities for all ages take over the city streets and squares for a few days. The celebration involves processions, music, fireworks, human towers, the Giants of the Old City, and the city’s iconic dance, la Sardana.
- Discover more things to do in Barcelona!
Reykjavik, Iceland
February is a great time to visit Reykjavik, as the city is relatively quiet, and the weather is not as harsh as it can be in the winter months. Because it lies in the far north, the days are pretty short, with only a few hours of sunlight. The average temperature in February is around 0°C and can drop to -2°C.
Despite its cold weather, Reykjavik is a beautiful city offering many activities to enjoy. A trip to Reykjavik in February is an excellent opportunity to see the breathtaking Northern Lights because they are best visible when the nights are long and dark.
The Reykjavik Winter Lights Festival is another exciting way to explore the city and enjoy its vibrant nightlife. It is an annual event held in February, where the city is bustling with music, live performances, and exhibitions and illuminated with colourful lights.
- Discover more things to do in Reykjavik!
Girne, Cyprus
Girne, also known as Kyrenia, is an excellent European city break in February if you are looking for moderate weather and fewer crowds. The temperatures range from around 12 to 16°C, with a chance of some chilly and breezy days.
Girne is a small town known for its picturesque harbour, charming old town, and historical landmarks. You can visit the Old Harbour, surrounded by mountains and cultural attractions, and the Girne Castle, offering an amazing panoramic view of the sea and the city.
February is also an excellent time to explore the Eastern Mediterranean coast, with its sandy beaches, coves, and majestic mountains. It will probably be too cold to swim, but you can still enjoy the coastal walks and the scenic views.
- Discover more about Cyprus!
Algarve, Portugal
Algarve is one of the best European city breaks in February due to its mild weather and natural beauty. The average temperatures range from around 12 to 16°C, with a chance of rain.
Algarve is best known for its stunning golden shores. Even though it might be cold, the beaches are still great for walking, relaxing, and enjoying the scenery.
February is also when Algarve hosts the Semana de Chocolate (or chocolate week). It is an annual event in which producers from all around Portugal offer the best chocolates for sale.
Budapest, Hungary
February is an ideal month to visit Budapest, as the weather is typically cold but not too harsh, and the city is less crowded than during the summer months. The average temperatures range from -2°C to 2°C.
Budapest is a stunning city known for its rich history, culture, and architecture. It offers many indoor activities to enjoy in cold February weather, including visiting museums, historic buildings, and castles. The Hungarian National Museum and Buda Castle are great destinations to explore.
Budapest is home to several famous thermal baths, such as the Széchenyi thermal bath and the Gellért thermal bath. February is ideal for visiting thermal baths because it is a perfect opportunity to unwind and get warm in winter.
- Read more about the top attractions in Budapest
Bruges, Belgium
Bruges is cold in February but offers pleasant indoor activities with fewer crowds. Usually called the “Venice of the North,” Bruges’s architecture is reminiscent of Venice. The city is also home to scenic canals and lovely waterways, giving it a similar feel to Venice.
February is an excellent time to enjoy Bruges’ medieval architecture and cultural attractions. You can climb the Belfry of Bruges for breathtaking views or visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood and admire its Gothic architecture and decorated gables. You can also ride a horse-drawn carriage and appreciate the city’s beautiful architecture.
Last but not least, Bruges is world-famous for its chocolate. You can explore the city’s famous chocolate shops, such as The Chocolate Line and Dumon Chocolatier, where you can sample various chocolates and learn about the chocolate-making process.
Helsinki, Finland
If you are a snow and winter sports fan, visiting Helsinki in February would be ideal. The temperatures are often below zero, snow almost always covers the land, and the sunshine lasts only a few hours. Despite the cold and lack of daylight, there are still plenty of enjoyable winter activities in Helsinki during February.
There are several ski resorts near Helsinki where you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding, such as Vuokatti and Ruka. The city also has several outdoor ice-skating rinks open during the winter season.
You can take a guided safari through the snowy landscapes pulled by huskies or reindeer or take a snowmobile safari through the beautiful Finnish forest and across frozen lakes. You can also try ice fishing on one of the many icy lakes near the city.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh experiences cold weather in February, with an average temperature of 4°C. However, it is a fantastic February vacation spot because it provides a variety of indoor and outdoor activities and cultural events.
On a cold day in Edinburgh, you can visit the city’s top tourist attractions, museums, and galleries. For example, you can visit Edinburgh Castle, a historic castle perched on a hill in the heart of the city. You can also stroll along the Royal Mile, connecting the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle
As February is the month of love, Edinburgh is a lovely place to spend a romantic Valentine’s Day in style. Take a romantic hot-air balloon trip over the city while you two watch the sunset, and then enjoy a romantic dinner at a fine-dining restaurant. You can also enjoy a romantic stroll through the city or picnic in one of the beautiful parks, such as Holyrood Park.
More European City Breaks in February
If none of our listed cities appeals to you or you want other options, Europe has countless other cities perfect for a trip in February. Check out our other guides about European cities, including Amsterdam, Nice, Zurich, and London.
You might also love to know the top travel hidden gems in Europe; explore them now!
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