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Where is hot in February for a last-minute holiday?
In need of some respite from the winter weather? Then look to one of these sunshine havens for a vitamin D boost.
Feel the warm Caribbean sand between your toes, amble along the Sardinian coastline with a gelato in hand or discover Oman’s cultural capital before temperatures soar.
With the cost of holidays on the rise, we’ve also put together a round-up of the best-value winter sun destinations. And if you’re looking ahead to later in the year, our guide to the 10 cheapest places to go in 2023 is packed with inspiration and money-saving tips.
Where’s hot in Europe in February?
Tenerife
Average maximum temperature: 18°C
Tenerife is a photographer's dream with its otherwordly natural landscapes, bustling towns and villages, and its show-stopping active volcano Mount Teide. All of this can be enjoyed in February, when temperatures are comfortable and without the crowds or queues of high season.
Daytime temperatures range from 14 to 18°C in February, depending on where you go. Santa Cruz, Tenerife's capital, can hit 19°C at this time of year, while the mountainous town of Los Gigantes on the west coast is a bit cooler with highs of 14°C. While you can expect six hours of bright sunshine per day, there's also a chance of the odd shower at this time of year, so it's best to pack a waterproof jacket.
Weather aside, February is a good month to visit the island to attend the Carnival de la Santa Cruz. This annual fiesta sees the streets of Tenerife's capital burst into life as locals parade around in colourful costumes, singing, dancing and indulging before they fast for Lent. Don't worry about missing it during your visit as the festivities go on for 15 days.
Check with booking.com to easily compare and find accommodation deals in Tenerife.
Booking.com is the top-rated hotel-booking site in our survey and received five stars for its flexibility. Most bookings can be cancelled at short notice without penalty. The only way to be sure you've found the best rate is to call or email the hotel directly.
Find a Tenerife holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider's website: Jet 2, Hays Travel, Kuoni, Trailfinders and Saga
Sardinia
Average maximum temperature: 15°C
Italy is one of the prime destinations for ski holidays in the winter, but that doesn't mean you can't find milder weather (and crowd-free resorts) down south.
Sardinia, while not particularly hot, it's still pleasant in February, with highs of 15°C and around five hours of sunshine per day. There is a chance that you'll be caught out in a rainstorm during your visit, so be sure to pack a waterproof. But with plenty of cafés, restaurants, shops, and museums to dip in and out of, there's still lots to do if the heavens open.
There are various hiking trails, where you'll likely encounter one of the thousands of mysterious Bronze Age stone ruins dotted around the island known locally as nuraghi.
The coastal town of Castelsardo to the north west is particularly pretty with its colourful buildings spilling over the hillside, cobbled streets, an ancient castle and the Roccia dell'Elefante – a natural rock formation that looks like an elephant. There's also the Museo dell'Intreccio Mediterraneo, where you can try your hand at traditional Sardinian basket weaving.
Check with booking.com to easily compare and find accommodation deals in Sardinia.
Find a Sardinia holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Jet 2, Hays Travel, Kuoni, Trailfinders and Saga
Malta
Average maximum temperature: 15°C
While it's probably not warm enough for sunbathing, February is a great time to enjoy Malta's abundance of cultural attractions in the absence of high season throngs.
St Julian's Bay is the popular hub with a huge choice of places to eat, shop and sleep. Just 20 minutes away, Malta's Unesco World Heritage capital city, Valletta, makes for a great day trip.
Valletta is home to several beautiful churches, such as St John's Co-Cathedral and the 16th-century Casa Rocca Piccola palace. And as you soak in all of that history and stunning architecture, you can refuel inside the city's oldest coffee shop Caffee Cordina, which was established in 1837.
Check with booking.com to easily compare and find accommodation deals in Malta.
Find a Malta holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Jet 2, Hays Travel, Kuoni, Trailfinders and Saga
Long haul winter sun destinations for February
Maldives
Average maximum temperature: 31°C
With sunshine on tap, sparkly white beaches and blissful blue waters, the Maldives provide the ultimate tonic to British winter weather.
Whether it's an all-inclusive island resort or a secluded overwater villa you're after, there's plenty of choice across the 200 inhabited islands. While away sunny days by the pool or lazing in a hammock with a good book. Feeling more energetic? Opt for scuba diving among the vibrant reefs or a boat trip spotting wildlife.
February is a good time to visit the Maldives as it's outside of monsoon season (May to November) and the sea is calmer for water sports enthusiasts. Temperatures dance around a balmy 31°C with 10 hours of glorious sunshine a day, so be sure to pack the sun screen.
Check with booking.com to easily compare and find accommodation deals in Maldives.
Find a Maldives holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Hays Travel, Kuoni and Trailfinders
Oman
Average maximum temperature: 26°C
Oman offers plenty to see and do if lounging around the pool isn't your thing. But if it is, February has the perfect weather for crowd-free indulgence at a luxury resort. Temperatures hover around 26°C at this time of year, which is a much more bearable heat than its June highs of 40°C.
Muscat, Oman's charismatic capital, is a good base for first-timers to the country. Sandwiched between the Arabian sea and dramatic limestone cliffs, it’s a melting pot of traditional Arabian architecture and glitzy modern high rises. The city's skyline is characterised by the blue hues and brilliant white marble of its many mosques – with the crown jewel being the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, which houses an eight-tonne Swarovski chandelier.
Get lost in the souqs in search of the perfect souvenir or escape the heat with a trip to the opera house. You could also arrange a trip out to the wadis for a swim in one of the natural pools. More adventurous holidaymakers can hike or hang-glide over the Al Hajar mountains, visit a Bedouin camp or discover the remnants of Oman's ancient trade route.
Check with booking.com to easily compare and find accommodation deals in Oman.
Find an Oman holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Hays Travel, Kuoni and Trailfinders
Grenada
Average maximum temperature: 29°C
Known as the Spice Isle for the abundance of nutmeg, cinnamon and turmeric produced there, the Caribbean island of Grenada will provide you with a healthy dose of vitamin D, too.
In February, you'll get all the warmth and sunshine of the summer months without the risk of hurricanes. Daytime temperatures average at a sultry 29°C, with warm sea temperatures of 27°C.
Sip on fresh coconut water while you lounge on the Grand Anse Beach, or venture into the rainforests and hunt down a secluded waterfall. Take a snorkelling tour of Grenada's famous underwater sculpture park or pay a visit to the River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery, where you can sample some of the products. It's also worth pottering in souvenir shops of the island's capital Saint George's before tucking into a hearty national dish at a seaside restaurant.
If you’re watching the pennies, find out which Caribbean islands are the most affordable.
Check with booking.com to easily compare and find accommodation deals in Grenada.
Find a Grenada holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Hays Travel, Kuoni, Saga and Trailfinders
Weather data taken from Weather2Travel.com
