Eight last-minute February Half Term getaways from Manchester Airport with flights from just £89pp return*

Next week marks the first big getaway of the year – February Half Term – with Manchester Airport expecting almost 1m passengers to pass through its terminals.

The good news, if you’ve not booked a holiday yet, is that it’s not too late to be among them. As the UK’s global gateway in the North, Manchester Airport offers direct flights to more than 200 destinations with around 50 airlines – meaning there are plenty of options to choose from and great deals still to be had.

If you’re tempted by a beach break, holiday favourites like Cyprus and the Canary Islands are warming up – but if you want a more cultural experience, it’s also a great time of year for a city break, with lower prices and smaller crowds at some of Europe’s most iconic sights.

Read on for some destination inspiration.

Milan

Fly direct with easyJet from only £89pp return.*

Milan is a global centre for fashion, and its iconic cathedral and the neighbouring square are the main draw for tourists. This February, there’s an additional draw - the city is hosting the Winter Olympics, and tickets remain available for events including curling and ice hockey for under 50 Euros per person at the time of writing. Mini-breakers can also use the city as a base to explore the Italian Lakes. Garda, Como and Lugano are all easily accessed by public transport.

Faro

Fly direct with Ryanair from only £101pp return.*

It might be a bit too early in the year for a beach holiday on the Algarve, with temperatures ranging from around 16C – 18C, but sunny weather is forecast for next week and conditions will be perfect for outdoor activities. The Via Algarviana is one of Portugal’s most popular hiking trails and will take you through quaint traditional villages, along coastal footpaths past scenic, secluded beaches, and through orchards of almond and orange trees in bloom. The Loulé Carnival, a colourful cultural festival marking the start of Lent which has echoes of Rio de Janeiro, takes place over three days from 15 – 17 February in the town of Loulé, 15 minutes by car from Faro.

Poznan

Fly direct with Ryanair from only £139pp return.*

Perhaps best known in Manchester for its football team, whose fans’ iconic goal celebrations have been emulated by Man City supporters, the Polish city of Poznan is packed with cultural interests, making it an ideal budget city break this February Half Term. Highlights include the eye-catching Mural Śródka, a mural on the side of a five-story building in the hipster Śródka neighbourhood packed with optical illusions, the daunting Imperial Castle and its surrounding gardens, and for lovers of artisanal pastries, there’s a Croissant Museum as well.

Bratislava

Fly direct with Ryanair from only £142pp return.*

Slovakia’s bohemian capital is awash with unique street art installations, like the iconic bronze statue of Cumil the Sewer Worker peeping up at passers-by from a manhole on a busy city centre street. Other quirky attractions in Bratislava include the ‘UFO tower’, a flying saucer shaped observation deck on one of the main city bridges. There is a burgeoning microbrewery scene here reminiscent of neighbouring Czechia, with taprooms scattered throughout the city, and nearby Devin Castle offers panoramic views over the Danube.

Barcelona

Fly direct with Ryanair from only £144pp return.*

2026 is a big year for Barcelona – it’s the year that’ll see the completion of two of its most iconic landmarks. An overhaul of Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium is due for completion in June, and that will be followed by the completion of La Sagrada Familia – Antoni Gaudí’s UNESCO-listed cathedral which has been under construction for over 100 years. Museums are open to visitors at both locations, and city breakers can also enjoy shopping and tapas on La Rambla in pleasant spring temperatures.

Paris

Fly direct with easyJet from only £145pp return.*

February Half Term coincides with Paris Fashion Week, one of the biggest events on the fashion calendar – and although the event itself is invitation-only, expect to see pop-up public exhibitions and displays in the windows of high-end retailers on the Champs-Élysées. It’s a great time of year to enjoy Paris’ most popular attractions too – they’ll be much less busy than they are in the summer.

Paphos

Fly direct with Ryanair from only £191pp return.*

Temperatures start to climb in the southern Mediterranean by February and in Paphos, the mercury often tips 20C by the middle of the month. That means the beach is an option – but avoiding the heat of summer makes for a much more comfortable experience in enjoying the city’s famous archaeological sites like Nea Paphos and the Tombs of the Kings.

Tenerife

Fly direct with Ryanair from only £194pp return.*

A great option for a family break at any time of year, Tenerife boasts one of the world’s largest water parks – Siam Park – along with a plethora of other family-friendly attractions. Better still, next week’s weather forecast is for clear skies and daytime temperatures between 22C and 24C – ideal for the beach.

*Prices quoted are the cheapest available return fare on the specified route between Friday 13 February and Sunday 22 February when booked directly through the named airline, for a trip of at least two nights, and are accurate at the time of publication. Prices quoted may not include hold baggage, seat selection or other optional extras.