A European honeymoon gives you short flights, little jet lag and the freedom to add a city to a beach. The best ones match how you like to travel together, so we’ve grouped these twelve by sun and sea, adventure and slow wellbeing. Each works for a long weekend, and most reward a week.
Sun and sea
1. Santorini, Greece
Whitewashed villages hang on the rim of a flooded volcanic caldera, and the sunsets from Oia and Imerovigli are famous for good reason. Book a cave-style suite with a private terrace, take a catamaran around the caldera and taste the island’s dry Assyrtiko whites. May, June and September give warm seas with fewer crowds than high summer. More Greek ideas are in our best places to visit in Greece.
Best for: Postcard sunsets and caldera views.
2. Amalfi Coast, Italy
Positano’s pastel houses spill down to the sea, Ravello’s gardens float above the coast and the boat rides between towns are unforgettable. Base yourself in one village and travel by ferry rather than car on the narrow coast road. Our Amalfi Coast guide and Positano weekend have the details.
Best for: La dolce vita, lemon groves and long lunches by the sea.
3. Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian islands, Croatia
Walk Dubrovnik’s city walls at golden hour, then island-hop by ferry or catamaran to Korčula, Hvar or the quieter Elafiti islands. The water is famously clear, and the seafood and local wines are excellent. Visit outside July and August if you can.
Best for: Couples who want history, swimming and island-hopping.
4. The Algarve, Portugal
Golden cliffs, sea caves and sheltered coves line Portugal’s southern coast, with dependable sunshine for much of the year. Kayak along the coast near Benagil, then pick a clifftop hotel between Lagos and Carvoeiro. Spring and autumn are lovely for coastal walks, such as the Seven Hanging Valleys trail, and seafood lunches in fishing towns.
Best for: Beach days with an easy, relaxed pace.
5. Mallorca, Spain
Beyond the resorts, Mallorca has stone villages in the Tramuntana mountains, rural finca hotels and calm coves. Deià and Sóller suit couples, and Palma gives you a stylish city for dinner. Take the old wooden train from Palma to Sóller for a slow, scenic day out.
Best for: Mixing a beach honeymoon with mountains and good food.
Adventure
6. Iceland
Waterfalls, black-sand beaches, glacier walks and geothermal lagoons make Iceland a honeymoon you’ll talk about for years. Drive the South Coast or the Golden Circle, stopping at waterfalls such as Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, and finish each day in a hot pool. In the darker months, the northern lights add magic, and in summer the daylight barely ends.
Best for: Adventurous couples who prefer drama to deckchairs.
7. Finnish Lapland, Finland
Lapland’s aurora season runs from autumn well into spring, and glass-roofed cabins let you watch the sky from bed. Days bring husky rides, snowshoe walks and saunas. Summer brings the midnight sun, when the sun doesn’t set at all.
Best for: Winter honeymoons and northern-lights hunting.
Tip: The aurora is never guaranteed. Book at least three or four nights in Lapland to give yourselves several clear-sky chances.
8. Madeira, Portugal
This green Atlantic island is mild all year, with dramatic cliffs and levada walks that follow old irrigation channels through laurel forest. Funchal has elegant hotels and good restaurants. Add a sunrise at Pico do Arieiro if you’re early risers.
Best for: Active couples who want hiking in a soft climate.
Slow travel and wellbeing
9. Lake Como, Italy
Grand villas and gardens line the shore, and ferries link Bellagio, Varenna and Tremezzo. It’s elegant, romantic and easy from Milan, which makes it a natural pairing with a Milan weekend.
Best for: Old-world glamour, boat days and spa hotels.
10. Tuscany, Italy
Stay in a restored farmhouse among the vineyards, spend the mornings in hilltop towns and the afternoons by the pool. Add a cooking class or a thermal spa. See our Tuscany guide for routes.
Best for: Food, wine and doing very little beautifully.
11. Provence, France
Lavender fields bloom in summer, and the rest of the year brings markets, rosé and stone villages such as Gordes and Roussillon. Rent a mas (farmhouse) and let the days drift between the morning market, a long lunch and a swim. Combine it with a few nights on the Riviera if you want the sea.
Best for: Slow, sensory travel.
12. Lake Bled, Slovenia
An island church in an emerald lake, a clifftop castle and the Julian Alps all around: Bled is small but spectacular. Row out to the island, walk the lakeshore and try the local cream cake. Bled Castle is open every day of the year.
Best for: Fairy-tale scenery on a shorter honeymoon.
How to choose
- Pure romance by the sea: Santorini or the Amalfi Coast.
- Adventure: Iceland, Lapland or Madeira.
- Winter honeymoon: Lapland, Madeira or Iceland.
- Food and wine first: Tuscany, Provence and the Amalfi Coast.
- Shorter break: Lake Bled, Lake Como or Mallorca, all easy from a major airport.
Want more ideas for two? See our guide to the most romantic destinations in Europe.
FAQ
Where is the most romantic honeymoon destination in Europe?
Santorini and the Amalfi Coast top most lists for their sea views and sunsets. Lake Como is the classic choice if you prefer elegance to beaches.
Where in Europe is warm for a winter honeymoon?
Madeira is mild all year. For guaranteed beach heat in winter, look further afield. For a snowy honeymoon instead, Finnish Lapland is the classic choice.
How long should a European honeymoon be?
A week suits one or two bases. A long weekend works well for Lake Bled, Lake Como or a city-plus-coast trip.
When is the best time for a Mediterranean honeymoon?
May, June and September usually bring warm seas, long days and fewer crowds than July and August.
