A Guide to the Most Romantic European Honeymoon Destinations for 2026 & 2027

Santorini, Greece

Let me paint you a picture. You've just gotten engaged, maybe it happened over a candlelit dinner, on a beach at sunset, or completely out of nowhere on a random Tuesday when he got down on one knee in your living room (honestly, the best ones are always a little unexpected). The ring is stunning, your friends are screaming, and now everyone is asking, "So... where are you honeymooning?"

If Europe crossed your mind even for a fleeting second, lean in. Because here's the truth no one tells you when you're drowning in Pinterest boards and venue tours: Europe might just be the most romantic honeymoon destination on earth, and 2026 and 2027 are shaping up to be the perfect years to go.

We're talking about sipping wine in a sun-drenched Tuscan vineyard. Watching the sun melt into the Aegean Sea from a whitewashed cliffside. Strolling cobblestone streets in Lisbon while the sound of fado drifts from an open window. Paris in the golden hour, when the Eiffel Tower glitters and the whole city feels like it was built just for the two of you.

Still scrolling through Bali and Maldives packages? No judgment, but give me just a few minutes to show you what's waiting for you on the other side of the Atlantic.

Why Europe Is the Best Honeymoon Destination for Couples Seeking Romance and Culture

There's something profoundly different about honeymooning in Europe. It's not just a trip, it's an experience layered with history, beauty, and the kind of slow, intentional living that makes you feel like time has actually paused for you both.

Unlike all-inclusive resorts (which, yes, have their appeal), Europe invites you to wander to discover a hidden trattoria down an unmarked alley, to share a bottle of local wine on a terrace overlooking ancient ruins, to fall even more in love simply by experiencing the world together.

Practically speaking, Europe also offers an unmatched variety. One honeymoon can take you from the romantic canals of Venice to the dramatic volcanic beaches of Santorini, from the lush Douro Valley wine country in Portugal to the lavender-scented countryside of Provence. You can design an experience that's uniquely, deeply yours.

And with direct transatlantic flights, a strong dollar against the euro, and a growing number of boutique hotels and luxury experiences designed specifically for couples, the logistics have never been more accessible.

Italy Honeymoon Ideas: Where Every Moment Feels Like a Scene from a Movie

Italy is, quite simply, made for love. The language is musical, the food is extraordinary, and the landscapes — from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the dramatic Amalfi Coast — are almost embarrassingly gorgeous. If there's a place on earth that was designed to celebrate new beginnings, it's Italy.

Beyond the classics (and Rome, Venice, and Florence are classics for good reason), here are some of the most unique and romantic things to do on an Italian honeymoon:

Sunrise hot air balloon over Tuscany's Val d'Orcia: Float above rolling vineyards and medieval hilltop towns as the world turns golden — just the two of you, a glass of Prosecco in hand, completely speechless.

Private truffle hunting in Umbria: Hire a local guide and his dogs to hunt for black truffles in the misty forests of Umbria, then retreat to a farmhouse kitchen to cook and eat what you found together.

Sunset boat tour on Lake Como: Hire a private wooden boat and a local skipper to glide past palatial villas and lemon-scented gardens as the Alps glow in the fading light.

A cooking class in a Sicilian masseria: Learn to make hand-rolled pasta and cannoli from a local nonna on a countryside estate. It's intimate, it's delicious, and you'll recreate it at home for years to come.

Best time to honeymoon in Italy: Late April through June, or September through October. You'll get warm weather, fewer crowds, and that gorgeous soft light that makes every photo look like a painting.

Greece Honeymoon Travel Guide: The Most Romantic Greek Islands for Newlyweds

If Italy is passionate, Greece is ethereal. There's a dreamlike quality to the Greek islands — the blinding white architecture against the deep blue Aegean, the unhurried pace of life, the way the sun seems to stay golden for hours before it sets. It's the kind of place where you completely forget the rest of the world exists.

Santorini gets all the attention (for good reason — it's breathtaking), but the Greek islands have so much more to offer couples who want to go deeper:

Private sailing charter around the Cyclades: Charter a traditional wooden caique and island-hop at your own pace — anchoring in hidden coves for a swim, exploring deserted beaches, dining onboard under the stars.

Couple's wine tasting on Santorini's volcanic terroir: The island's Assyrtiko wines are unlike anything you've tasted. Book a private sunset tasting at a cliffside winery in Oia — it will be one of the most memorable evenings of your honeymoon.

Escape to Naxos or Folegandros: For couples who want raw beauty and authentic Greek life without the Instagram crowds. These lesser-known islands offer stunning landscapes, fresh seafood, and genuine warmth.

Ancient ruins at golden hour: Book a private guided evening tour of sites like the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, where you can watch the sun sink into the sea surrounded by 2,500 years of history.

Best time to honeymoon in Greece: May, June, or September. The weather is perfect, the sea is warm, and you'll experience the magic without the peak July-August heat and crowds.

Portugal Honeymoon Tips: Europe's Most Underrated Romantic Escape

Here's a secret that well-traveled couples already know: Portugal might be the most romantic country in Europe that most people aren't honeymooning in yet. And that's exactly what makes it so special.

Portugal has everything — dramatic Atlantic coastlines, sun-baked Alentejo plains, centuries of explorers' history in Lisbon's winding streets, and the Douro Valley, one of the world's most beautiful wine regions. It's also one of the most affordable luxury destinations in Western Europe, which means your budget stretches further without sacrificing a single drop of elegance.

A Douro Valley river cruise and wine pairing: Sail slowly through the steeply terraced vineyards of the Douro on a traditional rabelo boat, stopping at historic quintas for private tastings of port and local varietals.

A private fado experience in Lisbon's Alfama district: Fado — Portugal's deeply emotional musical tradition — is best experienced in a small, candlelit tasca. It's hauntingly beautiful and uniquely Portuguese.

Alentejo wine and olive estate stay: Stay at a converted herdade (estate) in the golden plains of Alentejo, where you can ride horses through cork oak forests, take spa treatments in ancient stone buildings, and dine under the stars on hyper-local cuisine.

Sintra's fairytale palaces: Just 40 minutes from Lisbon, the hilltop town of Sintra is straight out of a storybook — misty forests, pastel-colored royal palaces, and views over the Atlantic. Visit on a weekday to have it nearly to yourselves.

Best time to honeymoon in Portugal: April through June, or September and October. The light in Portugal during these months is extraordinary — warm and golden, absolutely perfect for both exploring and relaxing.

Romantic Honeymoon in France Beyond Paris: Hidden Gems for Newlyweds

Paris, France

Of course, Paris belongs on this list. The City of Light is romantic in a way that defies explanation — you simply have to experience it. But France is so much more than Paris, and the most enchanting honeymoon itineraries weave both together.

Private perfume creation in Grasse: In the world capital of perfume, you can book a private atelier session to create your own bespoke scent together. You'll take home a fragrance that is exclusively, permanently yours.

Champagne house tour in Reims: Go behind the scenes at one of the great Champagne houses — wandering through chalk caves filled with aging bottles before sipping vintage cuvées in a private tasting room.

A mas (farmhouse) stay in Provence: Rent a private stone farmhouse among the lavender fields and olive groves of Provence. Cook morning omelettes with eggs from the garden, take long lunches in the shade, and lose all track of time.

Seine River dinner cruise at dusk: A classic for a reason. As the bateaux glide past Notre Dame, the Musée d'Orsay, and the glittering Eiffel Tower, you'll understand why Paris has been synonymous with love for centuries.

Best time to honeymoon in France: May and June for Paris, or July through August for Provence, when the lavender is in full bloom.

How to Plan the Best European Honeymoon Destination Trip in 2026 on Any Budget

One of the biggest misconceptions about a European honeymoon is that it requires a massive budget. The truth? Europe can be as lavish or as beautifully simple as you want it to be — and either way, it will feel extraordinary.

Here are a few insider tips for planning your honeymoon in Europe:

Book shoulder season. May-June and September-October offer the perfect combination of great weather, lower prices, and smaller crowds across all four of these destinations.

Invest in one splurge accommodation. Whether it's a cliffside suite in Santorini or a château in Bordeaux, one truly special place to stay sets the tone for the entire trip.

Combine two countries for variety. Italy + Greece, or France + Portugal, make for beautifully contrasting honeymoon chapters — the cultured and the sun-soaked, the elegant and the effortless.

Hire a local honeymoon planner. Local experts can access experiences and reservations that simply aren't available to the general public. The private wine cave dinner, the after-hours museum visit — these moments are worth every penny.

Your European Love Story Is Waiting

Here's what I want you to remember as you sit with all the options in front of you: your honeymoon is not just a vacation. It's the first chapter of your married life. It's the trip you'll describe to your children and grandchildren. It's the backdrop to photographs you'll still be looking at in forty years.

Europe has been the backdrop to love stories for millennia. And now it's ready to be the backdrop to yours.

Whether you're dreaming of a candlelit dinner in a Roman piazza, slow mornings on a Greek island terrace, the scent of lavender in a Provençal breeze, or glasses of Vinho Verde clinking at sunset over the Douro, Europe is ready to welcome you. Both of you.

So go ahead. Start dreaming. You've earned it.

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