Newlyweds flock to popular European destinations like Greece, Croatia, Austria, Iceland, Switzerland, and Ireland to celebrate their honeymoons. Europe’s gorgeous and historic cities make for the perfect honeymoon destination.
But with so many places to choose from, it can be difficult to decide where you and your new spouse should go. And some popular destinations, like Santorini, the Greek Island of Mykonos, and the Italian island of Malta, are so full of tourists that it can be hard to enjoy the ancient beauty you’re there to see.
Here are six truly special European honeymoon destinations you will remember for the rest of your life.
Visit Paris, France for Your Honeymoon
Paris, the capital of France, is a shoo-in for one of Europe’s most romantic honeymoon destinations. Paris’ reputation for romance is well-known; in addition to being the City of Lights, its other popular moniker, the City of Love, cements Paris as a global Mecca for lovers.
Home of famous pieces of architecture like the modern Eiffel Tower and French gothic Notre Dame, as well as the crystal clear beaches of the French Riviera, France is a bucket list destination for many travel enthusiasts.
Romantic Things To Do in Paris
- Stroll through historic Montmartre
- Take in the Parisian views atop the Eiffel Tower
- Have dinner or go wine tasting at a French fine-dining restaurant
Stroll Through Historic Montmartre
Montmartre is a hilltop neighborhood in the 18th arrondissement from which visitors can get a spectacular view of the scenic Parisian city center.
Once a prominent locale for Paris’ most passionate artists and writers, the romantic atmosphere pervading this neighborhood is unmistakable — the local basilica, Sacré-Coeur, means “sacred heart.”
Stroll through its winding cobblestone streets, past iconic Parisian buildings like the Moulin Rouge, for a truly special honeymoon experience.
Take in the Parisien Views From Atop the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is symbolic of the City of Love. Standing at 1,083 feet tall, this tower was once the world’s tallest man-made structure and, to this day, provides visitors with the best view of the city and the beautiful Seine.
The Eiffel Tower’s operation hours may change depending on the time of the year. During the summer months, hours tend to range from 9:00 am to as late as 11:45 pm; from September 1st onward, the tower closes an hour earlier. The tower is lit up every evening and has a short light show at the start of every hour.
Have Dinner at a French Fine-Dining Restaurant
France is synonymous with good eating. The impact of French cuisine on the world cannot be understated: the modern-day restaurant was invented in Paris by legendary French chefs like L’Escoffier.
Arguably the world capital of fine dining, Paris is the perfect city for a romantic dinner and wine tasting. With over 44 Michelin star restaurants in the city, the most in any European city, your French dining experience is guaranteed to exceed expectations.
French ETIAS Requirements
The European Travel Information Authorization System is a travel security program that may affect your ability to enter France. Learn more about the ETIAS and how it could affect your honeymoon in Paris.
Visit Bruges, Belgium for Your Honeymoon
Bruges is the largest city in Flemish Belgium. It is known worldwide for its idyllic Medieval charm; the historic city center is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. For a romantic getaway in a fairy tale city for your honeymoon, it’s hard to do better than Bruges.
Romantic Things To Do in Bruges
- See Flemish countryside from atop the Belfry of Bruges
- Indulge at Bruges’ world-class chocolatiers
- Take a romantic canal tour through this Medieval city
See the Flemish Countryside From Atop the Belfry of Bruges
The Belfry of Bruges, or the Belfort, towers over the city’s central market at an impressive height of 88 metres. After ascending its 366 steps, visitors are rewarded with a view of Bruges’ Medieval architecture and the green Flanders fields surrounding the city.
The romantic vistas at the top of the Belfort will be a high point of any honeymoon experience. Hours of operation for the tower range from 9 am to 10 pm — plenty of opportunity for a great sunset view.
Indulge at Bruges’s World-Class Chocolatiers
Chocolate is one of the most romantic desserts and a given for a honeymoon dessert menu. Bruges is a must-see destination for newlyweds looking to indulge in rich chocolate confectioneries.
Belgium is renowned for its specialty chocolates. Bruges stands out even by Belgian standards as a haven for chocolate lovers. With a wide range of chocolatiers to choose from in the city, honeymooners looking to sate their sweet tooths will be in Heaven in Bruges.
Take a Romantic Canal Ride Through Medieval Bruges
Bruges’ winding canals are a signature feature of its charming atmosphere and bustling nightlife. Connecting the city’s waterways to the North sea coast, the Boudewijn Canal and its adjoining offshoots are scenic and historic parts of the city.
Intimate canal tours provide visitors a sightseeing opportunity to view Bruges’ most photogenic locations up close. Take photos you’ll cherish forever at gorgeous spots along the canal, like Gouden-Handrei.
Belgian ETIAS Requirements
Belgium may require you to have ETIAS approval before you can enter the country. Learn more about the countries that may introduce new travel requirements for your honeymoon in Europe.
Visit Verona, Italy for Your Honeymoon
Verona is Italy’s 11th-largest city, with around a quarter million population. Its distinctive baroque architecture from the Italian Middle Ages to the Roman era makes it a beautiful location.
Still, its storied history as the setting of Romeo and Juliet, one of the world’s most beloved love stories, makes Verona one of the best honeymoon destinations for newlyweds.
Plus, you can easily plan a day trip to see Michelangelo’s David in Florence, tour the beautiful village of Positano on the Amalfi Coast, taste the rich wines of Tuscany, swim in the clear waters of the Adriatic Sea, and visit other famous honeymoon spots like Rome, Capri, and the old town of Cinque Terre.
Romantic Things To Do in Verona
- Visit the Juliet Capulet House
- See beautiful Verona from Castel San Pietro
- Explore the Gardens of Giardino Giusti
Visit the Juliet Capulet House
Lovers from across the world put the Juliet Capulet House at the top of their list for a romantic getaway to Verona. Residents have dubbed a gorgeous tower house from the early Italian Renaissance as the fictional character's home.
The home is a museum open to the public, with an authentic overhanging balcony like the one from the play. The house receives tens of thousands of love letters worldwide that are displayed to visitors, making the museum one of the most romantic places in Italy.
See Beautiful Verona from Castel San Pietro
Verona’s stunning architecture is best seen from atop Castel San Pietro. Built in the 19th century, this romanesque fortress on the Agripe River gives visitors a perfect view of the city; its layers of terraces provide every possible vantage to see the bustle across the river.
Admission to the fortress is free on foot. Funiculars will take visitors up San Pietro’s terraces for a small fee. Between the fortress grounds themselves and the views from its walls, San Pietro is a must-see for a Verona honeymoon.
Explore the Gardens of Giardino Giusti
The Gardens of Giusti Palace will enamor newlywed couples on their honeymoon. The palace’s arresting neoclassical style hails from the 16th century, the zenith of the Italian renaissance. The respondent botanical gardens surrounding the palace are considered the height of the Italian style.
Visitors can get lost in the sprawling garden. With hedge mazes to explore and a wide variety of botanicals to identify, this intricately manicured garden is a great place to spend an evening with your new spouse.
Italy ETIAS Requirements
Italy may require you to have ETIAS travel authorization before you can visit Verona for your honeymoon. Make sure you know what requirements you need to meet.
Visit Bergen, Norway on Your Honeymoon
Bergen is Norway’s second-largest city behind the capital Oslo. Located in the southeastern part of the Scandinavian peninsula, Bergen is surrounded by the signature features of Norway’s natural beauty.
The towering forest-green mountains and the deep blue fjords make Bergen a gorgeous city to visit on your honeymoon. Plus, if you’re willing to travel a little farther, you can make a detour to visit the beautiful city of Amsterdam.
Romantic Things To Do in Bergen
- Stroll along the scenic Bryggen Hanseatic wharf
- Ascend to Fløyen for the best views of Bergen
- Charter a boat tour of Bergen’s fjords
Stroll Along the Scenic Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf
One of Bergen’s most photogenic areas is the Bryggen Hanseatic wharf. The Bryggen waterfront is emblematic of seaside Scandinavia: rows of pastel-hued buildings lineup along the wharf in a soothing display color.
The wharf is the perfect place to take a stroll to appreciate the city architecture — the entire neighborhood of Bryggen is a UNESCO World Heritage site. With plenty of cafés, restaurants, and shops along the wharf, it’s the city’s ideal location to relax on your honeymoon.
Ascend to Fløyen for Breathtaking Views of Bergen
Bergen’s mountains go right up to the sea. Fløyen, one of Bergen’s most prominent mountain peaks, towers over the city, reaching a maximum height of 400 metres above sea level.
Couples can embark on a fulfilling hike to the top or take an electric funicular that will provide stunning views of the surroundings on the way up. Fløyen’s view of the vast fjords and Bergen below is a truly breathtaking sight to share with your spouse.
Charter a Boat Tour Through Bergen’s Fjords
Norway’s fjords are a true natural wonder. Canyons carved out by receding glaciers became filled with seawater, resulting in a unique geological formation uncommon outside Scandinavian countries.
Bergen’s seaside location means its host to some of Norway’s best fjords. Boat tours weave through the fjords at a leisurely pace, giving spectators an unforgettable front-row seat to their natural beauty.
Norwegian ETIAS Requirements
To ensure you are properly authorized for Norwegian travel on your honeymoon trip, look into what travel requirements you may need to enter the Schengen Area.
Visit Venice, Italy on Your Honeymoon
Venice is one of the world’s most recognizable places; its iconic canals create an unmatchable atmosphere that has earned it a global reputation as a romantic destination. This city of a quarter million deserves its romantic acclaim.
Romantic Things To Do in Venice
- Take a gondola ride
- Stroll through Venice’s striking town squares
- Enjoy a Venetian fine-dining experience
Take a Gondola Ride
Venetian gondola rides are a signature experience for couples visiting the city. Floating along winding canals amidst Venice’s tight waterways goes hand in hand with a perfect honeymoon experience.
Honeymooners can charter gondola rides through Venice’s most scenic locations by boat. It’s the best way to see this special city for a special evening.
Stroll Through Venice’s Striking Town Squares
What square footage there is to be found in Venice is deeply striking. The city’s rich history as a hub for wealthy merchant traders is in stark relief in the façades surrounding the city centers. Few places in Europe showcase the majesty of Renaissance aesthetics better than Venice.
Centro Storico di Venezia, Venice’s historic administrative center, hosts spectacular architecture. Inside and out, Venice hosts gorgeous structures that make for a truly special honeymoon setting.
Enjoy a Venetian Fine-Dining Experience
Italian food boasts some of the most beloved dishes in the culinary world. The best Italian cuisine can be found in Venice’s world-class restaurant scene.
Diners can enjoy delicious regional specialties from Venice, like bigoli in salsa and sarde in saor. The canalside dining atmosphere at many of Venice’s best restaurants turns an excellent meal into an unforgettable fine-dining experience.
Visit Bordeaux, France on Your Honeymoon
Bordeaux is at the center of French wine country. World-renowned for its vineyards, culinary environment, and captivating countryside, Bordeaux and the surrounding area of Nouvelle-Aquitaine province present honeymooners with an ideal romantic environment.
Romantic Things To Do in Bordeaux
- Tour Bordeaux’s Blue-Ribbon Vineyards
- Have a picnic in the scenic Bordeaux countryside
- Visit Cité du Vin, the world’s foremost wine museum
Tour Bordeaux’s Blue-Ribbon Vineyards
French wine is lauded the world over. The best varieties that define French wine are vinted in Bordeaux. World-famous grapes like cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and cabernet franc all hail from Bordeaux and the surrounding region.
A centuries-old legacy of wine-making and distinctive mineral content in Bordeaux’s soil content places the region’s vineyards among the best on the planet and the perfect locations for honeymooners to spend an evening or two.
Have a Picnic in the Scenic Bordeaux Countryside
Located in southern France, Bordeaux’s rural surroundings are among the most scenic locales
in the country. Rolling hillsides, sprawling vineyards, and pastoral farmland provide charming vistas and ideal settings for an intimate picnic.
Explore local shops that sell regional cheeses, meats, and grape varietals to create a well-curated, DIY charcuterie board; then grab a bottle of wine and blanket to enjoy a special picnic in the French countryside you’ll remember forever.
Visit Cité Du Vin, the World’s Foremost Wine Museum
Bordeaux’s reputation as France’s wine capital makes it the ideal location for the Cité du Vin, a massive museum devoted to all things wine. It’s glass, modernist architecture is a marvel on its own, but it’s what’s inside that counts.
Cité du Vine hosts a wealth of educational material about wine: its production history, science, and cultural impact. With plenty of tasting opportunities, you and your spouse will be bona fide sommeliers after your visit.
Visit Cadíz, Spain on Your Honeymoon
Located in the southernmost part of the Iberian peninsula, the coastal city of Cadíz has a rich cultural history. Over centuries, the city has been host to many peoples: Celts, Romans, Visigoths, the Moors, and finally, the Spaniards.
This deep legacy has enriched the city with an electric atmosphere; it’s a one-of-a-kind setting for a romantic honeymoon. Plus, you can make a day trip to enjoy tapas in Seville, fresh seafood in Mallorca, and nightlife in Barcelona.
With a little extra travel, you can even enjoy the sights of Portugal, including cities like Lisbon and Porto, as well as natural wonders like the River Douro.
Romantic Things To Do in Cadíz
- Take flamenco dancing lessons
- Relax on Cadíz’s beautiful beaches
- Luxuriate in Andalusia’s famous Arab baths
See the Flamenco Danced Live
Andalusia’s signature dance is flamenco. Formed by the wealth of cultures that have influenced Cadíz, flamenco is most well-known for its fiery passion.
When danced in traditional attire — full, flowing dresses and colorful shirts for the men — the flamenco is a thrilling sight to see firsthand. See a performance or even take lessons for an unforgettable honeymoon experience.
Relax on Cadíz’s Beautiful Beaches
Cadíz has miles of coastline bordering the Atlantic ocean. Its white sand beaches are considered among the best in Spain and among the best in Europe.
Playa El Palmar and Playa de Costa Ballena stand-out beaches in the area. With beautiful sunsets to look forward to on the western horizon, any beachfront location you choose in Cadíz is sure to impress.
Take a Spa Day at Andalusia’s Famous Arab Baths
Cadíz’s rich cultural history has lent it many unique features; chief among them are the Arab baths. A legacy of the Moorish empire, the Arab baths are spas housed in cool, tiled rooms where Andalusians can escape the hot summer sun.
Gorgeous inside and out, the Arab baths are a must-see for any trip to Andalusia and a fantastic opportunity for a romantic evening for honeymooners. For locations in Cadíz, check out Hamman Andalusia, only a 30-minute drive from the city.
Spanish ETIAS Requirements
For honeymooners interested in visiting Spain, learn more about the travel requirements set by the ETIAS before you book a trip to Cadíz.
The ETIAS Helps You Have an Unforgettable European Honeymoon
The ETIAS officially comes online in 2025. To ensure you and your spouse can travel to the European destination of your dreams, ensure that you have ETIAS approval before booking.
Your step for your honeymoon planning starts with your ETIAS application.
Sources: