The Best Honeymoon Spots in Europe

A U.N.E.S.C.O. World Heritage city-center rich in Baroque architecture, Vienna is the perfect place to rediscover the beauty of classical music with your partner. Once the home of composers such as Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert, Vienna’s opera houses continue to welcome some of the leading musicians of the day. The classic architecture of the city centre is an ideal setting for a romantic stroll and a stop at a local café for traditional Viennese desserts which are perfect for sharing.

This Mediterranean island lies to the south of mainland Greece and was once home to the Minoan civilization (the earliest recorded in Europe). Steeped in both history and natural beauty, Crete boasts pristine white-sand beaches set against a backdrop of mountainous green valleys. Wander through the old fishing towns which dot the coastline and appear to have been frozen in time, or hire a boat for the day and take to the seas for your own epic adventure.

Located on the shores of the Atlantic, Lisbon is a wonderful blend of the old and the new. The Alfama district is the city’s historic center, and you can still hear the sound of the melancholic fado singers as you wander through its cobbled streets hand in hand. Yet, Lisbon also boasts a young, creative side with a vibrant art and music scene, as well as artisan boutiques selling traditional ceramics and leather goods.

The French capital is renowned for being the city of love and romance. Strolling along the banks of the Seine hand in hand with your lover as you admire the Louvre, gazing down across the city from atop of the Eiffel Tower or snuggling up in a café of the Latin Quarter – it’s impossible not to fall in love all over again in Paris.

Considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, Tuscany is as famous for its historic cities as its stunning countryside. The region’s capital, Florence, is one of the most beautiful – and romantic – cities in Europe thanks to its impressive architecture blending medieval, Baroque and Renaissance masterpieces. While the Tuscan countryside, with its olive groves and sleepy villages, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy your new married life with a glass of heart-warming Chianti.

This southern Spanish town is the capital of Andalusia which is considered the birthplace of flamenco (and sherry wine). As you wander through the plazas dotted with fragrant orange trees and the narrow shaded streets of Seville, let yourself be guided by the enchanting sound of flamenco guitars as you explore the city. Afternoons are for cheeky siestas with your loved one, but evenings are for bustling bodegas and lively tapas bars moving to the rhythm of Seville’s unique pace of life.

Imagine a paradisiac island which can only be accessed by ferry and boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe… Located just 30 minutes from neighboring Ibiza, Formentera offers dreamy azure waters and white-sand beaches which look straight out of a travel brochure. Spend the day in a private beach club sipping on refreshing cocktails and perfecting your tan to the sound of the Balearic Beat. This is as close as you can get to the Caribbean without leaving the Med.

Sometimes described as the “Venice of the North” thanks to its intricate network of canals, the Belgian city of Bruges was once the cultural heart of Europe. One of the most well-preserved Medieval sites in Europe, the U.N.E.S.C.O. World Heritage site city center is best explored from the comfort of a canal boat snuggled up to your loved one. Enjoy the peace and quiet of a boutique hotel in a former palace or the lively atmosphere of a Belgian beer bar and a helping of crisp frites: the historic charm of Bruges will be difficult to resist.

Let yourself be enchanted by the sweet smell of lavender being carried by the mistral wind on a cool summer’s evening in Provence. The best way to discover the joys of this part of France is undoubtedly to rent an old villa and remove yourself from the rest of the world – except for market days of course, when it’s time to top up on crisp French bread, Provence rosé wine and saucisson sec.

One of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe, London is a major art, music, fashion, and food capital with plenty to offer newlyweds (except for maybe good weather): from the food markets of Borough to the designer shopping of Mayfair (and of course a stop off at Harrods), the nightlife of Soho to the museums of South Kensington. If you’re the kind of person who’d rather keep busy than spend your day on a sun-lounger, London is the place to make some memories you’re not likely to forget anytime soon.