The Most Romantic Places to Propose Around the World 

If you are looking for the most stunning setting to propose, look no further than this restaurant by the Adriatic Sea, in the Puglia region of Italy. Built within a natural limestone cave, it’s an Instagrammer’s dream, with great food and wine to boot. The lighting at night is beyond magical.

For the ultimate start-as-you-mean-to-go-on moment, try popping the question beneath the Aurora Borealis. It will be cold, but the neon colours spinning above you will make it all worth it. Some of the best spots to view the Northern Lights include Iceland, Finland and Norway, and you’ll have a multitude of venue options – from outside in nature, to a cosy igloo or even an indoor hot tub.

You may even book one of these magical places to stay and sleep under the kaleidoscopic sky right after.

Before you tell us this is cliche, we’re talking about taking the Hawaii proposal to the next level by presenting your promise of everlasting love on a canoe. Take your significant other out on the water in complete privacy, and ask for their hand while the waves rock you both into the first step of your future.

And if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, take this introductory or refresher scuba diving class together.

If you love the water, take it a step further and propose while snorkelling or scuba diving. Bali is an incredible place to do this because the water temperature is beautifully pleasant and the underwater flora and fauna can’t be beat; you may even spot a shipwreck along the way. You might not want to take the actual ring below the waves with you, though, so maybe have a spare one made and keep the real deal waiting with bathrobes and champagne back at the hotel.

Pick your favourite from our selection of the best diving and snorkelling spots in Bali.

The most romantic of the Greek islands, the breathtaking Santorini makes an ideal proposal spot – think tangerine sunsets over the caldera cliff. Coincide your big ask with the sun’s nightly farewell, and you’re guaranteed a positive response. You’ll have some unreal photos to remind you of this special moment, too.

Wine lovers might also want to consider this private wine experience in Santorini.

If the seaside isn’t really your thing, how about the clouds instead? Pop the question soon after sunrise, floating in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia; this will surely be one for the books.

Here’s what you need to know before hot air ballooning in Cappadocia.

For travel buffs, Marrakech is the perfect proposal spot. The food is delicious, and the vibe is warm and loving everywhere you go. Start the day exploring the souk and checking out the snake charmers in the main square. Then treat your partner to an afternoon at the spa and pop the question afterwards as you relax that night.

Taste authentic Moroccan food on this Marrakech Food Tour.

Watch your partner’s face light up as you propose at the Taiwan Lantern Festival. According to Chinese tradition, at the very beginning of a new year, people celebrate the first full moon by releasing thousands of lanterns into the sky. Just as the lanterns are meant to herald the coming of the spring harvest, they can also symbolise the beginning of your new life with your partner. Write your wish for your future together on a lantern and watch it soar into the sky.

Care to learn more about this lovely tradition? Read this brief history of the Taiwan Lantern Festival.

Yes it’s overhyped, but there’s a reason for it. Paris is arguably the most romantic city in the world, so you really can’t go wrong proposing here. Stand together at the top of Montmartre hill and take in the idyllic views – complete with an illuminated Eiffel Tower – or board a bateau mouche and cruise leisurely down the Seine. Whichever part of the city you choose for your proposal, it’s bound to be a success.

Looking to stay? Check out our pick of the most romantic hotels to book in Paris.

If fairytales are your vibe, then this castle in Germany is the place to ask the most important question of your life. When King Ludwig II of Bavaria commissioned its construction as a private retreat back in the 19th century, he obviously didn’t know the impact Neuschwanstein would have hundreds of years later. This castle is so whimsical it inspired Walt Disney to create Cinderella’s castle in the well-known 1950 film, while also serving as the basis for the Disney logo itself. Several castles in Disney parks around the world now seem to be echoing Neuschwanstein – but nothing beats a proposal at the original, of course.

Read all about the story behind Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle.

This coastal stretch in California is the dream proposal spot for nature lovers. Beautiful, wild waters give way to a rugged coastline, and the views are truly unlike anywhere else in the world. What better way to pop the question than standing on top of a cliff in Big Sur, as waves crash on rocks in the background?

Feel like idling away together in this paradise? Browse through our slow-travel guide to Big Sur.