Romantic holidays shouldn’t be limited to just Valentine’s Day, but it’s a good place to start.
What could be more dreamy than getting away from it all in some of the world’s most romantic cities exploring à deux?
Whether you are a brand new couple or have been together for a while, you’ll love getting to know an exciting new destination whilst spending quality time together.
From exploring Norwegian winter wonderlands to sauntering around sun-drenched Spanish cities, we can’t help but think that these are the most romantic cities in Europe.
Whether you favour wandering around the cobbled streets of a dazzling city, adrenaline-infused adventures, or getting your ski on in snow-covered resorts with twinkling lights, there’s endless possibilities for romantic holidays that have your name on it.
Here’s our round up of the most romantic holidays for that ultimate trip away for Valentine’s Day and beyond.
Dubrovnik
For the couple that sparkles together, why not head to the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic?’
Romantic holidays are all about enduring experiences and stunning scenery.
Dubrovnik delivers intriguing winding streets, stunning medieval architecture and the most glorious blazing orange sunsets that set over a glistening sea.
The couple that sunsets together, stays together and one of the best vantage points to enjoy this beautiful spectacle is at the top of Mount Srđ in the Dinaric Alps.
Take a cable car, and watch the myriad of colours in the sky which includes orange, pink, red and purple. It’s seriously instagrammable!
Witness the sun going down, and watch the sky being illuminated with a burst of red, pink and purple hues before it takes its final dip.
For that ultimate romantic experience, why not take a private boat trip across to the Elaphiti Islands for a truly tranquil and special experience.
Verona
From its Shakespearean roots to its seriously foodie credentials, for romantic holidays in Italy, why not add Verona to your list of romantic holidays?
It’s no coincidence that Verona was the setting for Shakespeare’s most romantic play ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
But he scene where the star-crossed lovers share a special moment on the famed balcony is not the only romantic area of this Italian city.
Verona is one of the most underrated Italian cities, at just an hour away from the swoon-worthy canals of Venice.
It’s worth a dedicated trip or at least to incorporate it into a multi-destination Italian adventure.
Love birds can take advantage of Verona and all its glory, from enjoying an unforgettable opera performance at the Verona Arena to marvelling at the sun-dappled Ponte Pietra across the river Adige and strolling through the Piazza della Erbe.
It’s never been easier to set the scene for your own Romeo and Juliet love story and Verona is THE place to do this.
Ghent
From its historic architecture to its innovative and intriguing restaurants, the Belgian city of Ghent is high on our list of romantic holidays for 2024 and beyond.
Belgium’s second city has to be one of the most under-rated cities in Europe and is small enough to be cosy, but big enough to offer everything that this vibrant city has to enjoy.
This quietly-cool city has plenty of beautiful historical buildings to admire, as well as a buzzing restaurant scene, making it an ideal choice for foodies.
Throw in a relaxed vibe and plenty of culture and it’s easy to see why Ghent is a superb choice for romantic holidays.
Like many European cities, Ghent has an abundance of canals, bridges and protected monuments to admire.
But it offers so much more – amazing street art, charming neighbourhoods and an intriguing mix of architectural styles which are just waiting to be discovered.
Tromsø
For the ultimate in romantic getaways,Tromsø in Norway is one of Europe’s most captivating winter destinations, and is renowned for being one of the best destinations for seeing the Northern Lights.
Whilst there are many amazing places to enjoy witnessing this natural phenomenon, this charming Norwegian town is one of the standout destinations to do so.
Tromsø is also the epitome of romantic holidays for couples who love gazing upon starry skies and dreamy natural sights.
It’s also a great place for culture and natural beauty and is surrounded by astonishing snow-topped landscapes, mountains and fjords.
Outdoorsy types will have all their adventuring boxes ticked thanks to all the exciting winter adventures on offer, from dog sledding and reindeer spotting to humpback whale safaris.
However, for those seeking a more laid back trip, you can enjoy spa treatments, delicious dinners and more
Prague
World-renowned for its spire-filled skyline, the beautiful city of Prague with its iconic Castle, charming squares, quaint restaurants along with the smorgasbord of historically-rich architecture which includes Art Nouveau, Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance styles.
There’s no surprise that Prague is widely considered to be one of the best places to enjoy romantic holidays in the world.
What could be more dreamy than strolling hand in hand along the city’s magnificent bridges, enjoying treats like trdelnik and makový koláček?
The Czech capital is picture postcard perfect and the skyline is simply breathtaking with no less than 100 churches and their spires creating a dramatic and magnificent backdrop.
Make sure you pay a visit to the Astronomical Clock. Aim to get to the clock at nine on the dot so you can see the procession of the Twelve Apostles as the hour strikes.
Funchal
Full of fun, the capital city of Madeira is full of fun and a lot more asides.
Despite it being a great beach destination, Funchal also has its own distinctive culture.
Nestled in the Atlantic ocean, Madeira’s marvellous capital city Funchal will thrill and delight.
As romantic holidays go, Funchal is a wonderful choice, couples can take a cable car ride over the beautiful rooftops and admire the stunning sea views at the same time.
Madeira is world-famous for producing the wine of the same name and has done so for over 500 years.
It’s also home to over 145 km of stunning beaches and bay and is one of Portugal’s most popular holiday destinations.
There’s an abundance of inspiring historic sites, mesmerising museums, and lots of lush botanical gardens to enjoy, so you won’t be short of fun things to see and do in Funchal.
Rome
With lots of la dolce vita, Italy has to be one of the most romantic destinations in the world and its capital Rome features highly on our most romantic holidays list.
One of the most important cities in Europe, Rome’s illustrious history is second-to-none and as you work your way through the city, you will see some of the city’s most iconic buildings.
The Eternal City is an absolute must visit for culture-loving couples and Rome is one of those trailblazing cities.
Here you will find archeological treasures, iconic art collections and enough culture to make you want to come back again and again!
Of course, you will certainly have to add the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel to your burgeoning list of things to do.
But Rome also offers a fantastic selection of museums and galleries which include the traditional and innovative such as the IKONO Museum which is oh so instagrammable!
Seville
Experience the beauty of Andalusia in the sunny city Seville.
For romantic holidays that combine sunshine and culture, the southern Spanish city of Seville with its glorious gardens, amazing flamenco shows and distinguished royal palaces.
There’s never been a better way to soak up the Spanish sun and Seville’s distinctive flavours.
With its year-round sunshine and balmy temperatures, Sevilles has serious credentials for a dreamy romantic getaway.
What could be better than spending your days strolling hand-in-hand through the Old Town’s pretty porticoes, hitting up live Flamenco shows and stopping off for tapas and drinks at buzzy bars and restaurants along the way, before heading up to Las Setas to bask in the spectacular sunsets.
Bern
Are you looking for a romantic winter city break without the crowds?
Why not consider Bern?
This sensational Swiss city is small, but perfectly formed with oodles of character, especially in its Old Town.
From its lush parks to its traditional bars and restaurants, as romantic holidays go, Bern is a relaxing place for a couples city break.
It’s as tranquil as it is beautiful and has an abundance of impressive historic buildings, museums and more to enjoy.
Couples will love strolling arm in arm through Bern’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, with its cobbled streets, fountains and quaint restaurants.
Make sure you cross the turquoise River Aare to see four bears in Bern’s Bear Park (Barenpark) which is an absolutely unmissable attraction whilst in the Swiss capital.
Vienna
The ‘city of music’ was made for lovers, and there’s no doubt that Vienna with its illustrious musical heritage is ideal for music fans.
From opera to jazz and everything in-between, Vienna on the Danube River, is a picturesque city and is a wonderful place for romantic holidays.
With its endless baroque buildings around every corner, beautiful palaces to admire along with some of Austria’s fantastic old coffee houses,
Vienna is one of Europe’s most romantic cities.
Enjoy a relaxing drink at one of the many rooftop bars scattered about the city, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the skyline while sipping on a cocktail or two!
Full on endearing charm, Vienna with its stunning gardens, Baroque streetscapes and imperial palaces has really put this amazing capital of Austria on the map and from fine art to fine wine,
Vienna possess an incredible mix of culture, food, and history making it an ideal contender for romantic holidays in Europe.
Ljubljana
The Slovenian capital Ljubljana doesn’t get nearly as much credit as it deserves, but its ethereal charms make it a super choice for romantic holidays and there’s never been a better time to discover one of the most underrated cities in Europe.
With its chocolate box-pretty winding medieval streets, pastel-hued buildings and beautiful river setting, this city is chock-full of culture, cuisine and exciting things to see and do.
Set in the most picturesque romantic fairytale setting, the city has an abundance of green spaces so much so it has been named as Europe’s Green Capital.
It’s also home to a plethora of incredible restaurants and foodies will adore the incredible cuisine which takes influence from across Slovenia and also neighbouring countries such as Austria, Italy and Hungary.
Budapest
Offering a dizzying fusion of rich history, awe-inspiring architecture, wellness and some seriously stunning panoramas, Budapest is a delight at any time of year, but is especially a wonderful choice for romantic holidays around Valentine’s Day
Picture yourself walking along the world-famous Széchenyi Chain Bridge with your beloved and enjoying the world-class scenery that Budapest offers.
From paying a visit to Buda Castle to exploring the nightlife scene which includes Budapest’s renowned ruin bars, you can’t fail to be delighted by the treasures of the Hungarian capital.
Indulge your taste buds in Budapest’s vibrant gastronomic and indulge your senses with a trip to one of the fantastic thermal baths to help you unwind and relax after all those nights out and days sightseeing.
Make sure you carve out some time to really see the city at its most beautiful, from the river where you can enjoy a tour of the city from the Danube.
Dubrovnik
For the couple that sparkles together, why not head to the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic?’
Romantic holidays are all about enduring experiences and stunning scenery. Dubrovnik delivers intriguing winding streets, stunning medieval architecture and the most glorious blazing orange sunsets that set over a glistening sea.
The couple that sunsets together, stays together and one of the best vantage points to enjoy this beautiful spectacle is at the top of Mount Srđ in the Dinaric Alps.
Take a cable car, and watch the myriad of colours in the sky which includes orange, pink, red and purple. It’s seriously instagrammable!
Witness the sun going down, and watch the sky being illuminated with a burst of red, pink and purple hues before it takes its final dip.
For that ultimate romantic experience, why not take a private boat trip across to the Elaphiti Islands for a truly tranquil and special experience.
Verona
From its Shakespearean roots to its seriously foodie credentials, for romantic holidays in Italy, why not add Verona to your list of romantic holidays?
It’s no coincidence that Verona was the setting for Shakespeare’s most romantic play ‘Romeo and Juliet’, but the scene where the star-crossed lovers share a special moment on the famed balcony is not the only romantic area of this Italian city.
Verona is one of the most underrated Italian cities, at just an hour away from the swoon-worthy canals of Venice, it’s worth a dedicated trip or at least to incorporate it into a multi-destination Italian adventure.
Love birds can take advantage of Verona and all its glory, from enjoying an unforgettable opera performance at the Verona Arena to marvelling at the sun-dappled Ponte Pietra across the river Adige and strolling through the Piazza della Erbe, it’s never been easier to set the scene for your own Romeo and Juliet love story and Verona is THE place to do this.
Ghent
From its historic architecture to its innovative and intriguing restaurants, the Belgian city of Ghent is high on our list of romantic holidays for 2024 and beyond.
Belgium’s second city has to be one of the most under-rated cities in Europe and is small enough to be cosy, but big enough to offer everything that this vibrant city has to enjoy.
This quietly-cool city has plenty of beautiful historical buildings to admire, as well as a buzzing restaurant scene, making it an ideal choice for foodies.
Throw in a relaxed vibe and plenty of culture and it’s easy to see why Ghent is a superb choice for romantic holidays.
Like many European cities, Ghent has an abundance of canals, bridges and protected monuments to admire, but it offers so much more – amazing street art, charming neighbourhoods and an intriguing mix of architectural styles which are just waiting to be discovered.
Tromsø
For the ultimate in romantic getaways,Tromsø in Norway is one of Europe’s most captivating winter destinations, and is renowned for being one of the best destinations for seeing the Northern Lights.
Whilst there are many amazing places to enjoy witnessing this natural phenomenon, this charming Norwegian town is one of the standout destinations to do so.
Tromsø is also the epitome of romantic holidays for couples who love gazing upon starry skies and dreamy natural sights.
It’s also a great place for culture and natural beauty and is surrounded by astonishing snow-topped landscapes, mountains and fjords.
Outdoorsy types will have all their adventuring boxes ticked thanks to all the exciting winter adventures on offer, from dog sledding and reindeer spotting to humpback whale safaris.
However, for those seeking a more laid back trip, you can enjoy spa treatments, delicious dinners and more
Prague
World-renowned for its spire-filled skyline, the beautiful city of Prague with its iconic Castle, charming squares, quaint restaurants along with the smorgasbord of historically-rich architecture which includes Art Nouveau, Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance styles, there’s no surprise that Prague is widely considered to be one of the best places to enjoy romantic holidays in the world.
What could be more dreamy than strolling hand in hand along the city’s magnificent bridges, enjoying treats like trdelnik and makový koláček?
The Czech capital is picture postcard perfect and the skyline is simply breathtaking with no less than 100 churches and their spires creating a dramatic and magnificent backdrop.
Make sure you pay a visit to the Astronomical Clock.
Aim to get to the clock at nine on the dot so you can see the procession of the Twelve Apostles as the hour strikes.
Funchal
Full of fun, the capital city of Madeira is full of fun and a lot more asides.
Despite it being a great beach destination, Funchal also has its own distinctive culture.
Nestled in the Atlantic ocean, Madeira’s marvellous capital city Funchal will thrill and delight.
As romantic holidays go, Funchal is a wonderful choice, couples can take a cable car ride over the beautiful rooftops and admire the stunning sea views at the same time.
Madeira is world-famous for producing the wine of the same name and has done so for over 500 years.
It’s also home to over 145 km of stunning beaches and bay and is one of Portugal’s most popular holiday destinations.
There’s an abundance of inspiring historic sites, mesmerising museums, and lots of lush botanical gardens to enjoy, so you won’t be short of fun things to see and do in Funchal.
Rome
With lots of la dolce vita, Italy has to be one of the most romantic destinations in the world and its capital Rome features highly on our most romantic holidays list.
One of the most important cities in Europe, Rome’s illustrious history is second-to-none and as you work your way through the city, you will see some of the city’s most iconic buildings.
The Eternal City is an absolute must visit for culture-loving couples and Rome is one of those trailblazing cities where you will find archeological treasures, iconic art collections and enough culture to make you want to come back again and again!
Of course, you will certainly have to add the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel to your burgeoning list of things to do.
But Rome also offers a fantastic selection of museums and galleries which include the traditional and innovative such as the IKONO Museum which is oh so instagrammable!
Bern
Are you looking for a romantic winter city break without the crowds?
Why not consider Bern? This sensational Swiss city is small, but perfectly formed with oodles of character, especially in its Old Town.
From its lush parks to its traditional bars and restaurants, as romantic holidays go, Bern is a relaxing place for a couples city break. It’s as tranquil as it is beautiful and has an abundance of impressive historic buildings, museums and more to enjoy.
Couples will love strolling arm in arm through Bern’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, with its cobbled streets, fountains and quaint restaurants.
Make sure you cross the turquoise River Aare to see four bears in Bern’s Bear Park (Barenpark) which is an absolutely unmissable attraction whilst in the Swiss capital.
Vienna
The ‘city of music’ was made for lovers, and there’s no doubt that Vienna with its illustrious musical heritage is ideal for music fans.
From opera to jazz and everything in-between, Vienna on the Danube River, is a picturesque city and is a wonderful place for romantic holidays.
With its endless baroque buildings around every corner, beautiful palaces to admire along with some of Austria’s fantastic old coffee houses,
Vienna is one of Europe’s most romantic cities.
Enjoy a relaxing drink at one of the many rooftop bars scattered about the city, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the skyline while sipping on a cocktail or two!
Full on endearing charm, Vienna with its stunning gardens, Baroque streetscapes and imperial palaces has really put this amazing capital of Austria on the map and from fine art to fine wine,
Vienna possess an incredible mix of culture, food, and history making it an ideal contender for romantic holidays in Europe.
Ljubljana
The Slovenian capital Ljubljana doesn’t get nearly as much credit as it deserves, but its ethereal charms make it a super choice for romantic holidays and there’s never been a better time to discover one of the most underrated cities in Europe.
With its chocolate box-pretty winding medieval streets, pastel-hued buildings and beautiful river setting, this city is chock-full of culture, cuisine and exciting things to see and do.
Set in the most picturesque romantic fairytale setting, the city has an abundance of green spaces so much so it has been named as Europe’s Green Capital.
It’s also home to a plethora of incredible restaurants and foodies will adore the incredible cuisine which takes influence from across Slovenia and also neighbouring countries such as Austria, Italy and Hungary.
Budapest
Offering a dizzying fusion of rich history, awe-inspiring architecture, wellness and some seriously stunning panoramas, Budapest is a delight at any time of year, but is especially a wonderful choice for romantic holidays around Valentine’s Day
Picture yourself walking along the world-famous Széchenyi Chain Bridge with your beloved and enjoying the world-class scenery that Budapest offers.
From paying a visit to Buda Castle to exploring the nightlife scene which includes Budapest’s renowned ruin bars, you can’t fail to be delighted by the treasures of the Hungarian capital.
Indulge your taste buds in Budapest’s vibrant gastronomic and indulge your senses with a trip to one of the fantastic thermal baths to help you unwind and relax after all those nights out and days sightseeing.
Make sure you carve out some time to really see the city at its most beautiful, from the river where you can enjoy a tour of the city from the Danube.
