Honestly, every country in Europe can be romantic if you make it. When I started thinking about cobblestone streets, history perched on each corner, breathtaking castles, food that melts in your mouth, and phenomenal views I realized just how hard it was for me to narrow down five top places to visit with your significant other. So I settled with the 7 most romantic cities in Europe! Keep reading to see where James and I would suggest you grab your honey & jet off to this upcoming year!
It really does not matter if you are single, in a relationship, or if things are complicated this list can apply to you! Solo travel can be the best travel! Here are the top seven most romantic spots I have found while exploring Europe with James. Some of these may come off more obvious than others (Paris is romantic, duh), but scroll down for a few hidden gems I’ve come across that can be romantic as well!
SANTORINI, GREECE
Most romantic destination I have ever been to, hands down. Santorini is filled with white houses and places to stay perched along the cliffs overlooking the sea. Every restaurant has either a spectacular view to offer or a romantic ambiance that fills the air. You can treat yourself to a luxury hotel with your own private jacuzzi and ocean view, or there are cheaper options on the island that are just as accommodating as well. Spend your day lying on the beach soaking up the sun or rent an ATV to adventure around the Island. Whatever you plan to do here, you will be so happy. The locals are friendly and welcome you with open arms. The views are absolutely breathtaking and you will get to see some of the most spectacular islands known to man. There are daily tours out to the volcano and ferries that go back and forth from Athens for your convenience. You can visit the black beach, white beach, red beach, and don’t forget to take the time to hike from Fire to Oia to catch an unforgettable sunset! During the summer Santorini can get quite overcrowded and busy with tourists. I would suggest making this a stop in the early or late months of summer. You still get great weather and amazing prices, but the crowds will be less extreme!
AMALFI COAST, ITALY
Spend your romantic getaway winding along the beautiful Amalfi Coast. With so many cute little towns to stop at and the spectacular views along the way, the Amalfi Coast makes a great stop for anyone. Start in Sorrento and drive your way down the coast. You can rent a car and do this drive yourself (beware of the narrow winding roads) or you can hop on a bus and hang on for the ride! The roads are set in the cliffs and might surprise you if you are not prepared. You can stop at Positano, Amalfi, Atrani, Ravello, and more! This can be done in a day, or can be done in the span of a week! Stop and stay in a cute Airbnb or a bed and breakfast, or make your way all the way down the coast to Salerno. In each village, you will find yourself immersed in the Italian culture and your eyes in awe of the views. They are each unique in their own way and have something special to offer. This is a gorgeous part of Italy and should be seen, romantic getaway or not!
VENICE, ITALY
One of the more popular romantic destinations but another favorite of mine, Venice. There is not much that is more romantic than sitting in an Italian gondola being rowed down the Venetian canals while watching the sunset. If you get lucky they may even sing to you. Not a fan of the gondolas? Spend the evening having a candle-lit dinner on the grand canal with a view of the Rialto Bridge or waste plenty of time roaming around the streets enjoying the culture. There are tons of boutiques and art shops that you can spend hours in, plus all the gelato shops will guilt you into walking that booty back to shape. You can stop at St. Mark’s Square and visit the Campanile di San Macro for the best skyline view of Venice. Buy tickets in advance to avoid the lines! One of my favorite things to do in Venice is taking a day trip to the Islands of Burano and Murano. Just a short boat trip away and you are in the land of lace and handmade glass. These islands are definitely worth seeing if you are staying in or even near Venice. After that be sure to stop at Al Chianti for the best four-cheese gnocchi you will ever have in your life. (You’re welcome) Venice is a great stop for the art lover, the foodie, the photographer, or whatever your passion may be. This romantic getaway is a must!
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Old castles and cobblestone streets? Head to Prague with your loved one for a charming experience you don’t want to miss. Take a stroll along Charles Bridge and enjoy the Vitava River before feasting on a traditional Czech meal. With all kinds of variety to choose from your tum will not be let down. If you visit during the wintertime expect temperatures to be a little bit chilly so dress warm! There are so many museums and castles to explore and the town itself is filled with little gems along the way like the John Lennon Wall. Take a self-guided tour up to the top of the Old Town Hall for the most spectacular views of Prague. Here you can see all the cute red roofs, Old Town Square, and the Tyn Church all from a 360-degree view. There is more history that roams the streets of Prague than one’s brain can take in. From here you can take the train to Vienna, Budapest, or even a day trip to Dresden, Germany. Check out the view from the Old Town Hall above!
VALLETTA, MALTA
Malta is an island near the coast of Italy that is surrounded by bright blue waters of the Mediterranean. Malta always seems to make one of the top spots on my list due to the fact that American tourism is still up and coming. To me, Malta felt like the Hawaii of Europe. But fewer Americans, so better. This island is the perfect size to explore in just a few days or has enough to keep you entertained for two weeks. Take a day trip to the island of Gozo or Comino, which is home to the Blue Lagoon! You can visit on an all-inclusive day tour, which departs from all over the Island or take a ferry from Sliema, which is about a 45 min-hour bus ride from Valletta. The blue lagoon is absolutely beautiful and the crystal blue waters are worth seeing. Other things to do in Malta include visiting the famous Popeye Village (where the movie was filmed), visiting the caves of the Blue Grotto, sunbath or snorkeling in the warm waters, enjoying a romantic sunset dinner, or a stroll through the old city of Valletta! Click here for tips when planning your trip to Malta!
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN
This little beach town nestled in the North of Spain is a culinary delight. Head here for some of the best white sandy beaches and warm waters. Couples can stroll along the promenade and enjoy spectacular views of the bay or if you’re feeling adventurous, take a surf lesson! San Sebastian is known for their waves and for their little sandwiches from heaven called “pintxos,” also known as “tapas” throughout other parts of Spain! There are also mountains surrounding this cute little beach town that you can hike into for views like the one above! I’d have to say this is probably the most beautiful part of Spain I have seen and is worth the stop! Click here for tips when planning your trip to San Sebastian!
PARIS, FRANCE
The most obviously romantic city on the list, but how could I write a post about romantic destinations and not include this one? Some travelers love it, others find it too busy and overpriced. I happen to find this city absolutely beautiful and am so happy we were able to check it off the bucket list. There is nothing more jaw-dropping than the Eiffel Tower at night lit up before your eyeballs. You can buy a bottle of vino and a block of cheese, and sit below it in awe on a green grassy field for hours. Or if you buy tickets and head up to the top of it about an hour before sunset you can catch the spectacular 360-degree view of Paris before dark. Starting at 10 PM every night it sparkles for about 5 minutes on the hour till 2 AM. The Eiffel Tower is not the only romantic aspect of Paris. You can visit the Luxembourg Gardens which is a beautiful palace surrounded by flowers, green grass and has multiple areas for you to layout and enjoy the weather. Visit the Louvre, Notre Dame, grab a hot chocolate at the famous Angelina’s, or just enjoy your time roaming the streets finding cute cafes. Whatever you decide to do in Paris with your loved one, romance is a guarantee. Click here for tips when planning your trip to Paris!
These are just a few of the top spots to visit with someone special in while in Europe, like I said narrowing it down to seven was pretty tough. I find myself smiling cheek to cheek when I think about planning our next get-away together. I’m curious, what is your favorite romantic destination?! Comment below to let me know!
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