Are you looking for an extra-special spot in which to propose, planning the dream honeymoon or simply seeking somewhere especially amorous to take your other half on holiday? Whatever the reason, these dreamy destinations — from Croatia and the Caribbean to India and Italy — are perfect for an unforgettable trip. Here’s our pick of the world’s most romantic getaways.
1. The Maldives
We wanted to argue against the Maldives to avoid the obvious. But how can you not fall for tiny specks of warm-weather paradise where transparent turquoise seas lap ivory-white beaches? Where jungly interiors hide spas; where you’ll find spectacular restaurants, some of them underwater; where vast villas let you descend straight into the sea or come with their own private plunge pool? Where butlers attend to your every need then melt away, magically, and where days can be spent together watching dolphins, toasting blood-orange sunsets or alone on an empty sandbar? Where the snorkelling is astonishing and the real world seems like a whole solar system away? Answer: you can’t.
2. Malawi
This one might be less obvious, but hear us out. First of all, safaris in general — with the option to spend all day with an expert, hawk-eyed private guide, including sundowners at a scenic spot, before relaxing inside huge, lamplit tented suites — are effortlessly romantic. Malawi has two terrific (and blissfully uncrowded) spots for this purpose: Majete is prolific in terms of the big five, while beautiful Liwonde supplies amorous boat trips along its palm-studded river. Both have top-notch luxury camps. Then there’s the clincher: Lake Malawi, a huge freshwater expanse with secluded island resorts, golden-sand beaches and water sports from snorkelling to kayaking. Sorted.
3. France
Yes, Paris is a cliché, but for good reason. Whether strolling hand-in-hand through Montmartre’s intimate lanes or sipping champagne high up the Eiffel Tower, the French capital is one of the most romantic places in the world. The self-styled “City of Love” oozes passion, from Rodin’s erotic sculpture The Kiss, to the Wall of Love — where over 300 declarations of love are inscribed in multiple languages. After a candlelit bistro dinner for two on the Champs-Élysées, take a walk along the lamplit Seine — the very heartbeat of Paris.
4. The Caribbean
With coral reefs, palm-fringed beaches, and a lilting calypso vibe, the Caribbean is perfect for an intimate getaway together. The best time to visit for dry, warm days is from December to April. The most romantic destinations include Cuba, set to a salsa pulse of Latin love, and gorgeous St Lucia: its needle-sharp Pitons and secluded beaches lend a touch of paradise for budding cupids.
5. Iceland
Looking for the perfect place to pop the question? There’s a volcanic black-sand beach at Jokulsarlon where chunks of stranded sea ice sparkle like diamonds. Bathe in the warm geothermal waters of the world-famous Blue Lagoon and luxuriate in local mineral-rich silica spa treatments together before embracing the otherworldliness of the northern lights.
6. The Seychelles
The Seychelles is the definition of a loved-up destination, not least for honeymooners seeking beach holidays. With brilliant white sand, crystal-clear azure waters, sparkling corals, and a selection of world-class adults-only resorts, it’s one of the most romantic getaways on earth. Snorkel with turtles, browse black pearls in the boutiques of Mahé, or settle in for a drink watching blood-red sunsets illuminate the warm Indian Ocean.
7. Croatia
Irresistibly Instagrammable, the Dalmatian coast of Croatia is the ultimate tonic for couples seeking quality time together. Explore craggy limestone coves and islands by boat or lace up your boots to wander around the red-tile-roofed Unesco world heritage locations. Try avoiding peak summer, when cruise vessels overwhelm this coast. Instead, choose the shoulder seasons on either side to enjoy a more bearable Mediterranean climate, quieter old town streets, plus intimate bars in which to toast your love with some Dalmatian wine from the coast’s sunkissed vineyards.
8. Greece
With Sappho’s erotic poetry and Byron’s romantic verse, Greece has long been a favourite with lovers and romantics. There are hundreds of islands to explore, promising a vast array of amorous holiday options for couples. You might spend your days exploring historic Athens — perhaps Lycabettus Hill for its smouldering sunsets — or toast the volcanic beauty of popular Santorini by the swimming pool with a crisp assyrtiko. Younger couples can party the night away on Mykonos, while older hands may reaffirm their vows in historic Delphi at the foot of Mount Parnassus.
9. Italy
Italy is a paragon of love and one of the world’s most romantic destinations — from a gondola ride on the Venetian canals to Tuscany’s rural idylls. Yet the Amalfi coast, particularly, is a visual and sensual aphrodisiac. The 15th-century Duchess of Amalfi’s ultimately tragic life was defined by amore along a coastline framed by unforgettable vistas and coves. Positano’s picturebook hillsides of pastel-shaded houses enchant, while amid glorious gardens and the operatic setting of Ravello, couples can gaze lovingly at spellbinding sea views from Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity.
10. India
Could the 17th-century Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, be the most romantic figure in Indian history? His dedication to his departed love, Mumtaz Mahal, led to the construction of the ivory-white marble mausoleum of Agra’s Taj Mahal — at the heart of India’s Golden Triangle. A fabulously romantic holiday would explore Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, perhaps on a luxury rail journey. Besides the sublime Taj Mahal, seek out an Ayurvedic massage for two in Delhi.
11. Scotland
Take the famous steam train from Fort William to Mallaig and you can expect to be moved by lochs, castles, and mountain glens where golden eagles fly. Smokestacks and rattling rails might sound like a holiday for train buffs rather than a romantic getaway — yet the scenery in Scotland is divine. Imagine, en route, a cosy dinner for two, perhaps in a castle, enjoying local venison before retiring with a peaty whisky in front of a roaring fire. That’s how to sample the true earthy romance of the Scottish Highlands.
