There is no shortage of romantic destinations on the Old Continent. Every European country has a long history, stunning landscapes, and charming architecture - a combination that ticks all the boxes for a romantic trip.
If you’re wondering where to travel this Valentine’s Day - or any other day of the year - here’s our list of the most romantic destinations in Europe.
Don’t worry, we skipped the obvious ones like Paris or Santorini. Here, you will discover places that are less popular, but no less beautiful!
10 Most Romantic Destinations in Europe
1. Annecy, France
We’re not saying that Paris is bad. It is beautiful and you should definitely visit it one day, either in company or solo. But as far as the most romantic destinations in Europe go, there is a better place in France to spend Valentine’s Day.
Annecy is a charming town in the Eastern part of France, very close to the Swiss border. It is famous for pastel-coloured houses nestled among rolling hills, with canals weaving in between them. There is also a lake, and the colour of it is unlike anything you have seen before.
Photos can’t do justice to the brilliant turquoise of the water or the unique charm of Annecy. You will simply have to visit it and fall in love - as befits Valentine’s Day.
2. Geneva, Switzerland
What is better than a romantic trip for Valentine’s Day?
Well, two trips wrapped in one, of course.
If you hop over to Annecy, make sure to visit Geneva as well. The two romantic destinations in Europe are just a 40-minute drive or a 1.5-hour bus ride away. There is even an affordable Flixbus connection between them.
Located by the picturesque Lac Léman and surrounded by mountains, Geneva is one of the most romantic cities you will ever visit. The traditional architecture might remind you of Paris - if Paris was in such close proximity to a clear-blue lake and scenic hills. Geneva: 1, Paris: 0.
The United Nations and Red Cross headquarters perhaps aren’t the most romantic places, but remember that Switzerland is also known for its delicious chocolate. You will find many little chocolate shops hidden in the charming townhouses, so pop into a few for a tasting.
3. Sintra, Portugal
There is no other European destination as magical as Sintra. Yes, Prague or Edinburgh share the podium, but without a doubt, Sintra takes the cake.
A 30-minute drive or an hour train ride from Lisbon can bring you to a place taken straight out of a fairytale. The town itself is beautiful, with little houses scattered along hills and narrow streets leading up the multiple levels.
But the true treasure is the many castles and palaces located in Sintra: the colourful Pena Palace, the exotic Monserrate, the majestic Sintra Palace, or the ruins of the Moors Castle towering over the city. And, of course, the cherry on the delicious cake - the enchanting Quinta de Regaleira, home of the mysterious Initiation Well.
Love is a form of magic, and there is nowhere in Europe where you will feel magical as strongly as in Sintra. If you and your partner are fans of the fantasy genre, you are guaranteed to love it even more.
4. Castle Combe, England
England couldn’t be missing from our list of the most romantic destinations in Europe. After all, it is the land of authors who gave us the most memorable romance novels of all time: Pride and Prejudice, Jayne Eyre, or Wuthering Heights.
Walking through the cobbled streets of Castle Combe, you will feel like you have stepped into one of those novels yourself. The small stone houses and the river crossing the town create a romantic ambience that is impossible to experience anywhere else.
Contrary to its name, there sadly is no castle in Castle Combe. There is; however, a manor house befitting of a handsome English lord. If you’re already in a relationship, this town just 20 miles northeast of Bristol is the perfect romantic destination to visit with your partner. And if you’re single and ready to mingle, Castle Combe is the ideal place to find love.
While you’re at it, make sure to hop over to Bath, located just a 30-minute drive South-West. This university city is just as magical and romantic.
5. Iceland
Let’s shake it up a bit. Iceland probably doesn’t even cross your mind when thinking about the most romantic destinations in Europe, but we’re here to show you why this should change.
Imagine renting a camper van with a person you love and completing the famous Ring Road together. During the day, you can take in stunning views of rolling plains, waterfalls, and grazing sheep or take a romantic dip in one of the crystal-blue lagoons.
And at night? What better excuse is to cuddle up underneath a blanket with a generous serving of hot chocolate than the overwhelming chill? Not to mention, February is the perfect time to catch the breathtaking spectacle of the Northern Lights.
Exploring the true marvel of nature that is Iceland and admiring the Northern Lights or a sky full of stars together is the perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day.
6. Corfu, Greece
Raise your hand if you have a friend who got engaged in Santorini.
Yeah. I know at least five of them, too.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but if you’re looking for a more original place for a romantic trip in Greece, why not try Corfu?
This Greek island is often called the Vietnam of Europe. And if you open up Google Images, then you’ll see why.
Turquoise, crystal-clear water. Green, rolling hills. Pristine beaches with powder-like, white sand. It is a true tropical paradise and one of the most romantic destinations in Europe.
7. Salamanca, Spain
The rich history of Salamanca gives it a unique romantic climate. This city in the West of Spain, close to the Portuguese border, is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe - and to this day, it boasts a large population of university students.
For this reason, there are plenty of things to do in Salamanca - delicious but affordable restaurants, bars and nightclubs, and traditional tapa places. And don’t miss out on the absolute must-have for couples: a romantic walk down the Roman Bridge, with a stunning view of the city ahead.
One more thing that makes Salamanca one of the most romantic destinations in Europe is the legend tied to one of its public gardens. It is about Calixto and Melibea - a famous couple from the pages of a novel, La Celestina. Take your significant other to the beautiful garden where Calixto and Melibea fell in love and discover their story.
8. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is the perfect romantic destination in Europe if you’re looking for a city break. Generally, everywhere in Scotland is the perfect location for a romantic trip. Our recommendation would be to rent a car and do a road trip around this picturesque country.
But if you’re on a limited timeline or budget, Edinburgh is the perfect prelude to visiting the rest of Scotland. Every piece of architecture there is a true treasure. Spend your Valentine’s Day sipping coffee in a cosy little café, strolling up the cobbled streets to the castle, and visiting the romantic Dean Village.
Fans of nature will enjoy hiking the hills surrounding the city, including the famous Arthur’s Seat. You will just need to be lucky to find a clear day that will allow you to see the magnificent view of the city from the top. Those, sadly, are far and between in Edinburgh.
Did you know that there is also a beach in Edinburgh? That’s right, Portobello Beach isn’t in Italy - it’s in Scotland, and you should pay it a visit during your trip to one of the most romantic destinations in Europe.
P.S. Edinburgh is also one of the top Christmas destinations and the best places to spend the New Year, so safe to say that any excuse to visit it is valid.
9. Amalfi, Italy
All right, this one may not be as original as the others. The Amalfi Coast probably figures on the bucket list of more than 90% of avid travellers.
But Italy had to figure in our ranking of the most romantic destinations in Europe, and we believe Amalfi deserves the shoutout. It has the vibe of Santorini but with the Italian charm.
And let’s be honest - there is a reason why Italian food figures among the most common cuisines for Valentine’s Day. If you want to make sure that someone will love you forever, just bring them to Amalfi, where they can enjoy an Italian Valentine’s meal straight from the source with wonderful views.
10. Gdansk, Poland
Poland isn’t an obvious choice when looking for the most romantic destinations in Europe. But it should be!
Poland is a beautiful country with very diverse landscapes. It has it all: the mountains? Check. The sea? Check. Lakes? Check. Forests? Check. A desert? There you go!
The city we chose for a romantic trip is Gdansk. Located in the North of the country by the sea, it boasts stunning architecture and a charming old town. The climate by the Baltic Sea isn’t as friendly as by the Mediterranean in February, but winter is the best time to enjoy the healing properties of iodine in the air.
Wrap up in a scarf and your warmest winter coat and stroll down one of the lovely beaches around Gdansk. Not to mention, Gdansk is part of the Tricity metropolis, allowing easy travel between it and two other beautiful seaside cities: Gdynia and Sopot.
So, in a way, you can get three romantic trips for the price of one (a very affordable one at that, since Poland is a relatively cheap European country). Gdansk is simply the perfect place to visit this Valentine’s Day!
Can you feel the love in the air? We have said it, and we will say it again: Europe is full of romantic destinations, and you don’t have to look far to find them! Every European country has multiple charming towns and cities to offer that will last you a lifetime - on Valentine’s Day and beyond.
Which of these most romantic European destinations stole your heart? Let us know in the comments!
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Javierr Quintanajust now
Very interesting!
Very interesting!