This amazing continent is home to popular romantic destinations as it boasts of some of the best weekend getaways in Europe for couples! One could stay in ultra-luxurious places or wallet-friendly romantic spots.
The region boasts some of the most beautiful spots on earth, no matter if you are a beach-, chill-, or adventure-loving couple. If you’re looking for the best weekend getaways in Europe for couples, here are the best options:
Spain is one of the most romantic countries on Earth and has a culture that exudes romance. Among the most beautiful and romantic cities in the country is Alicante – the perfect destination for a lovely couple’s getaway. It’s located in Southern Spain on the Costa Blanca.
The charming seaside city offers couples stunning beaches, delicious tapas, and the most incredible attractions like the historic castle fortress, Santa Barbara Castle. In a city with breathtaking views at every turn, some of the best are of the beaches or the castle. From any of the city’s rooftop bars, hotels, and even Alicante Airbnbs with a balcony, you can enjoy a sweeping panoramic of the Mediterranean coastline with the mammoth castle overlooking it all.
One of the most romantic locations in Alicante is the colorful, palm-tree-lined walkway, Explanada Promenade. It hugs the coastline and can take couples from the gorgeous city center to the beaches. All couples should stroll from Alicante marina to Postiguet Beach and touch the sea. The marina is lined with sailboats and the path around it is dotted with sculptures that further add to its beauty.
For the most romantic sunset in southern Spain, head to Santa Barbara Castle in the evening. You can even start in the Old Quarter and admire the street art and historic architecture. The summit of the castle can be reached with a light hike or by funicular.
After reaching the historic fortress you can enjoy a tour of the grounds or show yourself around and wait for a perfect sunset over the city. The hues of red, orange, and purple rays over the Meditteranean make for a most romantic evening.
A great weekend getaway for couples is one to Athens. Athens is the capital of Greece and it is a lovely city to visit. Furthermore, it is one of the most beautiful places in Greece.
There are lots of great experiences for couples in the city. For example, there are so many places where you can have a romantic dinner. The steps of Plaka are a great place to go for this. Or you can have dinner with a view on the Acropolis that is illuminated at night, which is very romantic. Also, you’ll see a lot of historic things when you walk through the city.
Everywhere you go there are ruins that remind you of Ancient Greece. It is very fun to learn about Greek history together with your partner. There are lots of things to do in the city. One of the best is to visit the Acropolis. This is an old citadel of Ancient Greece with remains of important buildings from that time. Another sight you have to see is the Temple of the Olympian Zeus. This used to be one of the largest temples in the world, but nowadays you can see only a few columns that are left.
Another great thing to do in Greece is to visit another island with your partner, such as Santorini or Mykonos. It is easy to go here by ferry and the experience is very romantic.”
Budapest is situated in the heart of Eastern Europe and is the capital city of Hungary. Split into two halves by the impressive river Danube Buda and Pest both with distinctive features and attractions to fill a romantic getaway for you and your partner.
Buda, on the west side, features areas of high ground which can offer some of the most impressive and romantic views of the city. We would recommend visiting “Fisherman’s Bastion” that is part of Buda castle. Built in 1844, it features beautiful neoclassical architecture, with viewing windows perfect to look over the city, especially during the evening when the iconic baroque parliament building is lit up.
On the east side of town or “Pest” side, you cannot miss out on visiting one of the many thermal baths that are prevalent in Budapest. The largest and most popular with tourists is the Széchenyi Thermal Baths. The baths here have an amazing outdoor area with heated pools to relax with your partner, or you can even book spa treatments if you really want to indulge in the experience.
Boat trips are also available along the river where you can either take a tour style trip, learning about the city and the sights along the river or if you want to cap off a romantic getaway in style, check out the evening cruises where you can enjoy a candlelit dinner for two as you take in the night time views.
The magical five lands aka Cinque Terre are located in northwest Italy in the Liguria region. It is also the last part of a famous Italian Riviera area. Cinque Terre consists of five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.
All picturesque villages are lined with the Mediterranean Sea on a rocky shore. The villages are isolated from the main roads but are reachable by car on mountain roads or with convenient trains. Cinque Terre villages and surrounding National Park are also listed on the UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Cinque Terre area is known for colorful fisher villages, for the views of the sea and surrounding landscape, hiking trails between villages, and beautiful beaches.
The main attraction is just strolling around either village. The most romantic village among the five is Vernazza. Where you have scenic views over the village from Doria Castle, enjoy the weather in a charming harbor, or taste local cuisine from fish restaurants.
Each village is connected by walking hiking trails, known as Blue Path. For the spectacular views, it’s one of the main things to do in the area. In a total of four hiking trails, the most known pathway is between villages Manarola and Riomaggiore. This trail is called via dell’Amore aka The Way of Love. Riomaggiore is also the best place for sunsets.
Cinque Terre in Italy is the perfect destination for a romantic weekend getaway in Europe!
Copenhagen may not be the first city you think of when it comes to a couple’s getaway, but it’s actually one of Europe’s most romantic destinations. Copenhagen has an incredible and understated beauty.
There’s a magnificent blend of old and new architecture that makes the city a lovely backdrop for a romantic getaway. From the pastel buildings to the cobblestone streets, Copenhagen is simply enchanting. From any airport in Europe couples can fly to the city and book a Copenhagen Airbnb for an incredible getaway.
One of the most beautiful features is the waterfront areas which are seemingly all over the city. This is because of the numerous canals and large scenic harbor which are all lined with walkways that are perfect for a lover’s stroll. You can also explore the city from the water itself, one of the best couple’s activities in Copenhagen is renting an electric boat to cruise the waterways. Most of the boat rentals have picnic tables for you to enjoy a bottle of wine and floating picnic while boating through the city.
Speaking of picnics, Copenhagen is full of parks and picnic spots like the King’s Garden surrounding Rosenborg Castle. Couples can also linger around and tour Rosenborg Castle, a beautifully restored Renaissance castle displaying artifacts of Danish history. Most significant are the royal coronation thrones and the Danish Crowned Jewels. One of the most fun places for couples visiting the city is Tivoli Gardens. It’s an old-world amusement park in the center of Copenhagen. Its beauty and charm even inspired Walt Disney to create his own park in the United States.
If you find yourself in Northern Italy or Austria and are looking for a nice place for a romantic getaway, the ski resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo is the place for you.
Located some 250 km north of Venice, the small town of Cortina is surrounded by the Dolomites, undeniably one of the most impressive sections of the Alps – protected by UNESCO.
Whether you like outdoor activities and sports, or you prefer to relax and get pampered, there are a lot of romantic things to do in Cortina in a weekend.
If you want to challenge yourself with a via ferrata trek, head to the Fanes Waterfalls, located in the Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites. Some parts of the hike are quite demanding, but the stunning waterfalls are worth the effort.
If you prefer to relax and admire the scenery, take a walk on the Old Railway Track to enjoy wonderful views of the whole valley, with zero effort.
Many hotels in Cortina have a spa, so it’s the perfect occasion to get pampered! Check out Hotel Trieste, Hotel Rosapetra, Hotel Cristallo, or head over to the Croda da Lago refuge to try their barrel sauna.
Needless to say that the extensive ski slopes network ranges from easy to hard, making it the perfect destination to practice skiing – or learning with a teacher.
Foodies will have a great time in Cortina. Gather for an aperitivo with wine or spritz from 6 p.m. in the city centre to experience the chic-yet-local vibe, then enjoy an Italian or traditional meal at a nearby pizzeria like Ariston or Cinque Torri. For a special experience, try Ristorante Tivoli, a one Michelin star restaurant.
Located in the heart of central Italy is Florence, the Tuscan capital. This renaissance city is chock full of historic art and grand architecture. But, what makes Florence one of the best weekend getaways for couples in Europe are the quaint and walkable streets, cozy trattorias and beautiful gardens.
If you are planning a weekend trip to Florence, start by staying at the AdAstra boutique hotel. This romantic, beautifully designed, and eclectic mansion is located a 5 minute walk to the Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens. A perfect spot away from crowds, but close enough to walk to all the attractions.
Once you’ve settled in, head out to roam the city by foot. Visit the famous Cathedral (Duomo) and marvel at the architecture. Stop off at the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze to see the Statue of David. Meander across the ancient Ponte Vecchio bridge hand-in-hand and grab yourself a gelato at one of the best in town, Gelateria Della Passera. Try the pistachio!
For a romantic dinner out, explore the wine list at Le Volpi e L’Uva, one of the best wine bars in the country. Order a local meat and cheese plate off of their small, curated menu and enjoy each other’s company.
While out and about, visit the Mercato Centrale (central market) and head upstairs for a taste of the best truffle pasta or wander the magnificent, and romantic Boboli Gardens, located behind the Palazzo Pitti. Don’t forget to peruse the halls of the famous Uffizi Gallery where you will lay eyes on many Renaissance masterpieces.
There is nowhere on earth more romantic and magical than Positano, Italy. From start to finish this is a travel destination made for couples looking to fall more in love and strengthen their bonds together.
The huge mountains, pastel-coloured houses built into the cliffside, blue water, and charming environment are enough to make anyone feel the love! Whether you are looking for a honeymoon destination, celebratory getaway, or just want to enjoy each other’s company in a stunning atmosphere, Positano is for you!
Luckily there are plenty of amazing things to do in Positano for couples. The village is a love bird’s paradise with cliffside restaurants, romantic streets, and captivating beaches. There are plenty of adventures to be had in Positano that will result in lasting memories.
The best thing to do in Positano for couples is to book a reservation at one of the many mountainside restaurants that offer stunning views of the city and sea. A romantic dinner date that also captures the sunset is by far one of the best things to do where you can enjoy the beauty, amazing Italian food, and each other. It is also wonderful to spend a day on the beach relaxing on a sunbed with a cocktail and amazing service.
In the south of Tuscany, near the border with Lazio, there are some of Italy’s hidden gems that are perfect for spending a couple of days with your significant other.
The first stop is the tiny village of Bagni San Filippo, which has been known since ancient times for its healing thermal hot springs. The waters have carved the limestone that covers the hill creating a fairytale landscape of natural thermal pools and waterfalls where you can bathe and relax from autumn to spring, surrounded by a dense forest.
Not far away, there is a thermal resort with a spa, a hotel, and a restaurant where you can spend the night.
After enjoying one of the most picturesque hot springs near Rome, head to the villages included in the archaeological park “Città del Tufo”. Sorano and Pitigliano are built on immense blocks of tufa rock that rise in the middle of gorges full of lush vegetation. The historic centers date back to medieval times and are composed of narrow maze-like alleys, small piazzas, and terraces from which to admire the breathtaking landscape of the canyon. Pitigliano is full of artisans’ and artists’ stores.
At sunset, choose a café and taste the local wine and cuisine. The countryside surrounding these places is full of vineyards and olive groves and has nothing to envy to the nearby Chianti region. For a unique experience, stop to dine and sleep at the organic farm Bio-agriturismo Aia del Tufo, which produces all the products it serves. The most satisfying way to travel in Tuscany is by private car, so you can stop and admire the hilly landscape and take a picture whenever you want.
Venice, one of Italy’s most picturesque cities, is also one of the most romantic cities in the world! Built in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, Venice has no roads, just canals. Mysterious passageways, serene beauty in romantic canals, and the charm of walking through a historically artistic and preserved city make Venice a fabulous romantic getaway.
There is nothing more romantic than being serenaded in Italian during a gondola ride in Venice. Snuggle in close and enjoy the picturesque small canals and historic architecture, antique charm, and gorgeous bridges around you. Take a gondola ride at sunset for added romance. Have the gondolier take you under the Bridge of Sighs. According to Venetian lore, if a couple kisses under the bridge, they will stay together forever and live in eternal bliss.
You’ll even love getting lost in the maze of Venice streets, as every corner is enchanting. Grab some gelato, wander arm in arm without an agenda, and get magically lost.
The top of the bell tower, or the top of the clock tower, for fabulous views of Venice and the lagoon.
Everywhere you turn in Venice, you will feel the dream-like atmosphere of the city, and all of the love in the air. You’ll finish your weekend starry-eyed and with full hearts.
