If you and your partner are looking to visit some of the most romantic cities in Europe, you’ll have loads of options to choose from. From Paris to Venice to Santorini, Europe is known for its charming and romantic vacation destinations.
But, in addition to the most popular destinations for couples, there are also quite a few under-the-radar gems as well. The two of you can choose between watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle in Paris, suntanning on the sunny beaches of Mallorca, enjoying the picture-perfect city of Tallinn, or even stroll hand in hand along the canals of Venice.
Simply put, if you’re looking for the most romantic cities in Europe, this guide has you covered! Each one of these cities has something in store for every hopeless romantic.
This post contains affiliate links to the products that I use and trust. This means that I might receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase using any of my links below. See full disclosure here.
In This Post:
16 Most Romantic Cities in Europe
Paris, France
It’s no surprise that Paris, France tops just about every list of romantic cities in Europe. It is considered to be the city of love, after all. My husband and I honeymooned in Paris and it felt like a romantic fairytale.
Paris definitely earned its nickname with its loads of romantic things to do. You can enjoy a picnic at the Luxembourg Palace and Gardens, explore the lovely Gardens of Versailles, eat crepes in an adorable café, and take a stroll along the Seine.
And, you certainly can’t forget to see the Eiffel Tower! The best time to see this iconic attraction is at night when it sparkles every hour on the hour.
Here is the perfect 3 days in Paris itinerary that covers everything you have to see and do in Paris and more!
RELATED: 3 Days in Paris Itinerary: The Perfect Paris Getaway
Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy rivals Paris as one of the most romantic cities in Europe. Not only does it make for a perfect romantic getaway, but it’s also one of the prettiest cities in Italy. With beautiful canals and lovely gondolas, there’s no place in the world quite like Venice.
Obviously, the most romantic thing to do in Venice is to enjoy a gondola ride for two. See many of Venice’s best sites, including the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge, while swaying in this unique boat and listening to your gondolier sing songs in Italian.
But, a gondola ride is certainly not all you and your partner can do together during your trip to Venice! You two can also stroll hand in hand along the many canals, purchase a piece of glass art in Murano, and share a superb scoop of gelato.
Read my post about 40 helpful things to know before visiting Venice before you plan your trip!
Florence, Italy
But, Venice isn’t the only romantic city in Italy on this list! Florence, Italy also deserves a spot.
While Paris has the Eiffel Tower and Venice has the canals, there’s no main romantic site to visit in Florence. Rather, it’s just the overall atmosphere of the town that makes it one of the most romantic spots in Europe.
As you and your partner visit the most popular sites in Florence, you can walk along the picture-perfect cobblestone streets, enjoy the enchanting view of the Arno River, and admire the striking marble and terra cotta architecture.
RELATED: 21 Prettiest Cities in Italy for Your Bucket List
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
If you’re looking for a romantic island getaway, you should consider traveling to Palma de Mallorca. This lovely city is located on the beautiful Spanish island of Mallorca – and during your trip to this island oasis, you and your partner will get to spend loads of quality time together.
The best thing to do in Palma de Mallorca is to enjoy the natural beauty of the island. You can suntan at S’Amarador Beach, hike the Torrent de Pareis Gorge Walk, and find the hidden shores of Calo des Moro.
But if you’d like to change things up, you can also visit the impressive Palma Cathedral, admire the artwork at Esbaluard Museu, stroll through Palma’s Old Town, and fill up on tasty tapas.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam has always been a romantic place to visit. With its gorgeous canals, lovely bridges, and blooming flower markets, it’s so easy to picture couples strolling hand in hand.
Even many of the popular foods, including poffertjes, Stroop waffles, and apple pie from Winkle 43, are all perfect for sharing!
All of that said, Amsterdam’s romantic reputation really got a boost in 2014, when the film, The Fault in Our Stars, was released. This tear-jerker of a movie (which was first a book written by John Green) made a new Amsterdam landmark: the iconic The Fault in Our Stars bench. This bench is found where the Herengracht and Leidsegracht canals meet. (Read the book or watch the movie if you don’t get the reference. No spoilers here!)
Santorini, Greece
Santorini is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations on the continent, which by default makes it one of the most romantic cities in Europe.
There’s no question of why Santorini draws couples like bees to honey. Its blue and white architecture, breathtaking ocean views, and beautiful beaches, it’s like a postcard!
And, that doesn’t even cover how Santorini allures all the other senses. The delicious Greek food, salty ocean breeze, and lively Greek music are all just as captivating.
Bruges, Belgium
With its sugary waffles, relaxing canals, and picture-perfect streets, Bruges, Belgium draws millions of people every single year. But it’s a particularly lovely place for couples to visit.
This small town is the perfect place to simply take things slow and enjoy the atmosphere. You and your partner can wake up late and start your day off with a morning waffle and coffee.
And when you’re ready to head out, the two of you can take a cruise through the canals, feed the friendly swans in the Lake of Love, and eat an absurd amount of Belgian chocolate.
Prague, Czech Republic
If you’re looking for one of the most affordable, yet romantic cities in Europe, look no further than Prague in the Czech Republic!
Situated in Eastern Europe, a trip to Prague is quite a bit cheaper than one to a Western European city, but there are still loads of romantic things to do!
The two of you can visit the famous Astronomical Clock, pop into the shops of Old Town Square, make your mark on the John Lennon Wall, and wander hand in hand along the iconic Charles Bridge.
RELATED: Cheapest Countries to Visit in Europe: 13 Gorgeous Locations!
Porto, Portugal
Porto, Portugal is a destination that has been getting quite a bit of new attention in recent years, especially with couples.
After all, who wouldn’t want to visit a place with breathtaking ocean views, intriguing history, and friendly people?
While in Porto, you and your partner will easily be able to stay entertained. The two of you can stop and smell the flowers at the Crystal Palace Gardens, take a walk across the Dom Luís I Bridge, and admire the architecture of the Porto Cathedral.
London, England
London, England likely isn’t the first place that comes to mind when thinking about romantic cities in Europe. But with a city so large, it only makes sense that it has loads of romantic things to do. We actually did the second part of our honeymoon in London and we were pleasantly surprised by what a great honeymoon destination it is.
During your time in London, you and your partner will definitely want to see all of the major sites first, including Big Ben, the Tower Bridge, and the British Museum.
But you can also add loads of romantic experiences to your itinerary as well, including admiring the views from the top of the London Eye, spending the day at Hyde Park, catching one of the live musicals in West End, and taking a sunset cruise on the Thames River.
Nicosia, Cyprus
Nicosia, Cyprus is one destination that you don’t see on most lists of romantic cities in Europe. In fact, it’s one of the most underrated cities in Europe. And that’s a shame because Nicosia is an amazing place for couples to visit. But on the bright side, that means fewer crowds and more privacy for you and your loved one!
No matter what type of getaway you and your partner are hoping for, you’ll be able to make it happen in Nicosia, Cyprus. If you just want to relax in the sunshine, you can spend the day at Lara Bay. If you want to be a little more adventurous, you can make the two-day hike to the top of Mount Olympus. Or if you’d prefer to explore the historical side of things, you can pay a visit to the Byzantine Museum and the Semiliye Mosque.
RELATED: 21 Underrated Cities in Europe That Are Worth a Visit
Corfu, Greece
Greece as a whole is known for its beaches and its history. Corfu offers both, but with smaller crowds than typical tourist destinations, like Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos.
Situated in the Ionian Sea, this small island boasts a whopping 130 miles of beach. You can easily spend all of your time hopping from one sandy shoreline to another. A few of the most popular include Ipsos Beach and Glyfada Beach.
But if there’s one Corfu Beach that should be on every couple’s Corfu bucket list, it’s the Canal D’Amour. According to the local legend, couples who swim through the length of the canal will stay in love forever.
If you’d like to take a little bit of a break from the sun and sand, there are other things to do on the island of Corfu. You can also explore Old Town Corfu, make your way up to the Paleokastritsa Monastery, and admire the architecture of St. George’s Church.
Vienna, Austria
As the capital city of Austria, Vienna has so much to boast about. While its beautiful architecture and charming atmosphere are appealing to everyone, they’re particularly alluring to couples. Simply put, Vienna, Austria is definitely one of the most romantic cities in Europe.
There are quite a few romantic things to do in Vienna. You and your partner can explore the blooming gardens at Schönbrunn Palace, look for the famous painting known as The Kiss at Belvedere Palace, and enjoy a sunset cruise on the Danube River. And if the two of you love art, you can also admire the pieces at the Museum of Fine Art and watch a performance at the Vienna State Opera.
Vevey, Switzerland
Vevey, Switzerland is one of the smallest, quietest, and most naturally beautiful destinations on this list of romantic cities in Europe. If that sounds like something you and your partner would love, what are you waiting for? Book your tickets!
Situated on the sparkling shores of Lake Geneva (locally known as Lac Léman), you and your partner will be able to enjoy stunning views of the lake – and the French Alps behind it – all day long. As a matter of fact, if you want to ensure that you see this beautiful view at all hours of the day, I recommend booking a few nights at the luxurious Grand Hôtel du Lac.
And when the two of you finally make your way out of the hotel, you can wander along the promenade, take a few pictures with the iconic fork sculpture, and enjoy some wine from the nearby Lavaux vineyards.
RELATED: 7 Essential Tips to Travel Switzerland on a Budget
Tallinn, Estonia
If you’re hoping to get off the beaten path, you and your partner can head to Tallinn, Estonia. With its red-tiled roofs and blooming greenery, it’s just as picture-perfect as the cities of Italy and Greece – just without the crowds.
There are loads of romantic things for you and your partner to do in Tallinn. The two of you can stroll through Old Town Tallinn, go ice skating in the Old Town ice rink, enjoy the stunning sunset from the Pirita promenade, and dine at one of the town’s fanciest restaurants.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Situated on the Adriatic Sea, Croatia is a beautiful country. And out of the many towns and cities within its borders, Dubrovnik may be the most romantic one of them all.
Dubrovnik is such an amazing place that the entire city was actually deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, thanks to its rich history. You can easily spend the entirety of your romantic getaway exploring Dubrovnik’s history, whether that’s by wandering through Old Town or walking atop the ancient city walls.
But, this Croatian city also boasts beautiful nature. You can take a cable car to the top of Mount Srd for sunset, take a boat out to the wonderful Elaphiti Islands, suntan on Banje Beach, and kayak on the clear turquoise waters to Lokrum Island.
RELATED: 2 Days in Split: How to Spend the Best Two Days in Split
Which one of these romantic cities in Europe is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
Are you looking for more Europe travel inspiration? You’ll love these posts too!
- 21 Underrated Cities in Europe That Are Worth a Visit
- 2 Days in Split: How to Spend the Best Two Days in Split
- 40 Helpful Things to Know Before Visiting Venice: the Ultimate Guide for Your Trip to Venice
- 3 Days in Paris Itinerary: The Perfect Paris Getaway
- Visiting the Vatican: Everything You Need to Know
- 2 Day Barcelona Itinerary: Best Things to See and Do
- Cheapest Countries to Visit in Europe: 13 Gorgeous Locations!
- 11 Best Beach Towns in France for the Perfect Vacation
- 15 Important Things to Know Before Traveling to Greece
- 27 Best Cities to Visit in Europe (That You’ll Fall in Love With!)
- 21 Prettiest Cities in Italy for Your Bucket List
Disha Smith is the founder of Disha Discovers. She quit her job in 2017 to travel the world to explore new cultures and experience new adventures. She has since been to 95+ countries and counting and has lived in South Africa, Thailand, Croatia, and Australia. She has done all kinds of travel ranging from luxury to budget backpacking, and her mission is to inspire others to discover their own sense of adventure and to help them plan a life full of meaningful experiences through travel.