The honeymoon is, for most couples, the most expensive and most anticipated holiday of their lives — which makes getting it right enormously important. The good news is that the world's most romantic destinations span every budget, from a week in the Maldives (genuinely life-changing at £3,000–£5,000pp) to a beautiful vineyard stay in the Douro Valley (extraordinary at £1,200–£1,800pp total).
The best honeymoons are the ones that suit the couple, not the ones that appear most impressive on Instagram. Before you default to the Maldives, ask honestly: do you both love the beach? Would you be bored with seven days of sun-lounger-to-restaurant-to-bed? Some couples return from their Maldivian dream honeymoon wishing they'd done Japan instead.
❤️ Tell everyone you're on honeymoon. Airlines, hotels and restaurants frequently offer complimentary upgrades, champagne and special treatment to honeymooners. Book directly with hotels and mention it explicitly. Travel agents who specialise in honeymoons often have access to exclusive extras that online booking platforms don't.
Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations for 2026
Maldives
11 hrs from UK
The benchmark honeymoon destination — overwater bungalows, zero-visibility coral reefs, complete seclusion and impeccable service. Stay for 7–10 nights minimum to justify the journey.
Santorini, Greece
3.5 hrs from UK
The Mediterranean's most romantic destination — whitewashed clifftop villages, the most photographed sunset on Earth, and intimate boutique hotels carved into the caldera cliff.
Bali, Indonesia
16 hrs from UK
The alternative to the Maldives — private infinity pools overlooking rice terraces or the Indian Ocean, extraordinary spa treatments, rice paddy walks and a spiritual atmosphere unlike anywhere else.
Mauritius
11 hrs from UK
The Indian Ocean's most complete honeymoon destination — pristine beaches with calm turquoise lagoons, consistently excellent luxury hotels and a French-Creole food culture that rivals any in the world.
St Lucia, Caribbean
9 hrs from UK
The Caribbean's most romantic island — the Piton mountains rising from the sea, dense rainforest, excellent small boutique hotels (Jade Mountain, Anse Chastanet) and a relaxed pace that honeymoons are made for.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
2h 45m from UK
Europe's most glamorous honeymoon destination — Positano's pastel buildings cascading to the sea, cliff-edge restaurants, boat trips to Capri and the finest Italian cuisine imaginable.
Kyoto & Tokyo, Japan
12 hrs from UK
Japan is the world's most distinctive honeymoon destination for culturally-curious couples — ryokan inns, private onsen baths, tea ceremonies, and the extraordinary juxtaposition of ancient and ultramodern.
Douro Valley, Portugal
2h 30m from UK
Europe's most underrated honeymoon — the UNESCO-listed Douro wine region offers stunning terraced vineyards, wine estate stays and the Douro river cruise. Remarkable quality at prices that make other European honeymoons look expensive.
Honeymoon Planning Advice
- Don't let what looks impressive dictate the trip. The Maldives is extraordinary, but seven days with nothing to do but swim and eat doesn't suit all couples. Japan, Portugal's Douro Valley, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast are equally romantic and offer much more variety and stimulation for curious, active couples.
- Book your first night somewhere exceptional. Even if the rest of your honeymoon is a modest budget, splurge on the first night — an exceptional hotel arrival after a long-haul flight sets the emotional tone for the whole trip.
- Longer isn't always better. A 10-day itinerary crammed with moving between hotels and destinations is more exhausting than romantic. Most travel experts recommend a maximum of two or three stops on a honeymoon. A fortnight in one place, explored thoroughly, is often more memorable than racing around five destinations in two weeks.
- Weather and timing are critical. The Maldives is beautiful year-round but May–October is technically its wet season (though it rarely rains all day). Santorini is magical July–September but July–August is extremely crowded and very hot. Research the specific conditions for your chosen destination before confirming dates.
Honeymoon by Budget
| Budget (total, 2 people) | Best Options |
|---|---|
| £1,500–£2,500 | Douro Valley Portugal, Amalfi Coast, Santorini (budget), Morocco riad |
| £2,500–£4,000 | Santorini (boutique hotel), Bali, St Lucia, Mauritius (mid-range) |
| £4,000–£6,000 | Maldives (mid-range), Mauritius (luxury), Japan, Seychelles (lower end) |
| £6,000+ | Maldives (luxury overwater villa), Seychelles private island, Bora Bora |
✅ Read the full guide: Our 10 Dreamy Honeymoon Destinations for 2026 covers each top destination in detail with specific hotel recommendations, best room types, how to negotiate honeymoon extras and the best time of year to visit each.