Top 20 Best Honeymoon Destinations Around The World Today
Top 20 Best Honeymoon Destinations Around The World Today. Photo: KnowInsiders.com

Not venue scouting, cake tasting, or dress shopping (though those are pretty great), is the best part of wedding planning. It's honeymoon preparation. And there is no better way to celebrate your marriage than with the trip of a lifetime, regardless of whether you are honeymooning two days, two weeks, or two years following your actual wedding. When choosing a honeymoon destination, it's important to consider your travel preferences together. Are beach vacations or city breaks more your style as a couple?

Which kind of setting suits the two of you best? Recall that when it comes to organizing your honeymoon, there are no wrong answers. You can choose a location that is new to you both or a special place you have visited together.

We've put together a list of 20 of the world's top destinations for honeymoons to help you get things started. Everybody has a different idea of what romance looks like, so we've taken that into consideration when selecting locations for our bucket list adventures, private islands, and popular European cities.

1.St Lucia,Caribbean Sea

Photo Coconut Bay
Photo Coconut Bay

Unspoiled, lush St. Lucia is gaining popularity. Some of its visitors are music fans who enjoy the springtime St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, while others are adrenaline junkies who test their limits by climbing The Pitons or zip lining through the Chassin region's rain forest. Others are honeymooners relaxing on the island's chalky beaches or hunkering down in one of its remote resorts.

But what if you're not in any of these categories? Don't worry: St. Lucia refuses to be classified as a specific "type" of Caribbean vacation. You also don't have to spend a lot of money (its reputation as a luxurious hideaway is only partially justified). You must visit the island to experience some of its indescribable charms. Start your mornings with an orange-tinted Soufrière sunrise and end your evenings with a "jump-up" (or dance party) along Gros Islet.

2.New York

Photo: The New York Times
Photo The New York Times

For good reason, many soon-to-wed couples consider a honeymoon in the global center of fashion, media, entertainment, and finance. There's always something new to see and do, with new restaurants, bars, and attractions springing up all the time. Couples planning a honeymoon in New York City will find plenty of romantic lodging options, ranging from swanky hotels to charming downtown boutiques. When you've dragged yourself away from your hotel room, take a walk or ride your bike through the neighborhoods of New York's five distinct boroughs. Each enclave has its own shops, historic streets, and trendy bars and restaurants.

After getting dressed up for dinner, sip a fancy cocktail before taking in some culture at Lincoln Center (last-minute tickets to the New York City Ballet, The Metropolitan Opera, or the Philharmonic are frequently available). Alternatively, take the ferry to Brooklyn and dine on lobster at the legendary River Cafe, which sits prettily beneath the Brooklyn Bridge and has some of the best views in the city. Although New York is an expensive city, a honeymoon here is within your financial means if you are flexible and plan ahead of time. For example, swap River Cafe for Lucali, a cash-only, BYOB pizza joint frequented by Jay-Z and Beyonce.

3.Austin, Texas

Do you consider yourself a hipster? Do you enjoy music? Is the thought of barbecue making your mouth water? Get yourselves to the coolest city in Texas, which, while not known for romance, does have its romantic spots, such as Mount Bonnell and Lake Travis at sunset. Otherwise, stay at the hip bungalow-style Hotel San Jose (or, for a more rural escape, the luxury spa resort Travaasa Austin) and spend your time on South Congress sampling food trucks, watching shows, and window shopping.

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4.Australia

The debate between Sydney and Melbourne is similar to that between Los Angeles and New York, but there are so many other parts of this vast island nation. Stay at the QT Bondi to work on your golden tan, or the newish Old Clare Hotel for an urban adventure in the former. After exploring Melbourne's divine restaurant scene and mural-filled laneways, stay at the artsy Jackalope Hotel for a Mornington Peninsula wine-country immersion.

Western Australia has a lot to offer, from buzzy Perth to Rottnest Island, which has adorable quokkas and Chris Hemsworth-approved glamping at Discovery Rottnest Island, as well as outback and ocean adventures in the Kimberley and Ningaloo Reef. Of course, it's difficult to find more idyllic beaches than those in the Whitsundays.

5.Prague, Czech Republic

A majestic city of bridges, medieval cathedrals, and castles, Prague's vibrant local culture comes chock full of energy, music, and fine dining (and really, really good beer). For a hotel that feels both luxurious and eclectic, Le Palais Art Hotel has wellness programming, culture galore, and 72 chic rooms and suites.

6.Bali, Indonesia

Photo Trip Advisor
Photo Trip Advisor

Bali exudes so much romance and mystique, from the traditional Buddhist temples to the iconic green rice paddies, volcanic mountain ranges, and idyllic beaches, that it's no surprise the island has remained a popular honeymoon destination for decades. The Hoshinoya Bali is especially romantic for couples, with iron treehouses suspended within the Balinese forest (where you'll enjoy your breakfast in the morning), rooms with exquisite Japanese design, and one of the island's most impressive resort pools.

Bali's appeal to honeymooners is well-deserved. This magical island, one of 17,500 in the Indonesian archipelago, is a honeymooner's dream, with exotic beaches, coral reefs, picturesque rice paddies, incredible surfing opportunities, and a vibrant nightlife. Furthermore, there are accommodations to suit all budgets, ranging from backpacker beach huts to designer boutique retreats to massive, five-star resorts with private plunge pools. Despite its continued growth, this small island has managed to maintain its authenticity, with residents who are generous and genuine.

7.Bhutan

If you like things off the beaten path, this South Asian gem is for you. It's a magical country sandwiched between India and China, with its own identity and topography, though anyone who's been to one of those spots knows natural beauty is a given. Because of its remoteness and subtle Western influence, the miniature kingdom in the Himalayas is epic for trekking and has retained quite a sense of culture. Explore Buddhist monasteries, breathtaking views, and fortresses as you travel from valley to valley.

8.British Virgin Islands

Couples who want to spend their days on the water and their nights in a high-end hotel should consider getting married in the British Virgin Islands. This collection of Caribbean islands is known for its excellent sailing and diving, but it also has private island resorts where couples can relax in hammocks and sip cocktails on the beach. Head to Anegada for the most seclusion (and to see flocks of flamingos).

9.Chiang Mai, Thailand

Photo World Travel Guide
Photo World Travel Guide

Thailand has long been a honeymoon destination thanks to the country's beaches, food, and friendly people. Dhara Dhevi, in picturesque Chiang Mai, is great for couples, who can opt to stay in one of the seven residence-style villas, most with private swimming pools and all made for romantic getaways. Romance can be found off-property, too, including at dinner along the Ping River aboard Riverside Restaurant's nightly cruise.

10.Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa offers remote wilderness, majestic coastlines, and luxurious resorts, making it an ideal honeymoon destination. Tintswalo Atlantic is a five-star luxury boutique property on the Atlantic Ocean's shoreline between Hout Bay and Cape Town, with 11 impeccably designed suites overlooking the ocean. After a few nights away from the city, head into the heart of Cape Town — or continue on to Stellenbosch for a memorable stay in wine country.

11.Paris

Photo Shutterstock
Photo Shutterstock

Even without the extraordinary hotels, restaurants, shopping, and art, Paris is arguably the most romantic city in the world. As a couple, you can stroll hand-in-hand through the cobblestone streets, steal kisses on bridges, and visit iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Notre Dame Cathedral (although the cathedral is still closed to the public for renovations following the 2019 fire, visitors can still enjoy the awe-inspiring view of the outside architecture from surrounding squares). The true magic of Paris, however, lies in discovering some of its lesser-known gems and local favorites in charming boulevards, cozy cafes, and bustling bistros.

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12.Vancouver

Photo iStock
Photo iStock

Vancouver, Canada's cool seaport, and nearby Vancouver Island have a lot to offer for an active honeymoon. Its unique setting, surrounded by mountains and water, attracts visitors for a variety of outdoor activities, but it's also known for its vibrant art and music scenes. Whatever you choose to do with your days—from the chic city-centric Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel to Tofino's romantic, forested Wickaninnish Inn—the natural beauty cannot be matched.

13.Copenhagen

Photo Kate Dwyn
Photo Kate Dwyn

Most of the words in Denmark's capital are difficult to pronounce, but that's half the fun. The beautiful Scandinavian home of the Little Mermaid sculpture, grand castles, and tons of hyper-influential design is intimate and easy to navigate. Beyond the city, take day trips to hike in wooded Edens, and by night, cuddle up in hygge style with your one true love at a top hotel like the iconic Hotel d'Angleterre, with an abundance of candles, wine, sweets, and a fire roaring in the background.

14.Costa Rica

Costa Rica's Pacific coast has something for everyone who loves nature and adventure. Santa Teresa is a small beach town with plenty of surfing to keep you entertained. The rainforest above the beach is home to creative kitchens and boutique-y hotels like Florblanca Resort and Milarepa, and the ocean is warm and the waves are perfect. Further north, on Peninsula Papagayo, is the intimate, immersive boutique resort Kasiiya, with elegant platform tents and a plethora of ways to connect with nature and each other. The Retreat Costa Rica, located on a quartz mountain overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is a go-to for all things spa, healing, and organic gardens.

15.Vietnam

Photo: KKday
Photo KKday

Beaches, culture, Buddhist pagodas, rivers, and sophisticated cities abound in Vietnam. And then there's the food. There are also remnants of French colonial rule in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and Hanoi are major metropolises, while Hoi An, Mui Ne, and Hue offer more rural charm as well as art and pristine sandy coastlines. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is a secluded coastal hideaway, while Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai is more accessible. Because the Southeast Asian country is fairly large, you may want to consider taking road trips to see the most diverse markets, treks, cuisine, and temples.

Croatia is the place to go if you want to explore magical crystalline terraced lakes and waterfalls, historical sites and ruins, sail around on a yacht, tour cathedrals, or even go wild partying. The country that stretches down the Mediterranean has a Greek Isle-like flavor but its own distinct culture and appearance. This authentic, unspoiled destination is all about superbly designed sea-view spots like Villa Dubrovnik.

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16. Slovenia

If you considered Georgia as a trending destination last year, think again this year about Slovenia, the Central European country of castles, verdant fields, snow-capped peaks, thermal springs, and the continent's greenest city, Ljubljana. It's a place that's still not overrun with tourists, so you'll have the opportunity to explore it like a pioneer. Slovenia makes its debut in the Michelin Gastronomic Guide, demonstrating the country's thriving and widespread foodie scene. Sleep in the Julian Alps at the recently reopened digital detox retreat Sunrose 7, or near an organic chocolate factory in Chocolate Village's glamping units.

17. Maldives

Photo Shutterstock
Photo Shutterstock

There's a reason why the Maldives, an Indian Ocean nation of 1,190 coral islands, is high on honeymoon wish lists. These idyllic islands are a true Robinson Crusoe fantasy. After being whisked away by a speedboat or seaplane, you'll step onto a jetty and walk down to a white-sand beach away from the crowds. The iconic overwater villas are especially popular with honeymooners, but the secluded beach villas are also incredibly romantic, and often include spacious outdoor bathrooms or private plunge pools.

During the day, enjoy world-class snorkeling and diving, spa treatments, sunset cruises, and island picnics. Expect little to no nightlife after dinner; most guests are content to gaze at the stars and the moon. The romantic lighting at the resort adds to the ambiance; walking paths are dimly lit, and the only sound is palm trees swaying in the breeze. Typically, guests retire to their magnificent rooms to enjoy the peace and quiet of newlywed heaven.

18.Dominica

Dominica is a water baby's paradise, with rivers and streams, waterfalls, hot sulfur strings, and a boiling lake, not to mention the Caribbean Sea. The longest hiking trail in the region is also an option. Following Hurricane Maria's devastation, the island has become a haven for jungle-y adventures (such as canyoning in Titou Gorge), relaxation (such as the mud pools of Wotten Waven Hot Springs), whale watching, and beautiful new hotels such as Jungle Bay, Secret Bay, and Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski.

19.Koh Rong Archipelago, Cambodia

For a different kind of Cambodia experience, head to the untouched Koh Rong Archipelago and the private island of Song Saa ("the sweethearts" in Khmer), the country's first luxury private island resort. It's set on a marine reserve, which keeps the islands' reefs and marine life (including turtles, seahorses, and exotic species of tropical fish) safe.

20.Waiheke Island, New Zealand

Waiheke Island, located 45 minutes by ferry off the coast of Auckland, New Zealand, has a variety of vineyards, sophisticated restaurants, galleries, and golden-sand beaches. And there's no better place for honeymooners to experience it all than The Boatshed, which connects you to the island's many activities while also providing the ideal escape from it all.

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