Most Romantic Destinations for Couples

Last updated on 03/27/2023

Best Romantic Destinations for Couples Travel

There are some destinations where it is impossible not to be struck by Cupid’s arrow. Our surrounding environment can influence our behavior, mood and emotional connections. Most would agree being in close proximity to nature has a calming effect on the mind and body, allowing stronger bonding with your partner. But there are many other factors that can help romance to blossom, from sightseeing to sipping wine in atmospheric bars.

InsureMyTrip research teams set out to discover the most popular destinations for honeymoons and marriage proposals, according to social media. Then researchers evaluated whether these "romantic" destinations were worth the hype. InsureMyTrip compared this research with other data points to create a definitive list of the most romantic destinations for couples, just in time for Valentine’s Day!

1. The Most Romantic Destinations to Visit 2. The Most Romantic US Destinations to Visit 3. Key Findings 4. Methodology 5. Sources

The Most Romantic Destinations to Visit

Rank
Destination
Country
1
Paris
France
5.99
10
5.65
5.9
7.16
8.27
5.75
10
9.05
7.53
2
London
United Kingdom
2.7
8.84
4.52
6.31
6.32
6.53
8.4
0.62
9.52
5.97
3
Santorini
Greece
10
1.45
-
4.05
9
6.66
-
2.59
5.71
5.64
4
Barcelona
Spain
1.94
0.65
6.88
7.07
6.22
7.78
5.01
3.9
9.52
5.44
5
Ubud
Bali, Indonesia
8.42
2.1
-
8.56
7.57
3.18
-
6.31
1.43
5.37
6
Prague
Czech Republic
1.22
0.65
7.87
8.02
6.04
7.66
8.2
0.8
7.62
5.34
7
Montreal
Canada
0.18
0.8
6.48
7.07
7.82
6.27
8.8
0.57
10
5.33
8
Lisbon
Portugal
0.47
0.07
7.36
8.02
6.05
4.99
6.89
3.97
10
5.31
9
Edinburgh
Scotland
0.32
0.43
4.55
6.76
7.6
8.48
8.81
1.09
9.52
5.28
10
Vienna
Austria
0.74
0.43
6.4
6.8
6.18
7.42
9.07
0.96
9.52
5.28
11
Sydney
Australia
1.94
4.28
5.54
6.35
6.9
5.69
8.56
0.02
8.1
5.26
12
Dubrovnik
Croatia
0.81
0.07
-
8.2
8.16
5.71
6.13
6.09
6.19
5.17
13
Melbourne
Australia
0.97
1.81
5.99
6.53
5.89
7.75
9.06
0.02
8.1
5.12
14
Lima
Peru
0.59
3.7
8.68
9.73
6.82
6.92
4.81
0.06
4.29
5.07
15
Buenos Aires
Argentina
0.32
0.07
8.73
9.28
3.81
6.91
6.88
1.28
8.1
5.04
16
Bath
United Kingdom
0.16
0.43
-
6.58
8.82
3.35
7.89
3.48
9.52
5.03
17
Florence
Italy
0.95
0.29
4.95
7.39
8.14
6.14
6.86
3.81
6.67
5.02
18
Dublin
Ireland
0.29
0.29
4.95
7.25
5.83
7.57
7.94
1.95
9.05
5.01
19
Wellington
New Zealand
0.09
0
6.2
8.02
6.42
5.09
9.21
0.54
9.52
5.01
20
Bruges
Belgium
0.05
0.07
-
7.07
9.12
2.56
10
0.94
9.52
4.92
21
Charleston
United States
0.11
1.23
-
5.41
6.86
10
9.01
0.51
6.19
4.92
22
Kraków
Poland
0.09
0.65
8.48
8.78
7.52
7.8
5.6
0.53
4.76
4.91
23
Frankfurt
Germany
0.25
0.43
5.91
7.97
5.37
6.81
8.31
0.41
8.57
4.89
24
Rome
Italy
3.4
1.52
5.43
7.57
6.45
5.42
6.17
0.91
6.67
4.84
25
San Francisco
United States
1.42
3.91
3.77
4.59
4.32
8.09
7.4
3.63
6.19
4.81
26
Vancouver
Canada
0.63
2.54
5.5
6.98
2.75
4.54
9.23
1.13
10
4.81
27
San Sebastián
Spain
0.25
0
-
7.7
6.9
3.78
8.83
1.42
9.52
4.8
28
Madrid
Spain
0.95
0.87
6.88
3.87
6.59
6.36
7.36
0.64
9.52
4.78
29
Toronto
Canada
0.63
4.13
5.5
6.85
2.73
5.14
7.57
0.34
10
4.77
30
Budapest
Hungary
0.52
1.01
7.83
8.51
5.33
7.35
5.54
0.75
5.71
4.73
31
Berlin
Germany
0.47
0.72
6.87
7.25
5.98
3.35
8.79
0.41
8.57
4.71
32
Jaipur
India
0.25
0.8
10
10
4.92
0.53
6.14
0.25
9.52
4.71
33
Seoul
South Korea
0.86
0.51
7.43
8.2
4.81
4.1
6.31
0.38
9.52
4.68
34
Copenhagen
Denmark
0.09
0.14
3
5.99
4.68
6.93
8.94
2.7
9.52
4.67
35
Los Angeles
United States
1.96
5.14
5.3
4.5
4.5
8.69
5.16
0.21
6.19
4.63
36
Brussels
Belgium
0
0.07
4.95
7.48
5.66
5.5
7.28
0.98
9.52
4.6
37
Phuket
Thailand
4.53
0.87
9.01
6.35
3.83
5.76
4.7
0.19
6.19
4.6
38
Quebec City
Canada
0.07
0.65
-
7.52
5.04
5.13
7.44
0.39
10
4.53
39
Amsterdam
Netherlands
1.08
1.59
4.95
5.54
5.38
3.22
8.16
1.32
9.52
4.53
40
Stockholm
Sweden
0.09
0.29
3.89
6.8
5.6
3.93
9.28
0.73
10
4.51
41
Cape Town
South Africa
0.56
0.29
7.64
8.15
7.93
0
7.51
0.38
8.1
4.51
42
Rhodes
Greece
0.38
0
-
7.52
10
7.18
5.07
0.14
5.71
4.5
43
Singapore
Singapore
2.41
1.81
6.91
8.92
4.78
2.15
8.3
0.43
4.76
4.5
44
Helsinki
Finland
0.18
0
4.47
7.12
5.77
3.69
8.91
0.64
9.52
4.48
45
Athens
Greece
1.33
0.22
6.88
8.56
6.79
8.1
2.32
0.07
5.71
4.44
46
New York City
United States
0.88
2.39
3.77
5.54
4.7
8.39
7.21
0.85
6.19
4.43
47
San Diego
United States
0.45
2.61
5.51
5.5
4.83
5.98
8.21
0.24
6.19
4.39
48
Auckland
New Zealand
0.25
0.22
5.78
7.3
4.33
3.29
8.38
0.14
9.52
4.36
49
Kyoto
Japan
1.31
1.67
-
5.72
7.91
5.05
7.02
0.68
5.24
4.32
50
Miami
United States
2.55
5.87
5.08
1.85
5.17
4.38
6.74
0.6
6.19
4.27
51
Venice
Italy
2.88
0.29
-
6.98
6.1
5.51
4.6
0.92
6.67
4.24
52
Milan
Italy
1.6
0.87
4.95
6.44
5.7
3.54
4.83
1.71
6.67
4.03
53
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
0.56
0.36
8.67
6.53
3.49
5.09
5.26
0.24
5.24
3.94
54
Reykjavík
Iceland
0.11
0.14
0
5.72
7.53
3.92
7.57
0.39
9.52
3.88
55
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
0.88
1.3
6.29
8.83
3.56
3.05
5.32
0.29
5.24
3.86
56
Cartagena
Colombia
0.61
0.14
-
7.7
5.23
6.22
1.41
0.21
8.57
3.76
57
Zürich
Switzerland
0.02
0.07
1.97
6.08
6.14
1.41
8.03
0.98
9.05
3.75
58
Beijing
China
0.05
0
8.26
8.78
5.52
1.25
4.2
0.02
5.24
3.7
59
Moscow
Russia
0.27
1.38
7.34
7.52
4.31
3.3
7.37
0.09
1.43
3.67
60
Dubai
UAE
2.82
2.1
6
4.64
6.14
4.54
5.74
0.04
0
3.56
61
Tokyo
Japan
2.12
1.52
6.54
4.73
4.31
0.21
6.23
0.24
5.24
3.46
62
Victoria
Seychelles
5.09
0.94
-
0
6.55
1.68
6.48
0
6.19
3.37
63
Casablanca
Morocco
0.18
0
8.75
8.65
4.88
3.31
1.86
0.13
1.43
3.24
64
Marrakesh
Morocco
0.05
0
-
7.48
8.07
2.25
4.75
0.41
1.43
3.05
65
Honolulu
United States
1.1
0.07
4.64
1.31
3.72
1.93
7.29
0.81
6.19
3.01
66
Cairo
Egypt
0.5
0.14
9.11
9.14
0
1.66
1.68
0.03
0.95
2.58
67
Punta Cana
Dominican Republic
2.77
0.43
-
5.72
2.18
4.2
0
0.01
1.9
2.15

A "-" score indicates that data could not be obtained for this destination

The Most Romantic US Destinations to Visit

Rank
Destination
Country
1
Charleston
United States
0.11
1.23
-
5.41
6.86
10
9.01
0.51
6.19
4.92
2
San Francisco
United States
1.42
3.91
3.77
4.59
4.32
8.09
7.4
3.63
6.19
4.81
3
Los Angeles
United States
1.96
5.14
5.3
4.5
4.5
8.69
5.16
0.21
6.19
4.63
4
New York City
United States
0.88
2.39
3.77
5.54
4.7
8.39
7.21
0.85
6.19
4.43
5
San Diego
United States
0.45
2.61
5.51
5.5
4.83
5.98
8.21
0.24
6.19
4.39
6
Miami
United States
2.55
5.87
5.08
1.85
5.17
4.38
6.74
0.6
6.19
4.27
7
Honolulu
United States
1.1
0.07
4.64
1.31
3.72
1.93
7.29
0.81
6.19
3.01

A "-" score indicates that data could not be obtained for this destination

Key Findings

No surprise here–research confirms Paris, France as the most romantic destination. For years now Paris has been known as “The City of Love,” and our research affirms this. Paris saw the highest amount of proposals and is home to the most romantic landmarks. However, Paris did not rate the highest for quality of wine bars, as this accolade goes to Charleston in the United States.

Charleston is the most romantic US destination and something of a hidden gem. The city may lack famous landmarks but the well-preserved architecture, distinguishable wine bars and quality of green spaces make it an ideal setting for couples.

Other interesting findings include: London is the second most romantic city, Santorini in Greece is the most popular for honeymoons (according to Instagram) and Ubud in Bali is the most romantic outside of Europe. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, Jaipur in India offers an affordable romantic destination after travel fees. Lisbon in Portugal is the most LGBTQ friendly destination.

Methodology

Each data point consists of the latest research available from reputable sources. The sources include eight destination specific data points and one country level data point. The data was standardized using minmax normalization. The minmax normalization value is multiplied by 10 to create a score (between 0-10). A score of 10 is always the best result, while a score of 0 is the worst. Each destination is then ranked on their overall rating across all romantic data points, to find which destination is the most romantic.

InsureMyTrip isolated each data point in addition to giving an overall category score. This will give couples an opportunity to target destinations for individual points (e.g. quality of wine bars, green space or price). Alternatively, the “Overall” category score gives a general view of which destinations will make you and your better half swoon.

Sources

Honeymoon Popularity

Popularity was assessed using the number of Instagram Posts for #honeymoon (sample of 54,190 posts).
https://www.instagram.com/

Proposal Popularity

Popularity was assessed using the number of Instagram Posts for #isaidyes & #proposal (sample of 22,328 posts).
https://www.instagram.com/

Price of a Three-course Meal

Survey data that measures the average price of a three-course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant.
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/

Average Accommodation Price on Valentine’s Day

Price was recorded for two people on 14th February 2020.
https://www.airbnb.com/

Quality of Romantic Hotels

Average rating of “Romantic Hotels” according to the Booking.com
https://www.booking.com/

Quality of Wine Bars

According to the Google Maps API (sample of 60 maximum for each destination).
https://www.google.com/maps

Quality of Green Space and Parks

Survey data that measure the quality of greenery in each destination.
https://www.numbeo.com/pollution/

Quantity of Couple Landmarks

Number of Sights & Landmarks filtered by “Good for Couples” according to TripAdvisor. The total number for each destination was divided by the destination area size to give us per square mile data.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/

LGBTQ Friendliness

The Spartacus Gay Guide encompasses 14 data points to give an overall LGBTQ friendliness score. This is country level data.
https://spartacus.gayguide.travel/gaytravelindex-2019.pdf