There’s something really special about going away with a loved one. While solo travel can be rewarding and exciting, having someone to share all those wonderful moments with can be exhilarating. Whether you’ve been with your partner for decades or are dating someone new, a shared adventure can leave couples feeling closer than ever.
So if you’re looking for a romantic getaway with your partner, where should you go? From the most romantic places in the UK to sunny paradises that are perfect for reconnecting, here are 10 of the most romantic getaways.
If you’re looking to book a romantic holiday, why not search hundreds of exciting and varied holiday deals on Rest Less?
1. Venice, Italy
One famously romantic city is Venice. This is a place where the roads are made from water, instead of hailing a taxi you hop in a gondola, and where a sense of history and art lingers in the air. It might be crowded, but Venice never loses its magic – or romance.
If you’re interested in history and architecture, you can enjoy romantic strolls through St. Mark’s Square, over Rialto Bridge, and up to the top of Campanile Bell Tower. You can also visit the glass blowing region of Murano Island, where you can pick up elegant souvenirs to remind you of your trip.
Around almost every corner there’s a picture-perfect view, and with so many Renaissance era and Gothic landmarks, avoiding the temptation to reach for your camera every two minutes can feel impossible. But Venice is a joy to explore, and losing yourself in its labyrinthine-like backstreets is all part of the experience.
And, of course, this is Italy, so you’re never far from delicious food. If you’re looking to enjoy romantic dinners under the moonlight you’ll be spoiled for choice. Tuck into cicheti (Venetian tapas) at a cosy trattoria and sip on an Aperol Spritz as you soak up your surroundings.
2. The Cotswolds, England
For something a little closer to home, why not head to the Cotswolds? If you and your other half love nothing more than going on leisurely country walks, eating in highly-acclaimed restaurants, and enjoying drinks in historic pubs, it’s hard to think of a more idyllic place.
The Cotswolds is known for its picture-perfect villages, honey-coloured cottages, quaint shops, and cute tea rooms. So, it’s perfect for couples who want to combine hiking and outdoor adventure with all the pleasantries of village life.
Encompassing the counties of Wiltshire, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds is easily accessible from many places in the UK. And whether you’re drawn to bustling market towns or quiet hamlets, there’s a Cotswold destination to suit every couple.
Bourton-on-the-Water (the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’) is often voted one of the prettiest villages in England, as is Castle Combe, which has featured in many films. If you love pottering around shops with your partner, Burford’s bookshops, delicatessens, antique shops, and galleries also make it the perfect place to pick up souvenirs.
3. Paris, France
It might be an obvious choice, but not for nothing is the French capital known as the ‘City of Love’, as romance and beauty can be found everywhere in this historic, sophisticated city.
Charming coffee shops and sultry bars line elegant, tree-lined boulevards, and with so many dramatic and alluring landmarks – from the Eiffel Tower to the Pont Des Arts Bridge and the Arc de Triomphe – it’s easy to see how Paris has earned its reputation.
If you’re both passionate about food, you’re in the right place. This is a city where the smell of freshly-baked croissants and baguettes fill the air, and where there are countless cute cafés to curl up in together. If you’re looking to enjoy gourmet food together, the restaurants here are unrivalled.
Parisian attractions and activities can be romantic too. Take a sunset cruise along the Seine, visit the Wall of Love (Le Mur Des Je t’aime), go wine tasting at Le Clos Montmartre (Paris’ only vineyard), and stroll hand-in-hand through the gorgeous curated gardens of Versailles.
Why not read our article on 10 of the most charming streets in Paris to learn more?
4. Santorini, Greece
The Greek island of Santorini is one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world, so it’s no surprise that it’s also one of the most romantic getaway spots for couples. Known for precipitous villages, blue-domed houses, and volcanic landscapes, beauty is everywhere here.
This is a place where the colours are more vivid than you can imagine – with blindingly white houses that sit beneath electric blue skies, and breathtaking sunsets. Watching the sky turn red, pink, orange, and gold with your partner is something you won’t forget.
The villages are built upon soaring cliffs, meaning gorgeous views of the shimmering Aegean Sea are all around you. Many of the island’s hotels are built into the jagged cliff sides, so you and your partner can enjoy private panoramas too.
Santorini’s towns are as lovely as you’d hope, and you can wander along these narrow, steep streets listening to the sound of traditional Greek music and enjoying delicious local cuisine in the tavernas. And, of course, you can spend lazy days together relaxing on the island’s dramatic black sand beaches.
5. The Lake District, England
Wild and dramatic, the Lake District is a wonderful choice for a romantic getaway – especially if you’re a couple who enjoys being outdoors. Home to gleaming, mirror-like lakes, rolling green valleys, and ancient woodlands, it’s the perfect place to reconnect.
The Lake District’s beauty is undeniably evocative – just look at the centuries worth of art and poetry it’s inspired. There’s also something wild and untamed about this part of the UK, and though the weather might be unpredictable, getting soaked together while hiking has a certain romance about it!
If you do get caught in the rain together, you can dry off in front of one of the open fires that many of these lovely cottages boast – or perhaps warm up in a hot tub in your own secluded lodge. From grand spa hotels to cosy pub inns, the Lake District definitely isn’t short of romantic accommodation.
And then there are the lakes themselves. In the summer months, you can sail, swim, and windsurf together in these glacial lakes. And if it’s too chilly, there are all kinds of hikes that take you through the most beautiful parts of Cumbria and reward you with mesmerising views of glistening lakes.
6. The Seychelles, Indian Ocean
If you and your loved one are dreaming of unwinding on pristine beaches, swimming in azure waters, and basking under the tropical sun, it’s hard to find a more idyllic location than the Seychelles. Scattered across the Indian Ocean over a thousand miles off Africa’s east coast, it’s a true paradise.
There are 115 islands in this archipelago, and while Mahé is the largest island – boasting fancy resorts and hotels – it’s the smaller islands that are the most romantic. Praslin and La Digue are arguably more tranquil than Mahé, and further away there are even quieter and more secluded paradises to be found.
The beaches in the Seychelles are truly spellbinding. Ribbons of powdery white sand are lapped by crystalline blue waters that are tantalisingly warm, and gently swaying palm trees and forested hills back up onto the sand. The waters are so clear that snorkelling and swimming here is utter bliss.
If you like to enjoy a dose of adventure on your romantic beach holiday, you can trek through the jungle and scramble over rugged volcanic boulders. But the Seychelles are mostly known for their beauty and ocean-side, laidback luxury. It’s the perfect place to reconnect…or fall in love.
7. Pembrokeshire, Wales
If you like the thought of a romantic beach break but don’t have the time or budget to fly to the Seychelles, then what about a couples getaway to Pembrokeshire? Located in southwestern Wales, Pembrokeshire has some of the most beautiful beaches in the UK, and miles of gorgeous coastline.
Home to soaring limestone cliffs, hulking hills of volcanic rock, narrow inlets, and pristine white sand beaches, the Pembrokeshire coast is truly dazzling – and the surrounding countryside is just as impressive.
If you and your partner are keen hikers, you can spend quality time together walking the famous Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Known to be one of the most beautiful walking trails in the world, it winds past charming villages and lovely beaches, so there are plenty of spots to stop off.
When you’re done hiking, there’s a lot of history and culture for you both to immerse yourself in too. From ancient Celtic ruins to the unique mini-city of St David’s, there are countless attractions to visit. If you fancy a cosy cwtch (cuddle), Pemrokeshire’s historic pubs make a lovely place to nestle up together.
8. Bali, Indonesia
As another popular honeymoon destination, Bali is a great choice for couples who are looking for a relaxing beach holiday with a difference. This Indonesian island isn’t just a tropical paradise, it’s also a centre of spirituality – a rich and diverse cultural hub where you can find a new zest for life, and love.
Known as the ‘Island of the Gods’, you can find a sense of spirituality pretty much everywhere you go in Bali, from the elaborate flower-petal offerings you can see all around to the ethereal traditional music. So, if you’re a couple looking to rest, relax, and reflect together, you won’t find a better spot.
If you’re interested in yoga and meditation, make sure to visit Ubud, which is the spiritual centre of the island. Here you can find countless yoga studios, mindfulness centres, and plant-based cafes. There are also all kinds of luxurious health retreats throughout the island that are seriously romantic.
Bali’s mysterious, wild beauty also makes it great for outdoorsy couples who love adventure. Here you can climb dramatic volcanoes and mist-shrouded mountains together, trek through emerald-green rice fields, visit ancient hillside temples, and swim and surf to your hearts’ content.
9. Isle of Skye, Scotland
If you want to reinvigorate your soul and experience a sense of peace with your partner, but would prefer to stay on home soil, why not head to the Isle of Skye? The largest of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides islands, Skye is beautiful, wild, and mystical – the very manifestation of romance.
Home to some of the UK’s most iconic and breathtaking landscapes, Skye boasts craggy mountains, velvety moors, gleaming lochs, and miles of stunning coastline. Here you can find many fascinating geological features to marvel at together, like the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, and Cuillin Ridge.
If you’re the type of couple who enjoys hiking through gorgeous scenery, spotting wildlife, and relaxing in pretty villages, you’ll be in your element. You have a great chance of spotting eagles, otters, red deer, seals, dolphins, and even whales here – experiences neither of you will forget in a hurry.
With medieval castles, charming fishing villages, and a famously misty climate, Skye is an incredibly romantic destination – but it’s also one that’s packed with culture, history, and nature. You can stay in a yurt to feel even closer to nature, or keep things more luxurious by booking into a historic hotel.
10. The Maldives, Indian Ocean
Another exotic archipelago that can be seen as the ultimate island escape is the Maldives. If you’re looking for unrivalled luxury on your beach break, this is the place to head. There are incredibly opulent five and six-star resorts here – though there are also more budget-friendly choices, too.
The Maldives is home to perhaps the very best beaches in the world – and because this archipelago is made up of nearly 1,200 islands, there are more miles of perfect shoreline than you can imagine. All the beaches have dazzlingly white powder sand and deep turquoise waters that shimmer invitingly.
Thanks to the quality of the water here, the Maldives offers some of the best diving and snorkelling on the planet, and you can spot schools of colourful tropical fish, manta rays, turtles, and sharks (including whale sharks). The waters are so warm you won’t even need to wear a wetsuit!
If you’re dreaming of a romantic getaway where you can walk hand-in-hand on pristine, palm-fringed beaches, sip cocktails at sunset in luxury resorts, and perhaps stay in one of those famous overwater huts, the Maldives might be for you. It’s the ultimate glamorous and romantic getaway.
Final thoughts…
Whether you’ve been together for years or are still getting to know each other, there’s nothing like a romantic getaway to help you feel connected to your partner.
If you’re looking to visit another country, there are all kinds of romantic destinations you can head to; from tropical beach destinations like the Seychelles and the Maldives to sophisticated cities like Paris and Venice, and gorgeous islands like Santorini and Bali.
Or if you’d like to stay closer to home, you can choose from a range of wonderfully romantic locations – from the tranquil Cotswolds to the dramatic Isle of Skye and the beautiful beaches of Pembrokeshire to the gleaming Lakes of Cumbria.
And the good news is there are thousands of holiday deals available to browse on Rest Less, suitable for a range of budgets and holiday types.
For ideas and advice, you might like to head over to the dating and relationships sections of our website. Or, if you’re on the lookout for love, why not join Rest Less Dating and start connecting with other like-minded individuals?
Are you hoping to enjoy a romantic getaway this year? Or do you have your own suggestions for the most romantic holiday destinations? We’d love to hear about your holiday plans in the comments below!