16 Romantic Destinations Perfect for Valentine’s Day

16 Romantic Destinations Perfect for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s day is the perfect time to take your special someone on a romantic getaway. Whether you’re into relaxing strolls on the beach, candlelit dinners, or exploring the city while walking hand in hand, all you need is the right travel companion. Don’t know where to go? Look no further. I’ve asked 16 travel bloggers to share their favorite romantic destinations that will certainly inspire you to plan your own sweet escape.

1. Prague, Czech Republic (Michelle Altemeier of Sonderbarmii)

One of the most romantic destinations that I would recommend is definitely Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. It’s such a beautiful city, with a big castle overlooking the Vltava river and the Old Town, friendly people and a variety of amazing restaurants, cafés or bars. Not to mention that Prague is a very affordable trip for a romantic weekend getaway!

 If you’re visiting Prague, you should definitely visit the castle grounds and the St. Vitus Cathedral. But don’t forget about the extensive parks and gardens, which can be found in quite a number in Prague! Petrin Hill has some wonderful gardens, including a rose garden and an orchard that is simply stunning in spring. If you’re lucky you can find the lovers stone there. After all, the park is very popular with couples, especially when they celebrate “Kissing Day”. 

This beautiful city with its thousand years old history and monuments, the many parks and little cobblestoned streets full with hidden cafés or bars, is a perfect place for a romantic weekend! 

2. Kibale National Forest, Uganda (Melissa Legarda Alcantara of Illumelation)

Here is where I spent Valentine’s Day last year. Few places on this earth are as magical, romantic, or tranquil as Nyinabulitwa is. My love and I awoke in the morning to this beautiful view from our lake-side cottage at Nyinabulitwa Safari Resort.

From our creaky wooden veranda, together we gazed at the sun rising beyond the mountains, above the lake, and listened to the sweet songs of nature. Our hearts were bursting with love, with beauty, with romance. We spent the afternoon amongst wild chimpanzees in Kibale National Forest, and later, spent the evening holding hands, watching the bright day fade to a bright night littered with glittering stars.

To think, that in the heart of Africa, so known for its desert and its dust, that somewhere so verdant and lush could be hiding, waiting to be discovered. Nyinabulitwa felt like it was just for us, that day. I often wonder if I’ll ever have such a fairy-tale Valentine’s Day again.

3. Old City Quebec, Canada (Rachel Campbell of Travel Tips and Tricks)

Romantic destinations can be easily found around the world, but perhaps one of the best is Old Quebec City located in the Quebec providence of Canada. Within this city, couples both new and old will find a plethora of shops, restaurants, bars and scenic viewpoints dripping in European charm and available in every which direction.

Fantastically beautiful in every season, Old Quebec City is inviting throughout the year, allowing the romantically inclined to visit numerous times, with each presenting a new side to the city. Lined with cobble stone roads and filled with the scents of freshly made breads and pastries, you’ll feel as if France skipped over the Atlantic just to be with you.

4. Bali, Indonesia (Jenna Morgan of My Restless Roaming Spirit)

There’s a reason why Elizabeth Gilbert journeyed to Bali to discover  “love” in her soul searching quest described in her book: Eat,Pray, Love. Everything about this exotic island screams hot fiery romance!

Bungalows, breakfasts in  bed, couples massages, flower baths, breathtaking scenery of volcanoes and rice fields, dinners on the beach, and vibrant sunsets to end the days, are just a few of the many reasons that Bali is the perfect fit for a romantic getaway with your sweetie. Or, as Elizabeth Gilbert discovers, Bali can also be the opportune place to experience inner peace and balance.

The laid back Balinese vibes allow for perfect relaxation and a rhythmic yoga session might be just what you needed to find that self-love missing in your life. So no matter if you are single or taken, Bali will not fail to bring you some affection.

5. Santorini, Greece (Noemi Espinosa of Pinay Flying High)

One of the most popular islands in the world specially for couples, newlyweds and even photographers is Santorini in Greece. The sheer beauty of this small volcanic island is astounding! Whitewashed houses with blue roofs and bougainvilleas spilling down from the rim of each windows creates such a beautiful contrast to an otherwise rough-looking cliffs of the island. Surrounded by the sea and the volcano nearby, Santorini offers an enigmatic view from wherever you stand. It’s picturesque and unique beauty certainly puts you in a romantic vibe quite easily.

6. Paris, France (Evelyn of Girl Gone Gallic)

 Paris…the city of Love. The undeniable Love Capital of the world, Paris steeps in romance. Paris is THE perfect place to woo your loved one, and the first place one thinks of when contemplating the ideal romantic getaway.  The atmosphere is simply contagious, and the opportunities for romance endless. 

If you have ever visited surely you must have seen the couples lounging side-by-side on manicured park lawns, strolling the streets hand-in-hand, gazing into each others eyes over a tantalizing candlelit dinner, or kissing sweetly under the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower.  As Audrey Hepburn has been known to have said, “Paris is always a good idea”.

 7. Edinburgh, Scotland (Victoria Scott of Girl Tries Life)

Ask any fan of Outlander and they’ll tell you, Scotland is sexy. With the lush green hills, men in kilts, historic castles and misty mornings, romance abounds in Scotland, no where more so than in its capital, Edinburgh. Edinburgh has long been home to storytellers and artists, celebrating this annually with the Edinburgh Fringe Theatre Festival. Outside of this internationally acclaimed event, romance and mystery fills every nook and cranny of the city.

Wander down the Royal Mile, listen to epic stories of love gained and lost at Greyfriar’s Kirk, drink a dram of whiskey in a cozy old pub or take a walk through the always blooming Princes’ Street Gardens with your lover hand in hand.

Perhaps I’m partial to Edinburgh as it’s where my now-husband hails from, but it’s also a city that reveals something new to its visitors each and every time. Like any great relationship, there’s always something new to discover, ever changing, ever evolving.

8. Lake Bled, Slovenia (Nina Alexander of Follow The Sisters)

Mountain peaks, dark forests, lakes at 2000 meters above see lever – this is what I call romantic. But when I found the fabulous combination of majestic nature, historical church, mysterious castle and the best cake in the world, I knew I was convinced – there is no place more romantic than Lake Bled in Slovenia. 

The lake itself is a view that stops your breath and leaves you speechless. The castle, proudly overlooking the swimming swans makes you look around expecting to see a knight hurrying to see his lady. But that’s not everything that has you feel as if you are a part of a romantic Hollywood movie. It’s the unbelievable serenity of the place, the green areas, beautiful benches, old-style boats by the wharf, the wooden gazebos, and the beautiful white swans. And if even this doesn’t do the trick, a piece of the famous local cake (Kremna Rezina) will definitely make you fall in love.

9. Seville, Spain (Alyssa Acree of She Went to Spain)

Seville’s charm comes from it’s Moorish influence with narrow, winding streets, hidden flamenco bars and ancient culture. It’s a big city with the feel of a local village. One of the most romantic things you can do in Seville is visit the Plaza de España, located inside the Parque de Maria Luisa. It is a landmark of the Renaissance Revival in Spain. For 5 euros, you can rent a rowboat for 30 minutes and paddle around the moat to get a unique perspective of the 4 bridges which represent the 4 ancient kingdoms of Spain.

Renting a boat is cheap, easy, fun and incredibly romantic. It would be nice to bring a picnic and have a snack in the boat in front of the fountain!

10. Mo’orea, French Polynesia (Tom and Sheila Kowal of Romancing the Globe)

Shockingly beautiful islands with dramatic mountain peaks surrounded by coral lagoons with every possible shade of blue. The island of Tahiti, Mo’orea, and Bora Bora are true paradises- the water is warm and clear- the land is green and vibrant and the people are friendly and genuinely happy.

If you splurge just once in your life for high end lodging, this is the place to do it- the overwater bungalows are over the top for romance! To get your heart pumping, options abound. Most involve getting wet in the inviting lagoons. Choose to sail, snorkel scuba dive, whale/dolphin watch, windsurf, kite surf, kayak, paddle board, jet ski, swim or just watch fish. If you want a dry day, rent a car/bike/scooter or take a guided hike to one of the craggy peaks. You can also be quite happy lounging all day in the sun and breeze, reading a book, sipping beverages, nibbling yummy seafood appetizers, taking in the views and being waited upon.

11. Bratislava, Slovakia (Nikoleta Míchalová of The Bonfire Dream)

Bratislava is a dreamy place. The narrow streets are ideal for long walks hand in hand with your loved one, the small and cosy cafés were most probably made for lovers. You can watch the sunset as you are drinking wine in one of the traditional or fancy restaurant, from the bird perspective or from the water. In the evening you can go to one of the multiple bars until you realize that you want to be alone with your soul mate. You can walk around the, now beautifully colorful streets and kiss under the moonlight shadow. Bratislava is ideal for this.

12. Kyoto, Japan (Yilin Wang of Yilin Wang)

Known as “the city of thousand temples”, Kyoto is home to winding alleys and teahouses remaining from the Edo period four centuries ago, restaurants specializing in ramen and tofu, and natural walkways like the Philosopher’s Path.

In Japan, Valentine’s Day is often celebrated with trips to Shinto shrines, so I’d recommend those desiring romance to stroll through the grounds of Kinkaku-Ji (The Golden Temple) or climb up to the hilltop Kiyomizu-dera Temple for sunset. You can go one step further by buying a wooden plaque, scribbling down a wish about your relationship or soul mate, and hanging it up to ask for the blessing of temple gods.

13. San Miguel De Allende, Mexico (Sarah Reichenbach of My Gipsy Soul)

The town of San Miguel de Allende is UNESCO-listed for quite obvious reasons: stunning colonial architecture, cute cobblestone streets, numerous art galleries filled with handicrafts, live guitar-music on almost every street corner and a pink church nicknamed after a wedding-cake. The trees are cut into neat shapes, an important pilgrim sanctuary filled with amazing statues lies a short bus-ride away and there are several mineral springs that have been turned into luxurious natural spa’s just out ow town. And to top all of that, some restaurants have secret roof terraces from where you can see the most breathtaking sunsets over the surrounding red-tiles rooftops.

14. Venice, Italy (Francesca Course of Frankie Goes to Milano)

I was grinning from ear to ear as I walked out of the train station, the sun streaming through the clouds, effortlessly illuminating the city of canals. We navigated through the labyrinth of alleyways and canals, crossing the Rialto Bridge.

After our feast of pizza and prosecco, eager to soak up the last remaining beams of sunshine we boarded our gondola to cruise the canals of Venice. The sun setting in the distance, creating the perfect back drop. All while being serenaded by our gondolier. It was just a perfect moment, sailing the canals,with the person I love, taking in the view, of the city built on water.

15. Amsterdam, Netherlands (Jessica Beare of Jessica with Jet Lag)

Amsterdam in Holland, The Netherlands, is hands down the most romantic city in the world (for me, anyway). February is the perfect time of year to go, as the chilly Western Europe temperatures often encourage snow, that creates a winter wonderland in need of Eskimo kisses to warm cold noses. Many bridges stretch across the canals, mirrored on either side by tall and narrow buildings, ghosts of the city’s past in trade. These make the streets feel small but cosy, so the entire trip makes you feel like you are in one big hug. The bridges also offer a perfect photo opportunity for cute couple photos (or even a proposal equipped with flowers from the flower market…).

Even if for some reason you want a break from the relaxed and friendly city atmosphere, you can get a picnic blanket, wrap up warm, buy some strawberries and snuggle in the gorgeous park, followed by an evening meal on a river cruise. I actually did all of this with the best date that a girl can have – myself! So even if you don’t have a Valentine this year, fall in love with the world’s best city.

16. St. Lucia, Carribean (Cathy Merrifield of RoarLoud)

St. Lucia has been the most romantic place I have ever been to.  We were pampered at an all inclusive Sandals resort with numerous pools, hot tubs and a beautiful beach.  Our days were filled with sailing, snorkeling and lounging at the bar in the pool.  Dining by candlelight at the beach restaurant by sunset was unreal!  At night our bed would be decorated with flower petals.  Romance from morning to night made for a magical trip! This was our first trip together as a couple, I had wanted everything to be perfect.  During the trip we realized that the bar was set really high for our first trip.  Our next big trip was hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro, we had to go really high to top our romantic stay in St. Lucia!

How about you? What’s your favorite destination for Valentine’s Day?

Let me know in the comment section below.