I travel for a living – these are the most romantic cities I’ve found in Europe

❤️ Best for: A classic romantic weekend, with beautiful people, food and art – it’s a perfect first weekend getaway for new couples.

Can there be a list of romantic European cities without Paris, the original city of love? It’s a long-held title for good reason - this city is magical in every season, from summers spent strolling the artistic neighbourhood of Montparnasse to crisp autumn walks along the Seine. Look forward to candlelit dinners in Michelin-starred restaurants, watch twinkling lights illuminate the Eiffel Tower or soak in the city’s culture at the Louvre and Musée-d’Orsay. Plus, the French language just makes everything tres romantique, so don’t be afraid to visit even if you’re spending Valentine’s Day with friends - you might just have your own Emily in Paris love affair.    

📍 Stay here: There’s simply no better choice than Hôtel Plaza Athénée – Eiffel Tower views, palatial interiors and a Michelin-starred restaurant; it’s Paris in a nutshell. 

🏩 Our favourite hotels in Paris

❤️ Best for: Good food, good wine and historic architecture. If you’ve done Paris, Venice has to be next on your list. 

If there’s anywhere that can contest Paris’ title, it’s Venice. It’s the perfect city for enjoying wine and pasta in a local trattoria or sailing down the Grand Canal in a gondola at sunset. The birthplace of Casanova adds a dose of history, with plentiful churches and museums like the Palazzo Ducale, along with cute cafes for sipping espresso and people watching. Being surrounded by water ensures the views are always bellissimo and there are plenty of cultural experiences to share too, like admiring St Mark’s Basilica, the Rialto Bridge or perhaps heading out on a day trip to Murano, where their sparkling handspun glass makes for a lovely souvenir from this romantic escape. 

📍 Stay here: It has to be The Gritti Palace, which sits right on the Grand Canal with rooms dripping with chandeliers and plush furnishings, and a restaurant serving fresh cuisine from the Rialto Market. 

🏩 Discover our favourite hotels in Venice

❤️ Best for: Couples seeking an eastern European city break for less

Prague is like something straight out of a fairytale, with cobbled squares, spectacular castles and stunning cathedrals, making it ideal for a storybook romance. Although Prague’s Old Town is popular with tourists in summertime, the city truly comes to life in the winter, when snow dusts the Charles Bridge and the streets are filled with traditional Christmas markets. Not to mention, Prague is one of the most affordable European cities, so you can impress your date with Czech cuisine, drink plentiful beer or share a sweet trdelník (chimney cake) while sticking to your budget.

📍 Stay here: For a totally unique stay, Augustine Hotel is a monastery turned five-star residence. Expect pretty courtyards, stained-glass windows and sweeping city views. 

🏩 Our favourite Airbnbs in Prague

❤️ Best for: Couples who have extra time to spend exploring, as Lisbon can easily be paired with Portugal’s wine region or the nearby palaces at Sintra

Lisbon may not be the first place that comes to mind for romance, but its waterfront vistas, colourful buildings and fresh seafood (at Lisbon’s Time Out Market no less) combine in an impressive city break. Aside from the fact that Lisbon has just as much history as London or Paris, the city’s hilly Old Town is bursting with cute cafes, markets and souvenir shops which are best explored under the Mediterranean sun in summer. And if you’re looking for the perfect photo opp to hard launch your other half on the ‘gram, viewpoints like Miradouro de Santa Luzia are decked out in pretty Portuguese tiles and blooming bougainvillea. 

📍 Stay here: The Lumiares is a very romantic hotel indeed, with an excellent rooftop bar (and even better cocktails) in the lovely Bairro Alta. 

🏩 The coolest hotels in Lisbon

❤️ Best for: A quintessentially romantic trip – lovers of history and literature will find endless allure in Verona

There are too many beautiful places in Italy to mention, but if we can suggest just one it would be Verona, the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet – what could be more romantic? Despite the tragic ending to their tale, this city of star crossed lovers promises ancient sites and cosy eateries. Plus, it’s an easy day trip from Venice so why not kill two (love) birds with one stone? Don’t miss a stop at Juliet’s House to see her famous balcony – legend has it that touching the statue of Juliet here will make you lucky in love. 

🏩 Stay here: You won’t quickly forget a stay at Due Torri Hotel, which sits in the heart of Verona and has a traditional Italian elegance. The views from the terrace are some of the best in the city. 

❤️ Best for: If you like culture as much as cocktails, you’ll find plenty of both to get your romance heating up. It’s also ideal as a stopover on the way to one of Greece’s beautiful islands.

Greece is always a good idea, and while islands like Santorini and Mykonos still draw honeymooners, Athens’ trendy bars, ancient ruins and mythical history offer something a little different. The city heats up in summer, so explore sights like the Acropolis, Parthenon and Panathenaic Stadium early before wowing your partner in one of the city’s incredible rooftop bars like Couleur Locale or A for Athens - you can make memories over Greek cuisine and innovative cocktails as the Acropolis lights up at night, we’re certain Aphrodite, the goddess of love herself, would approve.  

📍 Stay here: The King George might be a luxury pick, but it’s a very special one for a couple’s retreat, 

🏩 Our favourite hotels in Athens

❤️ Best for: A bucket list trip or special occasions

If you’re really looking to push the boat out, Bergen will blow other romantic destinations out of the water, particularly if you’re celebrating something special. When the seasons turn, Bergen becomes a winter wonderland, with brightly coloured wooden houses dotting the harbourside. But the real draw is the Northern Lights, which make for an incredible backdrop to any proposal. Add in romantic winter experiences such as reindeer rides, saunas and husky sledding, not to mention cosy log cabins in the forest, and you have a holiday your loved one will never forget. 

🏩 Stay here: Opus 16’s columned restaurant and lavish marble interiors scream wow, and it’s just a few minutes’ walk from Bergen’s best sights. 

❤️ Best for: Those looking to spoil their loved ones with fine dining, classical music and beautiful Baroque architecture. For extra magic, the city hosts multiple Christmas markets every winter

For a taste of old world romance, Vienna’s majestic palaces, manicured gardens and gilded cafes will take any romantic escape up a level. The city has definite Bridgerton vibes, from the ballrooms in the Hofburg Palace to the dazzling halls of the Schönbrunn Palace, you can’t fail to be impressed. In the day time, join the Austrians in snacking on a strudel in one of many ornate coffee houses like Cafe Central, before an evening spent with the upper echelons of society in Vienna’s State Opera House - it’s a date night fit for royalty.

📍 Stay here: Sitting pretty opposite the State Opera, Hotel Sacher Wien promises over the top interiors, its very own Viennese cafe and plenty of romantic spots for a date night. 

🏩 Where to stay in Vienna