The honeymoon is the one part of the wedding process where the pressure is entirely off. No seating plans, no supplier emails, no family politics — just the two of you, somewhere beautiful, doing exactly what you want. The challenge is deciding where that somewhere should be. Here’s a guide to the best honeymoon destinations for every type of couple, every budget, and every vision of what a perfect post-wedding trip looks like.
Before you book: three questions worth answering first
Before you start looking at destinations, get clear on these three things as a couple:
- What kind of holiday do you actually enjoy? A couple who love hiking and adventure are going to be miserable on a beach resort holiday, however beautiful. A couple who want to do absolutely nothing for two weeks will find a city break exhausting. Be honest about what you both actually want rather than what looks good on Instagram.
- When is your wedding, and how long do you have? Long-haul destinations need more recovery time after the wedding. If your honeymoon starts the morning after a big wedding, a four-hour flight is probably more realistic than a fourteen-hour one.
- What is your actual budget? Honeymoon costs are often significantly underestimated. Factor in flights, accommodation, transfers, travel insurance, visas if required, spending money, and any activities or excursions you want to do. A travel document organiser is worth having before you go, so passports, insurance documents and boarding passes stay in one place rather than scattered across bags.
The Maldives — for the ultimate beach escape
The Maldives remains one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world, and for good reason. Overwater bungalows, turquoise lagoons, world-class snorkelling, and an atmosphere that is almost entirely designed around doing nothing beautifully. It is expensive — budget a minimum of £4,000-£5,000 per person for a week including flights — but it delivers on the fantasy in a way very few destinations do.
Best for: couples who want luxury, privacy, and a genuine sense of escape. Not ideal for: couples who want culture, sightseeing, or variety.
Italy — for romance, food, and culture
Italy is the classic European honeymoon destination and it earns its reputation. The combination of extraordinary food, beautiful architecture, warm weather (from May to September), and genuinely romantic atmosphere makes it work for almost every type of couple. The main decision is which part of Italy — Rome for history and grandeur, the Amalfi Coast for dramatic coastal scenery, Tuscany for rolling hills and vineyards, Sicily for a less-visited and more authentic experience, or the Lakes for mountain scenery and elegant lakeside towns.
Best for: couples who want a blend of culture, food, and romance without travelling too far.
Greece — for island hopping and sunshine
Greece offers one of the best value honeymoon options in Europe without compromising on beauty or romance. Santorini is the iconic choice — white-washed buildings, volcanic caldera views, and spectacular sunsets — but it is busy in peak season and benefits from combining with a quieter island. Mykonos for nightlife and energy, Crete for a larger island with more to explore, Corfu for lush greenery and Venetian architecture, or the lesser-visited Ionian islands for somewhere quieter and more authentic.
Best for: couples who want guaranteed sunshine, beautiful scenery, and good value.
Thailand — for adventure and luxury combined
Thailand offers an extraordinary combination of value, beauty, and variety that makes it one of the best long-haul honeymoon options available. Bangkok for a few days of culture and incredible food, then south to the islands — Koh Samui for luxury resorts, Koh Lanta for a more relaxed and less commercial atmosphere, or Krabi for dramatic limestone karst scenery and beautiful beaches. The food is genuinely extraordinary throughout and the standard of accommodation at every price point is high.
Best for: couples who want adventure, variety, and excellent value for money. Best visited October to April to avoid the rainy season.
The Caribbean — for classic honeymoon luxury
The Caribbean is the definition of honeymoon holiday — white sand, turquoise water, all-inclusive resorts, and reliably warm weather. Barbados for a more sophisticated and less commercial atmosphere, St Lucia for dramatic volcanic scenery and boutique hotels, Antigua for beautiful beaches and sailing, Jamaica for culture and character alongside the beach resorts, or the Turks and Caicos for some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. All-inclusive resorts work particularly well for honeymoons — the simplicity of having everything included removes any decision fatigue after a busy wedding period.
Best for: couples who want a classic, relaxed, sun-and-sea honeymoon with no logistics to think about.
Japan — for the couple who wants something different
Japan is increasingly popular as a honeymoon destination and for good reason — it is unlike anywhere else in the world. The combination of extraordinary food, fascinating culture, immaculate service, beautiful temples, and the contrast between ancient and ultra-modern makes for a genuinely memorable trip. Tokyo for urban excitement and the best food city in the world, Kyoto for temples, traditional ryokan inns, and the most beautiful version of Japan, and a bullet train between the two that is itself an experience worth having. Best visited March to April for cherry blossom season or October to November for autumn colours.
Best for: adventurous couples who want an unforgettable cultural experience rather than a traditional beach honeymoon.
A closer-to-home alternative: Europe’s hidden gems
Not every couple wants a long-haul flight immediately after their wedding, and some of Europe’s less obvious destinations offer extraordinary honeymoon experiences at significantly lower cost:
- Portugal — Lisbon and Porto for culture and food, the Algarve for beaches, or the Douro Valley for wine country that rivals Tuscany at half the price
- Croatia — Dubrovnik for dramatic walled city romance, the Dalmatian coast for island hopping, or Istria for truffle-laden food and wine in a quieter, more Italian-influenced atmosphere
- Iceland — for the couple who wants something genuinely different: geysers, waterfalls, the Northern Lights (October to March), and landscapes unlike anywhere else on earth
- Montenegro — one of Europe’s most underrated destinations, with a beautiful walled old town, dramatic fjord scenery, and a fraction of the price of nearby Croatia
Practical honeymoon planning tips
- Book as early as possible — particularly for peak season travel to popular destinations. Good hotels and resorts sell out months in advance.
- Always buy comprehensive travel insurance — never travel without it and make sure it covers the full value of your trip.
- Check passport validity and visa requirements well in advance. Some countries require six months validity beyond your return date.
- Tell your hotel it’s your honeymoon — many properties offer room upgrades, welcome amenities, or small romantic touches for honeymooning couples, especially if booked directly.
- Consider a mini-moon first if budget or timing is tight — a shorter trip closer to home immediately after the wedding, with the longer honeymoon planned for a few months later. This is increasingly popular and takes the pressure off post-wedding logistics considerably.
Whatever destination you choose, a handful of things make packing easier:
- A set of packing cubes keeps a fortnight’s worth of clothes organised in one case — particularly useful if you’re combining destinations, like Rome and the Amalfi Coast.
- A universal travel adapter is essential for long-haul destinations like Thailand or Japan.
- A decent travel pillow makes long-haul flights to the Maldives or Japan considerably more bearable.
- Something to wear on your first night away — a going-away outfit is easy to forget to pack for and worth having ready.
Still in the early stages of wedding planning? Our complete guide for newly engaged couples covers everything you need to do first — and our Wedding Planning Bundle keeps every detail organised from day one. Wedding Planning Bundle
You don’t have to figure this out alone
The Big Day Bulletin exists to make this process feel less overwhelming and more enjoyable. Whether you’re at the very beginning like right now, or knee deep in seating plans and supplier emails, we’ve got guides, ideas, and honest advice for every stage. Browse the blog, bookmark what’s useful, and come back whenever you need it.
Found this helpful? Save it to Pinterest so you can find it again when you need it – or share it with a newly engaged friend who could do with a calm, sensible starting point.