All couples love a good getaway where they can live their best lives, from romantic beach breaks to adrenaline-fueled adventures. And, no two couples are the same, so you may be wondering where the best destination for your specific loves and interests is.
Well, the experts at Slingo have looked at social media, Google searches, TripAdvisor, and the cost of a meal for two in popular couples' holiday locations to bring you answers. We’ll also provide insights on the type of activities for which the top-ranking locations are best known.
The Best Locations for Honeymoons and Couples' Holidays
1. Bali, Indonesia
Couples’ Holiday Score: 8.07/10
Bali comes out as the top location for couples’ holidays, with a score of 8.07 out of 10. Bali has received 278,100 global Google searches for honeymoons over the last 12 months, more than any other destination. It also ranked fifth as the most popular destination on TikTok and Instagram, with #Bali having 4.7 million posts on the former and 71.7 million on the latter. Bali ranked fourth for the most affordable average cost for a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant, costing just $22.17 (£17.38 | €20.36), significantly cheaper than any of these top three locations. For the highest percentage of romantic restaurants and honeymoon activities, it ranked within the top 30 on both accounts.
Visiting Bali is a great option for foodie couples, especially if you haven’t experienced authentic Indonesian cuisine before, such as bakso, beef rendang, and nasi goreng. And the food there is known to be much cheaper than most people are used to. However, there are also places for adventurous couples to visit, such as Nusa Penida and the Ubud Monkey Forest.
2. Santorini, Greece
Couples’ Holiday Score: 6.83/10
Coming in second place is the Greek island of Santorini, with a score of 6.83 out of 10. Santorini ranked fourth for being the most Googled location for honeymoons, with 120,600 worldwide searches, and the highest percentage of restaurants that are considered romantic, with 49%. The island also ranked 11th for destinations with the highest percentage of honeymoon spots, with 14%. It then ranked in the top 25 for locations that were the most popular on TikTok and Instagram, with #Santorini having 296,000 and 7.9 million posts, respectively. However, it was held back by its highest average three-course meal cost for two, as one of the most expensive destinations we looked at, with an average price of $90 (£70.57 | €82.67).
Much of Greece is soaked in rich history. As such, any couple interested in history should consider Santorini, its Museum of Prehistoric Thera and Archaeological Museum, and other historic sites. There are also plenty of adventure activities, such as a romantic horse ride down one of the beautiful beaches, scuba diving, and jet skiing.
Cancún, Mexico
Couples’ Holiday Score: 6.80/10
And finishing off our top three holiday destinations, we have the Mexican city of Cancún, which scored 6.80 out of 10. Cancún has been Googled 56,400 times for honeymoons over the last twelve months, earning 6th place. It also came in the top 30 for couples’ holiday destinations, with the most restaurants that are considered romantic and activities that are good for honeymoons on TripAdvisor. Additionally, #Cancun has 1.2 million posts on TikTok and 12.3 million on Instagram, earning it 9th and 19th, respectively. Cancún ranked 16th for the average cost of a three-course meal for two, at just $43.29 (£33.94 | €39.76).
There are a few good reasons to visit Cancún, most notably the food. Cancún excels at seafood dishes and authentic Mexican food on the coast, right on the Caribbean Sea. It also has many diverse restaurants offering all kinds of cuisine. Cancún is also known for its rich nightlife, with a wide range of clubs and bars, plus the cost of drinks is known to be competitive.
The Most Googled Couples’ Holiday Destinations
1. Bali, Indonesia
Number of Google searches: 278,100
Having already ranked top overall, Bali is the most Googled couples’ holiday destination. Over the last 12 months, Bali has been Googled 278,100 times worldwide for honeymoons.
2. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Number of Google searches: 236,110
The second most Googled couples’ holiday destination is the island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia. The island was Googled 236,110 times worldwide during 2023 for honeymoons.
Bora Bora is home to gorgeous beaches, shimmering turquoise waters, and a gorgeous coral reef for adventurous couples to explore. There are also excursions on catamarans, jet skis, and sailboats for seafaring couples. Additionally, Bora Bora doesn’t suffer from overcrowded tourism, meaning it will have a much more intimate vibe.
3. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Number of Google searches: 124,000
In third place for couples’ holiday destinations, we have Dubai, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. Worldwide, it was Googled 124,000 times for honeymoons during 2023.
If you and your significant other enjoy a good shopping spree, well, Dubai has many shopping areas, such as its huge Dubai Mall, to indulge in retail therapy. There are also options for adventurous couples: speed boating activities, quad biking and sand boarding, hot air balloon rides, and sky diving.
The Couples’ Holiday Destinations with the Most Romantic Restaurants
1. Positano, Campania, Italy
Percentage of restaurants that are ‘romantic’: 70%
Coming first for couples’ holiday destinations with the highest percentage of romantic restaurants, we have Positano, a cliffside village on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. On TripAdvisor, the cliffside village has 88 restaurants, 70% rated as good for romance.
Italy is renowned for its cuisine, pizza, and pasta dishes. Still, with Positano being right on the coast, it also has incredibly high-quality and fresh seafood, making it perfect for foodies. It is also a well-known spot for Italian boutique shops, ideal for shopping lovers, and there are some fantastic hiking trails for more active couples.
2. Praiano, Campania, Italy
Percentage of restaurants that are ‘romantic’: 60%
Praiano, like Positano, is also situated on Italy’s Amalfi Coast and comes in second for destinations with the most romantic restaurants. There are 35 restaurants in this town on TripAdvisor, and 60% are rated as romantic.
Like Positano, Praiano has wonderful hiking trails and fresh seafood, again perfect for active and foodie couples. However, Torre a Mare, a mediaeval guard tower turned into an artist's studio, would also be perfect for lovers of the arts and history.
3. Taormina, Sicily, Italy
Percentage of restaurants that are ‘romantic’: 53%
Taormina, a municipality on the eastern coast of Italy’s Sicily region, comes in third place for destinations with the most romantic restaurants. The area has 215 restaurants on TripAdvisor, and 53% of those are considered good for romantic dinners.
Like any Italian destination, the food in Taormina is going to be divine. On top of that, for couples that like history and exploration, Taormina is littered with mediaeval and renaissance sites, such as Teatro Antico di Taormina, a Greek amphitheatre, and Trevelyan Gardens. There is also a gorgeous one-hour hike up to the hilltop village of Castelmola, which has a great selection of cafes.
The Couples’ Holiday Destinations with the Most Honeymoon Spots
1. Pacific Harbour, Fiji
Percentage of activities that are good for honeymoons: 35%
Coming in first place for destinations with the most honeymoon spots, we have Pacific Harbour, a town in Fiji. There are a total of 20 activities for the town on TripAdvisor, with around 35% of those being honeymoon spots.
For couples that love to explore the ocean's depths, Pacific Harbour is perfect as there is a whole host of sea life to encounter in its reef. These include Maori wrasse, java morays, and more than 400 species of tropical reef fish.
2. Positano, Campania, Italy
Percentage of activities that are good for honeymoons: 26%
Positano, the Italian cliffside village on the Amalfi Coast, comes second. There are a total of 249 activities for the village on TripAdvisor, and 26% of those are honeymoon spots.
2. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Percentage of activities that are good for honeymoons: 26%
Bora Bora, one of the most gorgeous islands in the world and located in French Polynesia, shares second place. The island has a total of 161 activities on TripAdvisor, with 26% of those being honeymoon spots.
Apart from being one of the most beautiful places in the world, Bora Bora offers various adventurous activities. You can take a safari, go hiking, parasailing, snorkelling, and diving if you’re adventurous.
4. Comporta, Portugal
Percentage of activities that are good for honeymoons: 25%.
Coming in fourth place is Comporta, a village in Portugal located at the base of the Tróia Peninsula. Of the number of activities the village has on TripAdvisor, around 25% are honeymoon spots, perfect for a couples’ holiday.
For foodie couples, Comporta is home to a well-known beach restaurant called Sal, which is a stilted hut on the bleached white sand. There is also a nature reserve, Sado Estuary Natural Reserve, which has a vast wetland where you can see flamingoes, otters, and over 250 different species of birds, perfect for wildlife lovers.
The Most Popular Couples' Holiday Destinations on TikTok
1. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Number of TikTok posts: 27.0 million
Coming in as the couples’ holiday destination that’s most popular on TikTok, we have Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. On TikTok, #Dubai currently has around 27 million posts.
2. London, United Kingdom
Number of TikTok posts: 9.5 million
Coming in second place as TikTok’s most popular couples’ holiday destination, we have the English capital of London. Currently, #London has approximately 9.5 million posts on the social media platform.
London, the capital city of England, has a huge range of things to do, from tourist attractions such as Big Ben, the Tower of London, and the London Eye. It’s also a shopper's paradise, making it perfect for shopping couples. It also has some of the best museums in the country, free to enter, most notably The British Museum, for any history-loving couples.
3. Paris, France
Number of TikTok posts: 7.8 million
Rounding out TikTok's top three most popular destinations, we have another capital city, Paris. The French capital has around 7.8 million posts for #Paris on TikTok.
Paris, the city of love, is a perfect couples’ getaway. From seeing the Eiffel Tower in person to the Louvre for art lovers, it’s also perfect for foodies as the cuisine is divine.
The Most Popular Couples' Holiday Destinations on Instagram
1. London, United Kingdom
Number of Instagram posts: 163.0M
Having already ranked as one of the most popular destinations on TikTok, London ranks as the most popular destination for couples’ holidays on Instagram. The English capital has around 163 million posts for #London on the social media site.
2. Paris, France
Number of Instagram posts: 141.8M
Paris, like London, is also ranked as one of the most popular destinations on TikTok and now takes second place for the most popular destinations on Instagram. On the social media site, #Paris has around 141.8 million posts.
3. Istanbul, Turkey
Number of Instagram posts: 129.6M
Istanbul takes third place for the most popular couples’ holiday destinations on Instagram, with #Istanbul having around 129.6 million posts.
Istanbul is a city of four empires, meaning there is a vast diversity of architecture and historical sites for history-loving couples to see. Istanbul also has a vibrant nightlife, including many pubcrawls for couples who love to hit the town.
Couples’ Holiday Destinations with the Most Affordable Meals
1. Jaipur, India
Average cost of a meal for two: $10.23 (£8.02 | €9.40)
Jaipur, the capital of India’s Rajasthan state, is the most affordable destination for couples’ meals. On average, it costs just $10.23 (£8.02 or €9.40) for a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant in the city, making it a bargain for food lovers.
Jaipur has enough palaces that you could visit one every day of the week, and there are also historic forts to visit. There are several bazaars, making it perfect for couples that like to shop and explore a city, immersing themselves in the culture.
2. Munnar, India
Average cost of a meal for two: $14.44 (£11.32 | €13.26)
Coming in second place for the couples’ holiday destination with the most affordable meal costs is Munnar, a town in India’s Western Ghats mountain range. On average, a three-course meal for two costs just $14.44 (£11.32 or €13.26) in Munnar, again offering incredible value.
Home to the Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, this is a perfect place for couples to visit to enjoy a good cup of tea; you can sample different teas and even buy some to take. For more active couples, you can cycle through Blossom Park or venture to the Attukal Waterfalls, just 2 kilometres from Munnar.
3. Krabi Town, Thailand
Average cost of a meal for two: $21.21 (£16.63 | €19.48)
And rounding out the top three destinations with the most affordable couples’ meals, we have Krabi Town, the capital of Thailand’s Krabi Province. In this town, it costs just $21.21 (£16.63 or €19.48) on average for a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant.
Krabi Town has some of the most beautiful coral reefs, making it perfect for active couples who would like to go reef diving. If you’d rather keep dry, you can hike up to Wat Tham Suea, a mountain temple known for its cave where a tiger once dwelt.
Methodology
First, we compiled the best honeymoon spots and couples' holiday destinations using Brides, CN Traveller, and Town & Country Magazine lists, looking at cities, towns and islands.
We then searched each location, using Google Keyword Planner, with terms such as “[Location] honeymoon” and “honeymoon in [Location]” and combined those searches to get the total number of Google searches for honeymoons for each location. The searches taken were worldwide, from January 2023 to December 2023.
We then used TripAdvisor to get each location's total number of restaurants. We then filtered the restaurants for romantic ones. This allowed us to calculate the percentage of romantic restaurants for each location. This data was taken from 30/01/2024.
Using TripAdvisor again, we took the total number of activities for each location, then filtered to honeymoon spots to get the total number of those. We then calculated the percentage of activities listed as honeymoon spots for each location. This data was taken from 29/01/2024.
Using TikTok and Instagram, we got the total number of posts for each location using the location name with a hashtag. This data was from 30/01/2024.
Then, using the Numbeo cost of living page for each location, we took the average cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant for a three-course meal. The cost was taken in USD and on 30/01/2024. We then used Google Finance to convert the cost in USD to GBP and EUR, which was done on 2/2/2024.
We then used a percentrank to give each location a normalised score out of ten, based on their performance on the above factors.
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