Europe’s 5 Most Romantic Cities
Have you got the feels this Valentine’s day? Perhaps you’re looking for the perfect place to propose, or the proposal has happened and you’re on the lookout for the ideal honeymoon destination? Well for this blog we have compiled the top 5 most romantic cities in Europe for you to indulge in.
Let us provide you with inspiration for your marriage, honeymoon or even proposal – keep scrolling to reveal our number 1 pick out of Europe’s most romantic destinations…
Vienna
It sits beside the Danube, which is widely billed to be the most romantic river in Europe and it boasts a rich cultural history, Vienna is unlike anywhere else in the world. Where else could you enjoy a romantic 3-course meal, with wine, in the car of the worlds oldest Ferris wheel, known as the Riesenrad? Where else could you take a carriage ride, pulled by horses, through historic buildings whilst eating an apple strudel?
Be sure to check out the Hofburg Palace, St Peters Catholic Church and St Stephens Cathedral, which are all easily reached via a romantic stroll through the Innere Stadt. And when you get hungry, the place to eat with a loved one here is, without doubt, Motto am Fluss, located on the Danube Canal. Whether your best day here is spent learning the waltz at a ball, sipping cocktails at a rooftop bar, or taking a boat trip down the river, were sure youll have an unforgettable experience!
Cornwall
Want to experience the sights that romantically inspired an entire generation of artists? Its not, strictly speaking, a city, but a whole county! Thats because Cornwalls only city of Truro doesnt even begin to describe just how magically romantic this south-west region is. This is Poldark country, where Ross wooed both Demelza and Elizabeth against a rugged clifftop setting. This is also where one of the greatest love stories of all time originated. Tristan and Iseult were under King Arthurs reign and deeply in love, much to their detriment.
Romantic Cornish pursuits you could try include riding horseback along the beach, bathing in a secluded cove, watching the sunset behind St Michaels Mount, or sharing a portion of the best fish and chips you ever tasted on the beach outside Rick Steins famous seafood takeaway. Its a land of big seas and big skies, where it can feel like youre the only two people in the world!
Oslo
In Norways capital, youre in with a chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Ribbons of green and pink lights that will dance out of the sky just for you! Its like having a 24-hour sunset and a great way to ensure that a romantic vibe is maintained at all times!
The climate here is very conducive to cosying up too. You can take walks through the snow and then get warm by the fire in a local pub. Or to heat you both up, why not take a sauna together? Saunas are a way of life here. It would be rude not to indulge.
For beautifully romantic views you could stroll along the Akerselva River to see the waterfalls along it, you could hike through the forest in Nordmarka, or for something less energetic, you could sit on a bench and feed the swans at Sognsvanns Lakeside.
When it comes to the ultimate romantic meal, nothing beats the Klosterest restaurant. The decor includes hundreds of candles throwing their light onto the rustic brick walls and the food is fit for a king. That said, the King of Norway, King Harald V knows a thing or two about romance. He married a dressmaker out of love. Sonja Haraldsen was the daughter of a cloth merchant, rather than a royal groomed for a future position in the monarchy, but she and Harald knew it was meant to be. Shes been the Queen of Norway for many years.
Paris
Famous for being a city of lovers, the inhabitants of Paris created a bridge where all the lovers who pass along it can leave a legacy of their affair. Known as Love Lock Bridge, the tradition is to write both of your names onto a padlock, which you are then invited to clamp to the fence.
Central to the city is the iconic landmark that is the Eiffel Tower. Countless lovers have proposed beneath it and if you wait until it gets dark, youll see it lit up and sparkling; a glittering jewel in the skyline.
Romantic activities in this city are plentiful and impressive. You could take a sunset cruise along the River Seine, stroll around the grand palace at Versailles, have your portrait painted together in Montmartre, or indulge in some finely cooked aphrodisiacs. Our recommendation is a meal of oysters and champagne at the restaurant widely regarded to be Pariss most romantic; Le Cinq. This is a restaurant with 3 Michelin stars and quite the reputation!
Both Scott F Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway wrote extensively about why people travel to Paris to fall in love. Would you like to find out for yourself what sort of effect the city could have on you?
Venice
Indefinitely Europe’s most romantic city – filled with historic buildings and a stunning collection of classical art, that is slowly sinking into a lagoon? The two of you could be the last to see it in its current form if water levels keep rising. Venice, Italy is a city that was built for lovers. With its hidden nooks, narrow bridges and cosy wine bars, youll find romantic corners to steal a kiss all over the place.
So how can two lovers best occupy their time while out in the open in Venice? Why not cuddle up close on a gondola and listen to the beautiful serenade of the gondolier? Or perhaps you could buy one another little gifts in the crafts market behind the iconic Rialto Bridge? Tickets to a show at the famous Opera House here will give you a chance to dress up in your finery and sit together, letting the dramatic love stories that take place on the stage wash over you.
One of the most romantic sights youll see in Venice is the sun setting over the Giudecca Canal and the most romantic neighbourhood is Dorsoduro. Its filled with quaint pavement cafes, vintage shops and all the big names in Venetian art galleries are here too; the Guggenheim, the Gallerie dell Accademia, and Ca Rezzonico.
There are many famous lovers associated with Venice. Perhaps most notable among them were Lord Byron, George Sand and Casanova. The restaurant the latter used to frequent is still a big hit with those looking to soak up some of his legacy. Its a 600 year old trattoria called the Cantina Do Spade, and this is allegedly where Casanova made all his girlfriends fall in love with him. The menu offers traditional, very tasty, Italian small plates. You wont be disappointed, either by the food, or the ambience.