Honeymoon in Europe: five places we love, and why

Insights · Honeymoon in Europe

Cities built on water, villages clinging to cliffs above the sea, lakes ringed by mountains: Europe has some of the most romantic honeymoon destinations anywhere, and most of them are a short flight from Greece.

These are our five favourites: why couples love them, what to do there together and how each one works for a next-day photo shoot. If you would rather stay in Greece, see our 10 honeymoon destinations in Greece.

Contents (9)

1. City, coast or lake?
2. Venice
3. Paris
4. The Amalfi Coast
5. Prague
6. Lake Como
7. When to go
8. Adding a next-day photo shoot
9. Honeymoon in Europe: frequently asked questions

City, coast or lake?

The first thing to decide is what kind of trip you want. A city like Paris or Prague means lots of walking, museums, cafés and evening strolls. A coastline like Amalfi means the sea, villages and a slower pace. A lake like Como sits somewhere in between: quiet, villas, gardens and boat trips. If you have enough days, you can pair a city with somewhere calmer, such as Venice with Lake Como, or a city break followed by a few days on the Amalfi Coast.

Venice

Venice is like no other city: canals instead of streets, bridges, gondolas and palaces reflected in the water. Couples love it because the whole city is made for walking, and every alleyway seems to lead somewhere unexpected.

Get lost on purpose in the back streets, away from the famous sights. Get up early one morning, while the city is still empty, and take the vaporetto out to the islands of the lagoon. In the evening, a table for two in a small trattoria is the best way to end the day.

For photographs, Venice rewards an early start: that is when the bridges and squares are quiet and the light is soft.

Paris

Paris is one of the first places newlyweds think of, and with good reason. The sights, the food, the bridges over the Seine and life on the pavements make every walk feel like a small celebration.

Wander along the river, lose yourselves in the neighbourhoods, and sit at a pavement café with nowhere else to be. Go up the Eiffel Tower, or watch it light up at night from across the river.

After their wedding in Patras, Alexis and Mina were photographed at the Eiffel Tower by day and by night, on the bridges over the Seine, at the Louvre and in Parisian cafés: see their next-day session in Paris.

The Amalfi Coast

Villages stacked on the cliffs above the sea, lemon groves, narrow lanes and small beaches: the Amalfi Coast is for couples who want the sea and something beautiful around every bend.

Hop between villages by bus or by boat, eat by the water and leave some days completely unplanned, just for the beach. If you drive, the coast road is spectacular, but narrow and busy in summer.

Panagiotis and Anna, who were married in Ancient Corinth, were photographed in Positano with a yellow car loaded with lemons and on the village beach: see their next-day session in Positano.

Prague

Prague has spires, cobbled streets, squares and bridges over the Vltava, and an old town best explored without a map. It suits couples who love history and architecture and want a city break at a gentler pace than the big capitals.

Cross Charles Bridge early in the morning, climb up to the castle for the view, and in the evening try the local food and beer in a traditional beer hall.

Lake Como

Lake Como is the quietest choice on this list: a lake among the mountains, lakeside towns of colourful houses, and villas whose gardens run right down to the water. It suits couples who want romance at a slow pace.

Take the ferries from town to town, visit the villa gardens and hire a boat for the two of you. It is also easy to combine with a few days in Milan.

When to go

For many couples, spring and autumn are the best seasons for a city break: mild weather and fewer people than in summer. On the Amalfi Coast, May, June and September give you the sea without the August crowds. Paris, Prague and Venice are worth visiting in winter too, as long as you are ready for the cold and short days. Before you book, check your travel documents.

Adding a next-day photo shoot

A trip abroad is a great reason to book a next-day photo shoot: just the two of you, usually in the wedding dress and suit again, though you can wear whatever you like. The actual shooting time is usually about an hour, depending on the project and the location. We suggest about a week after the wedding, which often lines up nicely with the first days of the honeymoon.

We plan the route and the spots together, around the light and the crowds. For more ideas, see our guide to next-day shoots abroad.