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12 Jaw-Dropping Romantic Getaways With Scenery That’s Almost Too Good To Be True
There’s a curious connection between romance and a jaw-dropping view. It is as if the universe decides to crank up the mood lighting when the backdrop is just right.
A simple shared glance feels more profound when framed by mountains that look like they were chiseled by giants, and a quiet conversation is infinitely more intimate when the only background noise is the gentle applause of waves.
It is in these settings that you are reminded of something bigger than yourselves, yet it is also where you feel most connected to the person right next to you, whose hand you are probably holding a little too tightly.
The scenery becomes a silent, grand, and slightly show-offy participant in your romance, a beautiful witness to the small, perfect moments. But it’s not just about running away to a pretty place; it is about finding a spot where the external beauty perfectly syncs with your internal feelings, creating a harmony that feels both timeless and personal (and makes for way better photos than your backyard).
Amalfi Coast, Italy
The Amalfi Coast seems to have been engineered by a committee of hopeless romantics with an unlimited budget, featuring candy-colored villages that cling to cliffs plunging into the impossibly blue Tyrrhenian Sea. The scenery is the kind that makes you want to quit your job, buy a ridiculously tiny Fiat, and live on a diet of lemons and pasta forever.
Driving the famous coastal road, with its hairpin turns and views that make your heart leap into your throat, is a fantastic trust exercise for any couple (or a fast track to a very tense silent treatment). This stunning coastline, which spans about 31 miles, was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997. Not just for its looks but also for its clever adaptation of human life to a challenging landscape.
You can explore lush lemon groves where Sfusato Amalfitano lemons grow to the size of a small melon, which is perfect for when you need a little drama in your limoncello. And after a day of pretending you are in a classic movie, settle in for a seafood dinner as the sun paints the sky in shades of pink and orange.
The whole place is so beautiful you will wonder if you have accidentally stepped into a postcard… and, frankly, you might not want to step out.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bora Bora is the undisputed heavyweight champion of romantic destinations, and it is not afraid to flex. This is where you go to live out your most over-the-top, luxurious castaway fantasy, complete with room service.
The island is famous for its overwater bungalows, which are essentially private little slices of heaven perched above a lagoon so turquoise it looks fake. You can wake up and dive straight from your deck into the warm, clear water (which beats the heck out of stumbling to the coffee maker).
The island is the beautiful remnant of an extinct volcano, now surrounded by a vibrant coral reef that makes for incredible snorkeling. You can swim with sharks and stingrays, which is a great way to find out just how tightly your partner can hold your hand while you both try to act cool.
And towering over the landscape is Mount Otemanu, the island’s highest point at 2,385 feet, though no one has ever successfully climbed to its very top due to its crumbly, uncooperative volcanic rock. So it’s a perfect excuse to just stay on the beach and admire it from a safe, cocktail-holding distance.
Ubud, Indonesia
If your idea of romance involves less beach lounging and more spiritual awakening (with a side of monkey-induced chaos), Ubud is your spot. Located among terraced rice paddies and lush rainforests in the heart of Bali, Ubud is a place that invites you to slow down and breathe deeply.
The scenery is a sea of green, from the swaying palm trees to the meticulously sculpted rice fields that cascade down the hillsides like a green waterfall. You can rent a scooter and get lost on winding roads, discovering hidden temples and waterfalls.
The Tegalalang Rice Terraces are a must-see, using a traditional cooperative irrigation system called subak that dates back to the 9th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. And for a dose of culture, you can watch a traditional Balinese dance performance, which involves more dramatic eye movements than a silent film melodrama.
Do not miss the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, home to over 1,200 long-tailed macaques. Just be warned, they are masters of petty theft and will absolutely try to steal your sunglasses, your snacks, and your dignity. It is all part of the charm.
Lucerne, Switzerland
Lucerne is so storybook-perfect it feels almost computer-generated. Situated on the shores of its namesake lake and framed by the snow-capped Swiss Alps, this city is a masterclass in scenic beauty that might make you feel a bit underdressed.
You can spend your days wandering through the medieval Old Town, with its cobblestone streets and beautifully preserved buildings adorned with frescoes. The iconic Chapel Bridge, or Kapellbrucke, is a highlight. It is the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe, dating back to the 14th century.
Inside, you will find a series of 17th-century paintings depicting events from Lucerne’s history, though a fire in 1993 sadly destroyed many of them, proving that even idyllic settings have bad days.
For a truly epic view that will dominate your social media for weeks, take a trip up to Mount Pilatus. The journey itself is an adventure, involving the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, which climbs at a gradient of up to 48%.
Legend has it that the mountain was named after Pontius Pilate, whose restless ghost was said to haunt the peak. Today, the only spirits you’re likely to encounter are the ones served at the mountaintop restaurant.
Seychelles
The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean that looks like it was designed by a committee of hopeless romantics who were told the budget was unlimited. It is home to some of the most stunning beaches on the planet, with powdery white sand, turquoise waters, and dramatic granite boulders that look like they were artfully placed by a giant with a great eye for design.
Anse Source d’Argent on La Digue is one of the most photographed beaches in the world, and for good reason. The shallow, calm waters are perfect for a lazy afternoon of floating and contemplating how you will ever return to normal life.
The Seychelles is home to the Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest raised coral atolls in the world, which shelters the world’s largest population of giant tortoises. These gentle giants can live for over 100 years… so they have probably seen a few marriage proposals in their time and are completely unimpressed.
The islands also boast the unique coco de mer palm, which produces the largest seed in the plant kingdom, weighing up to 40 pounds. It’s a place that’s both beautiful and wonderfully weird.
Paris, France
Okay, it might be a cliché, but Paris is a cliché for a reason. The city is a living, breathing monument to romance, where even buying a baguette feels like an act of love. From strolling hand-in-hand along the Seine to sharing a bottle of wine on the steps of Montmartre, Paris makes romance feel effortless.
The Eiffel Tower, of course, is the main event. Did you know it was originally intended as a temporary structure for the 1889 World’s Fair? It was almost torn down, which would have been a tragedy for romantics (and keychain sellers) everywhere. It is also repainted every seven years, a task that requires 60 tons of paint.
For a different perspective, climb the 284 steps of the Arc de Triomphe for a stunning view down the Champs-Elysees.
Paris is also a city of gardens. The Luxembourg Gardens are a perfect spot for a quiet afternoon, with tree-lined promenades and the beautiful Medici Fountain. And sharing a flaky croissant from a local boulangerie is a simple pleasure that feels incredibly profound here.
Paris is not just a city; it is a feeling. A very, very romantic feeling that might make you want to start writing bad poetry.
Aitutaki, Cook Islands
If you are looking for a South Pacific paradise that is a little more off-the-beaten-path than Bora Bora, Aitutaki is your answer. This small island is essentially one giant, breathtakingly beautiful lagoon that will ruin all other bodies of water for you.
The water is a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of blues and greens, and it is dotted with tiny, uninhabited islets called motus. You can take a lagoon cruise and spend the day snorkeling in the crystal-clear water, followed by a barbecue lunch on a deserted beach.
One of the most popular stops is One Foot Island, which boasts what might be the world’s most unique post office. You can get your passport stamped there, proving you have visited one of the most idyllic spots on Earth, which is an excellent way to make your friends jealous.
Aitutaki has a population of just under 2,000 people and has only one ATM on the entire island, so it has a wonderfully relaxed and intimate feel. It was also where the reality show Survivor: Cook Islands was filmed, so you can pretend you are roughing it while actually staying in a luxurious bungalow with air conditioning.
St. Lucia
St. Lucia is an island that knows how to make an entrance. Its most famous landmarks are the Pitons, two volcanic spires that rise dramatically from the sea on its southwestern coast like nature’s skyscrapers.
These green-clad peaks, Gros Piton and Petit Piton, are a UNESCO World Heritage site and provide a stunning backdrop for a romantic escape. You can even hike the 2,619-foot Gros Piton, which takes about four hours round-trip and rewards you with incredible views (and a serious sense of accomplishment that justifies eating dessert first).
The island is also home to the world’s only drive-in volcano, Sulphur Springs, where you can get up close and personal with bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles. It smells a bit like rotten eggs, but it is a small price to pay for such a unique experience, and it makes for a great story later.
For a more traditionally romantic activity, you can take a dip in the mineral-rich mud baths, which are said to have healing properties and will make you look ten years younger (results may vary). Afterwards, you can rinse off in a nearby waterfall.
Whistler, Canada
For couples who think romance is best served with a side of adrenaline and Gore-Tex, Whistler is the ultimate mountain playground. Located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, this world-renowned resort town offers breathtaking scenery year-round.
In the winter, it is a skier’s paradise, with two massive mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, offering over 8,100 acres of terrain. The mountains are connected by the record-breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola, which holds world records for the longest unsupported span (1.88 miles) and the highest point above the ground (1,430 feet). The views of the surrounding glaciers and peaks are absolutely jaw-dropping and might make you forget how cold you are.
In the summer, the snow melts to reveal a hub for hiking and mountain biking, with over 50 miles of lift-serviced trails. You can hike through alpine meadows filled with wildflowers or just take a scenic chairlift ride for panoramic views without the effort.
The town of Whistler itself is a charming, pedestrian-only village with a lively atmosphere. And after a day of adventure, you can cozy up by a fireplace in a mountain lodge, which is the universal signal for romance to begin.
Granada, Spain
Granada is a city where history and romance are so intertwined, you can practically feel the ghosts of ancient lovers sighing in the breeze. Located in the Andalusia region of southern Spain, it is most famous for the Alhambra, a breathtaking palace and fortress complex that was the last stronghold of the Moorish kingdom in Spain.
This UNESCO World Heritage site is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, with intricate tilework, tranquil courtyards, and gardens so stunning they seem unreal. The Generalife gardens, the summer palace of the Nasrid rulers, are particularly stunning, with long pools and bubbling fountains. It is said that the constant sound of water was used to create a sense of peace and also to drown out any political scheming.
The city itself is a maze of winding streets, especially in the historic Albayzin quarter. From the Mirador de San Nicolas, you get the most iconic view of the Alhambra set against the Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s a photo op so good it feels like cheating.
Granada is also the birthplace of flamenco, and you can catch an intimate and passionate performance in one of the cave dwellings in the Sacromonte neighborhood.
Ushuaia, Argentina
For the couple that scoffs at beach vacations and prefers their romance with a side of epic, windswept wilderness, there is Ushuaia. Known as “the city at the end of the world,” it is the southernmost city on the planet… which gives you ultimate bragging rights.
Perched on the shores of the Beagle Channel and surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Martial Mountains, the scenery is raw and untamed. You can explore Tierra del Fuego National Park, which is the only national park in Argentina with a maritime coast, covering over 155,000 acres of dramatic landscapes. Here, you can hike through pristine subpolar forests and spot wildlife.
A boat trip on the Beagle Channel is a must, taking you past sea lion colonies, nesting cormorants, and the iconic Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, often mistakenly called the “lighthouse at the end of the world.” From here, you can also launch an expedition to Antarctica, if you really want to one-up everyone you know.
Ushuaia offers a different kind of romance, one that is about adventure, exploration, and the shared thrill of standing at the edge of the known world (hopefully wearing very warm coats).
Rovaniemi, Finland
If your romantic fantasy involves snuggling under a blanket of stars while the Northern Lights dance across the sky, then Rovaniemi is your destination. Located in Finnish Lapland, right on the Arctic Circle, this city is the official hometown of Santa Claus, which adds a touch of whimsical charm to any visit (and a chance to get on the nice list).
While seeing the big guy is a fun novelty, the real star of the show is the natural scenery. In the winter, the landscape is a pristine wonderland of snow-covered forests. You can go on a husky sledding adventure, take a reindeer-drawn sleigh ride, or try your hand at ice fishing, which is mostly an excuse to sit quietly in nature.
The main attraction, of course, is the Aurora Borealis. You can watch the light show from the comfort of a glass igloo, which is about as romantic as it gets without being in a movie. And it turns out, Rovaniemi is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, as they are visible on roughly 200 nights a year.
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