13 Most Romantic Cities in Europe for a Memorable Getaway

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Wondering about the most romantic cities in Europe?

Love, sweet love! Romance is a global pursuit, but there’s something extra special about it in Europe, where romantic cobbled streets, epic landscapes, and dreamy canals make perfect backdrops for all kinds of love stories.

If love is in the air for you and you’re ready for a sweet escape, consider our list of the most romantic cities in Europe.

Most Romantic Cities in Europe

Paris, France

Naturally, we kick things off with an icon of romance, the city of love itself: Paris! There’s no place more perfect for taking a lovers’ stroll along tucked-away cobbled streets, whispering sweet nothings into each others’ ears.

Romance can take many forms here. You can go a lovely, more traditional route with a box of Ladurée macarons, a wine and cheese picnic at Champs de Mars, followed by a stroll through Amelie’s Montmartre …or maybe you’d prefer to get a little quirky?

Try picking up a bag of bariolés from Les Bariolés de Maud, then wandering through part of the La Petite Ceinture abandoned railway, and wind things up by shopping for cool gifts to exchange at the Porte de Vanves flea market.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Picturesque canals and bridges, ornate 17th-century homes, and a renowned cultural landscape earn Amsterdam what may seem like a surprising entry onto this list of European romantic getaways.

But if you avoid the heart of the crowded central area and instead venture out a bit, you’ll find a net of alleyways begging to be explored hand-in-hand and a throng of amazing art museums to get lost in.

Going further out to gorgeous historic areas like Zaanse Schans and Edam offer perfect opportunities for couples to immortalize their loved-up getaway with truly memorable photos.

And, of course, you can and should still book an iconic and romantic Amsterdam canal boat cruise for two! Then enjoy an evening meal at Michelin-starred Bougainville, recently named Best Restaurant in the World by TripAdvisor.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a beating Catalonian heart perfect for romance lovers. Start your morning with pan tumaca and milky coffee for two before heading out to enjoy a day in beautiful Parc Guell.

And you must spend time trading kisses as the city unfolds beneath your feet with a Port Vell aerial tram ride. 

In the evening, walk through Barcelona’s prettiest neighborhood, El Born, and grab a low-key dinner at one of the many restaurants nestled into the winding streets.

Rome, Italy

Most romantic cities in Europe? Romance in Rome should be a given in that regard–it’s right there in the name! Adventurous lovers should rent a Vespa and spend an afternoon scooting through the streets together.

In the summertime, take in a dreamy evening open-air performance of the Opera di Roma at the historic Caracalla Baths. 

For dinner, wander well outside of the tourist areas and find an out-of-the-way treasure of a pasta restaurant with a table for two, and of course, share gelato for dessert. 

One thing you can’t forget to do is to toss coins into the Trevi Fountain together before you leave–so you can come back and do it all again one day!

Füssen, Germany

The charming Bavarian town of Füssen is the last destination on the southern end of Germany’s Romantic Road, so it is obviously one of the best romantic getaways in Europe! 

For the ultimate in cozy Alpine romance, book a room at one of the accommodations in Füssen’s lovely Old Town–not only will you be in walking distance of all of the best sights and restaurants in the city, you could wake up each morning to a view straight out of an illuminated manuscript.

Then, if you rent a car, Schloss Neuschwanstein–the castle on a cloud that inspired Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle–is a short drive from Füssen, and a visit there makes for a fairy-tale afternoon. 

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Speaking of fairy tales, you’ll certainly feel as though you’ve fallen into one in riverside Ljubljana. Slovenia’s capital is a spectacularly charming city with a historical center and a modern heart.

Known for lush, expansive green spaces, planning European romantic getaways here should literally be a walk in the park!

Ljubljana is also known for beekeeping and honey production, so make sure to grab a jar of the golden sweet treat from a local business to enjoy during romantic breakfasts.

And a fun, unusual couples activity is available in the form of visiting some of the city’s artisans and taking a class with them in anything from printing or weaving to precious metalsmithing. 

Florence, Italy

Rome may argue that romance originated deep in its DNA, but as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, lovely Tuscan Florence has been making a serious case for its own romantic potential for a long time now, and between the scenery, the culture, and the food, well…there’s excellent reason to hear the Florentines out on this.

For starters, nowhere else in Italy will you find wine windows. Originating during the somewhat less romantic age of the Florentine plague in 1634, wine windows have come to enjoy new life in the 21st century.

There aren’t many that are actually operational, but when you find one on your romantic evening strolls, definitely order a couple of glasses of wine to enjoy al fresco. 

For a sweet couples’ dinner, allow us to suggest the humble panini. Why? Because you can often eat a panino with one hand and hold your partner’s with the other, of course!

Popular TikToker Kacie Rose has several recommendations for great panini in Florence, with her favorite, the family-owned Pino’s, topping the list. 

Vienna, Austria

If music is the language of love, then with its prodigious classical music pedigree, Vienna is surely a worthy home to the sentiment and one of the most romantic cities in Europe. 

A simple walk through the streets of the city can lead couples past a number of buskers serenading them with Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and more.

And, of course, music-loving pairs must take in a concert at the beautiful Musikverein–Vienna is home to one of the finest orchestras and opera companies, after all.

But perhaps music is not your be-all, end-all? No problem. Quintessentially romantic options include booking a horse-drawn fiaker ride through the city, visiting the Belvedere Palace’s epic collection of artworks, including Klimt’s The Kiss, or taking a Viennese waltz class together! 

And, of course, to cap off any sweet evening, it’s only right to share a slice of the Hotel Sacher’s iconic torte.

Venice, Italy

There’s Rome, there’s Florence… but there is perhaps no other Italian city more actually synonymous with romance than Venice, the city of canals–this may be one of the best European destinations for couples.

Stay at the beautiful and perfectly central Oltre il Giardino hotel, once home to Alma Mahler, widow of composer Gustav Mahler.

Tucked into the end of a narrow street in the very heart of Venice, this hotel, with its lovely walled garden, is a beautiful retreat from the city. 

A private gondola ride is, of course, the expected thing for lovers to do, but you could go off the beaten path and walk around getting “lost” in the city’s narrow streets.

This gives you the opportunity to find hidden gems in terms of restaurants, gelateria, and shops.

Zurich, Switzerland

Perhaps finance and business come to mind first when you think of Zurich, but if that’s all you think about, you’re shortchanging a gorgeous cultural capital city that’s surprisingly ripe for romance. 

Wine and cheese are of course romantic essentials, so why not enjoy a cozy fondue dinner for two at any one of Zurich’s excellent fondue restaurants?

Alternatively, the outdoorsy sort of couple can rent bikes, pack a picnic, and cycle out to the shores of lovely Lake Geneva to while away a gorgeous afternoon. 

A surprisingly romantic idea is to ride the Polybahn funicular up to the Polyterasse. This terrace at a technological university doesn’t sound like a place for lovers at first, but it overlooks Old Town Zurich and has some of the most amazing views in the city.

Budapest, Hungary

Gorgeous Budapest is another underrated city for lovers, one of the best romantic getaways in Europe–but with no shortage of scenic strolls, candlelit Danube restaurants, and thermal spas, it should be a can’t-miss on any couples’ agenda.

Despite its origins as a convent island housing a princess who refused to marry an earthly husband, Margaret Island–in the middle of the Danube, a quick ferry ride from the city–has become known as a lovers’ retreat, with picturesque ruins, beautiful gardens, and lovely little green niches perfect for stealing kisses in. 

Budapest is great for sybaritic indulgence as well–you can’t go wrong with booking a luxury couples massage at the beautiful Szechenyi Baths.

Follow it up with a gorgeous fine dining experience at the rose-festooned Vintage Garden restaurant and you’ve got the recipe for the most perfectly plush and sensual evening.

Galway, Ireland

Ed Sheeran spun a musical tale about falling in love with a Galway girl, why not go a step further and fall in love with Galway itself?

While also falling further in love in Galway? Nothing could be better when you’re hunting for the most romantic cities in Europe!

Live out your best boho romantic dreams in the city’s Latin Quarter, poking your heads into unusual little stores, watching street performers, and grabbing meals in any number of cool little restaurants.

Or sway together to any number of live folk bands in the city’s pubs!

A ferry journey out to the moodily photogenic Aran Islands and the legendary Cliffs of Moher is also an absolute must.

Here, sweeping views and stunning landscapes form a backdrop that’s perfect for the most epic romantic moment of your life, straight out of Irish cinema.

London, England

It may be difficult at first to think of big, busy London as a setting for romance, but… hello? Some of the most notable British romantic comedies are set here! Love, actually, is all around in London, if you know where to look.

Obviously, colorful Notting Hill must be a stop on your love itinerary for a sweet photo opportunity at the famous Blue Door (and if you don’t know why this is a good idea, rent the movie Notting Hill first and spend a quiet romantic night watching it!), followed by a good browse through Portobello Market and drinks at one of the cozy bars in the neighborhood.

If you still want to romance your way through the city but need a nature break, you’ve got options there, too. The Little Venice neighborhood at the juncture of the Grand Union and Regent’s canals, is a wonderfully atmospheric and peaceful area to roam in.

Enjoy people-watching as the narrowboat traffic glides by, or even take a narrowboat cruise yourself!

For a more land-based nature love-in, picnic in Hampstead Heath and read the poetry of John Keats to each other–this area is where the poet lived and spent a couple of summers falling in love with Fanny Brawne.

Final Thoughts: Best Romantic Getaways in Europe

It’s said that love is the food of life and travel is the dessert. With luck, this guide to the most romantic cities in Europe will lead you to the perfect sweet treat of a travel experience. Bon Appetit!

Save this post for later: