5 Exotic Honeymoon Destinations around the World (and 3 in the U.S.)

These honeymoon destinations are uniquely suited to romance.
Seascape with long jetty and water villas in the Maldives (Photo: Shutterstock)
Seascape with long jetty and water villas in the Maldives (Photo: Shutterstock)

Once you’ve said “I do” and officially become a family of two, it’s time unwind on your first vacation as a newly married couple. This once-in-a-lifetime trip is an opportunity to celebrate your new connection while exploring (or just relaxing in) someplace uniquely suited to romance, and the best honeymoon ideas are romantic destinations and couples resorts that appeal to both of you equally.

The Best Honeymoon Destinations for Newlyweds

From the sun-kissed islands of Greece and the vineyards of Southern France to the snow-capped peaks Utah’s ski country, these honeymoon destinations make a perfect backdrop for the most romantic vacation of your life together.

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1. Baros, Maldives

Intimate candlelit dinner in The Maldives (Photo: Shutterstock)
The Maldives is a famous honeymoon destination with romantic moments at every turn (Photo: Shutterstock)

With endless beaches, oceanfront resorts, and romantic overwater bungalows, The Maldives checks all the boxes for a romantic honeymoon destination. And the island of Baros, situated just minutes from the airport by boat, adds a bit of convenience to your paradise vacation as well.

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Honeymooners can explore their playful side by swimming with turtles, or relax and rejuvenate with a spa treatment. Breathtaking moments await, like a jaw-dropping sunset cruise on a Maldivian Dhonie sailboat or snorkeling at the famed Baros reef.

Where to Stay on a Honeymoon in the Maldives

Couples honeymooning at Baros Maldives are treated to sparking blue water, white sand beaches, and intimate candlelit dinners. Relax in your own villa with a private pool and enjoy a swoon-worthy floating breakfast while soaking up the sun. The resort also has round-the-clock butler service. 

2. Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos Traveler
Mykonos has many beachfront properties that are moderately priced, and has a lively summer party scene (Photo: Alexandra Kirr via Unsplash)

The Greek island of Mykonos is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world. With plenty of beachfront properties and moderately priced accommodations, it’s a perfectly idyllic spot to kick off a happy marriage. 

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Famous for its summer party scene, this whitewashed Mediterranean paradise is also brimming with iconic landmarks to explore, including a row of 16th century windmills perched on a hill above town. Restaurants line the street of the Old Port, and the Armenistis Lighthouse is a sweet spot for sunsets and sightseeing.

Where to Stay on a Honeymoon in Mykonos

Right in the middle of the action and within short walking distance of many of Mykonos’s most popular attractions, Mykonos Blu is a sure bet for honeymooning couples. Gorgeous bungalows and private villas offer a welcome respite for newlyweds looking to get away from it all while enjoying high-end dining and bars. Opportunities to splurge include a private butler, chef, and yacht rentals. 

3. Playa Mujeres, Mexico

Isla Mujeres, Mexico, near Cancun (Photo: Shutterstock)
Honeymooning couples can unwind without the crowds on Playa Mujeres (Photo: Shutterstock)

There’s no better place to truly unwind on your honeymoon than Playa Mujeres, an ultra secluded portion of Mexico’s Isla Mujeres. While it’s close enough to party-hardy Cancun to allow for some fun-filled nights on the town, this peaceful slice of paradise makes for a perfect respite when it’s time to slow things down.

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The second-longest coral reef system in the world, the Mesoamerican Reef, offers adventurous underwater thrills for snorkelers. The curious can explore the remnants of an ancient Mayan temple or one of several lighthouses built during World War II.

Where to Stay on a Honeymoon in Playa Mujeres

An adults-only all-inclusive boutique resort with just over 100 rooms, Beloved Playa Mujeres offers five-star service in a luxury oceanfront setting. Couples can indulge in activities like tequila tastings or spa treatments before enjoying live music around the property. Honeymoon packages include curated amenities like a couples massage, Champagne in bed, and special turndown service—all complimentary for newlyweds.

4. Narbonne, France

Gothic cathedral overlooking Narbonne, France (Photo: Shutterstock)
Honeymooners can mix visits to vineyards, beaches, and gothic cathedrals in and around Narbonne, France (Photo: Shutterstock)

With its twisty roads, sun-drenched beaches, and stunning vineyards, the South of France is an underrated destination for a honeymoon, offering opportunities for both quiet moments and excitement in the heart of Europe. Off-the-beaten path Narbonne is mostly visited by locals, which makes it an enchanting honeymoon spot where you and your partner can get lost together on vacation.

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If the tourist-free beaches aren’t enough to draw you in, maybe the the idyllic fishing villages and cute coastal towns will entice you? The natural beauty of the surrounding area is pure magic and romance, and the whole region is made for exploration on foot or by bike. Stroll along the Canal de la Robine, or visit stunning cathedrals such as the Saint-Just and Saint Pastour. And make a point to explore Les Halles de Narbonne, a market that’s home to dozens of local artisans and merchants. 

Where to Stay on a Honeymoon in Narbonne

Nestled among vineyards and olive groves, the Chateau L’Hospitalet Wine Resort Beach and Spa is a romantic honeymoon destination that’s both intimate and uniquely French. The stunning property boasts a spa, pool, upscale dining options, tasting room, and a nearby beachfront. When not sampling the many pours found at the acclaimed winery, couples can enjoy oysters and a warm breeze at the resort’s beach club.

5. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona Beach View
With its nightlife and great restaurant scene, Barcelona is a perfectly cosmopolitan honeymoon destination (Photo: Lucrezia Carnelos via Unsplash)

The Spanish seaside dazzles with both sunshine and history. The capital of Barcelona is known for its captivating art and architecture, as well as culinary delights and impressive nightlife—and it’s a sneaky-good spot for a newlywed getaway.

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Honeymooners can delight in exploring the Gothic Quarter’s winding streets or shopping along lively Las Ramblas before stopping for tapas and a traditional Tinto de verano. You could spend an entire day exploring the many works of Antoni Gaudi, like the whimsical Park Guell, before the grand finale: the fantastical Sagrada Familia. While away the afternoons on Plaja de Sant Sebastian, a popular beach lined with many bars and ocean-view terraces. 

Where to Stay on Honeymoon in Barcelona

It’s your honeymoon, so go big or go home, right? The worldwide brand Soho House operates one of its private members’ clubs and hotels right next to the gorgeous Marina Port Vell. Guests of the hotel enjoy star treatment and unobstructed views of the harbor. The rooms themselves are posh and incorporate designer pieces with vintage furnishings for a homey-yet-luxurious feel. Complete with a rooftop pool, spa, and on-site cocktail bar, the boutique hotel is set in a stylized 18th-century building and stays true to the brand’s commitment to unsurpassed service with style.  

6. New York, New York

New York City in the late afternoon light. NYC is one of the best vacation spots for couples
New York City has something for every honeymooning couple, including Broadway musicals and fine dining (Photo: @fabien.bazanegue.photography via Twenty20)

The “City That Never Sleeps” is also a hub of art, entertainment, and culture. With a little something for everyone (think Broadway musicals and Michelin-rated fine dining, just for starters), New York is a natural U.S. honeymoon destination for couples who enjoy the finer things in life.

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You can get pleasantly lost among the cobblestone streets of SOHO, home to some of Manhattan’s finest restaurants, bakeries, and shopping. Other romantic honeymoon ideas include strolling through Central Park, eating your way through Chinatown, or taking in a Broadway show. This is a city that celebrates diversity, and it’s a sweet vacation spot for couples to feel like they’re traveling the world through entertainment and dining without ever leaving the country.

Where to Stay on a Honeymoon in New York

Located on Billionaire’s Row, Hilton Club The Quin New York has everything you need in a honeymoon destination: location, opulence, and space. Manhattan hotel rooms are notoriously small, but here you can relish in a penthouse suite that offers a private terrace with views of Central Park, Radio City Music Hall, and the Freedom Tower.

The thoughtful approach to design embraces modern finishes with a touch of old-world New York. Rooms and decor were curated with the art lover in mind and feature pieces from artists who once called this building home as well as pieces from the Museum of Modern Art

7. Orlando, Florida

Orlando Four Seasons
Luxury resorts like The Four Seasons Resort Orlando feel a world away from the buzz of the theme parks (Photo: Four Seasons)

Sure, the House of the Mouse is one of the top family vacation spots in the country, but that doesn’t mean it’s all princesses and roller coasters. It’s also home to award-winning chefs, resorts, and spas.

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Case in point: When visiting Orlando as a honeymoon destination, couples can enjoy a multi-course dining experience from the AAA Five Diamond Award-winning Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Later, take in a Cirque Du Soleil production or experience the incredible nightlife offerings at Disney Springs, like the Indiana Jones-themed watering hole Jock Lindsay’s Hanger Bar.

Continue your honeymoon inside the magical Disney bubble aboard the Disney Wish, which offers a number of adults-only experiences on board

Where to Stay on a Honeymoon in Orlando

For true opulence, the Four Seasons Resort Orlando is fitting for any prince or princess on the honeymoon of their dreams. Although it’s technically situated on Disney property, this hotel feels utterly removed thanks to its secluded setting in Golden Oak, a private neighborhood. In addition to a spa, expansive pool area, and golf course, the Four Seasons offers private shuttle service to the Orlando theme parks. And its rooftop steakhouse, Capa, has unparalleled views and now boasts a Michelin star. 

8. Park City, Utah

Park City Winter
Adventure-loving honeymooners can find year-round outdoors activities in Park City (Photo: Benjamin R. via Unsplash)

For adventurous go-getters who love nature and the Great Outdoors, Park City is a honeymoon destination where you can vacation with gusto. Its picturesque downtown offers high-end shopping alongside casual eateries and local craft breweries, and as a four-season destination you can enjoy everything from guided hikes in the summer to Olympic-caliber ski runs in the winter.

Where to Stay on Honeymoon in Park City

High above town and accessible by funicular, The St. Regis Deer Valley exudes pure luxury as expected from the iconic hotel brand. With a number of on-site activities, including a multi-tier infinity pool and spa, it’s the real deal for honeymoon luxury. There’s even a concierge on hand every step of the way to arrange activities, like nearby trout fishing and tee times at championship golf courses.

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Carly Caramanna
Carly Caramanna has a passion for covering the latest in unique food, travel, and theme park trends. Growing up in the carb-filled land of bagels and pizza by the slice (aka New Jersey), her parents instilled a love of all things adventure, food, and Walt Disney World. After attending NYU, she's spent her career in New York City and Nashville. An expert on all things wining and dining at theme parks, she contributes to Mashed, Business Insider, Parents Magazine, and PascherEvasion.