The Most Romantic Destinations in Europe • The Blonde Abroad

More from our Couples’ Travel Experts, Samantha & Ryan, of Our Travel Passport!

With the amount of noise and distractions in the world, sometimes we need to go on a date and sometimes that date needs to be a romantic vacation. We’ve discovered that the best thing for our relationship and marriage is to plan and execute a trip together, and if we can find a great romantic destination, then all the better!

Check out this list of some of our favorite romantic destinations in Europe and get planning!

Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is absolutely romantic in a wild and mystical sort of way. Giant’s Causeway is full of stunning views of cliffs meeting the ocean, unbelievable natural rock formations, and the most beautiful rolling green hills.

Hold hands as you walk along Giant’s Causeway, and listen to the seagulls, watch the waves, and wish for some of the Irish luck Northern Ireland has to offer.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Although not typically thought of as a romantic destination, Copenhagen is full of its own charm. The small size of the city makes it perfect to explore by bike. Follow each other down the colorful streets to get brunch and then take a boat tour from the iconic Nyhavn.

And don’t miss a chance to chase each other around Tivoli Gardens, which is the second oldest operating amusement park in the world!

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

There are few other places where you can go and be surrounded by green as far as the eye can see. Cliffs of Moher is one of those places where you can enjoy all the beauty of the greenery and hear freezing ocean waves crashing against incredible cliff formations.

If you’re lucky (or maybe not so lucky), you’ll get to experience the occasional wind storms gusting over 200 meter cliffs. When you’re amidst such a living environment, you can’t help but feel more in love with the one by your side.

10 Places to Visit in Ireland (That Aren’t Dublin)

Lake Como, Italy

What is more beautiful and romantic than a lake sitting in the middle of the Italian Alps? It used to be known as a playground only for the rich, but Como has recently become accessible to all travelers.

The first time I saw Lake Como I was on a train from Lucerne, Switzerland to Milan, Italy and thought we had entered another world. Transport yourselves to another world by renting a villa, eating on a dock, riding the funicular for an incredible view, and playing in the water.

Sintra, Portugal

You know that dream of finding Prince Charming or Sleeping Beauty in a magical fairytale land? Well, that fairytale land is basically Sintra. Sintra is full of stunning and unique castles, ivy-covered walls, ponds full of swans, and enchanting forests.

Be sure to visit Pena Palace, the most colorful castle possibly ever, and Quinta da Regaleira, which is full of secret passageways, and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported into your very own fairytale.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Am I the only one that thinks lakes are romantic? Maybe it is just water in general, but there is just something so smooth and calming about lakes that make us feel so relaxed and even more in love.

Lake Bled is a gorgeous lake in the mountains of Slovenia.

It is much more developed in terms of tourism than Lake Como, but it is equally gorgeous. Avoid the tourist traps and rent bikes to ride around the lake, to the nearby countryside, and to see the turquoise waters of Vintgar Gorge.

London, England

London is such a fun city full of colorful houses and beautiful sites. Whether you take a walk along the Thames, ride the London Eye, or each brunch in Notting Hill, you’ll definitely swoon over all the charming places in the city.

If there is one romantic spot in London, it is the Gallery Room at Sketch.

It is a comfortable, chic, and perfectly pink afternoon tea experience. It is the perfect date spot for any couple, and you won’t leave hungry after unlimited tea, finger sandwiches, cakes, scones, and other treats. Plus, everything about London makes you feel like royalty, and what’s more romantic than feeling like a prince and princess?

Read More: The Ultimate London Travel Guide

Instagram

Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

1858 56

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 17869856373573722

Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

2180 69

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18090265751115394

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

Sun-drenched mornings, salty air, and the kind of place that makes you instantly exhale @waldorfastoriacostarica ✌️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Our stay at this brand-new property was truly a dream — sweeping ocean views, elevated design, and more pools than I’ve ever seen at a hotel in my entire life.

From award-winning wellness to coconuts by the pool, every detail felt thoughtful and intentional.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa
Recently named Costa Rica’s Best Resort Spa, this sanctuary blends modern wellness with local healing traditions — volcanic mud rituals, rainforest-inspired therapies, and grounding treatments that leave you floating.

🛎️ Amenities
World-class service, beachfront access, a stunning collection of pools (truly — endless), curated experiences, and those sweet elevated touches everywhere you turn. Newly opened, yet already operating like a seasoned 5-star icon.

💦 Kids’ Club
One of the coolest spaces for littles — crafts, games, toys, and outdoor play areas that made traveling with Oliver feel easy (and fun for him, too).

🥥 The Food & Coffee
Fresh, locally sourced Costa Rican flavors with elevated execution. Oceanfront bites, poolside snacks, handcrafted coffee experiences, and yes… plenty of coconuts.

🌿 Sustainability
Proud holders of the Bandera Azul Ecológica for conservation and environmental efforts — luxury and responsibility beautifully intertwined.

We truly cannot wait to come back. ✨

If you’re looking for a luxury, family-friendly escape in Costa Rica — this is your spot.

A huge thank you to @waldorfastoriacostarica for hosting us on this sunshine-soaked getaway.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#costarica #waldorfastoria #luxuryfamilytravel #familytravel

452 25

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18094787833947297

A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

2538 84

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18380851606081524

A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

515 20

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18083248064243187